Sonia Discher, originally born in England, came to Canada with her parents at age 10. She met her husband, Steve, in grade seven and they started dating in high school. They married in 1980 and the majority of Steve's career in the Canadian Armed Forces was spent working on helicopters.

Sonia spent her career working as a Project Control Coordinator at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Sonia and Steve were dedicated to each other and when Early Onset Alzheimer's invaded their happy life, Sonia spent every minute looking for treatments and looking after the love of her life.

AUTHOR Q&A

1. Are there any questions you wish you had asked when the disease began to present itself?

I wish I had asked if there were any speakers or resources I could reach out to that would give me examples of what to expect and how to deal with different situations, such as the speaker that the Alzheimer's Society brought in. I was able to see her when Steve was advanced in the disease which would have been so much more valuable to me at the beginning.

2. How did you adapt to the new role you took on while caring for your husband?

I jumped in immediately, I looked at it as my role to keep him alive and be his advocate. It was very difficult at times and I wasn't sure I could keep it up, but I did. Looking for treatments and fighting for him consumed me and took over our lives. I don't regret anything that I did but it was so difficult after he passed away, I was lost, not knowing what to do with myself.

3. What did you miss the most during your husbands illness?

I missed a lot of things, but I think I missed being able to communicate with him the most. It happened early in the disease, that we would sit beside each other and couldn't have a conversation. I know it was frustrating for him and was so sad for me seeing him this way.