The Duchess of Cornwall has recalled how her mother’s rib broke just from a hug because of osteoporosis – and said she shows photographs of her parent before and after the condition to her grandchildren to help them avoid it.
Camilla, 74, said she would love to see more young people educated about the fragile bone disease – which causes painful, debilitating and sometimes fatal fractures, particularly of the wrist, hip and spine – when chatting to Gloria Hunniford for the BBC to mark World Osteoporosis Day.
The Duchess, who has been president of the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) since 2001, reflected on her own experience of witnessing her mother, the Honourable Rosalind Shand, suffer with the condition.
She said that the pain of seeing her mother’s health deteriorate and her maternal grandmother, Sonia Keppel suffer from osteoporosis has caused her to show her grandchildren photos of Rosalind before and during the illness. Her grandmother was 86 in 1986 and her mother died at 72 in 1994.
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The Duchess Of Cornwall (pictured left), recalled how her mother broke her rib from hugging her. She said that she shows photos of her parents before and after osteoporosis to her grandchildren to help prevent it.
The Duchess, who is president of the Royal Osteoporosis Society since 2001, spoke out about her own experience as a mother to the Honourable Rosalind (pictured together in 1965) with the condition.
According to the duchess, she can still remember how a hug from a friend caused her mother’s ribs to break.
She said that her mother had, I believe, seen everyone you could think of, and all of them said the same thing: “Sorry, you are old.” We watched her shrink before our eyes.
Camilla answered the question about how traumatizing it was for the rest.
“Occasionally, when she touched you or moved, she would scream. I can recall her breaking her rib when a friend came in to give her a hug one day. It was terrible.
Camilla said that osteoporosis is preventable, but not curable.
Camilla, 74, stated that she would love to see more young people learn about fragile bone disease (pictured), when she spoke to Gloria Hunniford, BBC’s World Osteoporosis Day (pictured).
She stated that you have to prevent it by looking at yourself, and saying “Look, I don’t want to have this illness”, so you need to get lots of exercise, especially walking.
Camilla spoke out about the importance to educate young people.
She stated that she would like to see more young people educated. I would love to see more young people learn about it.
“But understanding what really happens and how they can avoid it is the most important thing.”
Hunniford asked Camilla about her concerns for the young people in the family, and if she was able to convey the message.
‘I think that my daughter’s generation is listening, it’s just getting across to grandchildren. But they’re becoming teenagers.
I would show them photos of my mother before and after she developed osteoporosis. I would ask them to look at these photos and tell them “Look, if you don’t take care, that’s what will happen.”
The Royal Osteoporosis Society published an analysis of life with the condition last week on World Osteoporosis Day.
Chief executive Craig Jones stated: “The support of our President, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall has been our greatest asset when raising awareness about the importance of treating and preventing osteoporosis. Since she has seen its effects first-hand in their own family, she has seen it in action.
“Osteoporosis” is a serious social problem that can prevent people from living long and healthy lives. Our new report offers us the most detailed analysis in many years of its impact on the lives of the 3.5 millions people who are affected.
“Regardless of our age, we can take care of our bone health. This can help to prevent the pain, social isolation, and spiralling NHS costs that are caused by osteoporosis.
“The disease can be treated and beat.” If we work together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people later in life.
The full interview with Camilla is available on Morning Live, BBC One, and BBC iPlayer Monday at 9.15am.