By Luke Voogt
Brian Griffin’s dad Murray “would do anything to help” before he got dementia.
“He was always there when you needed him – even when you didn’t – he’d pop up and start helping,” Brian said.
So the Grovedale electrician and his family joined the Geelong Memory Walk to give back to their father and grandfather.
“We got the whole family involved last year,” Brian said.
“When people should be retiring, enjoying their lives and going on holiday… here he is, stuck in a home unable to look after himself.”
The family raised $5081 for dementia support services last year with the help of Murray’s old workmates from Geelong refinery.
“Everybody knows someone who’s affected don’t they?” Brian said.
Brian helped Murray make a surprise appearance at the walk, to the delight of the rest of family.
“I thought, ‘bugger it, I’ll take him’,” Brian said.
“He didn’t know what was going on or why there were so many friends and family there, but he had fun and did (some of) the walk.
“It probably made the day even more special for the rest of us.”
The family first noticed signs of dementia when Murray was 60.
He would forget words or what he was doing in the middle of tasks, like making coffee.
“Early on he used to get a bit frustrated – he knew what he wanted to say and he knew what he wanted to do but he just couldn’t express it,” Brian said.
“It sort of started with that and went that way for a long time until he slowly slipped away.”
The family also walked in support of Brian’s mother Paula, who cared for Murray for several years.
“She had to do all these things that people take for granted – it was like she was looking after a child again,” Brian said.
“It was devastating for her – as it would be – they’ve been married for a very long time.
“When she needed to go to hospital she wouldn’t because she thought (she had) to look after him.
“It got harder and harder for mum to look after him – so eventually she had to make a hard call and put him in a home.”
Brian and the rest of the family regularly visit Murray, who turns 66 later this year.
“He might not know your name but seemingly knows who are – he’s always got a huge smile on his face when you come visit him – thankfully that hasn’t changed,” he said.
He fondly remembers taking Murray, an avid Cats fan, and his then four-year-old son to a preseason game.
“It was the first time the three of us all went together,” he said.
While Murray had little idea what was going on, “he was just so happy and proud to get to take his grandson to the football,” Brian said.
“That day will probably be one I’ll remember for a long time.”
To get involved or support the Griffin family visit memorywalk.com.au.
