It is important to take the opportunities to take part in consultations about our lives and services with Dementia or any other aspect of our lives for that matter.

It’s a bit like my Father told me, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain”, taking part in consultations gives you a voice.

I suppose you could say that if we don’t speak out, how can anybody listen.

I’m not saying reader, that those that should take notice will listen, but as time goes on, the more people that take part in the Dementia debate, the louder our combined voice will be.

Being a member of your local DEEP UK group is a valuable way of having your voice heard. You may find a local group here.

From little acorns, do oak trees grow

I have taken part in 3 submissions this year.

In April, I took part in a telephone interview with the Alzheimer’s Society for their submission to the UK Prime Ministers Dementia 2020 Challenge.

In June, I made a written submission to the World Health Organisation’s consultation on Dementia Friendly Initiatives (DFI’s)

Last week, DEEP UK’s submission to the consultation for the new Sheffield Dementia Strategy and Pathway was published, which I took part in during April this year.

The new strategy once completed, I hope would be inclusive of our rights under the United Nations Human Rights convention and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD).

Ideally, it would include inclusive post-diagnosis support, rehabilitation, funding and services enabling people living with Dementia and their families/carers, to live their lives within the limitations of a persons Dementia, respecting our rights and equalities.

The DEEP UK submission includes Case Study 1, which was based on me and the full report, can be found here.

The more we are heard, the less we are ignored