When Words Fade
Storytelling is all about words, but what about when words are lost?
This month we are highlighting Linda Wiebe, a wife and mother who became a strong advocate for her husband, Herb. But before we go there, let’s find out more about Herb & Linda.
Herb & Linda shared a relationship filled with deep conversations and laughter. Their life together was rich with adventure. As missionaries, they travelled the world with their sons, giving them a truly unique childhood - spending years in places like Colombia. In their 50’s, Herb & Linda had begun dreaming about retirement and all it might hold. But life had other plans.
As Herb approached 60, changes in his behavior began to emerge, and together they started searching for answers. Those answers did not come quickly. After nearly five years of testing, Herb was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia at just 63 years old.
This is a moment to pause.
It is easy to retell a story through facts and timelines and move forward quickly. But for many navigating chronic health challenges, the wait for a diagnosis can be one of the most difficult parts of the journey. It is in this space that caregivers notice symptoms without explanation, often making excuses for a loved-one’s changing behavior. There can be a paralyzing sense of dread- living with uncertainty, unable to fully understand the present or prepare for the future.
It is often one of the loneliest parts of the journey- the part where the health story hasn’t officially become a health story.
For Herb and Linda, this season was marked by deep stress and uncertainty.
Finding New Ways To Connect
With an official diagnosis, they began preparing for the road ahead. Early on, they took steps to address both the financial and emotional challenges they knew would come, including making legal changes so Linda could manage their shared assets independently. Drawing on her experience working at a bank, Linda was able to navigate these decisions with confidence—choices that ultimately protected their finances and later allowed her to secure the care Herb needed. Together, they also spoke openly about the emotional and spiritual support they would rely on.
True to who he was, Herb’s open heart and desire to help others extended even into this chapter of their lives. He gave Linda full permission to share their journey so that others could feel seen and find hope. In response, Linda created-and still continues to maintain- a Facebook page dedicated to their experience with the disease.
As Herb’s health declined, their communication shifted, and at first, it was devastating. After a lifetime of partnership, Linda deeply missed the connection they once shared. But, true to who they were, they were determined to find new ways to connect. Over time, Linda found ways to remain close to Herb, even as the disease gradually took his words away.
Linda’s love for her husband remains strong, even in his absence. Her desire to support others continues as she walks alongside people on similar journeys. It was a privilege to work with Linda to create her first digital story, When Words Fade. This piece serves as a tribute to their life together, an encouragement to others, and a teaching tool for those unsure how to support loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s. It shares the ways they learned to connect, even in a space where his words no longer made sense.
Linda shared her story with the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba in December. Her story sparked meaningful discussion as members considered the impact of the disease in a new and deeply personal way, further carrying the legacy that Herb and Linda created together.
