Deborah, Stephanie & Laura’s Story

A loving mother, sister, aunt, friend, and inspiration for so many.

Our mother, Brigitte, was diagnosed with ALS over 8 years ago. Although she persevered long and hard, she passed away on January 6th, 2021.

By the end of her journey, she couldn’t even move her fingers. But what she lacked in physical strength, she made up tenfold in mental strength.

We would like to take this opportunity to not only honour her memory, but everything she taught us and so many others. Lessons that we could all use a reminder of especially during these uncertain times.

Brigitte encouraged those around her to never take anything for granted in life because just like with her ALS, it could be taken away... in her case with one diagnosis.

Our ability to walk is a gift in and of itself, something many of us take for granted. ALS gradually stripped her of this gift, but instead of admitting defeat, she chose to look for gifts elsewhere in her life. And she found plenty.

Our mother did not want fear to control her life. When she had every reason to give up, she chose to look for all the beauty and light this life had to offer. She was grateful for every little moment of happiness: warm hugs, morning coffee and blooming plants. She would appreciate things as simple and mundane as having dishes to wash or laundry to do, which meant she had food on her plate and clothes on her back.

Gratitude can be found all around us, in the big and the small, we just have to choose to look for it. No matter how faint it may be, there is always light, even on the cloudiest of days. May we all seek out the light in our lives. It is important for us to uphold our mother’s light and love which is why we will continue to support ALS Canada and all those affected by ALS in any way that we can.