‘The Long Goodbye’
Why raising awareness for Alzheimer’s is so important to me.
In 2021, during a COVID lockdown, my dad sadly passed away whilst in palliative care, and almost simultaneously, my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 72.
In a short space of time, she had sadly regressed significantly, which forced my sister and I to move her into full-time care at only 74.
Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women
It is the second leading cause of death of all Australians, and provisional data suggests dementia will soon be the leading cause of death.
In 2024, it is estimated almost 29,000 people are living with younger onset dementia, this is expected to rise to almost 41,000 people by 2054. This can include people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
I call this disease "The Long Goodbye" for a few reasons, but primarily because each time you are with someone with Dementia, you notice a detail of who they are, who they were, is slowly being erased.
Sometimes, what you notice is missing is insignificant; they are unsure if they ate lunch. Other times, it is monumental. Not recognising who you are or even who they are in pictures.
Being a guardian could be one of the ultimate sacrifices you make in your life. A parent, mentor or carer. You are the guiding light for the ones who can't see clearly, the fierce protector and the warm embrace when they are knocked down.
It is hard to reconcile the woman I see now with the one who raised me. Remembering who she was while witnessing who she is becoming.
The disease will take all of her, but I have leaned into a space where I now relish the moments we have moving forward. When she asks who I am to her, I reply fondly with, 'Of course I am your favourite daughter. I love you mumma'.
Life moves in mysterious ways and now my sister and I proudly are her protectors. Because, after all, she is the woman who created us. Made me who I am.
She is my mum.
Our skin event will be on the 30th October and we will be donating a percentage of all our sales that day to Alzheimers Research Australia.
*Donations have now closed. Thank you to everyone who was able to come to our event or donated money to this charity. I am SO great full to you all!