Defiant Jimmy
Calderwood on his battle with Alzheimer’s
JIMMY Calderwood has put a brave face on his fight against younger onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The ex-Aberdeen and Dunfermline boss went public yesterday after being diagnosed more than two years ago.
Jimmy, 62, is the latest in a long line of former footballers to be struck by dementia.
They include Celtic legend Billy McNeill, Rangers icon Jimmy Millar and former Dundee United favourite Frank Kopel.
Jimmy, who also managed Kilmarnock and Ross County, decided to seek help from his GP when his partner Yvonne Buchanan noticed he was becoming increasingly forgetful.
He said: “Yvonne insisted I go to get checked out. I suppose I’m a typical west of Scotland man of my generation and the last thing I think about is going to the doctor for anything I consider minor.
“But I’m grateful to her because now I know what I can do to fight against it.
“If, by making this public, I can help others talk more openly about dementia, that will be something positive.
“I haven’t been comfortable with keeping this a secret and when I recently heard an old team-mate of mine in Holland is also living with Alzheimer’s, it prompted me to go public.
“Right now, I am still fine, except for being a bit forgetful with some names. But I am determined to continue enjoying my life.
“I was a bit sad when I was diagnosed at first, but then you’ve just got to get on with it. There is no use moaning all the time – I had enough of that on the football pitch.
“I’ve had a wonderful life in football. I’ve been all over the world 10 times and it has not cost me a ha’penny, which isn’t bad for a wee boy from Govan.
“Now if I can help other people, it would be really tremendous.”
It is estimated 90,000 people in Scotland live with dementia.
Ex-midfielder Jimmy, who left Glasgow as a teenager to become a regular with Birmingham City before moving to Holland, is unsure if there is a link between his career in the game and his diagnosis.
The family of former England striker Jeff Astle have campaigned for studies into the link between dementia and heading heavy footballs. Four of England’s World Cup-winning squad from 1966 have also recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Jimmy added: “No one has suggested my diagnosis is related to football, but if I can help other people in times to come, that would be great.
“My message to others is don’t put it off. If you think there’s something wrong, go and see about it.
“I’ve had to learn about Alzheimer’s as I didn’t know much about it. Getting your head around it and accepting it is the most important thing.”
Former Tannadice star Kopel was, like Jimmy, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 59. He died six years later.
Dad-of-four Jimmy doesn’t yet need personal care but the future is uncertain.
He said: “I’m not really a person who is scared of anything. Yvonne’s scared to talk about it but I just get on with life. I feel great at the moment and we will see how it goes.
“I sat my family down and told them. It was a difficult conversation, but a lot harder for everyone else than me. What can you do? There’s no use sitting about. I’ve still got a life. That’s the important thing.”
Jimmy, who is today jetting off on
ALZHEIMER Scotland yesterday praised Jimmy Calderwood for raising awareness of an illness that many people are afraid to confront.
Jim Pearson, director of policy and research, said: “People are still not talking openly about dementia. They don’t have confidence or know what to do about it.
“When they do go to their GP, they are not quite sure if they are going to be offered any help.
“When well-known sports people like Jimmy share their story about living with dementia, it helps break down the fear, stigma and discrimination that continues to surround the condition.
“Jimmy is making a powerful contribution towards helping other people talk more openly.”