My Story

Last year we lost my darling Mum, and I miss her every single day.

She was, as many described her, a true force of nature! That was, until, Alzheimer’s and Dementia robbed her of her incredible spirit. 

Looking back, we missed the early signs. But now, with the benefit of hindsight, they are all too clear...

She lost her lifelong passion for cooking and entertaining, our daily phone conversations became repetitive, and her sense of adventure dwindled. She even stopped giving us all a hard time, which says it all really! 

In her final years, the memory loss and confusion became increasingly severe, the depression was so bad she sobbed every day and the anxiety meant she barely left the house.

My Dad was her rock and safe place, and he did everything he could to take care of her, despite the toll it took on him. She would often say how she just didn't want to be here, suffering or as a burden to her family any longer (not that we ever felt she was). 

In the end, she got her wish and died peacefully in August last year. 

To see my Mum - the strongest, bravest, most resilient person I've ever known (as her nickname, The Commander paid testament to), succumb to this cruel disease was utterly heartbreaking.

I will be running this race in her memory, and for all the families impacted by Alzheimer’s and Dementia.