SHELAGH ROBINSON has fond memories of meeting Denis Law to talk about dementia and her love for Manchester United.
In December 2021 the Old Trafford legend was left stunned when the Red Devils fan revealed she had been living with the condition for a decade.
Four months earlier Law, 83, had bravely revealed he had been diagnosed with mixed dementia.
Reflecting on their meeting Shelagh, 83, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, said: "I was totally starstruck.
"I still have a vivid memory of him saying to me 'are you really sure you've had it for more than 10 years?'
"He had the impression that people often have that you can't do anything once you've had a diagnosis and expecting things to be over.
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"We got on extremely well and the question he kept on asking was, 'have you really had it for 10 years and you're still alert?'
"As you often do, he'd thought it was the end and there is no life after your first diagnosis, which is what you often feel.
"I've been tremendously lucky in that my family has supported me to be as active as I can."
Shelagh, who has two sons and a daughter, has been a Manchester United fan much of her life
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The Stoke-born grandmother of 11, who is a widow, went to her first Red Devils game at the age of seven.
The year before she attended her very first football match when she watched Stoke City beat Bury 2-0 in a Football League North clash in April 1946.
Her meeting with Law came about through their work as champions of Alzheimer’s Society who are an official charity partner of the FA.
The duo are among approximately 900,000 people in the UK who are living with the condition.
This evening the Lionesses will take on Australia at Brentford’s home ground in an Alzheimer’s International clash.
Ticket sales proceeds from England's duel with the World Cup co-hosts are being used to raise funds for the charity.
It comes just over a year after the Three Lions’ game against Switzerland in support of their work.
Recalling the lead up to her own diagnosis, Shelagh added: "I was beginning to have difficulty remembering where to go when I was still driving.
"I’d get into the car to go to Stoke-on-Trent which was a journey I have done all my life and couldn't quite remember the way to go.
"It was just extraordinary. I didn't know how to go to places I've always gone to
"And then I found that when I came to traffic lights once, I wasn't sure what they meant.
Of her diagnosis, Shelagh said "The best thing that happened to me was I went to the best GP and she really listened to me.
"I was really very lucky as I had a firm diagnosis.
"For some people it can take ages because you are told it's depression or stress.
"I had a very early diagnosis. It was devastating and you can go under the duvet for a while.
"But I've got children and a family who needed me to come out from under the duvet.
"After I'd taken some time to come to terms with it, that’s when I found out about the Alzheimer's Society.
"They've changed my life. They've given me help, support and they've given me loads of information which you need so much.
"Through them I’ve made lots of friendships. I've met so many other people who have dementia, and there's nothing as good as peer support.
"I'm part of their Three Nations dementia working group and we do so many things.
"We do webinars, which is how the Denis Law interview came about.
"We provide as much information as we can from the lived experiences of people who have dementia.
"I'd never been to Wembley until they sent me there for the England vs. Switzerland (men’s) match last year.
"I can’t be at the Lionesses' game unfortunately but I will be watching on TV avidly."
Like many United fans, Shelagh is hoping the Red Devils’ WSL aces will prevail in their quest to win major silverware this term.
The team, who are currently top of the league, will face Brighton on Saturday in a bid to reach their first Women’s FA Cup final.
She added: “They play with such grace.
"Of all of the United's footballers I have seen I remember George Best being one of biggest stars who played gracefully
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"But I love to see the women’s team play. They’re joyous to watch."
England vs Australia can be watched live on ITV4 from 7:45pm this evening
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