When I discovered
People with dementia did not have a voice
I had a dream
When I experienced
The stigma, discrimination and isolation of dementia
I had a dream
When I realised that most of the support available was for carers
And what support was available to people with dementia
Was overtaken by others
I had a dream
A group of by and for people with dementia
Dreamed of by many with dementia
An authentic voice
No longer others making decisions for us
Or about us
Without us
No-one telling us what it is like
To live with dementia
Or what is best for us
Without first asking us
I had this dementia dream
Many had the same dream
Dementia Alliance International
Is part of that dream
The dream to support and empower
Other people with dementia
To speak up
Collectively
For our lives right now
And for our futures
Together as one
You my dear will always make your dreams come true. Never give up! Love and hugs…VK
Thank you VK… love and hugs to you too. xox
You’re so good at your advocacy – and I’ve read that now you’re even going to be writing and publlishing a BOOK on the topic!!! Congratulations!!!!
thank you i0landa, nervewracking and exciting all wrapped into one!
Inspirational poem – well done Kate! Will re-blog this tomorrow to share your fantastic dream… now quickly becoming a reality as we find more and more like-minded people from across the world who believe in the ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ vision! xox
Thanks Gill… xox
Hear hear Gill. Couldn’t have put it better 🙂 (Though @Gills_Mum might well have done) ::))
Thanks Pippa… and yes, @Gills_Mum may well have! xox
Reblogged this on Whose Shoes?.
Thanks for re-blogging our dream Gill xox
Nice work Kate. Got told again today – during my presentation on why its crucial that people with dementia have a voice – that “it’s all about people with dementia – no-one thinks about the carers” Very Hard to give polite and measured response, I think I may have pulled a muscle in my soul trying to do so.
What the… that unfortunately is what so many say and think, and at the moment it couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks for pulling a few muscles!!