Barbara and Nova’s March Dog Walking Challenge
Barbara talks about taking part Dementia UK’s Dog Walking Challenge and why her dog, Nova, is so important to her.
My husband, Rob, was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia when he was 58. He is now 61. His dementia has robbed him of his speech and facial expressions, which makes me feel very lonely.
My husband, Rob, was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia when he was 58. He is now 61. His dementia has robbed him of his speech and facial expressions, which makes me feel very lonely.
I always enjoy my walks with my dog, Nova. They help me spend more time in nature and offer an escape from the pressures of being a carer. Nova is so cuddly and affectionate – a real godsend.
Barbara and her dog Nova
When I saw the March Dog Walking Challenge, I knew I wanted to get involved. I’ve always wanted to help raise money for Dementia UK, but I can find it hard to ask people to sponsor me. But with Nova on my team, I felt more comfortable fundraising, as we were in it together. Who could resist him?
Dementia UK means a lot to me. My wonderful specialist Admiral Nurse, Tracey, has supported me throughout Rob’s dementia journey. We’ve laughed together and cried together, and she has helped me cope with the rollercoaster of emotions I feel every day as a carer.
I needed a knowledgeable, caring but neutral supporter who I could be open with. Tracey has been my sounding board and my shoulder to cry on, as well as helping me access other sources of support. Not only has Tracey helped me, but she has also helped my daughter, Lizzie. Lizzie has even set up her own social enterprise and online shop to raise money for Dementia UK.
I know how important the Admiral Nurse service is, and I am so grateful to have Tracey’s help. I wanted to help more families access the support of a specialist dementia nurse, and the March Dog Walking Challenge was a great way to do this.
The challenge gave me a reason to get out of the house for exercise. To keep it interesting, I found new walks and routes for us to explore.
Nova is a laid-back and friendly rough-coated Border Collie. He makes friends wherever we go, and our sponsored walks were no different. People loved to see Nova in his Dementia UK doggy bandana and would ask us about the challenge. It was a great way to meet people and make new friends. The Facebook Group helped build a community of like-minded people who were there to cheer each other on.
In total, Nova and I raised over £800. People were very kind – it was far more than I expected. The funds we raised could pay for an Admiral Nurse to answer calls to the free Helpline for five weekdays.