I’ve seen so many friends go through this
LAW JOINS LIST OF FORMER PLAYERS TO HAVE DEMENTIA
THE King of Old Trafford is the latest player from his generation to be diagnosed with dementia.
Manchester United legend Denis Law, dubbed ‘The King’ for his formidable goalscoring prowess, has revealed he has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
Law, 81, is the sixth member of the United squad who won the European Cup in 1968 to be diagnosed with the degenerative condition.
Sir Bobby Charlton’s family confirmed his diagnosis last year, just days after former team-mate Nobby Stiles died, while Tony Dunne, Bill Foulkes and David Herd were also diagnosed before their deaths.
The revelation Law has joined the list of players from that era with dementia will increase calls for greater research into the links between the condition and heading a football.
In a moving statement, Law, who scored 237 goals in 404 games for United, spoke of how the condition affects his daily life and the emotional toll it has taken on him and his family.
“I am at the point where I feel I want to be open about my condition,” said Law. “I have been diagnosed with ‘mixed dementia’, which is more than one type of dementia – in my case this being Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
“This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone and the long periods of isolation have certainly not helped.
“It’s an incredibly challenging and problematic disease and I have witnessed many friends go through this.
“You hope that it won’t happen to you, even make jokes about it whilst ignoring the early signs because you don’t want it to be true. You get angry, frustrated, confused and then worried – worried for your family, as they will be the ones dealing with it.
“However, the time has come to tackle this head on, excuse the pun. I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don’t want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.” Law has previously spoken of his concerns over the impact heading a ball has on players, and revealed he would avoid doing so in training with Huddersfield Town, because he feared the implications.
Former Scotland star Law, who was at Old Trafford last Saturday to watch United beat Leeds 5-1 in their opening game of the new Premier League season, said: “I do understand what is happening.
“That is why I want to address my situation now,
whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand and I hate the thought of that right now.
“I am trying to be positive and determined to continue watching my club, Manchester United, at Old Trafford.
“I know the road ahead will be hard, demanding, painful and ever-changing, and so ask for understanding and patience as this will not be an easy journey, especially for the people who love you the most.”