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December 02, 2010
| ALL ALONE – WITH US! Yesterday I met a very brave British Columbian! He has Alzheimer’s. He is aware it is fatal with no known cure. He is living alone. Mario came from the Philippines to Vancouver in the early 70s with all the hope that a university educated businessman brings to a new country. By the early 80s, he was established at one of our best known Canadian corporations with a future that was endless in its possibilities. Around mid 2005, doubt started to creep in. This capable man would be giving a presentation to his colleagues and forget what the next sentence should be. He would be walking home from visiting his sister and completely lose his way. The doctors chalked it up to 21st century stress. So Mario decided that he would solve this problem by taking an early retirement, decreasing his stress levels, and devote his life to travelling. Yet, increasing frequency of forgetfulness pushed Mario to get better answers. After numerous tests, including an MRI at the UBC Alzheimer’s Clinic, a neurologist confirmed that Mario was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The very same day Mario received his diagnosis, he marched into an Alzheimer Society of B.C. Resource Centre at 8th and Willow in Vancouver and was immediately supplied with literature and information. Months later, he completed an eight-week course called Shaping the Journey: living with dementia™ that informed Mario how to plan for the disease’s progression. Now, Mario attends two afternoons a month at one of the South Fraser Support Groups, where he is surrounded by others who share his journey, abundant resources, and trained facilitators. As I sat across the table from this kind, soft spoken and dignified man my heart went out to him. This strong, previously independent man lives alone and faces a diminishing future by himself. He has surrendered his driver’s license and transferred power of attorney to another. He must increasingly rely on others for support; someone comes in for routine house maintenance, including cleaning out the fridge of mouldy food he has forgotten to throw away. There are some facts you should know. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. provides support services to British Columbians, like Mario, on the dementia journey, at no cost. But every five minutes a Canadian is being told that they have Alzheimer’s disease and this figure is set to double within one generation if we don’t act now. You also need to know that we have some significant financial needs to meet for the remainder of the year and Mario has personally asked if you could help us financially.
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| ALL ALONE – WITH US! Continued from page 3 The Alzheimer Society of B.C. exists to help Mario and thousands like him. You can help your fellow British Columbians who are facing a difficult journey and are living with a disease that has no cure. We need you to give today. Mario and thousands of others will be touched by your gift today. Yesterday is fading with the memories of the past. Tomorrow is diminishing as the disease destroys their vital brain cells. When you give today, you make a difference right now. This December, we urgently need you to give to these three specific programs that are touching Mario and many like him! Donate now! Warmly with much thanks for your response, David Walker Director of Fund Development Alzheimer Society of B.C. This article will appear in the Winter 2010 edition of Contact. Previous editions of Contact can be viewed online here. *Correction: Shaping the Journey: living with dementia is an 8-week course; Mario belongs to a North Fraser Early Stage Support Group |
