In August of last year my wee granny passed away. She had been suffering from Alzheimer's since her diagnosis ten years ago. Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain condition that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
The disease had slowly been taking its toll on granny, getting worse over the years with the odd rapid deterioration. This meant she required round the clock care, provided by My Grandpa, auntie and other family members.
VOCAL helped my family by advising on the best ways to make her comfortable whilst coping with dementia and aided in recognizing what kind of Alzheimer's she had, and how best to treat it. My grandpa was better able to understand what grants and government support was available to him and to create a plan of support.
For the support VOCAL have given to my grandparents and family i am eternally grateful, and if all i have to do is run a couple of miles in order to continue their mission of helping unpaid carers across the Lothians then i am more than happy to do so (maybe wont be thinking that on mile 25!!)
So if you have managed to read this far, i hope that i can also count on your support to help this amazing charity and all life-changing work that they do.
Much love,
James x