Yesterday I went to the launch of a wonderful book: a beautifully designed collection of writings from people living with dementia: Wishing for Memories.

How important to have the voices of those ‘experts by experience’, sharing their wishes and stories – and what stories they are. Past adventures and misadventures, romances, business successes, as well as health challenges… a huge variety of lives well lived!

As the introduction says: ‘…behind every diagnosis is a person with a rich and unique past, still worthy of recognition and celebration.’

In the picture you can see Angi McCluskey, who founded Forget-Me-Not Dementia Support, a registered charity that supports Forget-Me-Not Memory Cafes. There are now cafes running at 34 locations around Western Australia.

If you’d been at the launch, however, you’d have seen Angi pull many other people up to the podium, to be celebrated for their role in the project.

It must have been a huge task to gather together so many voices, but what a validating experience for everyone involved. I could really feel that as I chatted to people over an excellent morning tea (hosted by the City of Belmont).

Inspiration for everyone from Forget-Me-Not and from Act Belong Commit. Thank you! Here is the book cover!