Helen’s story goes up on AlzTalks YouTube channel
TUBBERCURRY native and dementia campaigner Helen Rochford Brennan’s story of living with dementia has gone on YouTube.
Helen is one of several people speaking on AlzTalks YouTube channel to bring dementia “out of the shadows”. It’s part of a new TV campaign by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) recorded at the celebratory AlzTalks event during World Alzheimer Month 2017.
Helen was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer in July 2012.She can still remember the day she received her diagnosis and the pain of it:
“There is no way I can describe the shock the day that I received my diagnosis and long lonely drive home from Galway to Sligo wondering how I was going to tell my family. I don’t remember the conversation that day with my family – but I do remember the pain. How do you tell your loved ones that in an undisclosed amount time you not be able to recognise them nor retain all the wonderful memories you’ve retained along the way?”
Now Helen wants people to know that there is a life after a dementia diagnosis and her appointment as Chair of the European Working Group of People with Dementia emphasises this: “The illness hasn’t gone away, I’ve just learned to handle it better, but it doesn’t define me. Now I’m travelling with assistance and I’ve recently passed my driving test again. I’m living life with support from family and friends. I’m travelling all over Europe speaking about dementia and campaigning for rights and engaging in major research that I hope one day will find a cure.”