On the weekend I stayed with a cousin of mine in Sydney, who I had not previously seen since a family reunion about 18 or 19 years ago. There were terrible fires burning over much of the state when I flew in on the Thursday, many of them still raging, and this image shows what…
Love … the focus of our hearts the reason forour being the joy in our day a look or a gentle touch Or the pain in our heart so broken when love is lost Philosophy and reason neither can heal the pain only time slows the hurt but that small place in our heart will always…
The first time man walked on the moon, the whole world stopped. In fact, most of us can remember exactly where we were when it happened. Virtually the whole world walked beside him, and the excitement and exhilaration that must have been felt by the astronauts and NASA team I am sure will live(d) with…
First flush Like new love the first roses seem the sweetest That first flush of colour and scent matching the twang Our heartstrings beating frantically with new love Rapturously circling our brain and heart with wonder (This poem was inspired by the first bowl of roses from my garden this year, pictured above!)
A week or so ago, there was an article in the local newspaper about my local council rejecting an application by The Big Issue (TBI) to allow vendors to sell the magazine in our area, and in particular near the Burnside Shopping Centre. By the end of the day in which I had heard about it, I too…
An online friend Kay Bransford recently lost her father to cancer and dementia, and wrote “While my Dad had dementia and some days he was a little less put together, he still resembled his former self, just a little tuned-out.” Whilst I do not know her or her family personally, we have been connected for a…
Now… Wondering why yesterday and tomorrow were lurking in the recesses of our mind Stalking, daring, trying to push today into oblivion Every day of waking up a gift Life love and loss Integral parts of the rich pageant of every single day Today , right now, a gift more beautiful than any other
Well, that question is not an easy one to answer although those of you who follow my blog daily will know about Star. She died peacefully in our arms exactly two weeks ago, no longer in pain, and waiting for me in garden in the sky somewhere. For a few days since I couldn’t write anything, nor do…
I’ve been promoting the idea of dementia friendly towns and communities in Australia since meeting Sabine Henry at ADI London in 2012, the woman behind the project in Belgium. Belgium at that time had 25 dementia friendly cities, and the project had been recognised by the World Health Organisation. Alzheimer’s Australia is working hard on this at…
This weekend I’ve been at the 8th National Dementia Research Forum in Brisbane, listening to a range of speakers discussing topics about research, knowledge translation, dementia and sexuality, education and intellectual reserve, and quality of life and flourishing. It has been enlightening and a refreshing, albeit tiring experience that was held at QUT, a fabulous…
Don’t quit When your destination seems out of reach Sit down and look behind you You will have come a long way Wherever you might sit right now Once seemed out of reach
I’m often challenged by the fact that conferences, seminars, forums or educational programs about dementia, often marketed to people with dementia (PWD), and as events which are inclusive of them, are organised exclusively by people without dementia, and for the most part, without people with dementia as plenary speakers. Many of you know I have regularly railed against…
It is a new week, and the fourth day without my beautiful cat Star… Thanks today to AlzheimersWeekly.com, I have a few moments of fresh perspective budding through my grief. To us, she was a person, and a very special member of our family. The more we hurt when someone dies, the more we loved…
There is always more… be happy with what you have. As a writer, I always almost always look at my work and wonder if one more edit will make it better. Most artists probably do the same; will one more stroke make it perfect? The only time I never wonder if it could be better is when…
I’ve been subscribing to the magazine Management Today for a few months now, and find many of the ideas in their articles could easily be adapted to re-empower people with dementia back to more productive and positive lives. Of course, they apply brilliantly to business, and life in general, but I have found since being diagnosed with dementia…
You must be logged in to post a comment.