I feel a sense of trepidation, re-entering the blog world after what seems a very long time to me, but is actually only a month. It has been wonderful to be free of the compulsion to both write and read but it’s also very difficult to avoid the guilt; after all, blogging is a reciprocal activity.
Some of my blog friends are also Facebook friends so, to the latter, I apologise for any future repetition but I have been trying to write 500-word column-type articles about Dementia. The reason for this is that I’ve begun volunteering for various organisations that work hard to ensure the ongoing improvement of Dementia care in Western Australia.
The fact that these organisations have welcomed my input so warmly has motivated me to write, network, and speak much more vociferously, about Dementia care, and the opportunities are opening up! This is very exciting for me as I have been a fairly silent, but passionate, advocate for many years. There is a strange, yet wonderful, serendipity in the fact that I was completing my PhD about Alzheimer’s Disease and storytelling during my newlywed years. I had no idea then, of course, that Anthony would one day succumb to PDD (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia).
One of the most delightful things that has happened over this last month is that Ming, our 22-year-old son, also wants to share our story from his perspective. And I don’t think our story would have the same oomph without his input. Ming has, many times, saved me from despair, and vice versa; Anthony and I have the most incredible son with a capacity for empathy that beats the hell out of mine!
Anyway, this post is a rather clumsy re-launch of my blog. I am not going to try to catch up with others’ blogs for the time being, but will certainly keep in touch one way or another. I really just want to focus on Dementia for the time being.
jmgoyder 
Welcome back I’ve been gone for almost 7 months but still look forward to my imminent return…
Welcome back, Julie, but now that you’ve experienced the rest from blogging, I hope you’ll not re-launch at the same pace.
Your work in writing and Dementia awareness advocacy is far more important to the wider community. I urge you to prioritise that over blogging (per se).
Over the years I’ve been surprised by the number of people in the community who can’t express their ideas/opinions/experience either verbally or in the written word. They may have experienced much in their lives, but they don’t know how to share it with others. Carers have as much to share as patients when it comes to health matters.
Experience matters.
The internet has revealed so much more than entertainment. It has exposed the extraordinary divide between the lucky who have a good education and use it….. and those (who have not). It has revealed those that fall/fail through the modern western education systems in particular.
I’m shocked at some blogger’s poor communication skills. I’m shocked at their command of English and grammar. (Not that mine’s perfect but you know what I mean).
Many of us have lost the art of listening too. We are so busy ‘telling our story’, that we don’t allow our audience to respond in kind. We (in general) are so busy ‘hearing what we want to hear’, we miss out on the essence, or truth, of other people’s realities.
All in all, you’re a great advocate for Dementia Awareness (and PD) and I hope you’ll continue.
More importantly, it’s good to hear Ming is contributing too. Today’s youth too often fall victim to peer pressure and are afraid to express what they really think.
Bravo to Ming! 🙂
Thank you so so so much for this encouragement, Vicki xxx
Great to hear from you and good luck with your work, Ming sounds to be the best of sons.
very understandable Julie. I will continue to read because you are helping me to understand some of the people I deal with who have varying forms of dementia
Welcome back Jules!!! I have missed you hugs!!
It’s good to see you again, and have the update on your activities. It’s really good to hear that Ming’s involved, too. Whatever pace you choose is fine by me, although I am hoping for an occasional peacock photo. 🙂
Welcome back! I too have been most remiss in keeping up my blog, what with other commitments barging in. How wonderful that you are now helping other families through your experience with PDD.
Good for you Julie! I hear the passion and a surety in your voice 💕
this is wonderful, no reason to apologize, catch up, or worry at all. isn’t it interesting, the portals that open to us in the universe, when we least expect them? just hit the ground running and move ahead, no need to go back. blog when you feel it, sit back when you don’t and keep on, with ming, by your side, helping people to become more aware of this devastating illness, and just enjoying your time with anthony and ming. so good to see you, ) beth
I look forward to what you and Ming share with us. And there is never anything clumsy about you. 🙂 ❤
I have been away from blogging too!
Glad that you are back 🙂
Sounds great! Glad doors are opening for you and your son. Nice to see you back in my feed again.
Ming’s perspective, experiences, feelings, all of it…could be and no doubt would be, an invaluable addition to any writings about families and PD/Dementia/Alzheimer’s…and it will undoubtedly open a new dimension in your relationship. Perhaps in the telling, HE will see/feel more of what YOU actually have gone through all these years…and YOU will see all he’s experienced while you were focusing on Ants. xoxo
You have been missed and I saw the email about this post and manage to not delete it as I have been sick over the weekend and just deleted a heap of emails as I was too sick to sort through them
Sounds like an awesome opportunity! You, Ming and Anthony are very articulate and have so much valuable experience and perspective to share. Alzheimers and dementia are only going to affect larger portions of the population every where. Your book had a huge impact on me and my interactions with my mother-in-law in her final months. Thank you!
Good to ‘see’ you again and hear about your productive new activities. Wonderful.
Welcome back. Your work is such an important contribution. I look forward to hearing more of what you and Ming will share.
I am really excited to hear about your work on writing/speaking/challenging people on dementia and the care and all things related — and the fact Ming wants to contribute is awesome! Very excited to hear more — your words and heart are so very powerful. Thank you.
Sounds like you’ve found your calling. You’re the perfect voice for short articles on dementia. And it’s awesome that Ming’s going to join you! It’s fulfilling to share life experiences with others. Congrats!