Helping Mum

Everybody loves their mum. Everybody wants to see their mum healthy, happy and free. Unfortunately life happens and things change.

My mum has always been someone who you didn’t need to worry about. She was strong and independent and in charge. She managed everything and never complained about anything. She was always cheerful and happy and gave everything of herself to those she loved and cared for. Even to strangers, she gave what she had.

She taught me how to be a woman of God, who serves and loves and gives whatever she has to others in need. She was fearless and brave, she traveled to distant places on her own and fit right in. She managed teams and organized her life and work to the highest standard.

At home, she was there whenever I needed her. She balanced work and life well and I never lacked her attention, love or care.

Five years ago, everything changed. We started to see her become forgetful, loose track of things that would normally not be a problem. She was fraying and we all knew something was happening, we just didn’t know what.

When we got the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/Dementia we were shocked. How could it be that mum, my mum who was so sharp and organized was losing her mind. As I have watched her progress down this journey, she has done it with such grace and poise. Her usual fearlessness and bravery has shone through. I have been amazed at her willingness to fight this disease. But it is getting harder for her to hold on now. Every day we lose another part of her. Everyday I see one of her characteristics slip away. It is heartbreaking!

It is never easy asking for help. Mum especially hated to do it. She would never tell you when she was struggling, she would just figure out a way to make it work. So now as she goes into the last phase of this disease, we have stepped in and we are asking for help. We need to make sure that the last phase of this journey for mum, is a comfortable, easy one. She needs to be in the best care and she needs to be with her family. Scotland is the place that we have found will facilitate that. However it is not only about mum, Dad needs a life too. Dad has stood by Mum’s side the whole time. As he faces a life without her by his side, he needs to find the place that he can go through that transition. Scotland is that place.

It makes sense that my parents would do something like this, make such a huge move in such a strange time of their life. Most people would think it was crazy moving someone with last stage Alzheimer’s/Dementia across the world. If you knew my parents, you would understand why this makes sense for them. At the end of the day, they both need to be happy in this last stage of their journey together. It makes sense that somewhere like Scotland, would make them happy.

If this story has touched you in any way, you have identified with my mum and dad or have experienced the loss of a parent/grandparent/relative to Alzheimer’s/Dementia then please go and have a look at the gofundmepage we have set up. Share it, Donate towards it and join us  on our campaign to fund my Mother’s last journey, her last adventure. Help my parents find their final happy place to see the rest of their life together.

https://www.gofundme.com/loretta-s-alzheimer-s-care

We need to raise $20,000 by the end of September to ensure a smooth transition and move to Scotland for my parents. If you can help in anyway please do. Every little bit helps.