Sir Jackie Stewart has faced many challenges in his lifetime, from growing up with severe undiagnosed dyslexia, to racing in arguably the most dangerous era of Formula One and being crowned World Champion not just once, but three times! However, Jackie claims his biggest challenge has only just begun....
In 2014 Helen Stewart, Jackie's wife, was diagnosed with dementia - a disease with no cure or prevention, a disease which will effect one in every three people born today.
After Helen's devastating diagnosis aged just 54, Jackie began dedicating his time to raising awareness and funding in the hopes of locating a cure for dementia. As a result, Race Against Dementia was founded in 2016 by the 'Flying Scot' himself.
Race Against Dementia is a global charity aiming to locate a prevention as well as a cure through pioneering research. The charity utilises many of Formula 1's integral principles such as their research and performance driven culture, as well as it's recent investment in the youth, Jackie had this to say:
"We're using Formula 1 as an example because their problem solving is faster than any other business that I know. So we're getting young people involved, not mature PHDs from the past, young people who have new ways of doing business, and that's what we're fighting for to find a cure."
Jackie is urging the medical profession to change and evolve faster, labelling dementia as a "terrible illness that has had no cure for the last 40 years."
Helen is not only Jackie's loving wife, and mother to their children Paul and Mark Stewart, but she was also an integral part to his career acting as his time keeper during his hugely successful racing career. Helen was also one of the original 'Women of the Paddock', having been by his side since before their marriage in 1962, the pair have numerous memories together, a fortune that they may never be able to cherish.
Image: Unknown
The sad realities of dementia is watching the degradation of your loved ones, Jackie said, "I have been fortunate to have a wonderful career and my wife Helen was by my side through it all. We should have been able to share those memories forever, but dementia steals that away."
In the words of Helen herself, "You live by the clock when you're the wife of a Grand Prix racing driver." As is the way of life, the clock continues to tick even after the race has finished. But for Jackie, the race against dementia has only just begun.
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