HAVING experienced her parents’ diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Embleton fashion illustrator Pippa McManus will join other affected families at the 2018 Walk to Remember.
The Alzheimer’s WA ambassador is raising funds for the Osborne Park-based organisation ahead of the walk, which will be held on November 4 at Perry Lakes.
Funds will go towards support services, education and social research.
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READ NOWIn 2001, her father Bill died after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Her mother Sonia was diagnosed with dementia in 2016.
Pippa said it was important to raise awareness for people diagnosed, their partners and children.
“My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1995 – I was in high school at the time so it was not easy but we had the help of Alzheimer’s WA,” she said.
“It is so amazing to see how far they have gone since then as well.
“Mum got diagnosed two years ago so we had a nice 10-year period in between.
“Mum’s dealing with it very well and she has got great support coming in and helping her every week.
“It is a funny stigma that once you are diagnosed, it is kind of your life is kind of over, but it really is not.”
Pippa said more children including herself and several friends had become carers of their parents.
Sonia, of Highgate, said her diagnosis had not really changed her life as she often went out to socialise with her friends and exercised at home.
Donate at www.mycause.com.au/page/184960/pippa-mcmanus
For information, visit www.walktoremember.com.au/