‘Naughty Boy? My DJ son is good as gold’ says sick mum
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Arlene in group dance back in 1983
HIS legions of music fans know him as Naughty Boy but to his mum Zahida, he’s simply Good Boy.
“When she hears people introduce me as Naughty Boy, she gets cross and says, ‘no, he’s not Naughty Boy he’s Good Boy,’” says the musician, producer and DJ.
She is full of praise for her son, real name Shahid Khan, because he has become her carer. Zahida, 65, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in August last year, caused by a stroke.
Shahid, 35, the youngest of three siblings who is originally from Pakistan, says: “Mum’s behaviour had been erratic and we were really concerned.
“She’d swear – words you’ve never heard your mum say.”
When they got the diagnosis of dementia he admits: “We had some closure, it was a relief. It was also sad because I found out there was no cure.”
The vascular type affects about 17% of dementia sufferers and gets worse. Shahid, who lives in Gerrards Cross, Bucks, and his elder sister Saira became responsible for looking after her. Shahid says small pleasures make her day: “The things they love bring such joy to them. When mum sees her grandkids, she’s at her happiest.” Shahid is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and completed a Memory Walk this week to raise money for the charity.
Until October you can complete a Memory Walk to help the Society support anyone affected by dementia. Sign up at memorywalk. org.uk.
Musician Shahid
Shahid with mum Zahida