Rebecca's story

John Stevenson was diagnosed in February 2000 with early onset Alzheimer's disease. He was only 52.

John first thought something was wrong when he was at home trying to remember what a piece of furniture was called. He had to spend ten minutes trying to work it out. Nothing had happened to him like that before and it worried him.

John's GP thought it was stress, but referred him to a memory clinic. John got a diagnosis of Alzheimer's eight months later and the family moved to the Lake District.

John's daughter's, Rebecca, shares their story.

'Having witnessed my Dad's continuing decline with Alzheimer's over the last nine years I was keen to be involved in Terry Pratchett's documentary to help raise awareness of the realities on of younger people with dementia.

Dad was only 52 when he was diagnosed and although this is not the average age of diagnosis, it is sadly an increasing one.  Experiencing a parent with Alzheimer's when I was 17 years old was educational.  My peers held a misconception of the illness and I myself had a lot to learn.

After meeting Terry at the BBC Radio 5 discussion I admired his strong, open and defiant attitude at which he has chosen to fight his diagnosis. 

My father adopted the same attitude, which has led us as a family through both trying and humorous times.  By sharing my experience I hope to dispel the many misconceptions and misunderstandings I have encountered in the past surrounding dementia.'

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