Baycrest

BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2021 • 5 Why is it impor tant to defeat dementia to help people Fear No Age™? Cheryl has seen and felt the widespread effect of dementia, which goes beyond the person with the disease. "Dementia impacts the person living with dementia, but also their kids, grandkids, society and the medical system," she says. "There's so much work that needs to be done. I'm excited about the research that's going on right now to help people with brain diseases, and I'm optimistic that we will get more answers. I look forward to a future where the progression of the disease slows down and families can have more time together. Unfortunately [our family's situation] has taken a nosedive, but for those who come after us on this journey, I hope they are able to have a better quality of life." There's so much work that needs to be done. I'm excited about the research that's going on right now to help people with brain diseases, and I'm optimistic that we will get more answers. I look forward to a future where the progression of the disease slows down and families can have more time together. As the campaign is shared with the public, Cheryl notes that it's important people talk more openly about dementia and brain disease. "It's an incredibly isolating situation, and that needs to change," says Cheryl. "My dad was a really proud man and for him, a lot of health-related topics were issues he didn't want to talk about. It was my mom that got him the diagnosis that he needed so we could understand what was going on." Despite her dad's situation, her family continues to be optimistic. "People have a misconception that it's incredibly hopeless, and there's a feeling that you just give up," says Cheryl. "But what people don't know is that families don't give up. They work hard to preserve what is there." Cheryl Hickey. Photo: AOC Photography

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