Hi Everyone,

Im reaching out to those of us who have been effected by this terrible disease.  My mom, Lori Thornber, started showing signs of dementia in 2015/16.  Well honestly probably before that but their were factors like head injuries and addiction that made it difficult to determine an actual starting point.

My mom was a dutiful mother, daughter, wife, sister and employee.  She was 100 % committed to her job and her family and took very little time for herself.  That is why this is particularly heartwrenching.  She worked so hard for this perceived end goal of enjoying retirement and then was robbed of it.  She worked, saved, and provided to be able to enjoy time to travel with my father and enjoy spending time with family however, on her very first trip to Peru was already showing signs of Dementia.  Losing her way, not remembering where her hotel was.  Being unable to navigate in unknown places even with technology.  This disease does not distinguish .....my mom did/does not deserve this.

She has been reduced a small fraction of who she once was.  Feeling anxious and scared.

She recognizes love and when someone loves her, but not faces or names  Still has a lovely sense of humour.

In August 2019 I ran the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and back over two days with an organization called Run to Revive.  Our team raised $16,000 towards Alzeimers research.  In 2019 one of our team members and an old friend Shara Orr spread her mother Ruth's ashes in the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.  Ruth was dear to my heart having coached our teen Softball team and was also a dutiful and amazing mother, sister and daughter.   Our family still has my mom in physical body but Im attempting this again for support for families through local resouces that were helpful to us.  This year in September 24 and 25 th I will be running the Canyon again.  Your donation goes directly to programs and support for BC Alzheimer's Society.  I am covering my own travel and expenses.

By making a donation on this page, you are helping to transform the lives of individuals and families living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. By supporting the work of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., you are ensuring there is a province-wide organization dedicated to providing services and programs to help families faced with dementia have the confidence and skills to maintain quality of life, to supporting the search for the cure.