Banning PLOM Disease
Monica Lewinski on cyber bullying and shaming
I’ve been reading and processing a lot of literature and published content about cyber bullying and defamation over many years, and now, more particularly, the impact of this on people who are diagnosed with dementia. This particular TED Talk is worth watching, and has informed my thinking; at some stage, I hope to publish a…
Finding meaning in the face of hostility
At the time, finding meaning in hostility publicly directed to you, at someone you love or towards something you represent, is not easy. Add in a diagnosis of dementia, and it is almost impossible, and seriously impacts ones ability to ‘paddle‘. In my case this also impacts the ability to speak as the PPA component…
Thanks Dementia: a life changing experience
Following on from my last blog, I thought I’d share more on how dementia has changed my life, in particular how it has mostly been for the better. For instance, the image here of Snowy (TinTins dog) is a gift that was selected by Francis Wong, a wonderful colleague and now someone I am very…
Congratulations to the SA 2018 AOTY winners
Last night, I had the honour of announcing the winner of the South Australian 2018 Winner of the Australian Of The Year, Professor David David, for his work as a Craniofascial pioneer. He was amongst a group of outstanding South Australian finalists, in all categories. What attending the event did for me, was bring back…
Missing Jonathan…
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull is now only in my thoughts rather than hanging in my office, although I do have a photograph of him on my computer desktop and phone wallpaper. This year, more than ever before, I have relied on my seagull Jonathon, or at least the meaning of what he stands for, and I miss his…
The new narrative of dementia pt 2
Too often I watch an interview of a care partner about life supporting someone with dementia, and they speak with incredible love, but often in paternalistic and patronising ways. In this way they subconsciously continue the myth that people with dementia are the ‘real sufferers’. What they are really expressing, in my mind, is their…
On surviving narcissists…
Quora is a site I follow, and when I have time, also read the occasional article there if it is topical or seems interesting. However, since being lied about by people (no, not ‘close friends and family’ as they claimed to be) who I believe to be narcissists, I’ve been taking more notice of the…
I learned to be wretched with my grief
Seneca on Grief and the Key to Resilience in the Face of Loss: An Extraordinary Letter to His Mother I’m a bit slower off the mark than I once was, and although I thought my feelings these last few months were mostly based on betrayal, and the anger and extreme sadness caused by the lies…
Think before you speak (write): Is it kind?
In 2017, speaking also means email, texting, sending messages via Messenger, Twitter, Facebook or another form of social media. It seems though, that hidden behind a screen, people have forgotten to think before they speak (write), especially about whether what they say is kind. Part of my stress this year has been due to extreme…
Dementia advocates appear to live well…
You may be wondering what I mean by that quote? Well, to start with I can most certainly guarantee no-one with dementia ‘lives well’ or even ‘beyond dementia’ all of the time. For that matter, with or without dementia, not everyone lives well all of the time ! But people with dementia appearing to live…
A win for all people with dementia
My book, What the hell happened to my brain?: Living beyond dementia was published recently in German. Whilst I was happy the rights were bought for it to be translated into German, I was very unhappy with the image they used on the cover, without my knowledge or consent. The image they chose was of someones…
The real tragedy of dementia
The last few months have been a very difficult time for me; physically, emotionally and also in terms of managing the disabilities of dementia, and due to this it has been very necessary for me to get support to proactively manage the stress. Since February, I have also consciously kept myself much busier than usual to avoid thinking…
Rebel Wilson wins court case
Rebel Wilson, a prominent Australian woman who was publicly bullied and shamed with lies about her character by the media (and ‘close friends’) has won her court battle. If only I had the money and energy to take on the media, but alas, not only do I not have the money, doing so would probably…
Losing the silence
The thoughtful silence Of the autumn morning Slowing down… As the noises of life Are gathering speed Bird songs spring to life And gentle winds move the trees Yes, pondering on how to silence The ruckus inside my head Still unable to take it away Unsure how to lessen the noise Or turn it off…
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