Timmins native Durwin Cadeau, with his son Noah, died last year at the age of 26 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a rare neuromuscular disease. His sister, Dominique, will be holding an ALS walk in Timmins on June 9 to raise awareness and funds for research for the genetic disorder.

Disease 'robs you of your dignity'; Sister staging walk in memory of brother who died from ALS

Chelsey Romain
Local News - Friday, April 13, 2007 @ 10:00

Six months after Durwin Cadeau was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis he died in his sleep.

He was 26 years old.

Almost a year after losing her brother to ALS, Durwin's sister, Dominique, is joining the effort to make sure fewer people lose a loved one to the debilitating disease that has taken not only her brother, but her grandmother, aunt and two uncles.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease where the loss of a selected group of nerve cells and pathways lead to progressive paralysis of the voluntary muscles.

As many as 1,000 Ontarians suffer from ALS at any given time, and 80 per cent of those will die within five years of diagnosis.

While the cause and cure for ALS is not known, death usually occurs when the chest muscles are not able to help the lungs get the oxygen needed.


Cadeau's family has the familial form of ALS, causing a number of family members to be diagnosed with the disease, including her mother.

With odds that they may have the gene as high as 50 per cent, Cadeau and her brother have decided against being tested, opting instead to live life to its fullest, the way their brother did, instead of walking around with a dark cloud. That's a lesson she also learned from her mother.

"My mom is busy with life, not death," said Cadeau. "She lives for today and spends her time helping others and tries not to think about what she is carrying with her."

For Cadeau's brother, it all began with cramping in his legs. After tests in his hometown of Timmins ruled out everything but ALS, a doctor at the London Health Sciences Centre confirmed what the family had already suspected.

"ALS is not only a crippling disease, it robs you of your dignity," said Cadeau.

"Very healthy, outgoing people become totally dependent on their loved ones."

In the short period of time in which Durwin's illness progressed and he, too, became dependent on his family and close friends, unable to drive, sit up or even cough by himself.

But Cadeau said her brother enjoyed both the small and big things life had to offer.

"He enjoyed every minute of his 26 years," said Cadeau.

"The birth of his son, the taste of his favourite brownie - he loved it all."

In the past Cadeau took part in the ALS Walk in London, Ont., where many of her family members live. As Durwin's illness progressed and he was unable to travel, it was then Cadeau decided she would host her own walk, in the community Durwin enjoyed the most.

"Timmins is where Durwin and my family call home. We were raised there and it's a part of us," she said. "He loved the North and it will always be home to my family."

Timmins' first ALS Walk will take place on June 9 at the Mountjoy Historical Conservation Area, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The walk will help raise awareness and funds for research to not only help find a cure, but research medication and treatment for those suffering from ALS.

"Research and a cure for ALS will save my family," said Cadeau. "As long as there is no cure, it is important to keep up the fight.

"I know Durwin would be thrilled and I bet he would have the biggest smile, and he will, we just won't be able to see it."

For more information on ALS and the Timmins walk visit www.alsont.ca.