Painting a picture of the struggle with Alzheimer’s

ARTIST Terry Bradley has unveiled a painting inspired by his parents’ battles with dementia. Forget-me-not was painted in memory of the North Belfast artist’s dad Frank who died in 2010 after a five-year battle with Parkinson’s and dementia. His mother Florence started to show signs of dementia in the past two years. To mark Dementia Awareness Week, Bradley has united with Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness and funds as a tribute to his parents. Prints of the painting will raise money for the charity. He said: “The treatment and possible cure for people living with Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia is something that is very close to me and my family. “I saw my father slowly move away from us and into his own world and we are going through this again with my mother now. “I wanted to paint something in memory of my father and ‘forgetme-not’ sums up how I feel about him and miss him. “It’s important to raise awareness for everyone living with dementia as they lose their own voice and we need to talk on their behalf. “I hope the money raised from the ‘Forgetme-not’ print goes some way towards the fight against dementia.” The Alzheimer’s Society is asking people to come together to unite against dementia to help urgently find a cure, improve care, and offer help and understanding during Dementia Awareness Week, which runs until May 20. Bradley grew up in the Oldpark area of North Belfast, living right beside the peace line. To keep him safe from the Troubles which raged just yards from his front door, his mother kept him in the house where he distracted himself with Tintin comics and teaching himself to draw. His mum Florence is able to continue to live independently with support from her family and a care package that provides health visitors three times a day. Bernadine Mccrory, Northern Ireland director for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Just by speaking out, Terry is raising awareness of dementia and letting other people know they are not alone, while his generosity from the sale of prints of Forget Me Not will help Alzheimer’s Society to both support people with dementia and their families and to fund research to find a cure. “Dementia doesn’t care who you are – it could affect us all. It’s set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes, and so many people are facing it alone. “People with dementia often feel – and are – misunderstood, marginalised and isolated, but with the right support and understanding they can continue to live fulfilling lives.” Events will be held across Northern Ireland throughout Dementia Awareness Week, including information stands and drop in sessions in libraries.