Hi guys, thanks for taking the time to check this out.
As you can see, I'm climbing a mountain. A very big mountain. Why? Because my sisters are doing it. But they don't know I'm doing it with them and that surprise will be excellent as long as no-one tells them, so try not to let it slip! [Update: The girls now know I am going and have had the added bonus that our older sister is now also accompanying us on the trip. So all four of us are now climbing the mountain!]
"Come on Mike, there must be more of a story than that!" I hear you cry. Well, if you insist, here goes...
As most of you know, my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago. What started with the odd bit of forgetfulness swiftly turned into a total change of character and the mother who has loved and cared for my sisters and I all our lives now barely recognises us when we visit. And she's still only 58.
When things had started to take a real turn for the worse, my sister and I left our jobs and moved back to the Isle of Wight to care for her. Over the following couple of years she slowly lost the ability to perform everyday tasks, until things like finding her way to bed became a major challenge.
This not only made living extremely difficult for her, she realised what was happening and was extrememly unhappy and frustrated not being able to carry out simple tasks like making a sandwich or cup of tea.
The bottom line is that Alzheimer's is an unbearable disease. The impact it has on a person and their immediate family is life changing.
The Alzheimer's Society has been an excellent source of information for our family and I live in hope that through their research we will find a way to spare others and their families the misery of Dementia. I would be really grateful if you could donate a few pounds to my cause and help the Alzheimer's Society contine their fantastic work.
So, I'm pulling on my walking socks, packing up my sleeping bag, picking up my poles and climbing a mountain. The trip will take place in September, we're leaving on the 15th, and will be an eleven day trip, within which is the seven day trek up to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa, a mere 5895m high.
So, just to be clear, please don't mention this to my sisters as they have no idea I'm taking part. They have already signed up and know each other are taking part but I've decided to sign up on the sly to surprise them.
If you need even more information, or to check out the latest news, please visit shootingorchids.co.uk where I'll be keeping you up to date with my progress.
Thanks again,
Mike x
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