The why, in what I do

I'm sitting on a train this morning heading down to Fairy Meadow in the Illawarra (NSW) to talk at the incredible Val Fell 's led event, the Illawarra Annual Public Forum on Dementia. It's a 2.5+ hour commute for me this morning which has me thinking about why we do what we do every day. My story was not one of growing up thinking 'dementia' was where I wanted to be. I wanted to be a ballerina up until my early 20's (I think we can all agree there aren't many 5ft (almost) 2" ballerinas sadly!). Then when I finally got my act together I wanted to work in something 'risky' that offered a challenge. Aged care and dementia didn't cross my radar. I was lucky enough to get a job after time off when my parents died at the then Alz Aust (now Dementia Australia ) where I met incredible people living with dementia and their carers. At the same time, my gran was living with/dying with dementia and I watched this not knowing my role here. Granddaughter? Carer? Only relative here to provide care with young children and no idea. Talk about wishing I knew then what I know now.

So here I am - 20+ plus years later. Dementia (and aged care) is 'risky'. It provides all the challenges and all the joy. I always say it has sex, drugs and rock n roll so why would you work anywhere else. Of course we spend a lot of time advocating for people to have access to these things (and deprescribing some of those drugs!). I am continually confronted by the absolute best in our communities - carers, care workers, dementia consultants and even policy makers. People who truly care. Who struggle. By people with dementia who stand in front and me and boldy tell me what they want but more importantly what they don't want .... Gwenda Darling William Yeates you two inspire me daily - there are so many, my new friend Stephen Grady and old friends now gone like the incredible Ralph Potter who was one of my first clients. Ralph was living with younger onset dementia and challenged me to do better, be better. Together with a group of men living with younger onset dementia and their partners, we created the first Carer Conferences back in South Australia. It was a moment to celebrate carers. Whilst people living with dementia produced art work and contributed to stories that shaped not only me but many others.

So as I sit here, reading emails and reports (including the new Aged Care Act!) and responding to our amazing Dementia Support Australia team messages from every corner of Australia, I remember why I do this. Because it is a privilege to serve. An accidental landing in an industry, that many like me, wouldn't have considered. We need to share good news stories that encourage others to join us in this work. We need to reflect the values we want to see should we ever need that care, that support. We need to continue to shout it out loud. We demand better, today. And I am grateful for that accidental landing in a job all those years ago. That shaped me as a woman. As an advocate.

Long train rides - am I right .... a fabulous moment to reflect.