One evening in 2020, Laura Sager was closing the curtains in her home when she felt something grab her wrist and squeeze. She looked down and saw her forearm had turned black. When she shook her arm, the colour disappeared.
Laura knew something was wrong, but it would be a year before she was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia 乌鸦传媒� a form of dementia characterized by abnormal deposits of a protein that form inside the brain乌鸦传媒檚 nerve cells. The disease affects thinking and movement; it can also cause hallucinations.
乌鸦传媒淭he diagnosis confirmed my suspicions,乌鸦传媒� Laura says. 乌鸦传媒淭o me, that乌鸦传媒檚 just the way it is. You accept it and move forward.乌鸦传媒�
Laura is among the more than 85,000 people living with dementia in British Columbia. This May, people across the province will have the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of people like Laura by raising funds for essential Alzheimer Society of B.C. programs and services.
Laura is being honoured at the Alzheimer Society of B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 largest fundraiser, the , in Penticton for her contribution to the community and her desire to share her story to help other people affected by dementia. Taking place in communities across B.C., including Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon on Sunday, May 26, proceeds from the event help provide critical supports for people affected by dementia while breaking down stigma surrounding the disease.
Laura hopes that by sharing her story, more people will learn what Lewy body dementia is to better support people living with it. She feels grateful for her family, has provided for her, and the patient, kind community she乌鸦传媒檚 lucky enough to live in. Like anyone, Laura struggles some days more than others. It乌鸦传媒檚 her relentless positivity and sense of humour that gets her through the hard moments.
乌鸦传媒淚 call my brain 乌鸦传媒楾he Rubik乌鸦传媒檚 Cube,乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 Laura says. 乌鸦传媒淲hen I乌鸦传媒檓 stuck, things go 乌鸦传媒榗lick-click-click乌鸦传媒� and then The Rubik乌鸦传媒檚 Cube comes together. I乌鸦传媒檓 not hiding anything from anybody.乌鸦传媒�
To help make a difference in the lives of people like Laura on the dementia journey in your community, visit .
If you are affected by dementia, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help. Call the First Link庐 Dementia Helpline at