The final day of Dementia Awareness Month, #DAM2015 Day 30

/ September 30, 2015

Phew!!! It is almost over! I have been blogging twice a day for the whole of World Alzheimer’s Month / Dementia Awareness Month, #DAM2015, and am feeling vaguely jaded… I wonder why?! To say it has been a slog, is an understatement, and I have not been that well either, so it has definitely taken its toll. In fact, it is quite likely I will be quiet for at least a few days, as I have some very important things on my ‘To do list’, and also need to get well to do them.  But, to end this month of awareness raising, I wanted to end with a personal high.

I am proud to report that I was the winner of the Bethanie Education Medallion award, runner-up in the University of Wollongong, 2015 Alumni Award, Social Impact Category, the winner of the University of Wollongong, Community Engagement Award, a finalist in the Dignity Australia Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution by an individual, and I found last night out on twitter, a finalist in the Dementia Services Development Centre University of Stirling International Dementia Awards 2015, Dementia Leader of the Year, and I am a finalist in a reasonably prestigious award I am not yet able to announce.

I do not do any of the things that I do for awards, but it is a delight to be recognised. I work only to improve the lives of people with dementia, of which very selfishly, I have a vested interest!

My dear husband believes perhaps that I have been cloned, as I operate in a number of time zones, sometimes getting up for meetings as early as 2.30am and as late as midnight. It is impossible to be the Chair of an international support group of, by and for people with dementia, without doing this, especially as we are collaborating with so many other organisations, an members, in so may time zones, and striving to offer some very unique services and support to people with dementia all around the world.

So, in conclusion to this last World Alzheimer’s Month, I really hope it has made a difference, but until the issues such as respectful language are properly addressed, and the voices of people with demote are accepted without such a ruckus from carers, and some acceptance from that grass-roots level, I very much doubt it has. Awareness, at any cost, is not necessarily helpful.

Finally, I am not sure when, but I will chat here again soon…

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40 thoughts on “The final day of Dementia Awareness Month, #DAM2015 Day 30”

  2. Dear Kate,

    All those awards and all the work you have been doing this month on your blog in addition to all else = Kate needing some time out and a nice rest up! Please do take care Kate, and know that PWD here in the USA are happy to have you on our side! Those that see through to your heart award you everyday!
    Love, LL

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  4. Congratulations so very proud and I hope you’re proud of your achievements too. Well deserved for all the efforts you put iintomaking the world a better place for PWD . And enjoy the Rest and Recovery. Love and Hugs x

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  5. Kate, you are an inspiration to me, and when working with people who have dementia, I can make a difference to there lives. Thank you.
    Jillian

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  8. Congratulations. Two blogs a day is no easy task. You have, do, and will continue to make a huge difference to so many of us who have, or love someone with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Thank you so much for helping to open our eyes just a little larger!

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  9. You are making a difference. You must be exhausted – is there a book in there? Look after yourself and step back for a while and rest. Thankyou! Bron xo

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  11. Well done and most definitely much deserved on all your awards and nominations darling kate.you certainly work hard to achieve all you have accomplished and then some.i as one of your dearest and closest freinds like BUB. Acknowledge you are in all time zones.i could not keep up with you for sure.love you darling freind.xxxx

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  15. Well done and thank you. You have done good. However, please be vigilant that you don’t allow yourself to use language that tends to demonise those of us ‘carers’ who find we must speak on behalf of the people we love because they can no longer speak for themselves. Perhaps some of us are patronising and powermad – I hope not — but I believe most of use are trying with complete honesty to represent the person we know and do all in our power to make it possible for them to continue to live as they would be choosing to live if they were still independently able. I think you are right to remind us that our interests are not identical and our access and agency disproportionate but our essential relationship is indivisible. We are not two camps. Please feel proud of all your efforts have achieved this month. I’m looking forward to the arrival of your book which I ordered a while ago

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    • Thanks Julia, I will look out for that… those of us (PWD) who speak out never mean to demonise family care partners, we simply want the other side of the story told, and our feelings and needs are generally quite different to what many think they are, including those very close to us.

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  17. You are truly an extraordinary human being. Congratulations on your awards: not sought but so very well-deserved. (And congratulations on crossing the finish line of your your blogathon!!)

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