A different type of journey
Ann Gason’s organisational skills and positive attitude made her a successful teacher and principal. Those same skills are helping her experience a full life since she’s been living with dementia.
Ann, 84, was diagnosed five years ago with frontal temporal dementia.
“Since I was diagnosed, it has changed my journey. It has been really challenging – but I have also learned a lot and met some wonderful people,” she says.
“I rely a lot on writing things down. If it’s written down, I know, it but if you tell it to me, I might not remember. I have a weekly schedule with appointments and reminders – and post-it notes are my best friends as well.”
Ann’s post-it notes aren’t just task reminders. Among those pinned to her fridge, walls and cupboards are notes like “I am still me”, and “I have a sense of awe and wonder”.
“I put them there because they are important reminders,” she says.
The message that dementia does not define those who live with it – it simply requires understanding and awareness – drives the work of Ann and her fellow members of the Logan Dementia Alliance.
The group is receiving project planning support from Logan City Council to produce information packs to be distributed to shopping centres, doctors’ surgeries, community centres, libraries and more. The packs raise awareness of what dementia can look like and how to respond to people who live with dementia.
“A positive attitude is very important
—
Ann Gason”
“There is more understanding about the condition than there was but there is still a way to go. For example, I am often told I don’t look like someone with dementia – but there are so many types of dementia, so there is no one way a person looks,” says Ann.
“It can be really hard for people when they are diagnosed – understanding and awareness from others can really help when you are dealing with what can be a lot of loss.”
One loss for Ann is her long-time love of reading; another is ballroom dancing which she enjoyed for years with her dance partner Frank – who is now her carer. But she is philosophical.
“I have to look at this as my journey,” she says.
“A positive attitude is very important.”
Anne first suspected something was wrong when she began forgetting things and making decisions she later couldn’t remember or explain. She was diagnosed soon after.
Joining the Logan Dementia Alliance was one of the first things Anne did after her diagnosis. The group consists of others who have loved ones that live with dementia and are keen to share knowledge and awareness, as well as provide support to each other.
“It is the most wonderful group of people and I have been able to learn from them while teaching them a few things too,” she says.
“I want people to know that I am still me, still the same person inside – I just have this brain disease that affects things like my memory, my balance, my hearing. And when people understand, they are amazing.”
For more information about the group, head here. For information about Dementia Australia head here, and to find out about other community networks in Logan, you’ll find it here.
