Initially it was the small things that Debbie Sutherland noticed – things that made her question whether husband Mark was having a few more “senior moments” than usual. Not being able to find the letter “F” on the keyboard or pegging up laundry oddly on the clothesline.
When Debbie would read his emails and social media posts, she would spot a number of spelling errors, when he was usually such a great speller. Yet he was now having difficulty remembering how to write even the simplest of words such as his own name.
But for someone who at the time was only 53 and a former Olympic coach, Mark (known as Sully) put it down to the stress of being self-employed as a high-performance business trainer.
Two years later in 2017, Debbie spoke to his doctor and asked, “Surely this can’t be just stress?” She then met with a neurologist, who immediately dismissed her fear of early-onset dementia, replying that Mark was too young and he was simply showing symptoms of depression.
“As time went on, I started feeling more and more frustrated with him that he could not pull himself out of this ‘stress state’, just like he had helped many of his clients get out of theirs,” recalls Debbie from her Hamilton home.
“I used to say, ‘You have all these tools, why don’t you use them?’
“One day, when Mark was presenting a workshop, he went to write up on the whiteboard the word ‘reputation’, but he could not remember how to spell it. One of the participants came to his aid and took over writing for him.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 24, 2022-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 24, 2022-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK