Korsakoffs Syndrome ARDB Alcohol Cognitive Impairement dementia home care domiciary Care

My daughter was diagnosed with Wernicke Korsakoff’s syndrome in December of last year. She was a happy, hard working and intelligent 23 year old woman who had everything going for her. She drank no more than a typical woman of this day and age and had just received a promotion at work and bought a new house with her partner.

It was because of a history of unresolved medical problems that this illness took hold of her at such a young age. The hospital’s lack of knowledge of Wernickes meant that she went undiagnosed and mistreated for over a week. I was appalled at how little people knew of this illness and despite being told by doctors that she would be institutionalised for the rest of her life, I am pleased to say that despite all odds she has made an amazing recovery. She has learnt to walk again and her memory and communication skills are once again excellent.

She is now receiving outstanding rehabilitation from a specialist centre and we hope she will be able to live independently again next year.

This experience has cost my daughter her partner, her house and her job and her family have been to hell and back - but now at least we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I just wish more was known about this illness and that people realised it can happen to anyone - no matter your age or lifestyle. People are very quick to judge when alcohol is a factor of an illness, and it is extremely frustrating trying to get people to understand my daughters’ unusual case.