Walking for Mom, walking for community
We all have a reason to Walk. Learn why Chelsea Bernhard and her family join the Winnipeg Walk each year.
An annual tradition for family & colleagues
When Chelsea Bernhard shows up for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s every year, she brings her family’s story with her.
Chelsea began walking in her mother’s memory more than 10 years ago.
“My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 48 years old. I was in my early 30s and unsure what to expect,” says Chelsea. “It was a shock to our family when my mom was diagnosed, but the support from the Society helped us figure out how to keep moving forward.”
Chelsea’s mother passed away in 2022, just before turning 60. Since then, the Walk has become a meaningful way for Chelsea and her family to honour her mother’s memory and stay connected to a cause that shaped their lives. Her daughter, now 15, has been walking alongside her since she was a child.
“My daughter has grown up doing this,” Chelsea says. “She looks forward to it every year. Decorating the sign, bringing Grandma’s picture and seeing all the other families. It’s helped her understand that there’s so much support out there.”
Today, Chelsea attends the Walk alongside her coworkers from Comforts of Home – Care, which adds another layer of meaning to her Walk experience.
At Comforts of Home – Care, Chelsea supports people living with dementia and their families every day. Participating in the Walk as a workplace team has become a purposeful way for her coworkers to step outside their daily routines and support the dementia community in a fun way.
“Being together at the Walk, on such a fun day filled with music, laughter and such compassionate people, also helps us bond and connect on another level,” Chelsea says. “Over the years, the Walk has become an annual tradition for our team. It’s something we all really look forward to doing – we enjoy making a difference together.”
Chelsea encourages others facing dementia to reach out to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba as early as possible, so they can start growing a support system. She knows how isolating the disease can feel, and how much easier it becomes when you’re not carrying it alone.
She also encourages others to get their workplaces involved in the Walk. Forming a Walk team with coworkers is a powerful way to build camaraderie while making a real difference.
The Walk continues to remind her every year that there is a whole community of support walking beside her — families, coworkers, care partners, daughters, sons, friends, grandchildren — all showing up for the same reason.
For Chelsea, that shared sense of support is what keeps her coming back.
