Yesterday I abseiled from the roof of a hotel to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
I chose this charity as a way of saying thank you to them for the help and support they gave me and my family during my grandad’s illness.
All through the trauma of my past my Grandparents have always been there for me. They never knew about the abuse in my childhood and tried very hard to protect me from my ex. After I lost my children I hit rock bottom and they still tried to help me but I felt like I didn’t deserve their help and I felt that I was a complete disappointment to them.
I was lucky, I managed to rebuild my life and improve my relationship with my Grandparents over the years then my Grandad was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. Now it was my turn to be there for them. My Nan became my grandad’s main carer and I did what I could to help and support her as well as my Grandad. I put them in touch with the Alzheimer’s Society and they were a great support, offering my Grandparents a chance to get out and socialise, something that due to my Grandad’s confusion and aggression was not always easy. Now don’t get me wrong my Grandad was a very gentle man, but those that know about Dementia will know part of the condition can be aggressive behaviour.
It was a heartbreaking time when on 17th May 2010 my Grandad passed away. Grief can be so confusing as at times I almost felt relieved that not only was my Grandad no longer suffering but my family were no longer suffering from the heartache that Dementia causes loved ones. I can still remember that last words my Grandad spoke to me although he thought I was his wife and his wife (my Nan) was his mother. Laying in his hospital bed he reached over, took hold of my hand and said ‘Goodnight sweetheart, I’ll see you in the morning’ The following morning the hospital called to inform us that my Grandad had passed away in the early hours.
I still miss him and will continue to do my best to make him proud of me, even though I know he already was proud of me. Each year I will take part in the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk in my Grandad’s memory.
My abseil was for me, to overcome my fear of heights.
My Grandad, to keep his memory alive and
for other people and their families who are trying to deal with the heartache of Dementia.
Thank you to all that support me, encouraged me and sponsored me and a very special thank you to the Alzheimer’s Society for everything they do.
So far I’ve raised £135 from this event 🙂