MAY dementia ang veteran actress na si Caridad Sanchez.
Mismong ang kanyang anak na si Cathy Sanchez Babao ang nagbalita tungkol dito na siyang dahilan kung bakit hindi na siya aktibo sa showbiz.
Sa panayam ng ABS-CBN, kinumpirma ni Cathy na 2015 nang ma-diagnose ng dementia ang ina. Malakas naman daw ang pangangatawan ng beteranang aktres sa edad na 87 pero paulit-ulit na ang mga sinasabi.
“She remains physically strong. There are good and bad days pero paulit-ulit siya.
“It’s a long goodbye. Overtime, you slowly lose the person. You just prepare for it,” aniya pa sa nasabing panayam.
Nagdesisyong ipaalam ni Cathy sa publiko ang kondisyon ng ina para makatulong sa iba na dumaraan din sa katulad na sitwasyon.
“Why keep it a secret? Hindi naman nakakahiya if we can help others with their journey.
“I know there are other families going through it but who don’t speak about it. Kaya nga dapat may early detection, awareness and acceptance, so we can arm ourselves with the right information and access to right medicines and care.
“I believe my mom will be happy too knowing she was somehow able to help,” lahad pa ng anak ni Caridad Sanchez.
Pahayag pa niya, “Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It took me a long time to write about it considering the stature of my mom but now that it’s been public, it has been liberating!”
Samantala, bago pa ipalabas ang kanyang panayam, nag-post na sa Facebook si Cathy tungkol sa pinagdaraanan ng ina.
“Once upon a time, shortly after I had graduated from college, I asked her what her dream role was.
“‘You know, ang gusto ko talagang role na i-portray, yun bang matanda na malilimutin na, pero paminsan-minsan, may moment na nakakaalala pa siya? Kahit walang bayad, gagawin ko iyang role na iyan.’
“The ironies of life. One must really be careful of what one wishes for.
“At this point, I don’t know whether I should be grateful that she’s now, unknowingly, portraying the dream role she had hoped for many years ago,” kuwento pa niya.
Sa darating na Oct. 16, ipagdiriwang ni Cathy ang kanyang 56th birthday at kasabay nito hinikayat niyang mag-donate ang kanyang Facebook friends and followers sa Alzheimer’s Association.
“I’ve chosen this non-profit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me. Every little bit will help me reach my goal.
“To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of Dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease,” aniya sa kanyang FB post.