September 26th 2023.
Caroline Preston and her husband Mark were a young family filled with hope and joy for the future. They were married in 2009 and their son William was born ten years later, completing their happiness. But soon after, Caroline started noticing subtle changes in Mark's behavior. She tried to get help but due to the pandemic, it felt impossible to find the help that Mark needed.
Finally, in 2021, Caroline managed to get an appointment with a GP who listened and understood. Mark was sent to the hospital and a CT scan revealed the shocking truth - he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the age of just 42. Caroline felt like her world had collapsed as she was starting to lose the person she had married.
Since then, Mark has deteriorated quickly. Caroline has been left to raise William on her own as if she were a single parent. She has had to be strong for both of them and it has been really hard. William is now four and he has grown up with his dad this way. Even though Mark can't talk anymore, Caroline knows he is proud of her and she is doing her best to raise awareness so that no one else has to go through this alone.
Jayden James is also doing his part to help those affected by dementia. At 19 years old, he is already studying psychology at Liverpool University in order to help his beloved grandfather, Raymond. Jayden has always been close to Raymond and has fond memories of him playing in a steel band with him. He wants to use his studies to make a difference and help others affected by dementia.
Caroline Preston and her husband Mark have a young son William together. But when Caroline began noticing subtle changes in Mark's behaviour, she knew something was wrong. Mark, a Mensa member and Oxford University graduate, was showing strange behaviour such as overeating and repeating himself.
Caroline tried to get help but due to the pandemic, it was incredibly difficult. Eventually, Mark got an appointment with a GP who listened to Caroline and arranged for a psychiatric nurse to see Mark. After a CT scan, Mark was given a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia at the age of 42.
The diagnosis was devastating for Caroline as she realised she was losing the person she had married. Mark's behaviour had become manic and he had difficulty with personal care and was unable to speak. Caroline knew she had to be strong for both Mark and William.
Caroline has been able to lean on the support of family and friends, and access resources from the Alzheimer's Society to help her. William is now four and has grown up with his father in this way. He understands that his father’s brain is broken, not his heart, and he wants to take him to a brain doctor to get him fixed.
Despite her heartbreaking situation, Caroline is determined to raise awareness and show other families affected by dementia that they are not alone. She hopes that through more research and programmes from the Alzheimer's Society, lives can change.
Jayden James, 19, is also determined to help his beloved grandfather Raymond who has been affected by dementia. He is currently studying psychology at Liverpool University and has fond memories of playing in a steel band with Raymond. Jayden wants to use his studies to help his grandfather and other families affected by dementia.
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