As reported by the club’s official website, Former Manchester United and Scotland legend Denis Law has been diagnosed with Dementia.
In an emotional statement delivered on Thursday, the 81-year-old uncovered he is suffering from Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and his condition has deteriorated to the point that he is presently not being able to sign his name.
He wrote:
“I am at the point where I feel I want to be open about my condition. I have been diagnosed with ‘mixed dementia’, which is more than one type of dementia, in my case, this being Alzheimer’s and Vascular dementia. This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone and the long periods of isolation have certainly not helped.
“It is an incredibly challenging and problematic disease and I have witnessed many friends go through this. You hope that it won’t happen to you, even make jokes about it whilst ignoring the early signs because you don’t want it to be true. You get angry, frustrated, confused, and then worried, worried for your family, as they will be the ones dealing with it.”
“It is an incredibly challenging and problematic disease and I have witnessed many friends go through this. You hope that it won’t happen to you, even make jokes about it whilst ignoring the early signs because you don’t want it to be true. You get angry, frustrated, confused, and then worried, worried for your family, as they will be the ones dealing with it.”
“The time has come to tackle this head-on, excuse the pun. I recognize how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don’t want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.”
“I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand, and I hate the thought of that right now.”
“This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone, and the long periods of isolation have certainly not helped. However, the time has come to tackle this head-on, excuse the pun.”
“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.”
Everybody is with you in this battle, Denis.
We are in admiration of your openness, your bravery and your humility to be open about your dementia diagnosis ❤️#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 19, 2021
Yet, the 1968 European Cup winner is determined as he said that he needs to “tackle this problem” and keep going to matches at Old Trafford.
Law scored 237 goals for Manchester United between 1959 and 1973 to turn into the club’s third-highest goalscorer and help them win the European Cup, two League titles, and a FA Cup.
Denis Law soon turned to be the legendary striker for Manchester United who helped United to become a successful club in the mid-90s.
He likewise had two spells at Manchester City, played for Huddersfield Town and Torino at club level, and played for Scotland at the 1974 World Cup.
His diagnosis comes in the midst of calls for footballers to reduce the amount of header that they take in training and matches in a bid to battle this condition which has seen an enormous number of players, unfortunately, experiencing dementia in later life.
We are with you, Denis Law. You will be strong as you have always been.
