‘This is all for my dad – he is my hero’: Jo and her three daughters will be Memory Walk-ing for doting granddad

ONE of the most touching aspects of Memory Walks is reading the “walking for” cards that everyone taking part is encouraged to wear.

Last year, Jo McCran’s message simply read: “My dad, my hero”.

The 34-year-old speaks passionately and lovingly about her dad, John McCran, who has been living with Alzheimer’s for nearly 10 years.

“He was always very active,” said the mum-of-three from Leith.

“He was a postman all his working life and used to do the walking run in Morningside, before moving to the sorting office at Hermiston Gait.

“He put forward a technique that made the working practice smoother, faster and
more efficient, and was presented with a certificate for his efforts.

“His photograph is still up in the office to this day, I believe.

Jo McCran wants to become a carer after being inspired by Alzheimer Scotland’s great work.

“Dad also loved his car, but most of all he was a doting grandad.”

John, who turns 69 in August, was diagnosed with dementia when he was 59.

“His dad had dementia too and he cared for him as he went through it, so Dad knew exactly what it was like and what he was facing when he too was diagnosed,” Jo continued.”

We noticed he’d begun having a few scrapes in his car and he had never been a bad driver previously. He also started to forget things.

“He had a wee accident when my youngest daughter and I were in the car. He went home and cried – he just knew what it was that was happening to him.”

Jo’s mum cared for John for five years, but for the past four he has been residing in a care home in Musselburgh. Jo visits him as often as she can.

“I just like to make sure he’s comfortable,” she said.

“Dad hasn’t known anyone for a couple of years and can’t communicate.

“He’s bedbound and requires 24-hour care.

“I’m sad that he’s not going to see my girls grow up.

“It’s heartbreaking and I feel helpless.”

To ease those feelings, Jo has taken part in the Memory Walk at Dalkeith the past two years and is already looking forward to this summer’s event.

She’ll be walking with her daughters Holly, 14, Katie, 12 and nine-year-old
Brooke. Jo, who currently works part-time at her local Co-op shop, is keen to move into the caring profession not only after her own experience, but from the support she’s received from Alzheimer Scotland.

And she knows spreading the word about Memory Walks will help boost awareness as well as the charity’s fundraising.

“The atmosphere at the Memory Walks is amazing,” she added.

“Everyone is so friendly and it’s nice to see people who are living with dementia taking part, too.

“Everyone pushes each other on and supports one another.

“Hopefully we can see even more people out this year, helping the cause.”