alzheimers Australia

Dementia Conference 2017- Here We Come

September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 Brett0 comment

For those of you that know me well, will know that this has been a really challenging year for me on multiple fronts. But what has happened today has simply taken my breath away.

I need to share what happened…. as per usual it is a ‘rollercoaster’ of events for me. I recently submitted two abstracts to present at the Dementia Conference in Melbourne in October. Unfortunately I was not successful as there was not enough room in the program to accommodate me.

I was then kindly offered the opportunity to create a digital poster of my submission.

Then late today I was advised that Alzheimer’s Australia have kindly offered to provide me with flights, accommodation and conference registration to attend the Conference in Melbourne……WOW!

I want to sincerely thank Alzheimer’s Australia for investing their funds in me to allow me to learn and share some of the new findings about dementia care from Australia and Overseas.

Thank you also to everyone on ‘Dementia Downunder’ for your support and kindness.

The Conference will be fantastic and I would love to see as many of you attend as possible. For those of you on Twitter stay in touch with the conference via#bethechange2017.

PS – September is Dementia Awareness Month so stay in touch with all things dementia via the hashtag
#dementia2017
.

National Dementia Conference – Melbourne 2017

January 6, 2017January 6, 2017 Brett0 comment

‘Be the Change’ with this unique opportunity to explore leading approaches to supporting people living with dementia to live engaging and rewarding lives. The 17th Alzheimer’s Australia Biennial National Dementia Conference is currently open for early online registration. Earlybird rates available until 18 July 2017. Visit the world’s most liveable city and see why Melbourne has retained that reputation for six years in a row. The inspiring conference program is taking shape with keynote speakers being confirmed including Christine Bryden and Alan Duffy.

Dementia Conference 2017 – Registration

Memory Walk 2017 – 26 March – Glenelg (SA)

January 4, 2017January 6, 2017 Brett0 comment

Alzheimer’s Australia SA is excited to bring Memory Walk & Jog back to Colley Reserve on Sunday 26 March 2017!

Register for the 3km walk, 6km walk or the 10km run and help those impacted by dementia by raising funds before walking or running the race against dementia!

All funds raised increase our ability to provide vital support services, such as counselling and education to help people with dementia, family carers and health professional living in South Australia. These services reduce feelings of isolation and empower people living with dementia and those caring for them!

With your help, we can make sure that our support is always available to those who need it!

The first 100 people to register before 29 January 2017 will not only receive discounted registration, but a FREE Memory Walk & Jog event T-shirt too!

Facebook Page – Memory Walk 2017

Alzheimer’s Australia (SA) – Memory Walk

March 20, 2016June 25, 2016 Brett0 comment

A great crowd turned out to support people with dementia at Colley Reserve today, and it is believed a phenomenal amount has been raised.

Adelaide Corporate party band ‘ The Holeproofs’ rocked the event and had local residents leaving their apartments to come and join in the fun.

Well done to all the volunteers who made this event happen.

When a Crying Crowd is a Compliment

September 9, 2015October 2, 2016 Brett0 comment

Just wanted to share a recent public speaking experience that took me by surprise.

I delivered my first speech for Alzheimer’s Australia yesterday and was blown away by the reaction. Being on stage with one of the leading international dementia speakers in the world on her Australian tour was simply awesome. Gill Ayling (also known as the ‘Grand Poobah’ of Dementia) was simply a nice person who is ‘pint sized’ but making global change in the dementia world.

Prior to the event starting I was sitting on stage chatting to another speaker called Ian who gave me some speaking advice. He said ” When you get up to speak, you are in charge”. He is a former Police Sergeant who now has dementia and has been presenting for years for Alzheimers Australia. I found his advice very ‘copper like’, and too forceful for my speaking style, but I took it on board regardless.

I was extremely nervous beforehand (after some recent shaky and forgettable public talks), and simply could not settle beforehand. I guzzled a litre bottle of water prior to the gig, and I was pacing as per usual, but in my head this was my ‘Grand Final’ and I had to deliver.

But in some ways this speech was different….

I stopped worrying about remembering the words and just spoke from the heart and let the passion take over.

The video cameras and microphones felt like they were everywhere, but there were only three. Even after 30 years of being on stage in bands, some things are still intimidating, but eventually they seemed to disappear into the background.

I wanted to take the audience on our journey with dementia and have them feel like they were in the room with me when I relived challenging times.

The audience laughed, cried, and even became angry….but in a good way. The energy in the room was silent, but intense..also in a good way.

The mood kept shifting as I changed topics, yet I felt they were on my side.

It didn’t matter that it wasn’t the most polished speech, but the raw emotion and passion cut through and the words came. (phew) This speech was therapeutic for me and was a release of 3 years of life changing material, uncorked!.

It was a strange feeling when I got angry on stage and explained some of the rough treatment Dad received on his journey. The crowd concurred and applauded mid speech. ( I was gobsmacked)

I could see shiny eyes on me which is a strange feeling when you have no idea who is judging you. Is weird to bare your soul in front of strangers but it certainly stirs the adrenaline.

When I sat down ‘completely cooked’ , Ian leaned over to me and said ” You just owned the room my friend”

….Mind blown! ( and humbled)

After the panel speech I met a few emotional ladies. As I shook their hands to meet them and hear their stories, I handed them a tissue from a conveniently placed tissue-box on stage. ( this must happen often at these events!:-))

It was awesome to receive positive emails, facebook posts and phonecalls ( plus a free lunch:-)) after the event.

A tough rollercoaster experience but a solid platform to build on.

My mission has only just started…