NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Parenting

Mother's agony: Both my babies have Alzheimer's

This story is heartbreaking. - by Sharon Keeble
  • 23 Nov 2017
Mother's agony: Both my babies have Alzheimer's

When Pam Andrews was told that her precious daughter Belle, now seven, was suffering from a devastating, tragic disease nicknamed 'childhood Alzheimer's', her world fell apart.

The fact that the rare disorder was genetic meant there was a one-in-four chance that her toddler daughter Abby, now three, would have it too. 

Tragically, just three weeks later, Pam and her partner  Christ were told she did. 

Both girls suffer from Niemann-Pick Type C1 - and the condition will claim their lives all too soon.

'We had to deal with the thought that we would eventually, and sooner rather than later - lose our family to this cruel disease,' Pam, a 44-year-old business developer, tells New Idea. 

'It didn't seem fair that both our gorgeous children were going to suffer and eventually die, os Chris and I knew that we had to pick ourselves up and fight for them. We cannot - and will not - let our daughters die.' 

alzheimers
Lyndsay Stradtner/Life Motion Photography

Pam and Chris, a 45-year-old attorney, met through the site Match.com in October 2006. 

The couple, from Austin, Texas, became serious quite quickly and they knew they would get married one day.

In June 2009, Pam found out she was pregnant. 

As their newborn daughter, Belle, grew older she failed to meet her developmental milestones. 

Her speech wasn't where it should have been and when she was four and a half, she often tripped when she was walking. 

Worried, Pam took Bell to see her paediatrician and tests followed. In March 2016, a genetics expert called them. 

alzheimers
Lyndsay Stradtner/Life Motion Photography

'We were told to go there the next morning,' recalls Pam. 'It was torture waiting - I don't think Chris or I slept that night. 

'The doctor told us the next morning that Belle was suffering from Neimann-Pick Type C1 - it's a horrific genetic disease where in time, children slowly regress until they can't walk, talk, eat or function properly.

'The worst of it is that dementia will set in and eventually the child can't even recognise their own parents or siblings. Most children die by the time they are 10, although some do live longer.'

The disease is caused by both parents carrying the same rogue gene.

'I knew this was a death sentence for my daughter. The doctor told me to go and enjoy our time together and live life as best we could.'

Devastatingly, the doctor also warned that Abby - who was born in June 2014 - would also need to be tested for the disease.

She was 20 months old when the tests came back positive.

'Having two girls with this is totally heartbreaking,' Pam says. 'And while it is a rare, cruel disease, we are hearing of other families all the time who are suffering and being diagnosed. There has to be more research. We need to find a way to slow . down the disease, but we also need to find a cure.' 

To donate towards Abby and Belle's medical expenses visit: gofundme.com/savingbelleandabby

For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea - out now! 

ni
  • Parenting
  • Health & Wellbeing

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Would you take a test that shows you're going to get Alzheimer's?

Would you take a test that shows you're going to get Alzheimer's?

The four secret signs of Alzheimer's

The four secret signs of Alzheimer's

The Veronicas open up about their mum's heartbreaking diagnosis

BREAKING: Baby makes five! Lisa Curry's daughter Morgan welcomes third child

BREAKING: Baby makes five! Lisa Curry's daughter Morgan welcomes third child

{headline}

{headline}

Family bonding! All the cutest photos of Edwina Bartholomew with her family

Family bonding! All the cutest photos of Edwina Bartholomew with her family

Jackson Warne's bittersweet birthday after the loss of his father Shane

Jackson Warne's bittersweet birthday after the loss of his father Shane

Baby's here! Mary Viturino and Conor Canning welcome their second child

Baby's here! Mary Viturino and Conor Canning welcome their second child

{headline}

{headline}

Jodi Gordon’s approach to co-parenting is all about making it work

Jodi Gordon’s approach to co-parenting is all about making it work

The heartbreaking reason Emma Watkins might not have kids

The heartbreaking reason Emma Watkins might not have kids

Snezana Wood shares emotional baby update as she goes back and forth to hospital

Snezana Wood shares emotional baby update as she goes back and forth to hospital

Dami Im welcomes her first baby with husband Noah!

Dami Im welcomes her first baby with husband Noah!

Behind super mum Turia Pitt's family life

Behind super mum Turia Pitt's family life

'Let’s cake!': All the times Hamish Blake sent fans wild with his homemade birthday cakes

'Let’s cake!': All the times Hamish Blake sent fans wild with his homemade birthday cakes

EXCLUSIVE: Brynne Edelsten: ‘Meet my baby girl!’

EXCLUSIVE: Brynne Edelsten: ‘Meet my baby girl!’

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!