Jacquie was diagnosed with Pick’s disease in 2007 – at the age of 50.
Pick’s disease is a rare type of early onset dementia. The disease, most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 45-60, rapidly shrinks part of your brain, affecting your speech, sight, behaviour and mental capacity. Its sufferers rarely live for more than 10 years after diagnosis.
Now eight years since her diagnosis, Jacquie can’t move, open her eyes or talk.
In a desperate attempt to raise awareness, Jacquie’s son Jake posted photos of his mother online.
In a Reddit post, Jake, 31, explains his mum was originally misdiagnosed as having menopause at the age of 48.
In the years since she was diagnosed Jake has watched his mum’s life deteriorate.
He posted images of Jacquie at the beach in 2010, a few years after he diagnosis — she is smiling and laughing, but Jake notes she can’t remember much.
Top Comments
I don't think he's talking about euthanasing his mum, as obviously it is too late and she can't consent, but for himself if he discovered he was suffering from the same or similar disease. I think for myself, if I found out I had dementia or Alzheimers, I would rather pass away with my family around me, knowing who they are, than forgetting those who mean most to me and dying in a room full of people, who, to me, are essentially strangers.
My Mum is in a similar situation - in full-time nursing care. She doesn't talk, can't walk and can't feed herself. We 'think' she may know who we are. She is very well cared for and looks happy though. We visit her and it is clear that Mum is no longer there, but she is healthy still. We spend lovely time with her, stroking her and talking to her. I believe in euthanasia, but it would be a difficult decision with Mum. I know she would hate to be living like this - yet she is happy and cared for. All I think when I leave is how cruel Alzheimers is on the family and on her. Good luck Jake.