Linda Hodgkin - Comox Valley Honouree
2019 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's
When Linda Hodgkin was diagnosed with dementia in the fall of 2017, the lifelong Girl Guide member chose to take on each new challenge by remembering the Guiding Promise.
“I promise to do my best,” Linda says. “I’m determined to do my best in the face of this.”
Through Girl Guides of Canada, Linda trained Guide leaders, led two cycling expeditions around Prince Edward Island and built relationships that have lasted a lifetime. Formerly a chief medical lab technologist living in Vernon, Linda moved to Courtenay to be nearer to fellow Girl Guide member Ruth Seabloom, who is now her primary support in her dementia journey.
“As a young person, my dad was in the Navy and we moved around a lot. I never had the opportunity to have long-term friends. Support from your friends and family is so important.”
Together, the best friends have accessed the Alzheimer Society of B.C. support and education in Nanaimo and Courtenay, while striving to make new memories of the kind of adventures that drew them together as Girl Guides. Maintaining a positive attitude and Linda’s independence are paramount to them both.
“When I realized it wasn’t something that was going to go away, I was both angry and sad because I still had so many things that I wanted to do,” says Linda, who credits the Society’s Shaping the Journey with teaching her that developing dementia wasn’t her fault.
Linda’s enthusiasm has given way to a life of powerful experiences, including a year in Japan, where she worked teaching English and accumulated an assortment of Japanese phrases she still uses when the time is right. It’s just one more source of laughter for the duo, who along with the fear and anger, are able to see moments of humour while living with dementia.
“Try not to let it overwhelm you,” Linda says. “Live your life and be positive.”
Walk with Linda at the Comox Valley IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's on Sunday, May 5. Together, we make memories matter.