Hi everyone.
I do not have, nor know anybody who has, Alzheimers or Dementia so forgive this little intrusion.
I am a fan of over 20 odd years of the man who is featured in this documentary. I have read with interest and respect what most of you thought of the programme and felt that most praise and criticisms were fair.
However I don't think the programme itself was supposed to be about what its like to have Alzheimers or Dementia but more to do with what happens when you are first diagnosed and just what little is being done about it. As Terry over the last few years has mentioned on his monthly updates on his friend Sandra Kidby's website that his health has not been what it was - it came as an almighty shock to think that what he thought was a mild stroke turned out to be the early signs of the disease - he then went on the same site and announced it. From then on - he was astounded to find just what little help he would get. To him it was like "Oh you have Alzheimers - good luck with that." So as he told us all - he wasn't going out without a fight and the first thing he did was give $1,000,000 to the Alzheimers Trust as well as become a patron and be a "voice" for the Trust. He has since taken a petition to the Prime Minister - opened up a Research Centre - got involved with various "causes" and allowed a BBC Camera Crew to follow him for a year. I understand that his wife Lyn and daughter Rhianna chose not to appear in the programme - As Lyn shuns the limelight anyway - thats understandable - Rhianna is a writer in her own right so perhaps it was wise.
As for his PA Rob - this is a man who has been employed for a number of years and he's overseen a number of Terry's books -so for him - even though their bond is close (Rob goes everywhere) you could see the man was shaken by what had happened to his boss. It would be easy for Rob to walk away - he's not family - he's employed but he is fiercely loyal and I think he will be there for the long haul.
On Terry's discovery of just what is happeneing to him - he has set out to find what is available and what is being done and if he can join in the fight. As he points out - people are living longer and therefore this disease will attack more and more people and we need to stop it getting worse. I think that will be Terry's legacy - that he felt he had to do something. Of course and he would freely admit this that unless it happens to you then you wouldn't know much about it. Then again I doubt some of you would know what it would be like at the age of 10 finding that your brother was paralysed and would never walk again and that your life would be forever changed as well, as happened to me. You see what I mean.
I will admit I knew nothing about Dementia before Terry got PCA. Now that my favourite living author has it I feel I should be educated. I have been, I suspect a lot of his fans have too and perhaps he's gained a new set of admirers though this programme. I have learned a lot (I'm naturally inquisitive anyway) and I have the utmost admiration and respect for anybody who has to deal with this horrible disease.
I think Terry has raised the awareness - I am seeing far more news items on the research and funding - maybe its becuase I'm looking for them or maybe because there is more awareness.
One thing I do know is that I have been made aware and If I am then surely there must be others.
Perhaps in 5 years time he will make another programme and we will see the difference for good or bad.
Anyway, sorry for intruding but just because I don't have or know anybody close with the disease doesn't make me care any less.
Thanks for listening and trying to understand it from a fans perspective. I won't be able to reply until Monday so look forward to more of your comments and or reply's.
...
Wayne
I do not have, nor know anybody who has, Alzheimers or Dementia so forgive this little intrusion.
I am a fan of over 20 odd years of the man who is featured in this documentary. I have read with interest and respect what most of you thought of the programme and felt that most praise and criticisms were fair.
However I don't think the programme itself was supposed to be about what its like to have Alzheimers or Dementia but more to do with what happens when you are first diagnosed and just what little is being done about it. As Terry over the last few years has mentioned on his monthly updates on his friend Sandra Kidby's website that his health has not been what it was - it came as an almighty shock to think that what he thought was a mild stroke turned out to be the early signs of the disease - he then went on the same site and announced it. From then on - he was astounded to find just what little help he would get. To him it was like "Oh you have Alzheimers - good luck with that." So as he told us all - he wasn't going out without a fight and the first thing he did was give $1,000,000 to the Alzheimers Trust as well as become a patron and be a "voice" for the Trust. He has since taken a petition to the Prime Minister - opened up a Research Centre - got involved with various "causes" and allowed a BBC Camera Crew to follow him for a year. I understand that his wife Lyn and daughter Rhianna chose not to appear in the programme - As Lyn shuns the limelight anyway - thats understandable - Rhianna is a writer in her own right so perhaps it was wise.
As for his PA Rob - this is a man who has been employed for a number of years and he's overseen a number of Terry's books -so for him - even though their bond is close (Rob goes everywhere) you could see the man was shaken by what had happened to his boss. It would be easy for Rob to walk away - he's not family - he's employed but he is fiercely loyal and I think he will be there for the long haul.
On Terry's discovery of just what is happeneing to him - he has set out to find what is available and what is being done and if he can join in the fight. As he points out - people are living longer and therefore this disease will attack more and more people and we need to stop it getting worse. I think that will be Terry's legacy - that he felt he had to do something. Of course and he would freely admit this that unless it happens to you then you wouldn't know much about it. Then again I doubt some of you would know what it would be like at the age of 10 finding that your brother was paralysed and would never walk again and that your life would be forever changed as well, as happened to me. You see what I mean.
I will admit I knew nothing about Dementia before Terry got PCA. Now that my favourite living author has it I feel I should be educated. I have been, I suspect a lot of his fans have too and perhaps he's gained a new set of admirers though this programme. I have learned a lot (I'm naturally inquisitive anyway) and I have the utmost admiration and respect for anybody who has to deal with this horrible disease.
I think Terry has raised the awareness - I am seeing far more news items on the research and funding - maybe its becuase I'm looking for them or maybe because there is more awareness.
One thing I do know is that I have been made aware and If I am then surely there must be others.
Perhaps in 5 years time he will make another programme and we will see the difference for good or bad.
Anyway, sorry for intruding but just because I don't have or know anybody close with the disease doesn't make me care any less.
Thanks for listening and trying to understand it from a fans perspective. I won't be able to reply until Monday so look forward to more of your comments and or reply's.
...
Wayne