20/02/2025
š§¶š§¶March is fast approachingā¦š§¶š§¶
So, As a little bit of a back story on how we got to here, Iād like to tell you about my Nana, Dot.
(Sorry itās a long one)
Nana was a pivotal part of my life, I lived with her along with my mum for a time when I was growing up. She was there for me as a child everyday, picking me up from school (or helping my grandad keep me off school) going to the seaside on holidays, taking me to town. She is the forefront of all my precious childhood memories and a huge role model for me and my family. She was a warm, loving funny lady and always had a beautiful smile on her face.
Her cooking was amazing. Everyone loved Dots cooking and baking, even coming into primary school to bake cakes with my class.
She was the first person who taught me how to knit, although I wasnāt a natural!
She was so loving, she worked at the local SEN school for many years, sharing the abundance of maternal love with those she felt benefited from it the best.
She was fiercely independent, she filled her life with days out, activities and socialising. After my grandad passed away and once sheād retired, She was unstoppable.
When she got diagnosed with vascular dementia, it wasnāt a massive shock. We have a family history of heart problems and Nana was still nan, just a little forgetful. As time progressed, a little forgetful evolved to becoming more distant and she began to have more serious falls. Eventually, after being found on the ground, outside her flat on a cold morning. The hospital suggested it was time she had more substantial care at a home.
Throw in a pandemic and her increasing need for care, Nana because less of the strong independent woman from my childhood. But that beautiful smile was still shining with every visit. She was still cheeky, still fun and still so so loved.
After a series of events, we said our tearful goodbyeās to her on 3rd Feb 2024. Sheād been surrounded by those who loved and cared for her most.
She had touched so many peoples lives, never asking for anything in return. And even though she was locked away with this horrible disease, we always looked for, and found, a glimmer of that beautiful loving soul in her.
Although, she wasnāt as harshly affected as others stories. It was painful for my mum and her siblings to see my Nana fade and I would do anything to help others have an easier path through their dementia journey.
When the challenged popped into my orbit on the 1 year anniversary of Nana Dots death, it was a sign I couldnāt pass.
Anything you can give to support is massively appreciated. š§”
https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-x9155zmo6dpz9
