September 20th 2024.
Growing up, Alice Davidson-Richards had always looked up to her father, who shared her love for cricket. It was a bond they shared, along with their passion for tea. So when her father Geoff was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it was a devastating blow for Alice. She found herself helping to care for him while also pursuing her own career as a professional cricket player for the Northern Superchargers and South East Stars.
On World Alzheimer's Day, Alice will be fronting a film by Alzheimer's Society, to be shown during a One Day International cricket match between England and Australia. She hopes to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on families like hers. In an interview with Tessa Cunningham, Alice shares her personal experience and explains why she is determined to do all she can to help.
Alice's father had always been her hero - fit, active, and wise. They shared a love for cricket and tea, often bonding over cups of tea and conversations about the sport. So when her father forgot where he kept the teabags, Alice knew that something was terribly wrong. It was the middle of 2020, and her father was 79. Alice had been traveling a lot for cricket and had missed the signs of his decline. She had also been in denial, convincing herself that his forgetfulness was just a normal part of aging. But that day, she knew that it was something more serious.
It took a while to get a diagnosis, but eventually, the doctor confirmed that her father had Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Alice was overcome with a mix of emotions - relief, fear, and sadness. Her father's confusion and guilt were heartbreaking for her to witness. She had always been close to her father, and now she had to be the one to protect and care for him. It was a role reversal that made Alice realize that she had grown up.
Cricket had always been a big part of their relationship, and even as his memory faded, her father still enjoyed watching the sport. He was there to see Alice score a century on her Test debut for England and was proud of her achievements. Alice cherishes these memories of her father and the love they shared for cricket.
As her father's condition progressed, Alice and her family did everything they could to keep him at home with them. It was a challenging and emotional journey, but Alice feels grateful for the opportunity to show her father how much she loved and cared for him. When he passed away in November 2020, Alice was by his side, and she misses him every day.
Alice is now a proud Alzheimer's Society Sport Champion and is using her platform to raise awareness and support for families affected by the disease. She believes that talking about it and sharing personal stories can help break the stigma and spark urgent action for a cure. She encourages others to share their own dementia stories to help create a more significant impact.
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer, but its realities often remain hidden behind closed doors. Alice hopes that by sharing her story and being a part of the Alzheimer's Society's efforts, they can create a strong case for change and support those affected by this devastating disease. For more information and support, visit alzheimers.org.uk.
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