About 55 years ago, Lorie and Cliff Tofflemire met on a double date – but they were originally paired off with different people.
"Lorie came out the door and I saw her first," Cliff recalled. "I said, ‘She’s coming with me.’ She got into the front seat with me, while her friend got into the back seat with my friend."
Three months later, they were married, settling in Chilliwack. They raised two children, connected with a third child from a previous relationship, and now, they are facing dementia together.
The Tofflemires are the honourees for this year's Chilliwack Walk for Alzheimer's, scheduled for Sunday, May 25 at the Landing Sports Centre (45530 Spadina Ave.). Walk for Alzheimer's is the largest fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Each year, a person or group of people affected by Alzheimer's is honoured "for their contribution to the community and their commitment to helping people affected by dementia."
Lorie started showing symptoms of Alzheimer's in 2021.
"I was pretty annoyed," she said. "I cried in the office when they first told me. But then I thought, ‘Well I can’t do much about it now, I might as well find out what we can do from here.’"
Lorie and Cliff began participating in Alzheimer Society of B.C. support groups.
"The support groups have made me feel even smarter and I realize how ‘with it’ I actually am," Lorie said. "They help me realize I am still a smart person with worth."
Walk for Alzheimer's raises funds across 19 communities in B.C. Funds raised through these events are critical in delivering services and programs through the Alzheimer Society of B.C. as well as research to change the future of the disease.
Those who cannot attend the May 25 event can support the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in other ways. Walk Your Way allows supporters to walk wherever, whenever any day through the month of May. Walk in a Box offers a way to create a small event at the location of your choice.
Registration for the Chilliwack walk begins at 1 p.m. with the walk time scheduled for 2 p.m. For more information, email rangell@alzheimerbc.org or vreemeyer@alzheimerbc.org.
Based in Vancouver, Alzheimer Society of B.C. works in communities across the province, providing support, education and advocacy for people living with dementia.
