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It was a very emotional night for Virgin Media viewers on Sunday night.
The channel is organizing a televised fundraiser Donate for Dementia featuring various documentaries on the effects of the cruel disease to raise money for families who support their loved ones during the disease.
Virgin Media host Martin King directed a powerful documentary called ‘We Need to Talk About Dementia’, dedicated to families across the country who have been affected by the disease.
Martin spoke about his own family’s devastating experience with dementia and revealed that he lost his mother, grandmother and aunt to the disease.
On the show, Martin sat with his sisters Claire and Eithne as they reflected on the passing of their loving parents. His mother and father shared a room in the same nursing home, and his mother, Christina, passed away just four weeks after Martin Senior.
Martin said: “Dad died on April 22 and she ran away on May 21, so four weeks. In the end, he was at Easter.”
Martin’s sister, Claire, was touched when she said, “I had bought my father’s clothes to wear at my mother’s funeral because I thought it would be one less thing to worry about.”
The siblings decided that it was best not to tell their mother about their father’s passing, as they thought it would set her back.
Eithne added: “We didn’t tell Mom that we never told Mom that Dad died, but she found out for herself, she definitely found out in her own way.
“My mom was amazing and she had beautiful eyes and there was nothing.”
Martin also spoke with other families who have been affected by the disease, including Marguerite, who was diagnosed with dementia at age 54.
Also on the show was Simon, who talked about his mother Jakki, who began experiencing dementia symptoms at 30 and became non-verbal at 40. Viewers tearfully watched as Simon finally reunited with his mother at her nursing home after weeks of separation due to the pandemic.
Karen Koster, Martin’s colleague at Virgin Media, wrote: “Martin #weneedtotalkaboutdementia @ martinkingtv3 is powerful, full of heartbreak, hope and love. I’m sure everyone in your family is very proud of what you have done with this document. “
“Your mom would be very proud @ martinkingtv3. Thank you for shedding light on dementia and the impact on families #WeNeedToTalkAboutDementia The disappointing need to fight for #DementiaSupports shouldn’t happen to other families. We will all remember your mother’s beautiful eyes. “
“It’s lovely to hear about Jakki, his life, his sense of fun and glamor. Simon, thank you for honoring their story and making sure that people living with dementia who cannot speak are not forgotten #We need to talk about dementia.
“What a fantastic show hosted by @ martinkingtv3 tonight. Very emotional, very real and revealing. Well done Martin and thank you. “
“Thank you @ martinkingtv3 for doing this #WeNeedToTalkAboutDementia show. My mom died of #Alzheimers on January 16th. I am crying here watching, but it is so good to talk about an illness that it often “forgets” itself. Its broader impact can be devastating in many ways. “
“Well done @ martinkingtv3 on a brilliant show. It is so important that people start talking about and understanding dementia more. Having experienced it first hand with my grandmother, we really need to do more for people with dementia. “
“I knew there were tears seeing #WeNeedToTalkAboutDementia. Fortunately we have not had this on either side of my extended family, it breaks my heart for all these amazing #DonateForDementia families. “
And I’m crying #WeNeedToTalkAboutDementia ”.
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