Hi and thanks for taking the time to visit my just giving page. Firstly, let me start by telling you why I have decided to take on the 300 mile London to Paris cycle.

In early January 2019, my dad, Paul Kramer was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I say finally as it took several years of tests and scans before Doctors at Charing Cross could determine my dad is suffering from multiple types of Alzheimer’s disease which are overlapping with Parkinson’s disease. Signs and symptoms started in my dads mid 50’s. He had several episodes of collapsing which the doctors thought it may have been a heart problem, so they took his driving license and had a heart monitor placed in his chest. This was so that if he had another episode it would record what was occurring. Unfortunately he never had another episode in the next year and a half, so the monitor was removed and he was left undiagnosed. My dad was able to reapply for his Class 1 HGV license and return to work for Sainsbury’s. When returning to work he had to re-train under company policy which meant having someone in the cabin with him. He was back for only a week when his colleague noticed something wasn't quite right with my dad. He wasn't able to remember the simplest of tasks; he would forget the route they took the day before and he couldn't remember the controls. Thankfully this man advised my dad to go back to the doctors. After several appointments, simple tests were carried out including my dad having to draw basic shapes, tell the time and draw lines at certain lengths. He struggled with them all. CT scans taken over various time periods showed blood flow through the brain was becoming more and more restricted and the certain areas of the brain had died. This is what had been affecting his memory and abilities to carry out simple tasks.

My dad will turn 60 in March and we as a family are adapting to life trying to make everyday as easy as possible for him. My mum has taken early retirement to become his career, we have upgraded the downstairs shower room with a disability seat and bars and we have got him a “V Band” and a tracking device which allows him to have the independence to go out alone, but know he is never really alone as we can find him if he gets lost and needs us. We all try to help him with tasks that he can sometimes gets confused or frustrated with, for example putting his seat belt on, getting dressed, opening a can of Coke, or making tea and toast. It’s hard on all of us to witness his abilities in everyday life decrease slowly. He has still got his cheeky, funny ways which shine through, coming out with one liners every now and then. He takes joy in being able to take our dog Jet for walks and play ball, he tries to help around the house where he can; going to the local shops for milk, putting the bins out etc.

For me, Alzheimer’s is a cruel unnecessary disease with no cure. You have no hope that one day the damage will be reversed. My dads memory will never recover. His abilities will only decrease. We all now have to watch and try to understand as this disease gets more severe through time. My dad has changed from a healthy middle aged man being able to run down the road, lifting and moving things around the house and garden, playing with the grandkids and dog over the park, being able to memorise routes and motorways for trips I may take for weekend breaks, to a weak, frail man, who can barely hold a full cup of tea and now shuffling around the house getting confused about what his doing.

So I am taking on this challenge on behalf of Alzheimer’s Society. They have been at my dads side from day 1 of his diagnosis, offering advice and support for both my dad and my mum. Cycling London to Paris is described as a moderate 300 mile bike ride over 4 days. I will cycle on average 80 miles per day. Day 1 London-Calais, Day 2 Calais - Arras, Day 3 Arras - Compiègne, Day 4 Compiègne-Paris.

I’m hoping to raise as much as possible and will be hosting a few events prior the ride with details to follow shortly. I’m not usually one to ask for help, especially when it concerns money. But this one time I’m hoping to raise as much money as possible. So please, donate and share as much as you can for this great cause.

Thank you for taking the time of reading my story and for any donations you’ve made.

The Kramer’s xx