By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
DEMENTIA doesn’t have to be the “scary monster” many perceive it to be – and that’s from someone now in their seventh year of living with the illness.
Trudy Forbes admitted struggling at first with her 2007 diagnosis but said acceptance had allowed her to get on with life.
Trudy has Lewy Body disease, a relatively unknown but second most common form of dementia.
Trudy spoke out about her condition to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Australia first Memory Jog in Victoria.
The organisation estimates greater Geelong has the highest prevalence of dementia in Victoria, with 3623 sufferers set to reach 11,593 by 2050.
Trudy said Lewy Body had less impact on memory than other forms of dementia but presented additional challenges.
“You get hallucinations and they seem very real. You can’t really tell the difference but, of course, there’s nothing there,” Trudy explained.
“I didn’t understand what was happening, I didn’t know this could happen. But acceptance is the key to dealing with it.
“I’ve had some bad responses from people occasionally but now it’s water off a ducks back. I’d like people to realise what someone might be going through.”
Husband Ross said Trudy enjoyed a full life, with knitting, gardening and socialising her main pursuits.
“There are lots of strategies you can use to normalise life as much as possible. Sometimes we don’t realise how much help is available,” he said.
Daughter Lauren Kerr, granddaughter Lila and other family members will take on the Memory Walk and Jog at Eastern Gardens on 14 September.
Their team, named The Mighty Ducks after Trudy’s affectionate nickname, Ducky, has raised more than $1000 so far.
Event participants can choose between 2.4-kilometre or 7km walks or a 7km run.
Donations are open at memorywalk2014geelong/everydayhero.com.au/themightyducks.
