This week my position as the second person living with a dementia on the World Dementia Council was formally ratified on the morning of February 25, during my first meeting as a member with the Council in London. I feel honoured and proud to have been invited, and to be able to represent the members of Dementia Alliance International and all people with dementia globally in this role.
A Press Release was published by Dementia Alliance International and my good friend and colleague also wrote about it here, stating:
“Kate’s admission to the World Dementia Council is a highly significant event. DAI has been working towards full access for people with dementia to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which is a global tool for achieving social change, this second appointment is particularly significant. Article 19 of the Convention is the right to live independently and to be included in the community. Indeed, Prof Peter Mittler is due to be presenting on this, on behalf of DAI, at the Alzheimer’s International Conference in Hungary in April 2016.
Article 29 on “participation in public and political life” enshrines an obligation for State Parties “to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others, and shall undertake to ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others.”
There have been many who have said well done, and who see it is a great achievement, not so much for me personally, but for all people with dementia. As always though, there are still the haters and dissenters. The lovely Georgie Crane who is also part of The Care Group on Facebook, resorted to some public nastiness about it recently on one of the posts on Facebook about this appointment. Although I cannot see it via my own Facebook page as I had to block her last year after being bullied off of Facebook, I was shown by someone else just how mean she continues to be. She certainly seems to ‘care’ about others. My husband would so love to meet her in person…
Wonderful Kate – great to hear.
Let’s hope we can make some impact… 🙂
It is us that should be honoured, we have you as a living advocate, one we know will fight for everyone’s rights as for the haters, let them hate it only makes them look stupid. xxx
Thanks girlfriend! xox
Some people are just plain nasty!
Yep! Thankfully though, there are many more like you Michael, truly lovely xox
Kate, this is such an impressive accomplishment. I am astonished and outraged to learn about the criticism you have encountered and admire your ability to push passed the small mindedness and negativity of the dissenters and focus on your role as an advocate. I agree, too, that the bullying needs to be named, confronted and stamped out. Shame on those who would oppose inclusion within the administration of the very people the organization seeks to serve!
Don’t be outraged… As Richard taylor and I always said, onwards and upwards through the fog, in spite of the dissenters!
Congratulations Kate on your appointment. All the best continuing your great work at an international level.
thanks Craig
How anyone can be unpleasant to someone who does so much to help others is beyond me! Keep up the good work Kate.
such is life… thankfully, the world if full of many other beautiful people
Congratulations Kate …. I’m so SO sorry about the bullying ….. I hope it doesn’t hurt you too much (easier said than done) {big hugs}
No, this person is obviously like me ex who I had a domestic violence restraining order against, and eventually one just accepts they are that way, but, I felt, this person needed showing up for what she is.
Great news Kate it doesn’t matter who fights for us but it has to be somebody with the condition.we all do our bit to raise awareness of dementia and some like yourself have the confidence to go all over the world fighting our corner. Carers only see it from their side of the fence WE have to live with it. My husband is like yours very caring to me and a good ambassador for the cause, but he doesn’t have to get up in the morning with the condition and struggle to wash and dress or do any other the things I used to do easily. I am fighting at the moment to show we can live well with dementia if we are given the help. I would be so sad if people were jealous of me because of this. Let’s all sing from the same hymn book and give a united front. Keep on with the fight Kate xxxxx
Indeed it would be truly sad if others were jealous of you for trying so hard… some people are simply not nice people it seems. xox
I just went to gorgie cranes Facebook page & OMG what a nasty self centered individual is she! Dear Kate you have opened my eyes & I always believed that I’m fairly opened minded & forward thinking about dementia but you have challenged my ideas & thinking for the better! Keep going for I am sure that there are many carers as I, who want to have a better understanding of what it is like for a person with dementia, but we will never really understand! But with better understanding surly comes a better way to help/ assist a person who had dementia & help give them the tools to make life fun, filled with love & understanding! Heather x
Yep, you said it Heather. Keep on caring and being you xx
Marvalouse achievement , those who critisice are only. Jealous and bitter . Thankyoufor all you do.we. Support each. Other. Ignore the. Bitching. 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
Thanks Anne… and I intend to, but felt the nastiness needed to be shown up for what it is! xx