Whilst I was proud to receive a University of South Australia Alumni Award recently, I still always wonder why. The inceasing level of activism, and the voluntary work and research (sometimes even paid!) that I have been doing since being diagnosed with a rare young onset dementia 13 years ago, and since co-founding Dementia Allaince International, is simply the right thing to do. In spite of having my Seniors Card, I’m really still just a kid from a farm, trying to right the things I see as unjust.

For example,

• It is not ok that people with dementia are advised to go home and wait to die via aged care.
• It is not ok that we are not provided with disability support including rehabilitation, or supported to to continue working if employed when diagnosed.
• It is not ok that we are not actively supported as people with acquired disabilities.
• It is not ok that our families and care partners receive so little support.
• It is not ok that people with dementia are segregated when living in residential care.
• It is not ok people with dementia experience abuse and neglect, in the community or in residential care.
• It is not ok people with dementia also experience high rates of chemical and physical restraint.
• It is not ok that health care professioals, including nurses and doctors, have so little education about dementia, the second leading cause of death in Australia, and the 9th health priority.

Surely, we must all speak up against these and other wrongs; there is no point in complaining about something, if you are not willing to act on it as well.

I do however, have my dear late aunt’s ‘social justice’ genes, which do make a difference! I miss her terribly, and she daily inspires me to keep speaking up, even though she was never really one to openly rock the boat, she did so in her own quiet, passionate ways.

You can read about all of the four award recipients here, as well as view the photo gallery from the gala dinner event. The other award recipients are Dr Caroline Atkinson, Wayne Lewis andCommissioner Grant Stevens APM LEM.

The awards team met with me prior to the event, and produced a short video, which was played on the night, highlighted below.