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Search forAlzheimer's sufferer to speak on disease at House of Lords
Tuesday, October 07, 2008, 07:30
Heather Roberts has teamed up with the Alzheimer's Society as it reveals today that more than half of people believe the disease results in stigma.
Mrs Roberts will help educate people in her role as a member of the society's Vice-Presidents, Patrons and Ambassadors programme, which she joined in March.
The 53-year-old was diagnosed when she was 50 and has worked to raise awareness of the effects of the disease on patients under 65.
Her next major talk will be at a House of Lords lunch in November.
Mrs Roberts, of Woodybank Close, Allestree, said: "I've experienced people walking away from me when I've told them I've got dementia and that felt like a kick in the gut.
"I've told people I've got the disease and never heard from them again.
"People are frightened of it and they struggle to cope when you stand in front of them and don't look ill.
"We need to be open and honest and educate people that it's a disease, younger people like me get it, too, and that life does not end with the diagnosis."
The society has set targets – improving understanding on the part of the public and doctors, developing better diagnostic services, providing timely and accessible information and developing stronger support networks to help people cope.
Dementia is caused by physical diseases of the brain and one in three people over 65 will die with the condition.
The Alzheimer's Society is still collecting money raised during its first Memory Walk, which was held in Markeaton Park last month.
awareness: Heather Roberts and husband Dave
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