During 2020, our family observed noticeable changes in my father-in-law's behaviour. These changes ranged from leaving cupboard doors open to not being able to complete DIY tasks that he used to be able to complete with no problem. A year prior, John had skillfully fitted an entire kitchen for their home, demonstrating his handiness and proficiency in various tasks including plumbing and electrics. John has always been very handy and able to put his mind and hands to any task given. Myself and Carly have always relied on John's ability to take on any DIY tasks to be able to create the home we have today. He has taught me so much over the years and I wouldn't be the DIY expert I am today without his support and teaching. From wallpapering to laying wooden floors to being a demolition man knowing down internal walls, building walls back up and plumbing as well as paving our driveway. I can now take on any DIY task I want to try out.

Concerned about his well-being, the doctors were consulted when John began feeling low and experienced difficulties in accomplishing daily tasks. The diagnosis of depression was met with scepticism. Instinct told us it was neurological therefore a private appointment was made with Bupa to be able to get answers. After an MRI scan and cognitive tests in October 2021, John who was aged 59 at the time was diagnosed with mixed Alzheimer's disease. This was a massive shock but nothing that we hadn't prepared ourselves for. 

John now 62 faces significant challenges. He is now unable to read or recognise letters and numbers. This also doesn't help as his eyesight and hearing have both deteriorated as his brain doesn't handle visual and audio information coming from his eyes and ears. He is unable to dress himself properly clothes maybe inside out, back to front. He often puts two of the same items on at once over each other (sometimes I do wonder how this is physically possible as he's worn two pairs of jeans before). John has experienced a loss of co-ordination therefore John struggles with his balance when walking especially on on different surface textures, tackling stairs/slopes, pushing and pulling objects including opening and closing doors, writing, driving, DIY jobs, using his knife and fork as well as how to eat certain foods such as burgers/sandwiches and much, much more. As a child would learn and you can slowly teach them how to do things, John is ‘unlearning’ and is unable to retain what he once knew. 

Living with John and Alzheimer's has been an emotional journey that touches not only him but also profoundly affects everyone around him including his beautiful daughter Carly (my wife), our children/his granddaughter and myself. John has been the most amazing Papa to our beautiful girls Sienna and Lucia. From picking Sienna up from school every Friday to Lucia being his mini-me. His cuddles are their favourite between cuddles and chocolate they always share and look after him. Sienna is aware of the struggles he is facing more and more and takes very good care of him whether this is helping him across the road or putting on his seat belt for him. 

As the people closest to him, we navigate the daily complexities of this disease alongside him, grappling with the shifting landscape of our shared history since we met when Carly 19 years ago crashed her car into mine. John was the body shop manager at Mercedes Benz at the time and fixed my car for me. There are moments of heartbreak as cherished memories slip away, replaced by a poignant recognition of the toll Alzheimer's takes on his relationships. We used to have such good conversations whilst BBQing in the Summer to winding each other up over a vast amount of beers in hand. 

Despite all of these challenges, John still is working. His compassionate company have been extremely supportive and makes sure that there is a safe working environment for him with lots of work buddies around him who look out for him and support him.

I could write a novel on what we have gone through as a family with John's Alzheimer's journey so far however this summary hopefully explains things briefly. 

Embarking on a trek, a passion that John once revelled in but now finds increasingly challenging to partake in, provides me with the opportunity not only to generate funds for crucial research combating this soul-crushing disease but also to raise awareness. Alzheimer's, a relentless thief of one's future, pride, dignity, senses, and memories, necessitates urgent research support. Through my trek, I aim to shed light on the unique journey that our family faces together, offering insight to those acquainted with us and those who aren't. Living closely with Alzheimer's encompasses individual experiences, with symptoms varying and each person's relationship with the disease distinct. This trek serves as a testament to the diverse journeys we all navigate in the shadow of Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer’s Society are working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. They do this by giving help to those living with dementia today and by providing hope for the future by campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be and funding ground-breaking research. Thank you for choosing to trek for Alzheimer's Society, together we can help and hope for everyone affected by dementia.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today and providing hope for the future.