Couple’s brave battle against Alzheimer’s
WHEN Geoff and Dorothy Branham married at St Mary’s Church in Crumpsall on June 11, 1955, they promised to remain true to one another in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.
Fast forward 60 years and the couple now have two children and four grand- children, and have celebrated a huge milestone – their diamond anniversary.
They are still living together at their home in Heaton Mersey. But their lives were transformed 15 years ago when Dorothy, now 81, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Geoff, 89, said: “Dorothy was outgoing and very sociable, enjoyed the cinema and books. Now she is unable to read or write.
“She is unable to do anything on her own now. Alzheimer’s is a terrible thing when you really get to know it.
“It has changed her character completely. I do everything I can to keep Dorothy living at home.
“It isn’t easy at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The first signs of Dorothy’s disease came when her children noticed she was repeating the same stories and that she was becoming increasingly forgetful.
Geoff said: “Those were the first signs. It happens progressively and has crept up on us, but we’ve been very lucky in that we’ve had 15 years together.
“I want Dorothy to remain at home and look after her for as long as possible.
“I’m sure that care homes do some very good work, but we want to be together at home.”
Geoff now plans to take part in the Alzheimer’s Society’s Manchester Memory Walk, which aims to raise funds to help support those with the condition.
The walk takes place on September 26 in Heaton Park, just a mile from the now-demolished church where Geoff and Dorothy were married 60 years ago.
More than 2,500 people took part in last year’s event and raised more than £107,000 to support dementia services and to fund research into the disease.
Geoff, who worked for the electricity board, said: “I believe in standing by the vows I made all those years ago. You have to take the rough with the smooth and that’s just what we do.
“We enjoy the good days and forget the bad days.”
To register for the walk, visit www.memorywalk. org.uk.