A NEW PURPOSE...MOM AND THE THE ALZHEIMER OUTREACH PROGRAM

While this exciting adventure had been dominating my thoughts, another reality has also invaded my family's life in the last few years.  My mom, who had always enjoyed good health and a vigourous lifestyle was diagnosed with dementia.  She was living in Winnipeg at the time and we didn't realize how serious her illness was becoming.  When my dad passed away in 2009, it was evident that her illness was progressing and that she needed to be closer to her family in Ontario.

It was a very very difficult decision to sell my mom's marital home and move her to London where she could be closer to us and other members of the family.  She moved into an apartment in London "on her own" and receives numerous services so that she can be relatively independent for as long as possible, which has always been our goal.

My mom had undergone significant losses over a very short period of time.  She lived in Winnipeg all of her life and was always a very active woman with many friends.  Family and "our" friends have been terrific and always include my mom in celebrations and other activities, but sometimes these events are stressful and confusing for her....she had no peer group or social network that she could call her own.

My mom's CACC caseworker suggested that she enrol into the Alzheimer Outreach Services Program at the McCormick Home.  I have to admit that I was reluctant at first because given all the recent changes in her life, I thought it would be better that she have routine and didn't want to introduce another level of activity into her life.....boy was I wrong.

My mom began attending the program in August 2011.  She goes every Thursday and after the first day, she was absolutely transformed.  She was so excited to talk about her day.  She loved the live music and was thrilled to be up dancing.  She loved the games, gardens, luncheons and conversation.  She couldn't wait to go back.  The "Club" as it is known, provides my mom with a place where she can feel normal and whole, without having to struggle with the demands of a world that has become overwhelming. It's a safe place where she can sing, dance, laugh, chat and feel engaged.

I didn't initially sign up for the Kili Climb as a fundraising venture, but as I watched my mom courageously face her life challenges and the joy that she derives from her time at the club, I knew that I wanted to do something to support the program.  So, I decided to dedicate the climb to my mom and use it as a platform to raise funds and awareness of this debiliating disease. 

The website for the McCormick Home Foundation is:

www.mccormickhome.on.ca/foundation

                                                                        

HEY,THERE'S SHOPPING ON THIS ADVENTURE!

After signing on to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tour company sent me a guidebook with everything I needed to know about planning and preparing for the climb.....and it included quite the shopping list!  The good thing is that the company gives you the option to rent equipment, which is a money saver considering the unlikihood that I will ever need a subarctic parka or hiking gaiters again.  That aside, I had some serious shopping to do!

I'm a big-time planner.....so when I was presented with a shopping list, I attacked it with a vengence.  Methodically and with enormous perseverance I shopped and shopped and shopped until the list was completed.....each item lovingly stored in a spare bedroom to be sorted out at a later date. 

Over the next few months, the pile kept getting higher and higher with such unlikely items as mole skins, pee funnels and a buff (what the heck's a buff??)  It was truly an educational experience - a whole new language really. I learned about clothes that wick, expedition weight outerwear, headlamps and camelbak hydrating systems.....and being the shopper that I am, I was a quick learner - too quick it seems, as when I finally took an assessment of all my purchases since embarking on this shopping journey in September, I had forgotten some of the items already stowed away in the spare bedroom and had acquired several duplicates.

I mean, who needs two pee funnels or 15 pair of heavy weight subarctic socks that "wick"..........hmmmm - .might be a good reason to seek out another adventure!

LET THE TRAINING BEGIN..........

Immediately after signing on, I donned my knapsack and runners, left the house and started walking.  It was a beautiful summers day.  I took a couple of bottles of water and filled the knapsack with books, bringing it to a weight of 8 pounds.  I felt good - strong - motivated.  I walked on and on and on......10 kilometers!  It took about two and a half hours and when I got home, I couldn't move - for three days!  I saw on the climbing itinerary that you should expect to hike for about 6 hours a day, ranging from 5 to 11 kilometers, depending on the stretch, packing 15 to 20 pounds.

How could I ever do this if  walking 10 kilometers on flat cemented terrain packing 8 pounds nearly did me in!  I started to panic and wondered what I got myself into.  I was waking UP at 2:00 AM with low grade anxiety, not really knowing why and then remembering what I had signed for, which generated a full blown anxiety attack.

