Walking for my Gran and Grandad
Thursday 2nd Oct
Dementia is a cruel and prolonged illness that drains every recognisable characteristic from your loved ones, leaving them a shell of their former selves. I have witnessed this transformation firsthand with my Gran and Grandad throughout the past decade and a half.
My grandad Bill has had symptoms of dementia for as long as I can remember. It started small, with forgetting little life details, but as the years went on it began to affect his driving, speech and recognition. Once a charismatic and witty man, dementia slowly sapped his wit, humour and sharpness, leaving an unrecognisable personality behind. I never got to truly get to know him - most of my memories are of him non-verbal, withdrawn and eventually bed bound - dementia having robbed an opportunity of a meaningful relationship with him. Though I will always remember his weekly Sunday visits, him sneaking a cheeky chocolate bar, and Christmas Day shenanigans. Through stories from friends and family, he was always described as a sharp-witted, kind and happy man, who loved being surrounded by family. He passed away peacefully in July 2025.
My gran Patricia developed dementia more recently, so I was more able to comprehend the changes within her personality. She too had a kind and loving heart, with a quick wit and a fantastic sense of humour, whilst diminished by dementia, was never fully extinguished. The changes in her were evident - she had forgotten that I had left school seven years ago, her grandsons wedding, and recent hospital visits (which had been getting more frequent with her other diagnosis of blood cancer). It was heartbreaking seeing her confusion and stress when she was desperately trying to recollect information, that she knew she should know, but that dementia had stolen. I'll always remember baking rock cakes together, playing games, and getting playfully told off for accidently kicking a football into her flower beds with my cousins. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family in August 2025.
Dementia continues to rob families of their loved ones. Research into this condition allows groundbreaking treatments to be developed that can slow the progression of this cruel condition, giving families more time together. That is why I will be walking to raise money for Dementia UK, by undertaking a walk from West Ham Stadium to Wembley Stadium alongside my Parents, Sister, Aunt, Uncle and Cousins on 12th October to raise money for this deserving cause. This walk will be in honour of my gran and grandad who were lost to this condition. Any little donation is a significant contribution to lessening the harm Dementia causes our loved ones every day. Thank you so much for reading.
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Well done Jasmine!! All the best for you and your family 😊😊🥰🥰🙏🙏