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Manchester United and Scotland legend Denis Law has been diagnosed with mixed dementia.
Lu, 81, said he wants to be candid about his condition and treat the situation before his health deteriorates.
“It’s an incredibly difficult and problematic disease and I’ve watched many friends go through it,” said Lu, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
“Hope it doesn’t happen to you, but make jokes about it while ignoring the early signs because you don’t want it to be right. You get angry, frustrated, confused, then worry, worry about your family, as they will be the ones to deal with.
“However, it’s time to tackle this head on, excuse the pun. I realize how my mind deteriorates and how my memory evades when I don’t want to and how this causes distress in situations beyond my control.”
“I understand what’s going on and that’s why I want to address my situation now that I’m able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand, and I hate the idea of that now.”
Lau’s diagnosis comes a year after his former Manchester United team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with dementia. The pair make up two-thirds of the United Trinity statue overlooking Old Trafford alongside fellow great George Best.
Photo: United Trinity statue outside Old Trafford featuring (LR) George Best, Dennis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton
In 404 appearances for United, Low scored 237 goals, placing him third in the club’s all-time roster behind Wayne Rooney (253) and Sir Bobby (249).
Low, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1964, said he was “determined” to continue watching United at Old Trafford, adding that he was “excited” about the club’s new deals.
He also said he is keen to continue working with the Denis Law Legacy Trust, and is soliciting donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, with his daughter Dee, to complete The Thames Bridges Trek on September 11 to raise money for the charity.
“I know the road ahead will be difficult, demanding, painful and ever-changing, so I ask for understanding and patience as this will not be an easy journey especially for the people who love you the most,” Lu added.
Everyone is with you in this fight, Dennis.
We admire your openness, courage and humility to be open about your own dementia diagnosis ❤️ #MUFC
– Manchester United (ManUtd) August 19, 2021: We pay tribute to Dennis’ brave words
United said they will continue to support the law as it adjusts to life with mixed dementia.
“Dennis Lou will remain one of the greatest legends of this club and everyone at Manchester United send their love and best wishes to him and his family,” United said in a statement.
“We know our fans around the world will also be rallying behind him.
“We applaud Dennis’ brave words and will continue to provide whatever support we can as he adapts to this difficult situation.”
Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the 2008 Ballon d’Or with Dennis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton
Kate Lee, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Association, said the charity hopes the courage of the law encourages others to seek the help they need.
“We offered support to Dennis Law and the whole family,” he told me. “We are so grateful to the family for choosing to raise vital funds for us, and we hope Dennis’ courage moving forward will encourage many others to seek the help they need, and we are so grateful for that.
“We have seen far too many champion sports affected by this condition, which is why our United Sports campaign against dementia is needed now more than ever.
We are saddened to hear that football legend Denis Law CBE has been diagnosed with mixed dementia.
Dennis released a statement about his diagnosis, assuring fans that he was “trying to be positive and determined to continue watching my team.” https://t.co/KZPlvDkhXQ 1 / pic.twitter.com/xjzG6XdypD
Alzheimer’s Association (@alzheimerssoc) August 19, 2021
“It has never been more important to fund critical research and our vital support services and ensure that current and former players, as well as fans, know our services here and can get the personalized support dementia patients deserve.”
Aberdeen-born Low, who was awarded the CBE in 2016, has scored 30 goals in 55 appearances for Scotland, and has also played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City and Torino at club level.
Dennis Law’s full statement
I’m at the point where I feel like I want to be open about my condition. I’ve been diagnosed with mixed dementia, which is more than one type of dementia, and in my case this is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. This has been a very difficult year for everyone, and the long periods of solitude certainly didn’t help.
It is an incredibly difficult and problematic disease and I have watched many friends go through it. I was hoping it wouldn’t happen to you, but rather joke about it while ignoring the early signs that you don’t want it to be true. You get angry, frustrated, confused and then worried and worried about your family, as they will be the ones to deal with.
Photo: Dennis Law, pictured here in 1972, scored 237 goals for Manchester United
However, it is time to deal with that head, excused from a pun. I realize how my mind deteriorates, how my memory evades when I don’t want to, and how it causes me distress in situations beyond my control. I understand what’s going on and that’s why I want to address my situation now that I’m able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand, and I hate the idea of that now.
At the height of the pandemic, I said I was hoping that if one of the positives got out of it, it would make people kinder to each other, so that’s what I’m hoping for now. I don’t want people to grieve if you forget places, people or dating because you need to remember that I enjoyed all those memories and I am fortunate to have experienced what I have in my life…a loving and supportive family, a great career doing what I love and getting paid to do it and friends forever.
Photo: From 2000, Manchester United greats (LR) George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law
I have good days and bad days and I aim to spend each day adjusting my lifestyle accordingly. I hung up my soccer boots a long time ago and now it’s time to put my autograph days behind me too so apologies to anyone who sent me anything but I’m not able to. I’m trying to be positive and determined to continue watching my team, Manchester United at Old Trafford, I hope this will be a successful season and I’m excited about Ole’s new signings. [Gunnar Solskjaer] The club has achieved.
I would also like, wherever possible, to continue my involvement with the Denis Law Legacy Trust, the work that the staff and volunteers in the community do is amazing and makes a real difference.
I know the road ahead will be difficult, demanding, painful and ever-changing, so ask for understanding and patience as this will not be an easy journey especially for the people who love you the most.
My daughter, Dee, is completing the Thames Bridges Journey on September 11th to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, so if you can donate please at www.justgiving.com/thelawman.
As a family, we have received support from the Alzheimer’s Association and have chosen to raise funds for the charity to help support its critical work. Alzheimer’s Association services have never been needed more, having been used more than 5.5 million times since March 2020, and are a lifeline for thousands of families also facing a diagnosis of dementia.
The charity is also doing an amazing job with the sports industry, with its “Sports United Against Dementia” campaign, which I fully support. This can make a huge difference for players, former players and fans alike.
Thanks,
Dennis
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Sources 2/ https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiemh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNreXNwb3J0cy5jb20vZm9vdGJhbGwvbmV3cy8xMTY2Ny8xMjM4NTE0OC9kZW5pcy1sYXctbWFuLXV0ZC1hbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtbGVnZW5kLWRpYWdub3NlZC13aXRoLW1peGVkLWRlbWVudGlh0gF-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2t5c3BvcnRzLmNvbS9hbXAvZm9vdGJhbGwvbmV3cy8xMTY2Ny8xMjM4NTE0OC9kZW5pcy1sYXctbWFuLXV0ZC1hbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtbGVnZW5kLWRpYWdub3NlZC13aXRoLW1peGVkLWRlbWVudGlh?oc=5 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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