When signing up for the walk the website asks you if you are walking in honour or memory of a loved one, and then will ask you if this person is deceased. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t wish that I didn’t have to click that box.

In October 2021 we lost my grandpa so like every year, I am walking to honour him and his legacy. My grandfather lived with dementia for over 10 years. I owe a lot of my life to my sweet Rog, but mostly my career. If I didn’t have him I wouldn’t be where I am today in so many capacities. Knowing that each step I take is in honour of all that Rog meant to me and that he will be with me in my heart each step of the way brings me peace. Growing up, Grandpa was my biggest fan. He always saw the potential in me that I never could see in myself, he taught me to be resilient and strong; two characteristics I continue to carry with me today.

It is an interesting position to be both caregiver and care provider, to have a first hand experience of what my clients and their families experience. It’s always made me have an appreciation for what one has to go through when supporting someone who is living with dementia.

In my work, I often make reference to my Grandpa and experiences our family had when he was living with the disease. I explain the unique position that is grieving someone who is still living and try to help my clients feel less alone when I let them know that even as someone who does what I do for a living, I too had difficulties with coping with the diagnosis and all that came with it. I still remember to this day the first time my grandpa forgot my name, I sat in my car after the visit and cried for hours. I know first hand how important it is to have someone who knows what you’re going through, and is able to relate to your experiences.
I take comfort knowing that I continue to make my grandpa proud, with the strength of his presence in my heart. Being the person he always wanted me to grow up to be.

So today, and every day I walk in the sweet memory of my Rog.