HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-04-27, Page 3Wednesday, April 27, 2016 • News Record 3
Honourary family chosen for Clinton's annual walk for Alzheimer's
raise their own funds for the
former and 16 of the latter.
Jenn Burns, the First Link/
Support Services coordina-
tor at the Alzheimer Society
of Huron County, said the
family was chosen because
they embody the principles
of caring for someone with
Alzheimer's.
"When Howard was diag-
nosed, they sought out help
right away, participated in
support and education, and
provided a great support sys-
tem for Howard and each
other," said Burns. "They
started doing the walk from
the first year [of Howard's
diagnosis]. They demon-
strate how somebody with
Alzheimer's is so much a
part of their family."
"People need to be edu-
cated about Alzheimer's,"
said Joan. "There's a stigma
with the disease and people
try to hide it."
Burns said the Bernard
family was chosen to be the
honorary family because
they didn't try to hide it.
Instead, they dealt with the
changes as best they could
and worked through the
transition.
Howard was diagnosed in
2011, and he stayed at home
for almost four years before
he came to the point last
June where he needed to
move into a long-term care
facility. Thankfully he was
able to move into a home
only a couple blocks from
where Joan lives, so she is
able to visit him frequently.
Their four daughters live
close by, so they are able to
Justine Alkema
provide support as well.
Since Christmas, Howard's
physical and mental state
has been declining more
rapidly. He is now in a
wheelchair since he is prone
to falling. Joan noted that
some days are better than
others as some days he is the
witty person he always used
to be, and some days he only
wants to sleep. He and Joan
will have been married for 57
years this week.
Joan said one of the most
difficult things about Alzhei-
mer's for her husband was
that he had to give up his
license. Howard used to own
a fuel business and was a
volunteer firefighter and
then fire chief, so he drove a
fuel truck and a fire truck for
years. His licence was taken
from him immediately when
he was diagnosed, and that
was an extremely difficult
adjustment.
The Bernard family will
tell some of their story the
day of the walk. This event
has been held in Clinton for
the last 20 years, though in
the past, it has been done in
January and took place
inside. However they
decided to move it to May in
order to have it outdoors,
and they will walk through
town. Those who wish to
sign up can do so the day of
or beforehand, and refresh-
ments will be provided.
"It's a cruel disease," said
Joan. She hopes that by speak-
ing
peaking out she is helping some-
one else who might need it
Clinton News Record
On May 7, residents of
local communities will walk
for a disease that affects so
many Canadians and their
families - Alzheimer's
disease.
The walk will be put on by
the Alzheimer Society of
Huron County and is in three
locations including Clinton,
Exeter, and Wingham. Regis-
tration will be at 9 a.m., and
the walk will run from 10
a.m. until noon. The walk is
five kilometres though peo-
ple may walk as little or as
much as they'd like. Teams
cause.
Each location has an hon-
ourary family who repre-
sents the values of the walk.
Clinton's honourary family is
the Bernard family from
Brussels whose team name
is "Howie's Girls".
Howard, or "Howie; is the
husband and father of the
team. The group includes
Joan Bernard, who is How-
ard's wife, and their four
daughters, Dianne, Gwen,
Maryann, and Cindy. Joan
noted that several of their
grandchildren and great-
grandchildren will be there
as well; they have 15 of the
Correction
In the April 20 edition of
the Clinton News Record
in an article titled "Elec-
tronics collection at OLG
Slots at Clinton Raceway"
in the second last para-
graph, an error was made.
The article stated that
donated clothing col-
lected on the May 7
annual e -waste collection
event at the OLG Slots at
Clinton Raceway would
go to Cystic Fibrosis. How-
ever this was supposed to
say that the funds will go
to Cerebral Palsy.
We regret the error and
apologize for any confusion
it may have caused.
IFINi] IT
HERE!
The Clinton Family Health Team is
offering an eight-week course on
MINDFULNESS
MEDITATION.
This course will take place at the Clinton
Medical Clinic Wednesdays at 2:30 pm
and begins Wednesday May 11th
You will learn skills to help alleviate
symptoms of stress and distress!
To register or for more information contact
Julie Talbot MSW, RSW,
at
519-482-3000
YOGA & MEDITATION
The Clinton Family Health Team is
offering Yoga and Meditation classes
Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am
beginning May 10th in the lower level of
the Clinton Medical Clinic.
Please join us for gentle stretching and
meditation.
To register or for more information,
please call
Julie Talbot MSW, RSW
at
519-482-3000
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