Leaving a Legacy Behind
Date
June 7, 2022
For Tara, updating her will and estate planning became an opportunity to reflect on a life lost too young and a disease that gets very little attention.
Tara never met her brother-in-law Dennis as he had passed away from Muscular Dystrophy prior to meeting her partner. Despite this, Tara has always felt a connection Dennis and the disease that took him.
Dennis was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at 7-years old, with a life expectancy of 15 years. He defied all odds, and despite his increasing struggles he excelled in school, attending university classes while still in high school. Dennis passed away at 21 years of age.
His siblings remember his love of physics and hockey (especially the Montreal Canadians). Though he had no function of his arms & legs, Dennis never complained about his pain or inability to do things. They also remember how much he loved music and “chair dancing.” He was a kind soul who always thought of everyone else before himself and taught others to be grateful for what they had. Dennis had a great sense of humour and enjoyed his life to the fullest despite his limitations.
Tara has included a future gift in her will for the department in the hospital that deals with physical health issues such as muscular dystrophy. In the future, her gift will allow the Occupational Therapy department to purchase much needed therapeutic equipment to aid other kids and adults with debilitative diseases and mobility issues. The Medicine Hat Health Foundation helped Tara with the wording in her estate plan. The Foundation will ensure her future legacy gift will be used according to her wishes.
“I appreciate and understand that not everyone is able bodied and gets to go to work and live a so-called normal life. Every aspect of Dennis’ life was different due to his disease. We tend to take our health for granted.”
Tara’s legacy will also be part of Dennis’ legacy. Her philanthropy will have benefits far into the future. Please let us help you create a lasting legacy like Tara.
A wise person once said:
“There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.”