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06
Oct
Harrogate woman embarks on global house swaps after Alzheimer's diagnosis
A Harrogate woman has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response to her request to house swap after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Corrina Young was just 60 when she got the news and decided she wanted to make the most of every moment she has left.
Part of this involved travelling more with her family – something that realistically wasn’t affordable in such a short space of time, unless accommodation was free.
Corrina posted on a number of house swap groups on Facebook, explaining why she was wanting to travel more, and how swapping made it more affordable – and the response was incredible.
She said:
I was just trying to think of ways to do my bucket list, but make it cheaper. Everyone has been so lovely, it’s been really overwhelming. I’ve had to get my daughter to respond to messages are the were so many.
Corrina and some of her family.
The Pannal beauty therapist is already arranging the logistics of the first holiday – a trip to Las Vegas with her family, staying in a five-bedroom property.
After that she will be finalising details with an Australian woman who offered a stay in her farm rental for free - as long as they helped milk the cows and feed the chickens.
Corrina said:
I need to do it sooner rather than later – I don’t have time on my side. We’re going to document it all on TikTok to raise awareness that once you have the diagnosis it’s only the beginning.
You come away [from the appointment] with a negative approach and I want to show living life to the full. I want to make people aware it’s not the end – you just have to make memories now.
Other offers have come in from across the UK as well as Greece, Malta and Switzerland. Corrina’s dream location would be Lapland, so she can take her six grandchildren to meet Father Christmas and be part of their lifelong memories.
And for Corrina it goes further than just seeing places – she wants new experiences.
She said:
I’ve always had it on my bucket list to be a bingo caller, just for a few minutes. So we went to the bingo hall in York and my daughter-in-law explained my situation to the manager and I got to do it, the machine and everything. It was incredible.
I’ve also always wanted to do marshmallows round the campfire with my family, so I got in touch with Born of the Forest [in Follifoot] and said I knew they did that kind of thing, and could I rent it out. They said of course, so we’re just getting a date in the diary.
She also has a huge community supporting her, after she spent years running Corrina’s Homeless and Vulnerable Project, which included a pay-what-you-feel café.
Continuing her charitable work, she wants to raise money for Alzheimer’s and Breast Cancer charities as part of her experiences.
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