Two Stolen Lives ; It's Almost Too Cruel to Imagine, but Anita's Mother and Father Were Struck by Alzheimer's -- Destroying This Vibrant, Loving Couple Before Her Eyes. Just As Harrowing Was How the State Deserted Them ...Daily Mail Christmas Campaign Action On Alzheimersaction On Alzheimer's

Daily Mail › December 04, 2008

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Summary

THE Daily Mail launched an Action On Alzheimer's Campaign this week, appealing for funds to support the Alzheimer's Society. Here, we talk to one woman whose life was torn apart when both her parents succumbed to the disease. Anita Avery, 46, was juggling a full-time job with raising a young family when she was given the news. She tells LORRAINE FISHER how her parents' final years became the worst of her life . . ..

THE MOMENT when my father begged me to take him in and look after him will be forever imprinted on my memory. He had tears in his eyes as I prepared to leave his care home that day a year ago.

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Two Stolen Lives ; It's Almost Too Cruel to Imagine, but Anita's Mother and Father Were Struck by Alzheimer's -- Destroying This Vibrant, Loving Couple Before Her Eyes. Just As Harrowing Was How the State Deserted Them ...Daily Mail Christmas Campaign Action On Alzheimersaction On Alzheimer's

He said: 'Please say I can come and stay with you. I won't be any trouble.' I felt my heart breaking, but I knew that all I could say was that I'd see what I could do.

As I pulled out of the driveway of his care home, I broke down and sobbed. Never in my life have I felt so much guilt. I felt as if I'd abandoned my father, that I'd let him down.

He'd once been a proudly independent man, but now he needed constant help. With young children to look after and a full-time job, I knew there was no way I could cope with him living with me.

But driving away after my daily visits was utter torture. It had been hard enough when my mum, Elisabeth, wa...

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