Q&A: Sheila Colbeck

What’s changed most since your diagnosis? 

I can’t remember what I did last Saturday. I get cross with myself when I can’t quite remember what something is. I feel like I should remember what that is. 

What would you take to your desert island? 

I’d probably take something like the New Testament. It’s full of wonderful stories you can take to heart.

There is the one where the man stopped to help the chap at the side of the road, who’s been hit by robbers. I like that one. 

What song or tune sums up your life so far? 

‘Keep right on till the end of the road, Though the road be long, let your heart be strong. Keep right on round the bend.’ (Keep right on to the end of the road, by Harry Lauder)

What single thing would improve your quality of life? 

My quality of life is as good as it can be, as long as I’m not ill and my children aren’t ill. I would like them to fix incontinence. I think they will one day, it just hasn’t been sorted yet. 

If you could go back in time, where would you go? 

I had some nice holidays with my husband. We went to Japan and it was very interesting. Then later, with my partner, I went to Moscow and we went down to the Black Sea by train. 

What is your most treasured possession? 

I don’t have one. I grew up in the war and we couldn’t have anything we wanted then. 

Coronavirus restrictions mean Sheila hadn’t been able to leave her care home for a while when she answered our questions. Although she enjoyed sitting in the home’s garden, she said, ‘I miss going swimming and going out with my children.’