On 24 December Robin Witt, one of the original founders of Not Just Travel took his final journey.
Back in 2001, Robin helped create what has today become one of the most successful homeworking travel companies in the UK.
Robin retired from the business shortly after being diagnosed with a very rare form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia, or Pick’s disease, which affects the young.
A very cruel disease which causes problems with behaviour and language, it very quickly stripped Robin of the ability to communicate and eventually memory issues.
If you have Pick’s disease, your symptoms will get progressively worse over time. Many of the symptoms can make social interaction difficult. For example, behavioural changes may make it hard to conduct yourself in a socially acceptable manner. Behaviour and personality changes are the most significant early symptoms in Pick’s disease.
Not Just Travel is built by entrepreneurs with a positive mindset, even during these difficult Covid times, so it’s only fitting they have also committed themselves to helping raise awareness of mental health issues which can affect us all.
Last year, inspired by Robin’s journey, the Not Just Travel team raised more than £60,000 for some amazing causes including Mind.
Robin was also the most amazing dad to two amazing children and right up until his final journey they always made him smile, one of the few memories and thoughts that were not cruelly taken away from him.
Mental illness of some kind will affect one in four of us this year, more so than ever with social isolation. It’s very important that we take time to help each other and ourselves.
Although it sounds upsetting and depressing to say, it is a reality that this could be taken away from us at any time.
Robin, for example, very quickly lost the ability to talk and communicate.
Don’t wait to tell those around you what you need to say or want to say.
Don’t put off the things you want to do.
Next time someone doesn’t seem themselves, is doing something you think isn’t right or blanks you, and you think they’re being rude, take a moment and appreciate they may not be able to control what they are doing or saying.
Remember that not all disabilities are visible.
Remember that not everyone can always tell you when they are suffering.
