What the hell happened to my brain?

Before being diagnosed with younger onset dementia, Kate Swaffer loved to study, to learn, to be of service to others. Now living with dementia, she has not changed in these respects whatsoever. Her wonderfully illuminating book should be required reading for people and families living with dementia. – Steven R. Sabat, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., U.S.A.The scope of Kate’s book is beyond that which anyone else with dementia has attempted. She reflects upon loneliness, guilt, driving, aged care, writing and advocacy. – John Killick * Australian Journal of Dementia Care *Janet Baylis, Manager of our Dementia Knowledge Centre, says, ‘There are few books written by people with dementia. This is one that I would strongly recommend to anyone with a recent diagnosis who is searching for answers about living well with their condition.’ – Janet Baylis * Alzheimer Society Book Group *Keith Oliver, a Society ambassador who has Alzheimer’s, says the book covers areas that he hasn’t seen written about in such personal and emotive ways elsewhere. He adds, ‘The structure of short, crisp chapters works extremely well and gives the author the opportunity to structure her thinking and experience in a clear way.’ – Keith Oliver * Alzheimer Society Book Group *Laura Venables, who works on the Society’s Engagement and Participation programme, was fascinated by Kate’s account of ‘prescribed disengagement’. This is how Kate describes the advice she says she was given - but ignored - to withdraw from her life and work after she was diagnosed. Laura says, ‘Kate challenges the assumptions that are continuously brought out to define living with dementia. ‘She openly illustrates her experiences of striving to continue life as she lived it the day before she was diagnosed, and of all the opportunities that she has become involved with since diagnosis - it’s exciting stuff!’ – Laura Venables * Alzheimer Society Book Group *

Kate Swaffer commenced her professional career as a nurse specialising in dementia and aged care. Following her diagnosis of younger onset dementia, she completed a BA in Writing and Creative Communications, a Bachelor of Psychology and a MSc in Dementia Care at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She now works as an advocate and activist for dementia and aged care, has published many articles and a book of poetry and has presented nationally and internationally on dementia. In 2015, she was named Dementia Leader of the Year in the University of Stirling International Dementia Awards and Emerging Leader in Disability Awareness in the National Disability Awards, was winner of the Bethanie Education Medallion, and was a state finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for 2016. She is Co-founder and Co-chair of Dementia Alliance International, a board member of Alzheimer’s Disease International and is to become a member of the World Dementia Council in February 2016.