Jake May’s nan has always been in his corner.
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Despite the 50-year-age gap, Diane Henderson has been one of the 15-year-old’s biggest supporters, regularly appearing ringside at bouts and at training throughout his fledgling boxing career.
Now Jake says it’s time to tell his nan how much her support means, a message given more urgency after Diane was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
The pair have written letters to let each other know how much their relationship means to both of them as part of Alzheimer’s Australia’s Letters of Love and Dementia project and will read them out at a morning tea at the Bendigo library next week.
Jake doesn’t want to give away everything he’s written before the day, but says his letter will cover “all the good memories that we’ve had, all the support she gives me for my boxing and how she’s left a positive mark on everyone that she’s ever spoken to”.
In thanks for Diane’s support when he’s in the ring, Jake says he wants her to know he’s now in her corner and to “tell her that we’ll fight through the battle of dementia” together, and says he feels even closer to her than he did before as a result.
“Before she moved to Bendigo from Lakes Entrance we’d go down there every holidays and hang out with her, go fishing, go to mini golf and all that,” he said.
“She comes to most of my boxing practices and always comes down to my boxing matches and I go over there every once in a while to help out with stuff she needs done.”
The “celebratory event” for Dementia Awareness Month aims to provide participants with an opportunity to think about the things that really matter to them that are often left unsaid and share them via a letter.
And for anyone thinking of joining in, Jake has a simple message.
“If they have a loved one with dementia, just be patient, be sensitive, just listen and tell them how much you love and care for them,” he said.
Community members who wish to participate in the event at 11am on September 8, are encouraged to book their place by calling 5449 2700 or at www.goldfieldslibraries.com