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Susan Paul
For people in the community who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event on May 7 represents a tangible way to help. But for Nepean residents Kalman and Julie Fejes, there is an even more important reason to get involved.
“I want to honour my daughter, Ildiko, doing this walk,” says Julie. “Ildiko’s fiercely independent spirit has always filled me with awe. ‘I can do it’ was her motto — and most of the time she could.”
Ildiko, 46, has Down syndrome, but her love of life and determination to go places have enabled her to live a rich and rewarding life. She got her high school diploma, worked as a clerk in a government library, lived on her own (with a support network to help) and had her artwork published.
If she wanted to do something, she did it. Brownies. Girl Guides. Karate. Judo. Sports.
Perhaps the highlight of Ildiko’s life has been her success at the Special Olympics. She competed in multiple sports, but was especially successful in swimming (mastering the difficult butterfly stroke). Mom Julie and Ildiko travelled together to Austria for the touching and memorable Special Olympics competition in Nordic skiing.
Ildiko Fejes has Down syndrome, but her love of life and determination to go places have enabled her to live a rich and rewarding life. She got her high school diploma, worked as a clerk in a government library, lived on her own (with a support network to help) and had her artwork published.
All of that came to a crushing end several years ago when Ildiko was diagnosed with dementia. Family had noticed Ildiko was slipping intellectually — something was wrong. When all other diagnoses were eliminated, Alzheimer’s disease was identified as the culprit.
“Ildiko had to give up her beloved job and move back home,” Julie said. “Slowly, we all adapted to the new reality. But now she’s confined to bed or a wheelchair at a nursing home, and she can’t eat regular food. What people see is a shell of the person she used to be. But she’s still the same Ildiko inside, I’m sure of it.”
Julie says that sometimes she sees a twinkle in Ildiko’s eyes, even now. She hopes it’s because Ildiko is savouring a happy memory, or thinking of something funny.
“That’s why I’m participating in the Walk for Alzheimer’s,” she says. “Yes, it’s to help, because I know how much the funds are needed. But to be honest, it’s for Ildiko. Almost everybody has disappeared from her life, and that’s so sad. So it’s not just the cause — I’m honouring her by doing this.”
Funds raised at the Walk for Alzheimer’s stay in the community to help people who are living with dementia. It takes place at Tunney’s Pasture on May 7. If you would like to participate as a walker or donor, go to www.walkforalzheimers.ca or call 613-360-5627.
To learn more about dementia and the support, education and resources offered by the Alzheimer Society to families living with dementia, visit www.alzheimer.ca/ottawa or call 613-523-4004.
— Susan Paul is the director of marketing and fund development, Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
查看原文...
For people in the community who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event on May 7 represents a tangible way to help. But for Nepean residents Kalman and Julie Fejes, there is an even more important reason to get involved.
“I want to honour my daughter, Ildiko, doing this walk,” says Julie. “Ildiko’s fiercely independent spirit has always filled me with awe. ‘I can do it’ was her motto — and most of the time she could.”
Ildiko, 46, has Down syndrome, but her love of life and determination to go places have enabled her to live a rich and rewarding life. She got her high school diploma, worked as a clerk in a government library, lived on her own (with a support network to help) and had her artwork published.
If she wanted to do something, she did it. Brownies. Girl Guides. Karate. Judo. Sports.
Perhaps the highlight of Ildiko’s life has been her success at the Special Olympics. She competed in multiple sports, but was especially successful in swimming (mastering the difficult butterfly stroke). Mom Julie and Ildiko travelled together to Austria for the touching and memorable Special Olympics competition in Nordic skiing.
Ildiko Fejes has Down syndrome, but her love of life and determination to go places have enabled her to live a rich and rewarding life. She got her high school diploma, worked as a clerk in a government library, lived on her own (with a support network to help) and had her artwork published.
All of that came to a crushing end several years ago when Ildiko was diagnosed with dementia. Family had noticed Ildiko was slipping intellectually — something was wrong. When all other diagnoses were eliminated, Alzheimer’s disease was identified as the culprit.
“Ildiko had to give up her beloved job and move back home,” Julie said. “Slowly, we all adapted to the new reality. But now she’s confined to bed or a wheelchair at a nursing home, and she can’t eat regular food. What people see is a shell of the person she used to be. But she’s still the same Ildiko inside, I’m sure of it.”
Julie says that sometimes she sees a twinkle in Ildiko’s eyes, even now. She hopes it’s because Ildiko is savouring a happy memory, or thinking of something funny.
“That’s why I’m participating in the Walk for Alzheimer’s,” she says. “Yes, it’s to help, because I know how much the funds are needed. But to be honest, it’s for Ildiko. Almost everybody has disappeared from her life, and that’s so sad. So it’s not just the cause — I’m honouring her by doing this.”
Funds raised at the Walk for Alzheimer’s stay in the community to help people who are living with dementia. It takes place at Tunney’s Pasture on May 7. If you would like to participate as a walker or donor, go to www.walkforalzheimers.ca or call 613-360-5627.
To learn more about dementia and the support, education and resources offered by the Alzheimer Society to families living with dementia, visit www.alzheimer.ca/ottawa or call 613-523-4004.
— Susan Paul is the director of marketing and fund development, Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
查看原文...
