Behind Brilliance and Laughter

By Tilly Merton

Robin Williams was the genie, arising from a lamp making wishes come true, creating your endless imagination. He was a desperate father disguised as a nanny in Mrs. Doubtfire, longing to see his children, needing his world back. He spent his life giving us his magic, laughter and boundless energy as if he had an endless supply. On 11^th August 2014, Robin Williams, a man with an infectious smile, a man that made so many people laugh with his movies, TV shows and stand up comedy, passed away. Williams’ passing brought to light a condition that he had been suffering from called Lewy Body Dementia. 

Robin Williams once said, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”  Williams continued to strive to make others laugh until his final days despite living with the effects of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). LBD is a condition that is caused by the build-up of protein clumps in the brain. These clumps affect memory, thinking, movement and behaviour. Symptoms of LBD include hallucinations, weakened alertness, sleep disorder and slowing of movements. There is unfortunately no cure yet. Groups overseas are emerging to support those with this type of dementia HERE but Australia is still building organisations that can raise awareness of this condition, especially organisations that can support those that suffer from it and their families. 

LBD, a dark, sad, linear road that leads you to multiple different paths. An empty street that is filled with animals, a clear night that’s crowded with fog, a map in hand but still going the wrong way, you’re walking ahead but in reality, you’re really falling behind.

His legacy may still carry on today, but his unmatched humour, generosity and character will forever be left on the 11^th of August 2014. Although gone now, he brought to the world such bubbliness and humour which led to the greater awareness of a condition we should all strive to know more about, Lewy Body Dementia.