My Activity Tracking
28
kms
My target 44 kms
Doin' it for Mum and now sadly, my Uncle.
My Mum was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2013 at the age of 61. As a busy primary school admin and finance secretary, she could be forgiven for occasionally forgetting some minor details in a fairly busy, stressful role. Mum was always working overtime and giving 110%. Mum even used to joke about "maybe I have dementia?!" None of us took it very seriously 😔.Mum is a quietly spoken and gentle woman- but with an irrepressible cheeky sense of humour! She's always ready to dig in and help out wherever needed. Mum was a second mother to her grandchildren- my four children Dylan (now 28) Georgia (now 27), Tamara (25) and Jhye (22). They have so many fond memories of their Nanny and her constant love, support and sense of humour!
Mum didn't have an easy childhood and had her own traumas to negotiate and survive/live. Mum was raised by her paternal Grandma who had remarried a WW2 veteran and ex Japanese POW, who had his own demons by all accounts . Grandma had a large second family all living under the one roof in Sydney, whilst she worked as a cleaner in the nearby psychiatric facility in Ryde . Mum was one of many, but always had her older brother, Stephen, by her side. Despite all odds, Mum survived and thrived with a bank career.
Mum was my shoulder to cry on when my first marriage broke down when Jhye was only a baby- she helped me navigate all of the ups and downs of single parenthood, soccer games, dance concerts, lost library bags, swimming gear, returning to university and eventually returning to the workforce.
Eventually I relocated away to the NT with my youngest three children to spread our wings and experience a fresh start. It was certainly the right choice for myself, but the price I paid was steep- missing on precious years with Mum when she was relatively well. Every year I would see a little less of the Mum we all knew and loved during our annual visits. Years I know I will never get back- but that's a story for another day.
Mum has always been the centre of our lives- myself, my children, my Dad and my younger brother. She calmed down dramatics, temper tantrums and broken hearts, and was always ready to make the world's best ham 'n cheese toasties and chocolate milkshakes! Our little village had it's ups and downs - but we had each other.
Mum was also warmly welcomed into my small circle of incredible close friends and beautiful extended family of in-laws from my first marriage. Uncles, Aunts, and cousins who extended their big hearts to myself, my babies and my parents. Invaluable memories and relationships were all added to our village.
Mum has always been health conscious- eating a healthy diet and exercising daily. Mum didn't smoke and rarely drank- but that didn't protect her from this hideous disease. Mum initially took part in new medication trials and was one one of the first patients in Australia to undergo a 3D brain scan.
Years have now past, and reality has well and truly sunk in- with Mum now recently moving into full-time care after selling up the family home and moving to a smaller, regional town. (To financially prepare). For many years, Mum managed to hang in there, but we all knew deep down what was written in the future. No amount of denial can stop Mum's fate.
My Dad and brother have done an amazing job supporting Mum to stay home for as long as possible, and I'm relieved that I've been able to move much closer with my 2nd husband to spend more time together. Mum and Dad continued to travel as long as they could, and there are some beautiful memories along the way, however, and I'm proud of my Dad stepping up.
Mum still rocks out to Pink, and music is definitely the way to her heart, along with her favourite gluten free cookies 🩷
I wish my husband could have met the bright, vibrant Mum of old!...but Such is Life as the guy in the tin helmet would say.
Only recently, we were devastated to discover that my Mum's beloved older brother, my Uncle, has also been diagnosed with a form of vascular dementia. A cruel blow.
So to get to where we are today- I want to do this 44km challenge for my beautiful Mum, my Uncle and all others touched by this horrible disease. Yes, I may be overweight, out of breath, and perimenopausal- but then I remember who my Mum is, and I know I can walk 44km for her, it's the very least I can do ❤️
I'm making the impossible, possible, by taking part in Australia's Walk & Jog Challenge to raise much needed funds for dementia research.
I’m taking part in Australia's Walk & Jog Challenge by committing to raise much needed funds to support people impacted by dementia.
But I need your help! Please make a donation to support my efforts and help me to make the impossible, possible.
My fundraising will help support the work of Dementia Australia Research Foundation, funding innovative Australian research into dementia causes, diagnosis, treatment and one day a cure.
Thank you for your support.
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Great to see Beautiful photo of Noel.