The ‘Wellbeing in Dementia’ initiative
To follow this initiative on twitter, please follow @dementialives here
To read about the importance of wellbeing in dementia care, please look at the blog here.
Who is Norm McNamara, and what is Dementia Awareness Day?
Norm McNamara (tweet: @Norrms) was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s around 4 years ago and since then has dedicated his life to raising awareness. Last year he organised the first Dementia Awareness Day in the hope of raising as much awareness as possible with DAD events being held up and down the country. This year, Dementia Awareness Day will take place on September 15th and the charity chosen to benefit this year is the Lewy Body’s Society UK.
Interview
1. What is the motivation behind Dementia Awareness Day?
My biggest motivation has to be my family and eleven grandchildren! How could I possibly give up when I see the hope in their eyes and the smiles on their faces, what kind of example would that be if I just gave up and didn’t fight this awful illness?
2. What do you hope to achieve from D.A.D?
We hope to raise as much awareness as possible; awareness about this disease is the key to everything. It will first of all reduce the stigma that’s attached to it, and as people start to talk about it openly and not in whispers, funding will follow and things will improve tenfold.
3. What will be happening on the day?
This year is bigger and better than ever!! We have balloons being released all over the world at 3pm. The Lewy Body’s Sunshine Coast of Australia is also holding a HUGE event in the name of DAD day so it truly is a global event. Here in the UK we are holding a huge event in Torquay and Torquay United are having a collection the week after at a home game. Widdecombe House Torquay is also holding a garden party on the day and coffee mornings are going on in care homes across Torbay. In my home town of Boton they are holding a DAD day awareness event and some homes in Gloucester, Cornwall and others places are celebrating it!
4. How can people get involved?
There are lots of ways to get involved. Head down to your nearest event, support the cause, raise money and most importantly, spread the word. I would just like to state at this point I am just one man, on a computer , in my bedroom, I am disabled and do not work, and we now live in a supported living scheme. If I (as just one ordinary Joe) can organise so much raising awareness about dementia, can you imagine if we all shout “I Can I Will” and “Stand Up and Speak Out” what can really happen?
5. What aspect of dementia awareness needs most attention?
Acceptance, and when I say acceptance I mean not only by the person with a dementia diagnosis but also their family and friends.
6. What are you looking forward to the most on D.A.D?
I am looking forward to raising awareness, meeting new people, sharing the knowledge of this disease and dispelling the myths that surround it.
7. What is the future for D.A.D?
I would like to see D.A.D day recognised as a national dementia awareness day by all dementia related charities and maybe even become a registered charity itself one day helping to install admiral nurses all over the country.
You can find out more at the D.A.D blog
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