Dancing on Ice: The Vivienne receives her judges comments
Colin Grafton reflected on his grandfather’s death after a short battle with Alzheimer’s.
The Dancing On Ice star, who was partnered with The Vivienne on the skating show earlier this year, admitted his grandfather’s diagnosis took a huge toll on their family.
The American-born ice skater, 31, will be in Brighton to support people living with dementia this month, where he will join hundreds of people on Hove Lawns on September 30 for Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walk, which is working “to end the devastation caused by dementia”.
Speaking about the impact of Alzheimer’s on his grandfather, he exclusively told Express.co.uk: “I was still in my teens and it was a lot to deal with and see firsthand. He had a very short run. He was diagnosed in 2007 and ended up passing away in 2010 and it was quite fast. Very quick.”
The on-screen star said it was a difficult time for his family but shared that his grandfather had come to terms with his diagnosis.
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“Like any family, it was tough on all of us, for sure. I think once we had the diagnosis and what I think was unique about my grandfather he saw things. He came to terms with it. Like, ‘I think something is wrong here,'” Colin recalled.
“Of course, there is no easy way of putting it but it was really hard to watch at times. But I think the priority for my family was to make him as comfortable as possible. Make him feel loved and make the process as painless as possible.”
The pro skater also shared when he first began to notice the symptoms.
He said: “I remember driving with [my grandfather] in the car and all of a sudden we were driving on the wrong side of the road.”
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Colin’s grandfather died aged 70 just three years after being diagnosed with the disease.
Now in honour of his beloved grandad, the Dancing On Ice star has joined the Alzheimer’s Society for their Memory Walk that brings together people who have been personally affected by dementia, those who want to walk to remember a loved one, and people looking to raise money for charity.
There are 24 Memory Walks taking place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on September 30.
Speaking about the event, Colin shared: “I’m so thrilled to be a part of such an incredible society and foundation because I have a personal connection.
“My grandfather passed away from the disease and so obviously it greatly impacted my family. It’s something that I witnessed firsthand and I’m very passionate about it.
“So to be given an opportunity to be a part of such an incredible organisation it’s something I’m thrilled about.”
There are an estimated 2,990 living with the condition in Brighton, with thousands more who care for someone with dementia.
One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime, with 900,000 people living with the condition in the UK today.
The charity is asking for walkers to join them on the 6.5-kilometre route or a smaller three-kilometre wheelchair-accessible route.
To sign up and find out more about Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walks, visit memorywalk.org.uk
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