We were lucky in our family to have a Grandma who was fun and great to be with. She always had stories to tell and had a never ending supply of Rowntree Mackintosh chocolates in a bowl on the sideboard. I don’t remember her ever shouting yet she managed to control us even with all our fights, squabbles and general rowdy behaviour. We loved her to bits.

Then she started to change and we didn’t know why. She kept forgetting things, endlessly repeating the same stories, forgetting where she was and where she’d been. I remember her repeatedly telling me off for breaking a cart horse ornament which I had broken 5 years previously.
I used to get upset because I couldn’t understand why she kept bringing it up when it had happened so long ago. Her personality started to change too and I remember not knowing what to say to her or how to behave. She was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s can be a confusing illness, especially when seen through the eyes of a child. I wanted to raise awareness and understanding. I also wanted to show that despite the disease, it is still possible to maintain an emotional connection with the person you love.

Belinda Lazenby