A husband whose wife has Alzheimer’s has defended his decision to care for her with his new girlfriend – and it’s caused quite a debate.
Dan Gasby has been married to his wife Bea for 21 years but she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 and eventually was placed into a care home in New York.
Dan moved her into the facility to give her the best care possible. He then met Alex Lerner and they began dating two years ago.
Dan and Alex appeared on This Morning today (15 February) to explain his decision to move on with someone else while his wife is still alive.
He told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: “I made a commitment and I made a vow to care for her and I do love her.”
“[Bea]’s an amazing beautiful woman, she is almost 70 years old, she looks like she’s 40 years old. [But] right now she’s a 69-year-old toddler.”
He continued: “You don’t know how to toilet yourself, you don’t know how to get a glass of water. Everything has to be done for her. I have to, or my daughter has to, or Alex has to initiate.”
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Dan added that Bea gave her blessing for him to move on before her health really deteriorated.
His story split viewers when it came to their opinion of the situation.
One wrote: “‘In sickness and in health’ – didn’t realise you get to pick and choose which illnesses this applies to #ThisMorning.”
While a second added: “You can have friends and family to ease the loneliness. You don’t need a [BLEEP]buddy. No one knows that his wife is comfortable with it anymore because she can’t bloody say so. #ThisMorning.”
Meanwhile, a third empathised and commented: “Why shouldn’t the guy have a girlfriend he’s caring for his wife her illness is going to get worse why should his life be on hold.
“It works for them so leave them to get on with their lives. #Alzheimers #ThisMorning.”
Another viewer agreed, posting: “@RuthieeL & @EamonnHolmes were so respectful during the #dementia interview… totally agree walk a mile in someone’s shoe then judge #ThisMorning.”
‘In sickness and in health’ – didn’t realise you get to pick and choose which illnesses this applies to #ThisMorning
— Hels ♡ (@helen360) February 15, 2019
Why shouldn’t the guy have a girlfriend he’s caring for his wife her illness is going to get worse why should his life be on hold
It works for them so leave them to get on with their lives. #Alzheimers #ThisMorning— Dave E©©le$ToNe (@Alex8_BPD) February 15, 2019
@RuthieeL & @EamonnHolmes were so respectful during the #dementia interview… totally agree walk a mile in someone’s shoe then judge #ThisMorning
— Lady S (@ms_Cfb) February 15, 2019
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Dan’s new partner Alex added that she has been judged for their relationship and has had a rough time.
She said: “It’s been very hard, there have been some very hard judgements on me that were completely unexpected and unwarranted. It’s been very rough.”
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