💔 Last week, we had to say goodbye to my dad. I’ve dreaded sharing this news. I know so many of you enjoyed seeing him. I’m often asked how he’s doing and to send him wishes.
I won the lottery in the dad department. My dad was my biggest cheerleader, and I’ve been very lucky that he’s been able to ‘work’ alongside me for over the past decade in our family business. He always took such pride in helping us, and loved watching our business grow.
My dad was diagnosed with ALS( Lou Gehrigs Disease) in October 2021. ALS is a terminal disease. It’s gruelling, it’s scary, it’s all consuming and it takes everything from you, your ability to walk, talk, move, eat and eventually breathe.
It’s been a long hard 3.5 years. I’ve shared some of my dad’s story with you. (Mostly the happy moments, but the reality is, it’s been the hardest 3.5 years of my life). Being by my dad’s side and helping him live the best he could was my priority and thanks to our community, I was able to do that. It’s been a whirlwind to say the least. First we renovated his home so he could stay independent and I did his home care and my husband and I helped with chores. Then, when the time came that he could no longer be alone, he moved in with my husband and I and we renovated once again to make his space accessible and I could continue his home care. Then, as the disease progressed further and I was no longer to care for my dad at home, and his needs became far more complex, he moved into a care home in Calgary for which I am also eternally grateful for.
This community is beyond special to me, and I am so grateful for you. It’s becuase of your support that I was able to be there in every way for my dad and he appreciated that too. I was able to have flexibility to be with my dad at every Doctors appointment, every ALS clinic appointment, to take the time I needed with him, and to leave work early and visit him at his care home once he transitioned there. You helped me give him the best. ❤️
The reality is, ALS needs more. More funding, more research, more hope. I will continue to advocate and raise money for ALS patients and their families, and do my part to create hope in my dad’s memory.
