Wanda Cain’s dream was that no other family would ever have to experience the loss of a loved one from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) again.
Her friends, Debbie Doucet and Elaine Thompson, said the dragonfly was an important symbol to her and her son, representing resilience, strength, and transformation of living with ALS.
Cain’s funeral was the day before Sid Kernighan’s annual walk for ALS awareness.
Following Sid’s diagnosis with ALS in 2019, a group was formed four years ago in St. George to bring awareness to the degenerative disease and raise money for research.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease leads to muscle weakness and eventually to an inability to move, speak or breathe.
The condition is non-preventable and can appear at any stage of life due to pre-disposed genetics.
There is no cure for ALS.
Despite that, Sid was all smiles.
“He loves this,” said his wife, Karen Kernighan.“He loves for people to get together and have fun and talk, Sid’s a people person.”
He said it felt great seeing so many people from the community show up in support of the fundraising effort.
Karen said she’s sad to see how many people are impacted by ALS — two other groups joined the Kernighans including Wanda’s Warriors and Sue’s Crew — but feels grateful for how the community has stepped up.
“They’re not alone,” Karen said. “We’re all together and we’re all taking this journey together.”
The St. George event raised more than $11,700. Cara Hatt, Sid’s daughter, said in a social media post, the sum left her speechless.
All funds raised went directly to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, a foundation that Karen said many individuals in the community rely on for equipment and help surrounding the disease.
“They care that we’re not alone,” said Karen. “We live in a great, giving community.”
