Yesterday, I wrote a blog about the reality of many people with dementia, who are also people with acquired disabilities. They [we] are facing the same issues that everyone is now facing due to COVID-19, but since diagnosis. On social media, what was picked up was not this issue, but instead, the challenges of people with visible disabilities, as if ‘ours ‘are not significant.
I do not mean to disrespect anyone, but one tweet felt like this: In spite of the fact that little has changed for people with dementia since COVID-19 pandemic took over everyone’s lives, not being in a wheelchair, or having a VISIBLE disability is definitely an impediment to compassion and support. Kate Swaffer © 2020
On Twitter, Katie Gambier-Ross@kgambierross wrote:
Everyone needs to read this! Thanks @KateSwaffer for highlighting it on your blog (which everyone should also go read). Perspective is everything. We are so privileged to be able to self-isolate.
Hmmm, you are all so privileged you do not have dementia.
In Katie’s tweet, there was no recognition that people with dementia are already isolated, and have experienced physical and social distancing since the time they ‘came out’ about their diagnosis. No recognition that all people with dementia are also people with disabilities. They may be invisble, but they are very real
Perhaps we are not sexy enough?
The image of a young woman in a wheelchair, with her own radio show, is so much sexier…
