Alzheimer’s and Me - 

For a few years we were aware my mam (Elijah’s nannie’s) memory was getting sketchy. She was seen in 2017 by Northumberland Memory service and was diagnosed with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) this didn’t stop her from continuing with making wedding dresses , doing many crafts and getting on with her life caring for family and picking Elijah up from school. At the beginning of 2020 things started going down hill and she was referred again to Northumberland memory service. We decided the time had come to start thinking about Mam moving in with my sister and her family.  Very quickly things went down hill, Mam moved in as her ability to do things seamed to disappear rapidly she wasn’t attending to her every day needs, forgetting to eat, drink and sleep and toilet herself and wasn’t able to look after Elijah anymore.

Mam had number of tests and scans before we went back to see the consult psychiatrist in Oct 2021 to be told the deterioration in mams brain had been significant since her last scan. She was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s. To mam this didn’t appear to register and she just wanted to know why she wasn’t allowed to drive. For us however it was a little different. We cried and said “what can We do, “How can we help her”, “how long until she forgets who we are”? 

We were grief stricken almost immediately, things for me and my sister and her family changed two fold. My mam was our rock, the queen of the family who now is unable to sew a button, wash or dress independently, prepare food or drinks alone and can’t be left for long periods. The changes in behaviour have been horrendous, she has become restless, agitated, aggressive, repetitive , suspicious. She lacks empathy, and she has no inhibition. All of these are the complete opposite to how mam “WAS” she gets very frustrated as she struggled to find words to express what is upsetting her. 

To help raise awareness of this heartbreaking disease I ask my family and friends to help me  and Elijah raise some much needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Society so they can continue with some of the amazing work they do supporting families who are affected by dementia and Research development. We will be taking part in the walk with my younger sister and some dear friends who said rather than sponsor they want to support us too. To Each and everyone of them We are  truly grateful. Please dig deep just think one less G&T, one less Glass of wine will help massively. . XOXO

Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia. That's the equivalent of around 225,000 people every year. By taking part in Memory Walk you are helping us walk for a dementia free future and help people affected by dementia.Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to Alzheimer's Society. So it's the most efficient way to raise money, saving time and cutting costs for the charity. Let's take on dementia together!