Longford woman honours mum by leading ASI Memory Walk

AMBASSADOR for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's (ASI) annual Memory Walk, Longford woman Michelle Victory-Linnane led the event to raise awareness and funds and honour her mother Breda who died after a battle with dementia last November.

Her mum was her best friend, and watching her decline so quickly after her diagnosis in January 2017 was incredibly difficult for the entire family.

Michelle led the Longford Memory Walk which involved a 5km loop walk from Corlea Bog Walking Trail and said she was “absolutely overwhelmed” by the turnout. “There was well over 200 people at it so there was an absolutely fantastic turnout to support the very worthy cause.”

“I think the weather put everybody into good spirits and lifted everybody yesterday. It was a very positive vibe... There was kids, there was people of all ages and all walks of life there and people brought their dogs out for the walk,” added Michelle.

Michelle plans to continue her relationship with ASI and to do as much as she can to support them “as somebody who was very much supported by them” when her mother was going through her journey. “She had Alzheimer's for eight years before she passed away last November, and we got great support from the Longford branch of the Alzheimer's Society so I very much want to make Alzheimer's visible and let people know that they're not on their own going through this journey, that there is support there.”

The Longford woman explained that the charity offer so much to family and friends along with the patients who have Alzheimer's Disease too. “They have daycare in different areas that you can bring your loved one to and it gives family members a little bit of respite and they know that their loved one is in a safe space.”