Brian Hamilton answers our questions

Q&A: Brian Hamilton

Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, aged 65 with mixed dementia – Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia

What changed most after your diagnosis?

Confidence – I had none at the beginning when I was first diagnosed, but now I’m a lot more confident. I try to live life more to the full now. I find that some situations can be different. For example at hospital appointments or social situations, the moment we say I have Alzheimer’s they stop talking directly to me and talk to whoever I’m with.

What would you take to your desert island?

The family dog, a radio to keep up with the football and a Bad Company CD.

How has Alzheimer’s Society helped you?

It’s provided a social coffee morning where carers and people with dementia come together and give each other support – this has been invaluable. The staff and the volunteer there gave me the confidence that l now have with my illness. They are always there for me if l need them, l don’t know how long I would have coped without them.

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

I would go to Wembley in 1973, for the FA Cup Final between Sunderland and Leeds United.

What is your most treasured possession?

My dad’s pit lamp, as it’s the only thing left that I have which belonged to him.