Not About Us Without Us: Empowering Voices in the Dementia Conversation with Gina Awad

Cover Image for podcast: Not About Us Without Us: Empowering Voices in the Dementia Conversation with Gina Awad

By Marianne Sciucco, New York, US

Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast, where we explore the power of collaboration and unity within the dementia community. In this episode, we’re joined by Gina Awad from Exeter, United Kingdom, who has channeled her passion for dementia care into valuable insights for caregivers. Her journey began at a young age, witnessing the impact of dementia on individuals in care homes, which fueled her dedication to the cause. Her background in health and social care, combined with her personal experiences, has led her to author the illustrated book “United: Caring for Our Loved Ones with Dementia,” providing caregivers with practical strategies and emotional support.

Available on YouTube

Key Takeaways

  • Collaboration is essential in the dementia community to better serve those living with dementia and their families. By working together, we can learn from shared experiences and create a more significant impact.
  • Involving individuals directly impacted by dementia in conversations and initiatives is crucial. The phrase “Not about us without us” emphasizes the importance of this inclusion.
  • Resources like the Reading Well initiative and support groups are available to help care partners and those living with dementia navigate the emotional impact of the diagnosis and live fulfilling lives.

Key Topics

United by Gina AwadWe discuss the challenges of competition in the field of dementia support, emphasizing the importance of working together to benefit those living with dementia and their families.

We also delve into the collaborative process behind the creation of “United.” Gina and her illustrator, the late Tony Husband, decided to join forces during COVID-19 lockdown to make a difference for people with dementia and their caregivers.

Throughout the episode, we explore the significance of involving individuals directly impacted by dementia in conversations and initiatives, as emphasized by the phrase “Not about us without us.” Gina shares a powerful story about a man with dementia trying to withdraw money from a bank, which led to an opportunity for her to educate bank staff about dementia and share the story in a local paper.

We also talk about the rich support groups available for care partners and those living with dementia, as well as the Reading Well initiative, which released a list of 20 books, including contributions from authors living with dementia, to be available in public libraries across England and Wales.

Join us as we explore the importance of collaboration, unity, and the sharing of experiences within the dementia community through Gina Awad’s work and insights.

Purchase “United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementia”

About Gina

Gina Awad, author of United: Caring for our loved ones living with dementiaGina Awad was honoured in the Queens birthday list in June 2018 with a British Empire Medal for her voluntary services to people with Dementia in Devon. This accolade adds to her other 5 awards received locally, regionally, and nationally.

Gina founded and leads the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance (EDAA). EDAA empowers and inspires organizations and businesses to raise awareness and deliver dementia accessible services for people living with dementia and their families. Her vision believes every business and organization respects and values people living with dementia and their care partners/families and enables people with dementia to live independently and empowered to participate in their community.

 

Connect with Gina

Read her AlzAuthors blog post

Gina hosts a quarterly radio show on Phonic 106.8 FM ‘Living Better with Dementia’ with over 70 shows to tune into at your leisure: https://www.mixcloud.com/livingwithdementia/

LinkedIn

Twitter

About the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others.

Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

Thanks for listening.

We are a Whole Care Network Featured Podcast

Proud to be on The Health Podcast Network

Find us on The World Podcast Network and babyboomer.org

Want to be on the podcast? Here’s what you need to know

We’ve got merch! Shop our Store

Share the Post:

Subscribe to Our eNewsletter

SUBSCRIBE to our weekly eNewsletter! Be among the first to know about new authors, podcasts, events, and more for help on your dementia journey. As a welcome gift, you may download our FREE booklet “Caring for a Mother with Dementia,”  featuring 15 quality titles. Subscription is through bookfunnel.com. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Support Our Mission

Your support enables us to continue to provide quality resources for dementia caregivers. We appreciate any donation. Thank you for your support!