She reached for loaf and couldn't recall how to make French toast

Woman diagnosed with dementia at 51 remembers that day two years ago

Ms Emily Ong, seen here at the Alzheimer's Disease Association in late March, was diagnosed with young onset dementia about two years ago at the age of 51. She said her diagnosis was a relief: "It helps you to better understand yourself. You don't ha
Ms Emily Ong, seen here at the Alzheimer's Disease Association in late March, was diagnosed with young onset dementia about two years ago at the age of 51. She said her diagnosis was a relief: "It helps you to better understand yourself. You don't have to question your own sanity, your own ability." ST PHOTO: JOYCE TEO
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It was French toast, a long-time family breakfast favourite, that sparked the realisation that something was not right. Ms Emily Ong, who likes cooking for her husband and two daughters, reached for a loaf of bread to make the toast but forgot how to do so.

"That was scary as it just came suddenly," she said of that day about two years ago. "I tried so hard to recall how to make French toast... but my brain just hung."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 21, 2020, with the headline She reached for loaf and couldn't recall how to make French toast. Subscribe