1. Created by Jess Kirk and Olivia Slack

2. This week we pray for all those who are affected by Alzheimer's Disease Read the Scripture Quote on the next slide and pause for a moment to think of all those who suffer from this terrible disease Today we ask God to pray for all those who are affected by Alzheimer's Disease

3. “When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. You will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2 NIV)

4. For many years, I’d only heard the word ‘Alzheimer’s’ in passing, with no real concept or comprehension as to what it was, how it started or how it affected the lives of others. It was a medical term I associated with the elderly. That was until my Dad, Robert Kirk, developed Alzheimer’s disease.

5. It began seemingly harmlessly, with my Dad constantly asking ‘Where are my keys?’ or ‘What day is it?’ and leaving the door unlocked overnight. This was all written off as stress, owing to the fact that it did not appear to be anything too out of the ordinary.

6. Next his driving became erratic. He would either go too slowly or too quickly, veer onto the other side of the road without realising and he would forget to indicate. As time went on, my Dad had to take a driving test to see how fit he was to be on the road. He performed poorly, and had his driving license taken off of him.

7. He lost weight very quickly. He would forget to feed himself, then forgot how to cook altogether. My sister and I became his carers, until he forgot how to achieve simple tasks such as dressing himself and washing, which is when he had to have several hours of professional care in a day. On top of this, he had a form of Parkinson’s disease, which caused his right hand to shake violently and gave him great muscular pain, meaning he could no longer play his beloved guitar.

8. My Dad soon lost interest in all which had before made him so passionate: sports (especially Rugby), music, reading, and even his children. His personality changed. He suffered extreme mood swings: he was angry, then he was nasty, then constantly down. He would sleep for long periods of time. He became vacant, distant and unable to communicate what it was he wanted to say.

9. Now, my Dad is in a care home. His condition became such that he needed constant, specialist care. He speaks very little and when he does it is incomprehensible mumbling. He does not recognise most of his family and friends. Who was once a humorous, sharp, intelligent man who had prided himself on how much he loved his children is now a wandering, but not especially unhappy, man.

10. I wanted to share my story in order to show that Dementia is not exclusively apparent in older people- it can affect anyone. It is an awful experience, but it is always important to remember that the sufferers are human beings, worthy of the same respect, dignity and care as anyone else, and I am raising money for Alzheimer’s society in the hope that, one day, nobody will have to go through it.

11. Olivia Slacks’ personal story: Lillian Lillian is a family friend who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and soon developed obvious characteristics of the illness. She quickly lost her independence due to forgetting how to perform simple, everyday tasks and finds it difficult to communicate simple sentences, sometimes substituting in the wrong words or getting her ideas mixed up. It is heart-breaking to watch the deterioration of someone so close to you and, due to the illness being incurable, it is hard to accept that things only get worse.

12. Let us Pray O God of love, hear our prayer for all who suffer from Alzheimer’s. In the days of changing memory, be with them in their fears. In the days when memory has gone, bless their families who suffer. Surround them with tender love from family, friend, and stranger. Grant them peace in their hearts, a secure home environment, and dignity in their lives. May each day bring a blessing, hope, and greater love, Amen

13. Memory Walk Olivia and I have both completed a 10km walk at Rother Valley Country Park, Sheffield, in order to raise money for Alzheimer’s society. Our sponsorship is not due until January, so we would be extremely grateful for any further donations!