When Susie Jones’s mother was diagnosed with dementia aged 49, she did not really understand what it would mean.
Although her family were devastated by the news, Mrs Jones “naively” thought her mother Linda Lattimer would simply forget the “odd thing” from time to time.
Now, more than 10 years on, Mrs Lattimer is unable to speak and lives at a care home near Alford, while her daughter is working hard to raise awareness of the condition.
Since the full effects of the devastating diagnosis have been realised, Mrs Jones has raised £7,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and has now signed up for the charity’s Target Twelve Hundred Challenge.
Having completed several runs in previous years, the 32-year-old has already done Run Garioch and the Great Manchester run this year as part of the challenge. And in September, her husband Derek and sister Clare Doherty will join her for the Great North Run in Newcastle.
First however, she will swap her trainers for dancing shoes at a family ceilidh she has organised for July 26.
Mrs Jones, who is originally from Sauchen but now lives at Stoneywood, said: “You expect dementia to be something that happens to people who are 80, rather than 49.
“When Mum was diagnosed we were shocked to find out how few treatments there are for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and just how under-funded research into the condition is.
“Watching a loved one deteriorate slowly like Mum has is just heartbreaking.”
The Reel McCoy will provide the entertainment for the ceilidh at BA Stores, Lyne of Skene, with Aberdeen Fun Drummers and fiddle group Step m’Garioch also lined up to play. For tickets, priced £15, which includes stovies, call 07854280121 or e-mail susie.lattimer@talk21.com.
To support Mrs Jones on her challenge to raise £1,200 in 12 months visit
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SusieJones2014
.