Coventry gran defies Alzheimer's to visit family in Canada
SINCE developing Alzheimer's, former Coventry print worker Joan Jones cannot remember her way home from town or what plans she has made from one day to the next.
Coventry Live
10:14, 8 JUL 2010
But that didn't stop the great-grandmother, who lives in Stoke Heath, travelling all the way to Canada by herself to celebrate her 70th birthday with her family.
Joan is proof that life does not have to stop because you have dementia.
And she agreed to share her story to spread the word about the condition and the help on offer during Dementia Awareness Week.
The mum of four said: "If you are in the early stages of Alzheimer's you can still have a good time."
Earlier this year Joan was able to fly to Canada, where two of her children have set up home, thanks to the help of airport staff who met and guided her to and from her flight.
A photograph of her 70th birthday cake takes pride of place on a shelf in Joan's flat at Leofric Lodge, Stoke Heath – a sure sign of how much she treasures her latest holiday.
"I think if my condition got worse I would stop travelling – knowing me I would probably get lost overseas," she joked.
"I'm just enjoying it while it lasts."
Joan also remains mobile in and around Coventry thanks to the help of her daughter, who lives nearby, and a network of support groups such as Cross Roads and Quest.
Thanks to them, Joan can look forward to going shopping in the city centre, get-togethers where she meets other people with dementia or full blown day trips to Draycote Water. "I've never had so much fun," she admitted.
But without this help Joan's life could be far more limited.
She suffered a nervous breakdown after her marriage collapsed and spent two months recovering at a hospital near Bury.
Soon afterward she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and moved into sheltered accommodation in Coventry a year ago.
Though her long time memory is unscathed she has to note down "basic things" on her calendar to remember them and refuses to accept directions to go into town alone because she "would just forget them".
And Joan knows what could be in store for her after watching her dad develop dementia.
Even though he died of cancer before suffering the worst effects, there was one day he did not recognise her.
"He said, you can't be Joan, you're too old," she recalled.
"I said, well you're old now dad!
"At least I know if that happens to me I'm already in the best place. There's a dementia home next door so I can pack my bags and walk across without getting lost."
*Dementia Awareness Week runs until July 10. For more information visit www.alzheimers.org.uk