Fiona Phillips has responded to the “incredible kindness” people have shown her since she revealed she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, telling fans simply: “Thank you.”
The TV presenter told fans earlier this week that she had been diagnosed a year ago after suffering from symptoms including “brain fog and anxiety”, which at one point she had thought could be connected to the menopause.
She has now shared that she has had a huge amount of love and support after speaking out, from strangers in the street to fellow celebs.
READ MORE: ITV presenter Fiona Phillips reveals she has Alzheimer’s in emotional video
Thanking everyone who has reached out and sent love, and those involved in trials into medication for the progressive condition, Fiona told the Mirror: “People have been so kind to me.”
(Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“Because I was worried about sharing the news I have this awful disease,” she went on.
“I was anxious people would be staring or whispering about me or would just write me off as a batty old woman.”
Fiona has previously shared how Alzheimer’s, which according to the NHS is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, is in her family.
(Image: Getty Images)
When she shared her diagnosis this week, the TV star said that it was “something I might have thought I’d get at 80”.
However, the mum-of-two was just 61 when doctors told her that she had the disease.
“This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me,” she said as she opened up to the Mirror.
(Image: WireImage)
“I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways; my poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle,” Fiona went on.
“It just keeps coming back for us,” added the star, who is known for being on TV programmes such as GMTV, Lorraine and Loose Women.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
