Dementia Advocate - Using Cycling To Remove Stigma

Dementia Advocate - Using Cycling To Remove Stigma. People living with dementia play a vital role in advocating for reducing the stigma surrounding the disease. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, they humanize the condition, fostering understanding and empathy within society. Their advocacy promotes acceptance, encourages open conversations, and challenges misconceptions about dementia. Empowering individuals with dementia to speak out helps create a supportive environment where they can live with dignity and access the care and resources they need without fear of judgment or discrimination. Peter Berry uses cycling as a way to remove the stigma of a dementia diagnosis. Deb Bunt's life changed when she meet cyclist Peter Berry (who had an early-onset dementia diagnosis at age 50). As she and Peter cycled together, their friendship grew, and he started to share the story of his dementia diagnosis. When he said, “I fear I am just going to forget who I am,” Deb offered to keep a note of his thoughts for him. Thus the beginnings of the book Slow Puncture, Living Well With Dementia was born. “Dementia is a diagnosis for the whole family,” Peter says, “but don’t keep it secret because it will eat away at the whole family.” Since that day, he has learned to live with his very own dementia monster. From depression and suicide attempts to his determination to confront his dementia, Peter has embarked on a series of challenges to show that life isn't over with dementia. Looking at Peter when he is cycling, you would never know that this fit, healthy man is living with dementia. His goal now is to do what he can to erase the stigma of his diagnosis. He does this by raising money for dementia charities and cycling hundreds of miles in his quest to show that life is always worth living. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Alzheimer’s Trippin’ With George Bonus – Alzheimer’s Cruising ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please Support Our Sponsors So We Can Continue To Bring The Show to You For Free ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn  Facebook Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com