The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kirrie campaigner ‘humbled and honoured’ at accolade
Amanda Kopel receives lifetime achievement award
Amanda Kopel has been left “humbled and honoured” after receiving a lifetime achievement award from Alzheimer Scotland.
The Frank’s Law campaigner from Kirriemuir was presented with the accolade during Scotland’s Dementia Awards at the Raddison Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
She launched the Frank’s Law campaign in April 2013 after watching her husband, Dundee United legend Frank, battle dementia for six years.
The Courier-backed fight for free personal care for people under 65 with a debilitating illness became law on April 1 and will benefit at least 9,000 families.
Mrs Kopel said dementia was a disease which affects the brain but also breaks the heart.
“It has no respect for age, creed, colour or gender when it comes knocking at a person’s door,” she said.
“Dementia is a tough subject to discuss and no one can tell me it doesn’t strike fear into the heart of anyone when they hear that word.”
Mr Kopel was diagnosed with the condition a week before his 60th birthday and lost his battle just 19 days before he turned 65.
Mrs Kopel said she hoped “teething problems” following the implementation of Frank’s Law will be ironed out soon. “The wheels of any government turn slowly,” she said.
“The battle for Frank’s Law may have been won but the war is still going on for justice for the under-65s living with dementia who are still being discriminated against by being charged for that personal care.”
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s chief executive, said: “Amanda’s efforts and her commitment to end this inequality has been a truly remarkable achievement.”