Story
In 2017, my mother passed away from a dreadful illness, one that quietly affects countless families across the world, without regard for place, culture, or circumstance. Alzheimer’s and dementia are particularly cruel conditions, rarely do their signs arrive all at once, instead they unfold slowly, leaving loved ones to witness the gradual decline of someone they have loved so much.
Over time, familiar expressions fade, conversations lose meaning, and the connection that once felt unbreakable begins to slip. Witnessing this process is heart-breaking, as the person you knew drifts further from the world that you once shared. The deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and dementia is relentless and progressive, leading to a steady decline in cognitive, functional, and physical abilities. Perhaps most painfully, the disease erodes the essence of the individual, stealing all of their memories, their mannerisms, and their beautiful personality. (That was hard to write).
Therefore, in May/June this year I will be packing my belongings to cycle a rough 6000 mile route across Canada to raise as much money as I can to support the fight against Alzheimer's and Dementia. There are many personal emotions wrapped up in this topic that still affect me today, however I know this subject has also brought so much pain to so many people, so this is a shared endeavour.
The route will take me across the second biggest land mass on the planet and its western shores in British Columbia to its most easterly point at Cape Spear on Newfoundland. I had initially considered starting on Vancouver Island at the famous Terry Fox Mile 0 monument and then head east, however, adventure has found me once again and I will now either start from Prince Rupert in the very north of British Columbia or even Skagway in Alaska, both of which are incredibly remote areas of the world….and riddled with Grizly Bears. Irrespective of starting point, I will eventually (hopefully) arrive at the other side of the continent 3 and a half months later in one piece.
I hope you might consider joining me in a fight to find a cure. Any contribution irrespective of amount will be greatly appreciated.