A heartbroken Labour MP has opened up about the impact of his mother's Alzheimer's battle, saying: "She's gone, but she's standing right there."
Stephen Kinnock, son of former party leader Neil, and sister Rachel said seeing their mother Glenys deteriorate has been "agony" as they called for better treatment to spare other families the same misery.
The siblings wrote in the Sunday Times : "For such a formidable, strong, intelligent, funny and dignified woman to feel her mind slipping away must have been devastating."
Mrs Kinnock, who has been married to devoted husband Neil for 55 years, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017, when she was 73.
A former teacher, she was elected to the European Parliament in 1994 and later served as Minister of State for Europe in 2009 and Minister of State for Africa and the United Nations from 2009 to 2010.
Stephen and Rachel wrote: "Our family are witness to the day-to-day cruelty of this disease, but the most painful thing is how much we miss her.
"She’s in the same room but we can’t talk or get through to her."
They said their 80-year-old father, who is "as sharp as he ever was" is "totally committed" to his wife's care, although it is becoming increasingly hard.
He sees it as his "duty", Stephen and Rachel wrote, but they said he carries on because "he loves her deeply".
When she was diagnosed, Mrs Kinnock was told she would live for around 10 years - and it was "agony" to learn that there were no treatments that could slow or halt the progression of her illness.
Despite her battle, she remains "cheeky, mischievous and very, very funny", the siblings wrote.
They urged the public to take part in clinical research - regardless of whether they have dementia - to help bring forward life-changing treatments.
They are sharing their experience as part of World Alzheimer's Month and encouraging people to register with Join Dementia Research, which is leading studies into the condition.
To find out more, go to joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk or call 0300 111 5 111.
