Why I Walk – Stephanie’s Story

For Stephanie Pipes, participating in the Walk for Alzheimer’s is not just an annual event – it’s a deeply personal journey of remembrance and connection.

Stephanie first became involved in the walk in 2015 while living on Prince Edward Island. But her connection to the cause began years earlier, following the loss of her mother to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her mother was diagnosed at just 58 years old and passed away three years later.

“It was incredibly fast,” Stephanie recalls. “When I first heard the diagnosis, I thought we’d have 20 years. I didn’t understand how quickly it could progress.”

Like many, Stephanie once believed Alzheimer’s was simply about memory loss – misplaced keys or forgotten appointments. But her experience with her mother revealed a much harsher reality. It meant witnessing personality changes, confusion, and a gradual loss of independence that affected every part of daily life. The disease didn't just take memories, it changed who her mother was, creating moments of grief even while she was still physically present.

Stephanie’s early involvement in the Walk for Alzheimer’s was community driven. She organized workplace teams, fundraised across provinces, and walked alongside others who shared similar losses.

“There was this unspoken bond,” she says. “We all had lost parents. It’s not something you want to have in common, but it brings people together.”

Over time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie’s participation evolved. She began walking alone, transforming the event into something more personal and reflective.

“I go to places my mom would have loved,” she says. “She loved nature – gardens, flowers, being outdoors. So, I walk where I feel closest to her.”

Her walks have taken her through scenic parks and coastal landscapes, often accompanied by music, birdsong, and quiet moments of reflection.

“It’s my time to reconnect. I can talk to her, remember her, and just be present.”

This year marks 20 years since Stephanie lost her mother. To honour it, she’s reimagining her walk.

In previous years, Stephanie marked each year of her mother’s passing by adding a kilometre. Last year she walked 19 kilometres and had planned to walk 20 kilometres this year. But for this milestone, she’s doing something different. Instead of one long walk, she will complete a series of shorter walks throughout May, exploring scenic locations across Nova Scotia and beyond.

“I want to go to places she never got to see,” Stephanie explains. “She always wanted to come to the Maritimes, and I feel like I’m taking her with me everywhere I go.”

For Stephanie, the Walk for Alzheimer’s is about more than remembrance – it’s about awareness.

“People don’t truly understand this disease until they’re faced with it,” she says. She emphasizes how isolating dementia can be, not only for those living with the disease, but also for caregivers.

“The walk brings attention to something that needs to be talked about. There’s a lot of stigma” she says. “The reality is this will touch almost everyone in some way.”

Together, we can walk to raise awareness and support those impacted by dementia. To register for one of our eight walks this May, visit www.walkns.ca.