Making It Possible #19 – Susan Harris
Before my ALS diagnosis in March 2025, I lived a very active life. At 72, I was living in a beautiful home on the Priddis Greens Golf Course, where our family gathered for holidays and celebrations. I enjoyed hiking, playing pickleball, and spending time with the people I love.
That fall, my husband and I moved into a condominium closer to our best friends, Joan and Al. Shortly afterward, our family decided to spend Thanksgiving together in Golden. We rented a large house, and all eighteen of us gathered for the weekend.
Friday night was filled with tacos, laughter, and plenty of family antics. On Saturday, while preparing Thanksgiving dinner, we took family photos at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and along the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. The last time we had taken family photos was six years earlier. With my diagnosis, it felt important to capture those moments while I was still standing.
That evening, we shared a wonderful Thanksgiving meal together. It was a special celebration, but also an emotional one as I reflected on how much life had changed.
The highlight of the weekend came on Sunday at the Golden Skybridge. Despite the challenging terrain, I was determined to try the giant swing. My son and son-in-law helped me get there, and fifteen of the eighteen family members joined in. It was scary, exciting, and so much fun.
We wrapped up the weekend with pizza before heading home on Monday. We took countless photos, and today they hang on my kitchen wall. They remind me of the memories we made and the time we shared together. BEST DAY!!!
Life looks different now. The ALS Society of Alberta, Home Care, my Occupational Therapist, and a wonderful group of caregivers are all part of my journey. I now use a wheelchair full-time, and I continue to learn how to accept support when I need it.
There have been many other special moments along the way—Christmases, birthdays, weddings, graduations, basketball games, and hockey games. Through it all, my family has been there beside me every step of the way.
I am now two and a half years into this horrible disease. There are days when I am scared about what lies ahead. But I am also incredibly grateful. I have a loving husband, supportive family, wonderful friends, and countless reasons to keep making memories.
When I look at those photos from Golden, I am reminded that while ALS changes many things, it cannot take away the moments we share with the people who matter most.
