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Alzheimer’s Walk Returns to Mohawk Harbor this Saturday

Local
Updated:
Kiara Thomas
By Kiara Thomas
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Alzheimer’s Walk Returns to Mohawk Harbor this Saturday
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SCHENECTADY — Ken Larsen, a resident of Schenectady, decided‌ to retire a⁣ little over ⁢ten years ago. His wife,‌ Leslie Thiele, was adamant that they secure long-term care insurance, a decision that would prove to be crucial in the years to come.

“Leslie comes from a lineage of women who⁤ typically ‍live to be ⁣between 90 ​and 100 ⁣years ⁣old,‌ while I’ve already⁣ surpassed the⁤ age of both my parents by over a decade,” Larsen shared. “I had anticipated that Leslie would have⁤ a long life and that I would ⁤require ‍substantial care.”

However, life ⁢had other plans. Thiele was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 and sadly passed away last year at the age of 70. This Saturday, Larsen and their​ daughter Gabby will participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s‌ at Mohawk Harbor ‌in her ⁤honor.

“When my mother first started showing symptoms‌ of⁤ the disease, I was quite young. We⁢ all initially attributed it to her advancing age,” Gabby recalled, remembering an incident where Thiele received a speeding ticket in ‍an area‍ she should have known well.

It was during the ⁣COVID‌ pandemic that the family realized that ‍her condition was more than just the ‍effects of aging.

“Every morning, I⁢ had to remind‌ her why she couldn’t ‍go ⁢to ​her office, why she needed⁢ to wear a⁤ mask‌ in public, and so on,” Larsen said.

The couple’s​ love story began at ‍Duke University in North Carolina, where Thiele pursued ⁤law and Larsen studied computer science.

“Leslie was always positive and helpful, and⁤ she was incredibly intelligent,” Larsen fondly ‌remembered.

After⁢ tying‌ the ⁤knot in 1986, they moved to Schenectady three years later. Larsen was ⁤employed at General⁢ Electric, while Thiele⁤ assisted international‌ employees at GE Research⁢ with their immigration needs. She later joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, where ⁣she established their immigration ⁤and international business practice group.

Thiele ⁤was also actively involved in the community,⁤ serving⁢ on the board ⁢of several organizations, including ⁤the International Center of the Capital‌ Region, ⁤the Empire State ⁢Youth Orchestra, ‌the ‍Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County, ⁤and the⁤ Silver ​Bay YMCA​ on Lake George.

The couple adopted two children,⁢ Jamie and Gabby. Thiele even took up ice hockey in ‌her⁢ 50s, becoming a founding‌ member ⁢of the Frozen Assets women’s hockey team.

“When I turned ⁣18, I joined the team she played on and⁣ started coaching them. It was something we really bonded over,” Gabby said.

As Thiele’s condition worsened,⁢ Gabby‍ helped care for her ‍mother and encouraged her ⁢parents to​ move ​from their large, multi-story home into a more manageable ‌ranch-style home in Saratoga.

Larsen also sought support from the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern‍ New York, including their 24-hour support line.

“Sometimes they offered practical advice, other times they simply provided emotional‍ support. But we ​really needed it. They reminded us that we were doing our best,​ especially⁣ when we felt overwhelmed,” Larsen said.

He also found comfort‌ in one of the organization’s support groups, which met at the Saratoga Senior‌ Center ⁤and included‍ people who were caring for loved ‍ones at all different stages of ⁣the disease.

“The people​ in⁣ the support groups, and ‌the professionals,‌ they understand​ it. Many ⁣of them are living it or have ⁢lived it, and they were just ‌a godsend‌ to me and to my‍ family,” Larsen said.

Initially, Thiele was able ⁣to manage at home with the help of⁤ family and caregivers. However, as her⁣ condition deteriorated,⁤ she moved into a memory‍ care facility and later a nursing home. She passed away in 2023, but Larsen ⁤felt the loss long before then.

“Watching this vibrant, intelligent, caring person ⁢mentally⁤ crumble ⁤before your eyes is just ⁤heartbreaking,” Larsen said.

“Time is the enemy with this disease,” Gabby ‍said. ⁤“A friend once⁤ told⁤ me not to beat myself up about lost time because​ even if I had spent every day⁢ with my ⁣mom, it⁢ wouldn’t have been enough.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million⁤ Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with over 426,500 in New York alone, and 543,000 caregivers.

This year, Larsen and Gabby‍ will ⁣carry purple ⁢flowers in Thiele’s honor‍ at the⁤ Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event begins at ⁤11 a.m. at Mohawk Harbor ‌with a Promise Garden ceremony, where participants‌ carry flowers of various colors representing their connection to ‌the disease.

The walk aims to ‍raise ‌awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, ⁢and research. This‍ year’s​ goal is to raise ⁢$170,000, ⁣with around ⁤500 people expected to ⁣participate.

“I like ‌to refer to the walk as the world’s largest support group because everyone who attends ⁤has a special reason for walking,” said Elizabeth Smith-Boivin, the chapter’s executive director.

Some are‌ care partners, others⁣ have ⁤been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s​ or have lost someone to the disease.

“They all come together with a common purpose, which is the essence of a support group,” Boivin‍ said. “It’s a very ⁢emotional day, but also a day filled with support.”

To register as an individual walker or team captain and to receive the latest updates,‌ visit⁤ alz.org/walk.

–

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Kiara Thomas
Kiara Thomas
I uncover quirky and compelling stories. Always on the lookout for the 'why' behind the 'what'.
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