Tear-jerking moment grandad dying from Alzheimer’s ‘meets’ unborn grandchild as he listens to heartbeat on his deathbed
THIS is the heartbreaking moment a grandad dying from Alzheimer's disease "meets" his unborn grandchild as he listens to the baby's heartbeat on his deathbed.
Thoughtful carehome staff gave John Stevenson, from Ambleside, Cumbria, the precious chance to meet his daughter's first child shortly before he died in September after a 17-year battle with the disease.
John's daughter Rebecca was devastated her 69-year-old dad would not meet her firstborn as his condition worsened when she was seven months pregnant.
But caring staff at Hillcroft Nursing Home in Galgate, Lancaster, managed to borrow a Doppler ultrasound machine so "popsie" could "meet" his first grandchild.
The beloved granddad heard the baby's heartbeat on September 23, before he passed away the following day surrounded by his family.
Rebecca, 33, from Watchfield, Wiltshire, said: "As I sat by my dad's bedside during the last week of his life I had to face the reality that the little life growing inside me would never meet his or her popsie.
"It broke my heart. In truth his Alzheimer's had forced me to come to terms with this years ago, but I'd always pictured being able to place my little baby in his arms.
"A little baby whose gurgles and giggles would cut through the evil disease to make a connection and bring him some joy.
"But as time was running out I knew that this simple joy was going to be another moment Alzheimer's would steal from me.
"I'm so glad dad had the chance to hear my baby's heartbeat. It was a wonderful and really lovely moment for us both.
"I felt that in their own way they were meeting each other."
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The mum-to-be tried to hire a Doppler machine herself as the family gathered to say their goodbyes to John in his final week.
She said: "Everywhere I researched to hire a Doppler said I needed to give 48 hours' notice but I knew I didn't have the time to wait.
"I mentioned it to my mum and dad's carer Michelle [Hudson] in passing.
"The next day, on her day off, Michelle went back and forth to the GP's surgery and, with some help from the matron Audrey Warriner, they managed to get this magical device to me.
"It was a surreal moment when they put it on my tummy while I was slumped in an armchair next to dad's bed instead of on a table."
Rebecca, a former senior marketing executive for the National Trust, said finding the baby's heartbeat was "tricky" - and said she hoped he appreciated hearing it.
She added: "If you interpret the flinch of a finger or a flicker of an eye as knowing then I really believe that he did hear it.
"It was a lovely moment to know that pops was meeting, albeit it through sound, his grandchild.
"It would be quite special if my baby was born on December 6 as it's my dad's birthday and he would have been 70 this year."
Alzheimer's Disease
Research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. In less than ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to two million people by 2051.
· Around 225,000 will develop dementia this year, that's one every three minutes.
· Dementia costs the UK economy more than £26bn per year. This is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia.
· There are more than 40,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.
· Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.
· Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life, ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
· As a country we spend much less on dementia than on these other conditions.
John's wife and Rebecca's mum Mary Stevenson said it was a touching moment for all the family.
Mary, 73, said: "Everyone was so emotional when they picked up the heartbeat, I just hope that John heard it.
"It was very moving watching Rebecca and John at the same time."
Audrey Warriner, matron at Hillcroft Nursing Home in Galgate, said: "When John came to us he was in the late stages of his illness and came here for palliative care.
"Prior to me taking up my present position I was a full-time nurse at the Lancaster home where I was part of the team that cared for John.
"This was reassuring for the family to know that there were familiar faces around them during such an emotional and difficult time.
"The member of staff who went out of their way to get the Doppler machine at such short notice has been recognised for going the extra mile.
"It's not just about supporting the resident but the family too."
Before John's condition deteriorated he completed the Great North Run three times and appeared in BBC Horizon documentary 'How Does Your Memory Work?' to raise funds and awareness.
Director of fundraising at Alzheimer's Society, Michael Dent, said: "We are very sorry to hear that John has recently passed away and are thinking of his family during this difficult time.
"John was a true inspiration and showed us all that dementia does not stop you from living well and continuing to do the things you love.
"John raised thousands of pounds for vital Alzheimer's Society's services by running marathons and we were incredibly grateful for his support.
"Alzheimer's Society is here for anyone affected by dementia. We do everything we can to keep people connected to their lives by offering practical support, advice and information."
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