A CO Antrim man who set up his own dementia charity after being diagnosed with the condition has urged other sufferers to seek help.
John McErlean from Toome was told he had dementia five years ago.
But while many would have surrendered to the debilitating condition, the 58-year-old decided to fight back through Dementia NI.
He told how he first realised something was wrong.
“It was just the change of character,” he said.
“I was an outgoing kind of guy and I suddenly realised I had zero tolerance against children and I could not be bothered doing the things I used to do."
He also said he struggled with forgetfulness and found himself blaming others when things went wrong.
Mr McErlean was initially sent to a psychiatrist but after tests was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia - which is responsible for 10 to 15 per cent of cases.
“I was devastated,” he said.
“I didn’t know what way to turn at that time, the confidence level was not good.
“The stigma behind this was something terrible with other people. They didn’t realise and probably didn’t believe me.
“I found it hard to believe it myself, never mind other people.”
Mr McErlean said coping with his condition can be a struggle.
“Sometimes I feel I have to get things together, some days it would be more difficult to get things together,” he said.
“There are a lot of things affect you. Depression, insomnia and low esteem, it’s all there and every day is different.
“I deal with people at Dementia NI and I see the effects of it every day and I know what’s in front of me."
Doctors are unable to tell him when he may need more care in the future.
“It could be two years, two months, 10 years, nobody knows,” he said.
“I have to depend on my immediate family to be around me more and make sure from day to day that things are OK for me,” he said.
“I don’t like depending on anybody, but it’s necessary.”
The former Lough Neagh fisherman said that his condition has come dominate his life.
“When I get up on an average day the first thing I think is ‘what day is it?’
“When I still know what day and date it is, I think to myself this is another good day.
“As long as I still know the faces of people I think to myself, I am having a good day.”
However, he said Dementia NI has been a massive help to him.
“It gives a group focus and it gives me a reason for continuing and it gives me a great outlook on life at the moment.
“It’s helping me mentally - there was a time when I didn’t think there was anything out there for me.
“I am one of the lucky ones that is still in a position to do something about it.”
:: For more details about the charity call 9068 6768, email info@dementiani.org or visit www.dementiani.org.