But I remembered the commitment and the excitement that got me to where I was - I put the runners back on (after a week of rest) and did it again.  This time it was a bit easier.....so I did it again after five days and so on, until I was hiking three times a week with ever increasing weight on my back. 

Around September I begin to incorporate some strength training, which was recommended in our Kili Guidebook.  I started with three times a week, interspersed with the hiking.  At this point I began to feel increasing pain along my upper leg that just kept getting worse.  It worried me because after 2 or 3 hours of hiking the pain was excruciating and I knew that I had to get it managed or I wouldn't be able to do the climb.  I consulted with a physiotherapist (thanks Sandi!) and learned that I had an IT band problem......he gave me a series of stretches and exercises to work on each day and slowly but surely the problem resolved.  He also helped me with strengthening my core muscles, confirming that it would be my core strength that gets me up the mountain and that this was as (if not more) important than cardiovascular fitness......we'll see!

So now it's January and two weeks before I leave for Africa.  I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be from a physical perspective.  The training has been a journey in and of itself - an extraordinary experience, even if I never climb a mountain.  I learned so much about focus, discipline and giving a bit more when I thought I couldn't move another step - my body has changed and I feel strong...Who woulda thunk it!

TRAVELS WITH MY HUSBAND........

Wow - a trip to Africa!   My husband Randy and I love to travel and take every opportunity we can to do so.  Africa has always been a dream vacation - a once in a lifetime experience and one that we definitely wanted to do together........but,  Randy has had two relatively recent knee replacements and we weren't sure if the climb would be possible for him.  Also, my friend's husband, Vince was joining us for the trek, which made Randy's participation even more important to me - it just didn't seem right if we couldn't be there together to share the experience.

So, initially he was put on the "maybe" list with our tour company.  In the beginning he was really considering the trek.  We looked at what kind of training it would take (he's not so much of a regular workout guy) and how his new titanium knees might facilitate his ability to do this climb.  But, when it was all said and done, my loving husband of 42 years announced that he wouldn't be on Kilimanjaro with me.

The physical requirements appeared like they might be a bit overwhelming....but that wasn't all of it....to be truthful, even when Randy's knees were stronger, he never really expressed a huge desire to "climb mountains", even though he is quite adventurous and is a real competitive type. Most importantly, he has supported me in this adventure from the very beginning.

Randy began to consider his options.......after tons of hours on the internet, we settled for a plan where we would all travel to East Africa together.  As Randy will not be climbing, he arranged a scuba diving excursion in Zanzibar, an island area of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean.  We will meet at the base of Kilimanjaro after the climb, rest for a day and all do a six day safari afterward.

Not what I initially envisioned, but the way things have fallen into place, it will certainly be a trip of a lifetime and an adventure for all of us.

Onward and forward....................

WHY WOULD I WANT TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO.......

I started thinking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro several years ago.  My friend Nives and I were so excited about the prospect (usually after a couple of glasses of wine) but we kept putting the idea on the back burner - it seemed that there was always something more pressing that was taking a priority in our lives.  Then, I turned 60 in 2011 and Nives was retiring early 2012 and we decided to celebrate these events with a strong commitment to do the climb. 

Throughout my life I have been relatively sedentary with brief energetic spurts at fitness (usually in January, as a new years resolution). I've joined many clubs over the years - dating back to the Vic Tanny days - honest!  I've always considered myself more of a "bookworm" and would much rather cozy up in front of the fire and read or watch TV, than venture into the cold for a day of skiing.  I do like to challenge myself though and have undertaken many ventures related to business or educational type of activities. 

In all of my 60 years on this earth, I have never really challenged myself physically.  When I retired from my career of 30 years, it suddenly became much more important.  I joined a fitness club (once again), but this time I maintained a reasonable schedule, doing a very basic workout about twice a week, missing the occasional month or two.  I found my new exercise and conditioning program showing results....I wanted to do more and the possibility of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro resurfaced once again. 

For me, it was all about challenging myself - defying my aging body and proving that age just shouldn't matter that much if you set your mind to something.  I'm a relatively competitive person and the challenge was just too tempting to put it back on the burner this time.  Of course it helped immensely that I have a strong ally to keep me focused on my new resolve.....my good (and much younger) friend, Nives.




So in July 2011, I gritted my teeth and decided to "do this thing".  I signed up AND sent a deposit to Tusker Trail (our choice of a safe and reputable Kili Trekking tour company)

......and so I began my journey.....