Taking the stigma out of Alzheimer’s
DAUGHTER DECIDES TO SHARE DAD’S BRAVERY ON INSTAGRAM
DOTING daughter Mariel Kirton was barely into her teens when her beloved dad was struck down with early onset Alzheimer’s.
Ray Kirton, from Brunton, Northumberland, was diagnosed with the cruel disease at the age of just 52.
His wife and three daughters have watched helplessly over the past seven years as Ray slowly loses the ability to drive, hold a conversation, or even remember their names.
Mariel, 21, says his perception of reality has become “muddled” so that he now believes his favourite TV presenters are in the room with him.
But rather than dwell on the difficult times, Mariel chose to share her dad’s bravery and determination to be happy through social media.
Since 2015 she has been inspiring others with heartwarming daily Instagram posts on her @endalzheimers_ray account in a bid to tackle the stigma around dementia.
The family first became concerned about Ray when the normally meticulous medical salesman was put through disciplinary procedures at work for making mistakes.
Mariel said: “My mum knew this was not in his character, and initially he was misdiagnosed with depression. I remember being in his room while he was taking his anti-depressants, when he said: ‘I just don’t get it, because I’m so happy.’ Eventually, eight months after taking sick leave, we got the devastating news that he had Alzheimer’s.”
Now 58, Ray has lost many of his old abilities, and two years ago his family noticed he had started to confuse what he was watching on television with reality.
Mariel said: “For now, my dad’s personality shines through despite his Alzheimer’s – he’s so polite to everyone on TV, as he always has been in reality. He gets changed into his shirt and tie when the Queen is on TV ‘in case she sees me.’ He thanks every weatherman and woman who ‘all have an eye for him’ and every member of The Chase panel as they introduce themselves.”
Mariel, who now lives in Leeds, started an Instagram account documenting Ray’s Alzheimer’s journey to show his bravery in the face of a brain disease with no cure. It captures Ray’s daily activities from his love of singing and dancing to precious moments with his grandchildren.
“I want to encourage people not to stigmatise people with Alzheimer’s,” Mariel said. “So many people don’t make contact with my dad now because they feel uncomfortable or they don’t know what to say. We are so lucky that dad is still, for the most part, the happy and loving person he always has been.
“Unfortunately, his temperament is changing, with a bit less patience and a bit more frustration, and we know this will only get worse. Not only that, but the scary reality is that my dad is not an elderly grandfather – in fact, he is still a son.”
Mariel is now keen to raise as much money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. To support her fundraising efforts, visit http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/mariel-and-ray-kirton/ and follow Ray’s journey on at www. instagram.com/endalzheimers_ray/