McFadden’s walk together for Danny as Dementia Australia event comes to Coffs Harbour

The McFadden family walk in solidarity after younger-onset dementia diagnosis for Danny

Melinda and Danny McFadden at the Coffs Harbour Jetty. Photo: Tim Jarrett

Decked out in matching yellow shirts on Saturday, Melinda and Danny McFadden were walking for a cause.

Braving the wet weather with Danny’s brother Martin, his sister Cheryl and her husband Paul, the McFaddens were participating in Dementia Australia’s Memory Walk and Jog after Danny’s diagnosis with younger-onset dementia at the age of 55.

Dementia is degenerative brain condition characterised by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgment and the event is a fundraiser held across the country.

Melinda said it was important to participate and be out in the community, making people more aware of the disease in the hope they might be inspired to learn more about it.

Currently there are an estimated 4,700 people living with dementia in the federal electorate of Cowper and that figure is expected to rise to almost 6000 by 2058.

Cheryl Earley, Melinda McFadden, Danny McFadden, Paul Earley and Martin McFadden participated in Dementia Australia's Memory Walk and Jog after Danny was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at 55 Photo: Tim Jarrett

“I think (the memory walk) was really good, it’s about breaking down those barriers because there shouldn’t be any stigma attached to dementia anymore,” she said.

Dementia is now something the entire family is acutely aware of as Melinda explains they learned everything they could about it following Danny’s diagnosis, including doing an online course through the University of Tasmania.

Learning about the disease and how it progresses was important in helping Danny live well with the disease, something Melinda emphasised was possible despite what some may have though about it.

“When Danny was first diagnosed we panicked,” she said.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about it, like that it only affects older people.

“It’s not all bad, people can live with this condition for a long time.”

For more information visit memorywalk.com.au.