On January 7, 1974, Bob Read was walking along a Maui Beach when he met a beautiful young woman named Margo. After a long and loving multi-decade marriage, Margo succumbed to a battle with Alzheimer’s on November 21, 2014.
They were only two months shy of the 40th anniversary of their chance meeting. She was 61-years-old.
“By the end she became a child again,” said Bob. “That’s what people don’t realize is with Alzheimer’s you become younger and younger. Basically she was a three-month-old baby when she passed. But she never stopped having emotions, she never forgot me.”
He said though her disease was a stressful and overwhelming experience for both of them, he’s glad he was given the opportunity to take care of her at home, with the assistance of care aids.
“This kind of journey is so full of sorrow, but between Margo and I it became full of joy because at some point she was just so beautiful and fragile and dependent. We loved to take care of her.”
He said it was devastating to watch her struggle.
“She was very complex and she was fighting for her life, as so many with this disease do. They fight to survive in a world where everything is taken away. She lost her memory, of course, but she also lost the ability to move her feet. She lost the ground,” he said.
“We were constantly having to adapt and change.”
On January 25, 2015, Bob will be marching along with many other Nelsonites to raise money for the support not only of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, but also their caregivers in the annual Walk for Memories.
The funds will also go towards research for the causes and the cure.
“I want to see as many people walk as possible so we can make progress and people like Margo can get the care they need,” he said.
Local organizer Simon Grypma, whose father had Alzheimer’s before he passed away, said the event is hugely important.
“If you have a physical issue, like a broken arm or you’re on crutches, people can see what’s wrong with you. But Alzheimer’s is a lonely disease because nobody can see it,” he said.
He said all the money raised will stay local.
“All the money we raise in Nelson serves Nelson and area. It doesn’t go anywhere else in the province, and it all goes to families dealing with Alzheimer’s.”
The walk will take place at 11 a.m. at the Nelson & District Community Complex. Registration will be at 10 a.m.
You can register for the walk online at walkformemories.com. For more information visit alzheimerbc.org.