Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thank you for donating to Rick’s JustGiving page for Dementia UK.

Many of you will already know that our Dad had been battling lung cancer for a number of years with a determination that grounded us time and time again. So much so that he was fondly nick named ‘The Cat’.

His Dementia diagnosis earlier this year came as no surprise but nevertheless floored dad and us. I don’t think he ever really came to terms with it and was painfully aware that his head just wasn’t working the way it used to. He would often apologise for losing his train of thought or not being able to find the right words to join in conversation. Mum listened for him, spoon fed him answers and explained to others what he was trying to say. She was his rock and shielded us from the reality of caring for dad on a daily basis. Our Mum’s selflessness, strength and determination meant that dad was able to stay at home until the decision was taken out of our hands.

As a family, we had to come to terms with the new version of our dad and sometimes it felt we had an imposter in our midst. Juggling our feelings and being mindful of dad’s was challenging but slowly we started to understand and accept that he was trapped inside his own head when glimpses of his former self returned.

We read up, talked to family and friends who had lived a similar journey and shared our worries and fears with each other. Dementia can be a cruel and debilitating condition that impacts far beyond the person with the diagnosis. Not everyone diagnosed with Dementia will have the love and support that our dad did and that is why the donation that you have kindly given will go to Dementia UK.

Thank you so very much for your generous donations and kind words of condolence.

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