The Drum: 3 Things I Know (about dementia)

What’s it like to live with dementia? The Drum, Introduction by Ellen Fanning, 5 May 2020, Reporter Stephanie Bolte When Kate Swaffer started to see words upside down a decade ago, she thought it was a result of brain surgery she’d had. It turned out she was one of more than 26,00 people in Australia…

Lessons of COVID-19

Image source: Kate Swaffer © 2010 What have you learnt during the Coronaviros pandemic of enforced isolation and physical and social distancing? Although not always easy, I continue to be an optimist, I am still resilient, and I’m good at coping with enforced change. I’ve definitely learnt at least a few positive things in the…

Dementia and creativity

Maurice Ravel, a French composer was diagnosed with a progressive younger onset dementia when he was 52 years old. In an excerpt from an article published in Nature (Whitfield, 2002), researchers suggest Ravels Boléro was influenced by his dementia. “French composer Maurice Ravel … from a mysterious progressive dementia from about 1927 when he was…

Adapting to Change: it’s good for Brain Health!

Far too many people, including some medical professionals, claim that many ‘Dementia Advocates’ don’t have ‘actual’ or ‘real’ dementia. Seriously. Invisible disabilities are just that. Invisible. Anyway, I feel like it’s time to talk about Dementia and Me again. It continues to be a roller coaster, and I’m needing to talk about it here again. The…

Take a virtual tour of Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens 2020

Stay safe and well everyone. This post is a lovely thing to do this weekend if you’re wondering what to do with so much time at home, and so many restrictions still in place. A lovely way to beat the isolation… Holland’s Keukenhof Gardens are closed to visitors during the coronavirus outbreak but you can…

The way you look tonight, by Tony Bennett

Cuando me sienta tan mal Cuando no haya paz Pensaré en tu amor y en la manera De que esta noche tu te ves. Oh but your lovely With your smile so warm And your cheeks so soft There is nothing for me, but to love you Just the way you look tonight. Tus palabras,…

UN finds Hungary responsible for “grave and systematic violations” of disability rights, condemns mass institutionalisation funded by the EU

Press Release from Validity Foundation, By Steven Allen • 16th April 2020 The United Nations has today found Hungary responsible for “grave and systematic” violations of the human rights of persons with disabilities in the country. In a report released today, the UN found the country in flagrant breach of international law for placing people with disabilities in institutions,…

Music for hope, Andrea Bocelli

My weekend blogs are currently being reserved for stories or music for restoring hope. Please stay safe and well as we all face this chaotic time together. Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope – Live From Duomo di Milano

COVID-19 … we were warned

Thanks to a dear friend Michael Horvich for alerting me to the article below on his blog, A Disturbing Read. How the pandemic will end, by Ed Young – it is worth reading! And Bill Gates tells us we are not ready for the next pandemic in 2018!

The Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of COVID-19 (BPSC-19)

Firstly, as we all face the current healthcare crisis, I acknowledge the challenging nature of these times and hope you are all safe and well. I suggest we phone our family and friends, and if that’s difficult, then consider writing a letter or sending a card. I love receiving letters and cards… I’m staying off…

Miracles

It is time to embrace what we are given, and build a life around it, without fighting against whatever is thrown our way. Build a positive life out of whatever disparate things you are offered. Open your heart and you will thrive. Smell the flowers, walk on the beach or in the park. Spend time…