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A shadow of herself: British photographer sheds light on her mom's dementia

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Helen Rimell and her mom Susan visited Europe in the early stages of Susan’s diagnosis and made amazing memories. (PHOTO: Helen Rimell)
Helen Rimell and her mom Susan visited Europe in the early stages of Susan’s diagnosis and made amazing memories. (PHOTO: Helen Rimell)

The pictures tell many stories. In one a broken glass lies in a pool of liquid after she smashed it on the floor. In another, bite marks in a bar of soap tell of the time she tried to eat it after losing the ability to understand what was edible. In yet another she sits on a chair, having forgotten how to dress herself.

These are just some of thousands of images British photographer Helen Rimell has captured of her mother, Susan, battling early onset vascular dementia.

From the moment Susan (now 75) was diagnosed in 2015, Helen has been there for her – but she admits it hasn’t been easy.

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