Resilience refers to an individuals’ capacity to successfully adapt to change and stressful events in healthy and constructive ways (Catalano, Berglund, Ryan et al., 2002a; Garmezy 1991). Oxford online dictionary: noun[mass noun] 1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity: nylon is excellent in wearability, abrasion resistance and resilience;…
My life sometimes seems to have been so full of tragedy it has sometimes been hard to breathe. 26 years ago, a man I had loved took his own life. He was 35 years old, a successful doctor with a brilliant career and a life full of friends and family. I was 27. He suffered…
This is a short essay about my experience with the words disability and disabled, in relation to my progression of illness and its disabling impact on my life. These words feel insulting, patronising and humiliating, and even more so as my disease develops because they undermine who I am, and appear to be defining me as a…
I feel privileged to have been invited to attend two workshops on Monday that are part of a very innovative nursing home’s Better Practice Project. It was also my excuse for being too tired to contribute to my daily blog!! In one session, we discussed at length what it is that makes people feel valued.…
Is there anyone out there who can teach me how to make my contact form visible… I’ve followed the tutorial too many times, acted on the information prescribed, and hey presto, nothing but a blank page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Treat life like an orange, Do what you have to do to get off the peel, Discard it, then get on and enjoy it! Most of the suffering of animals, mankind and the universe is done by humans; live so that in some way, ever so slightly, you may tip the scales.
‘Children act in the Village as they have learned at home.’ Swedish Proverb ‘Those things that hurt…. instruct.’ Benjamin Franklin ‘The past… you leave it all behind, but it always stays with you.’ Raelene Boyle
Yes, the goal to write something on my blog every day is progressing positively. The sound of 22 days makes it seem such a small achievement since the day I wrote it down, particularly in light of the fact I aspire to keep it going for the rest of my life! And yet for me,…
Well, I just suggested to Jodi that I had mentioned her in a previous blog… so just in case I haven’t, here it is! She is my wonderful, amazingly beautiful and truly extraordinary carer and friend who visits me most Fridays. Together we laugh, cry, share outrageously funny stories, and generally have a very good…
Most days now, I can’t remember what I’ve thought, what I’ve said, who I’ve said it to, why I’ve said it, what I’ve read, what I’ve written, who I’ve met, where I’ve been, why I’ve been there, what my favourite colour is, how to make an origami swan, or even whether to put my sock…
What can I say other than WOW!!!!! I have shared today with over 200 amazing people at the Dementia Carers Conference 2011 at the Stamford Grand, Glenelg. Almost everyone there is caring for people like me who are diagnosed with dementia. This group of men and women are being supported by Alzheimer’s Australia South Australia, who through funding…
When you have to work harder and push harder than others, you develop muscles others never get. This is when no-one can stop you!
The initial diagnosis of dementia sent me into a spin, and a very deep search to make sense of the sadness and emptiness I felt. Today I have been privileged to share a podium with Christine and Paul Bryden, a morning of sharing our stories with a group of professionals working with dementia. It is…
I was reflecting on why it is I love volunteering and serving others. I know that the things I have done and continue to do make a small difference to someone, somewhere. I don’t always know who it is that it helps, but for me that is not the point. And so I asked myself,…
Be true to yourself. Be true to others; Take care of you; Love yourself and others, unconditionally; Always send an apology if you forget appointments, birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions; business or pleasure. Exercise and stretch every day; Use your mind: read, listen, think, learn; Listen in accordance with the ratio of your ears to your mouth, i.e. 2 ears, 1 mouth! Always…
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