2026 Walk for Alzheimer's Spokesperson - Corrina

Hi, my name is Corrina. I feel truly honoured to be this year’s spokesperson for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's.

My mom, Laurie, was born in The Netherlands and came to Canada when she was 8 years old with her family. They lived in Toronto where she met my dad at a Dutch social event years later. They married and moved to Oakville where they had 2 children. After both children were born, they moved to Niagara.

We lived in the same home where many memories happened as we grew up. After almost 50 years of marriage my dad passed away from cancer. My mom sold the family home and moved into an apartment with my brother just down the street from their old house.

Then COVID happened. Because I live in Georgetown with my own family we only spoke on the phone and did video chats for a while. Once things started to open up again we would see my mom for little visits in Niagara, and she would drive up to Georgetown for visits at our home.

They were never very long and if she forgot something she’d laugh it off as “old age”. My brother moved out and then she was on her own.

When I came for longer visits I started to notice little things wrong. I started to pay more attention and then called her doctor to ask for a memory test. I was asked to come in with her at the next doctor’s appointment. The doctor then told me that she had already been diagnosed with Dementia 2 years prior and I wasn’t told. After this news I started taking on more with my mom, coming every other day to Niagara once my children got on their school bus.

I have a lovely friend, whose husband was diagnosed with Dementia. She shared her stories and told me to call the Alzheimer’s Society. I looked them up online and read through their whole website and anything else I could find to help me take care of my mom. I went for many months without anyone’s help. When she started getting worse, not taking her meds or eating regularly, I finally called the Alzheimer’s Society. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.

Within a few days, Katie, our Care Coordinator, called me. I told her everything that was going on and we booked a time to meet at my mom’s apartment. She came, did some assessments on my mom, then gave us information on services and classes that the Alzheimer’s Society provided, as well as help with attaining a POA.

I took everything she gave me and ran with it; I now had a plan of action.

Together, we got my mom the help she needed. We set up blister packs for her medicine, Mindful visits, transportation to and from The Power of Music when I couldn’t take her, exercising with Minds in Motion, and behind the scenes I was taking all the online courses that the Alzheimer’s Society offered for caregivers. I also received help and guidance to navigate the LTC process and application.

When we found out my mom had breast cancer, Katie came to the doctor’s appointments to help me understand and process all the information because I was so emotional. My mom then had a mastectomy and then came to stay with us while she recovered. It was a rough time with her forgetting that she had had an operation and her wanting to move around and not understanding she couldn’t. After her recovery, things started to deteriorate, with more confusion and frustration on her part.

I do not know how many times I called Katie on the verge of a breakdown or crying on our journey. With weekly visits, check-ins, and always being there supporting and guiding me when I thought I couldn’t go on, I will forever be grateful and beholden to Katie and the others from the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara. They helped me keep my mom safe and well cared for, to know what to expect during the next stages of the disease and how to best respond. I have learned so much through the classes the Alzheimer’s Society provided.

This is why I will walk - so that every family navigating dementia has the same support, hope and strength we were given. I hope you will join me at the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s at Brock University, Guernsey Market on Sunday, May 31st. Will you join me? If you are unable to join us in person, you can still register and commit to walking 12,477 steps on your own (1 step for every person living with dementia in Niagara).

You can register online at alzgiving.ca/niagara2026

Together, we can make a meaningful difference - by raising funds, spreading awareness, starting conversations and encouraging others to reach out for help. It is important to remember that no one needs to face this journey alone. Alzheimer Society Niagara is there for YOU!