A confidence building day

Two things today boosting the feel-good factors in my life.  First came the YoungDementia UK newsletter promoting a piece I'd written for them which is now on their website https://www.youngdementiauk.org/janes-story-its-not-bad-life?fbclid=IwAR0JtMDUdSojI7TGVRLSp9qpOrWWGq1WVeBVNINb8BPHheBexnINNRAKc30 and their facebook page.  It's very odd reading something you've written several weeks after the event and there were definitely things I'd change but ultimately it tells what my  life was like immediately after diagnosis and how I've got to the (much better) place I'm in now.  So that was first thing this morning and it was closely followed by a meeting with Dawn Parker, Quality Assurance and Performance Lead for the Older Adults division in Lincolnshire NHS.  If you remember, a few weeks ago I was invited to go and talk to the Board about our experience of the diagnosis and the weeks/months following it.  Dawn was the one who invited me and this meeting was a follow up to discuss what could be done across the county to improve the service for those diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia.  This is the NHS and things obviously won't move quickly enough to solve all the issues instantly but I have high hopes of what we're going to be able to do in the long term so fingers crossed it works out.  There were definitely some exciting ideas as well as the boring nuts and bolts that need to be put in place first so looking forward to getting started.  Isn't it curious how, when you feel the interesting part of your life (in my case 'work') has come to an end, something else crops up to take you in a completely different direction?  Life need never be at a standstill.


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Comments

Lesley said…
So pleased you got some positive feedback and there are exciting plans afoot - will watch this space for continuing news!
Sarah H said…
You’re sooo brilliant 🙂
Jane said…
Not sure the exciting news will be coming any time soon but it's all certainly something to look forward to. Oh, and not brilliant just have amazing friends around to help me clear my head and focus on stuff other than feeling sorry for myself.
Ros said…
Hi Jane, I’ve only recently started following your blog and today read the piece on the Young Dementia page. What you’d written resonated with me on many levels. There are many similarities in our lives. My husband was diagnosed two years ago and I think I realised that by trying to hang on to the life we had, and the person he was is not helping me or my mental health. I think I need to try and make a new path in life for myself, whilst still being there to care for him. Thank you for sharing your story.
Brenda said…
So pleased the meeting went well. Like you say things won't change overnight but I am confident that you are going to make things so much better for anyone getting diagnosed with dementia in the future. You are so passionate in wanting others to have a better experience in this than you and Ash did.
Jane said…
Hi Ros, am so pleased you found the blog and for me it helps to know there are others out there who feel the same way I do. We can sit and wallow in despair or we can take responsibility for our lives, it's entirely up to us. I'm really lucky in the friends I have but am also trying out a new group tomorrow so watch this space to see how I get on. Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.
Jane said…
Brenda, you know how slowly the wheels turn in all things dementia but I have hopes that it will change eventually.
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