Former Manchester United, Manchester Citya nd Scotland footballer Denis Law has been diagnosed with mixed dementia.
“I am at the point where I feel I want to be open about my condition,” Law said in a statement. “I have been diagnosed with ‘mixed dementia’ – in my case this being Alzheimer’s & Vascular dementia”
Law added:
“I don’t want people to be saddened if I forget (things) because you need to remember I enjoyed all those memories & I’m lucky to have experienced what I have – a loving & supportive family, a great career doing what I loved & getting paid to do it & lifelong friends”
The 81 year old Law also said he hopes to continue his involvement with the Denis Law Legacy Trust, which provides several “free to access” programmes for young people to take part in sport and other creative activities.
In a statement released by Manchester United, Law went onto say
“In the height of the pandemic, I said I hoped that if one positive was to come out of it, it would be that it would make people kinder to each other, so that’s what I am hoping for now. I don’t want people to be saddened if I forget places, people or dates because you need to remember I enjoyed all those memories and I am lucky to have experienced what I have in my life…a loving and supportive family, a great career doing what I loved and getting paid to do it, and lifelong friends.
“I have good days and bad days and aim to take each day as it comes adjusting my lifestyle accordingly. I hung up my football boots a long time ago and now it’s time to put my signing days behind me too, so apologies to anyone who has sent me anything but I am just not able. I am trying to be positive and determined to continue watching my club, Manchester United at Old Trafford, hopefully this will be a season of success and I am excited by the new signings that Ole and the club have made.
Manchester City tweeted
“Everyone at Manchester City sends their thoughts and best wishes to Denis Law at this difficult time. We are all with you.”
Kate Lee, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society said:
“We have offered support to Denis Law and the whole family. We are incredibly thankful to the family for choosing to raise vital funds for us and hope Denis’s bravery in coming forward will encourage many others to seek the help they need, for which we are hugely grateful.
‘We’ve seen too many sporting heroes impacted by the condition, which is why our Sport United Against Dementia campaign is needed now more than ever. It’s never been more important to fund crucial research and our vital support services and ensure that right now, past and present players, as well as fans, know our services are here and can get the dedicated dementia support they deserve.”
The Denis Law Legacy Trust said it was “saddened” by the news.
“As a player, his grit and determination took him from the streets of Aberdeen to the pinnacle of world football and everyone at the Trust knows he will use that same strength now to take on this illness,” said the Trust’s chief operating officer, Mark Williams.
