I have spent 6 days in Birmingham at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre.

It was a time for some self care and respite.

An opportunity to try a course, which didn’t go so well and a Dementia Enquirers meeting that went very well.

You can read about it here

Recently Dementia Alliance International (DAI) reached it’s fifth birthday.

Started by 8 people, living with Dementia in 2014, it continues to be run by people living with Dementia for People, living with Dementia.

Thursday, this week, was a significant milestone for DAI and Dementia, when DAI facilitated a side event at the United Nations, at the 12th Conference Of State Parties (CoSP) on the Convention On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The overall theme for the Conference was “Ensuring inclusion of persons with disabilities in a changing world through the implementation of the CRPD”

The side event was chaired by Kate Swaffer, Co-founder, Chair and CEO of DAI and taking part were:

Mrs. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities: opening the Side Event

Christine Thelker, DAI Board Member:“Dementia as a disability”

Bethany Brown, Researcher, Older People’s Rights, Disability Rights Division, Human Rights Watch: “Violations of the rights of older people with dementia”

Arlene Pietranton, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: “Rehabilitation for dementia and aphasia”

Mr. Antony Duttine, Regional Advisor in disabilities and rehabilitation, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO): “Quality Rights”

Jan Monsbakken, Global Rehabilitation Alliance: “The Rights to Rehabilitation for All”

You can watch a recording of the event here

Peter Berry reached a milestone last week when he uploaded his 100th weekly “living with Alzheimer’s” video and the video also features his wife Teresa.

I was away when Peter uploaded which is why it is in today’s article.

Congratulations Peter.

This week saw the release of Brian La Blanc’s powerful video “Into the Fog.

Petitions

New Petition – Don’t put our NHS up for negotiation

See dementia as a terminal illness so under 65’s are instantly eligible for PIP (9 Oct 19)

Petition – The lack of provision of social care in the UK is leading to immense distress for all people affected by dementia and their care partners.

Petition – Pay Carers an allowance equivalent to a fulltime job at the National Living wage

Petition – No more PIP Assessments for People with Life Long Disability or Conditions

Justice for Jodey Whiting. Independent inquiry into deaths linked to the DWP

Consultations

Consultation – Learning disability and autism training for health and care staff

Australian Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Investigating the impact of stigma on people living with dementia and carers: A questionnaire study PART 1

General Pharmaceutical Council – Consultation on guidance for pharmacist prescribers

Survey

New Needs of Young People with Dementia 2019

Welcome to the Dementia 2020 Citizens’ Engagement Panel online Hub

Tell us your experience of living with Dementia

Sheffield CCG – Urgent Care Review 2019

Videos

Radio

Dimensions of Dementia – A Mother and Sons Journey Together

Newsletters

Alzheimer Europe

LEAD Coalition

Young Onset Dementia Alzheimer’s Group (YODA)

Blog

“It is quite clear that dementia is sent from Heaven to make our declining years happy, contented and full of fabulous dreams. Thank goodness the Spectator has seen this and told us.

Please, those who know us and count us as friends, don’t ever visit us, as we will not know you or value your visit. We’ll just ignore you and dream on in happy oblivion.

PS: What are your views on euthanasia?“

George Rook’s response to a Spectator Magazine article titled Dementia…a blessing