Ian Mann

On Sunday March 3, I’ll be taking part in the Illawarra Memory Walk & Jog with my daughter Janelle.

After my mother was first diagnosed with dementia it was a relief to have a name for what she was going through, and it wasn’t just forgetfulness or old age.

Fortunately, we had certain legal and medical documents in place while she was still able to understand the ramifications prior to diagnosis.

My sister found about a discussion group for carers of those diagnosed with dementia. This opened our eyes, not only to the myriad of symptoms, but also to the support that is available for those living with dementia and their carers.

Over the next few years we saw our mother’s personality, dignity and level of reality change, fading away.

Her body was present, but the person we knew and loved was gone forever.

To visit your loved one in their 80’s and find them very anxious because they were going to get in trouble because they had not done their schoolwork is confronting, but it is their reality, and you cannot convince them otherwise.

At various times mum was adamant that she was waiting for a bus or needed to get dinner ready for our dad who had passed away 20 years beforehand.

She has called me by my fathers, uncle’s, brothers and sons name and sometimes could not perceive I was even part of the family.

Alzheimer’s’ and dementia do not discriminate any nationality or social background. It doesn’t matter whether you are a housewife, tradesman, university professor or celebrity.

There are approx 26,638,544 people in Australia and over 400,000 of these are living  with a dementia related illness, that’s 1 person in every 66.

A typical Aussie family consists of 2 grandparents, their 2 children and partners, and 2 grandchildren which is 8 people. Add to this, uncles, aunties, in-laws, step-relatives, work colleagues, neighbours and people at social or sporting clubs you belong to.

Look at the number of contacts in your phone, SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT WILL BE DIAGNOSED AT SOME POINT.

The only way to get on top of this is to research early diagnosis & treatments or to find a cure which currently does not exist.

All funds raised will support the work of Dementia Australia to provide vital support services for people living with dementia, their families and carers. These services include counselling, support groups, education and training.

That is why Janelle and I are participating again in the memory walk.

It is not about us, it is about those we care for now and in the future.

We thank you for your support.

Help me raise money in honour of {walking_for} and the 400,000 Australian’s living with dementia.

On Sunday, 3 March, I'm taking part in the Illawarra's Memory Walk & Jog to raise funds to support Australian's impacted by dementia. This is a cause close to my heart and I would love your support.

Please make a donation to support my efforts and help us reach our goal to beat dementia.

Not many people know, but dementia is Australia's second-leading cause of death. By 2058 it's expected that over 800,000 Australian's will have dementia. But we can change this.

All money I raise will support the work of Dementia Australia and help provide vital support services like counselling, support groups, education, and research to help find a cure.

Together we can achieve a lot. Your donation would mean the world to me.

Thanks for your support!