Alzheimer's at 39: Chris' story

This is Chris Graham. He’s 39 and has Alzheimer’s disease.

Chris was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2010 – a disease which claimed the lives of his dad, aunt, cousin and granddad in their forties. His 43-year-old brother is also living with this rare, inherited form of Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home.

[lyssdeline]

For anyone who's wondering: it would appear Chris is still alive and doing fairly well. He still posts on his personal facebook.

[mm]

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is one of my greatest fears, I think it’s terrifying to lose your mind and your self

[jimgallagher]

Good man. I too have dementia, (Frontotemporal) and my life span is somewhere between one to five years. Fortunately, when I was 16 I went on a backpacking trip though Europe, which was one of the, if not the best times of my life. Now that I've been diagnosed with dementia, I am going to throw off my normal penny - pinching ways and have as much fun, and see as many of my friends as possible. I implore anyone else who is reading this and has dementia to do the best and most enjoyable thing that you can while you have the time. Though it is hard, TRY not to feel sorry for yourself, as you need to use such time as you have profitably. God bless you all.

[bru-uh]

I'm only 35 so this is scary because 39 is WAY TOO young for this disease.

[bitofbrownshuga]

"Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many."

[roseolazo]

Life is so unfair. He didn't even get to enjoy his life.

[phoebemclellan]

So sad, wanted to hug him when he cried

[cringemaster]

My dad retired from the Army in 2010. In 2016, he developed dementia. In 2021, Covid got him and he passed. I remember taking care of my dad and he would sometime forget who I am. The last words he told me was “I will always be proud of you and will always love you, even when I forget who you are.” When my father passed, I made a oath to help those with Alzheimer and dementia.

[dea]

Husband's been diagnosed. Its so hard to watch him go away.

[chrismartin]

My thoughts go out to all family who lost someone had dementia

God bless anyone helping to fight this disease. I’ve lost 3 family members to it. Wouldn’t dare wish it on my worst enemy.

[laurencharlotte]

I know Chris and he's doing well, still in the very early stages living a normal life with dementia, and his brother is still in a care home, but alive in the later stages of the disease

[dvorgur]

I turn 39 this year. I really can not image having only a few years left. I really hope everyone could live a happy healthy life.

[suchetasinha]

My father had Alzheimer's at the age of 65 ... We had gone through very rough time... He was an active man... He was a teacher as well as a good singer and a writer... He forgot every thing... He died at the age of 68 ... Even today we feel that pain

[rachaelmallard]

Amazing man, I met him today and glad to say he’s working with Beyond Empower. He is a massive inspiration! X

[misterhot]

Poor man. Such a cruel disease. Glad to hear he's a fighter 💪🏻

[picklepepsi]

I feel so sad that this entire family just gets wiped out by this disease. My grandma recently got diagnosed, which destroyed me. I cant even imagine everybody you love having it

[harryleo]

My mother died recently of alzheimer's and I cared for her at home until her passing. I feel deeply for everyone who has this disease and for those that support them.

[Astronomemereal]

Once I saw his lip quiver in sadness, I really broke down. You could feel his sadness, like his entire single life on earth had just been ruined

[whiteafrican]

I just lost 2 sister 86&84 with this disease both in October 2020 and have a 72 year old sister in a bad state .I myself an 62 and can see myself in early stage it's so sad especially for this young lad