Watch Terry Pratchett speak out on breaking the stigma of dementia

09/10/2008

People with dementia are turning to YouTube to kick the stigma and misconception surrounding their condition, as part of a new Alzheimer’s Society campaign. Best selling author Terry Pratchett, who has a rare form of dementia, is spearheading the movement and reveals his personal experience in three new videos - available to view from this site.

The videos coincide with the launch of new Alzheimer’s Society research revealing the impact stigma has on the lives of people with dementia. People with dementia reported losing friends after a diagnosis of dementia, neighbours crossing the street as they approached and professionals dismissing symptoms as just old age.

The videos feature four people with dementia sharing their views on stigma and diagnosis. They can be viewed at the link below. 50% of all UK adults believe there is a stigma around the condition. The charity is urgently calling for national awareness campaigns to halve this stigma in 5 years.

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, says, "You might not expect people with dementia to turn to YouTube to fight stigma, but this campaign is all about challenging the misconceptions about people living with the condition. By speaking out, people with dementia hope to dispel the myths shrouding their condition.

"Dementia is caused by physical diseases of the brain. If we live to 65 one in three of us will end our lives with the condition. We must bring dementia out of the shadows and banish the unnecessary stigma, which affects friends, families and the professionals that people with dementia rely on for help."

Terry Pratchett OBE, author and person with dementia will launch the report today on behalf of people with dementia. He says, "Seven hundred thousand people who have dementia in this country are not heard. I’m fortunate; I can be heard. That’s why I am calling for an end to the stigma and misunderstanding that surround this embuggerance of a condition.

"What is needed is will and determination. The first step is to talk openly about dementia because it’s a fact, well enshrined in folklore that if we are to kill the demon then first we have to say its name."

The new Dementia: Out of the Shadows report by the Alzheimer’s Society identifies five vital steps to reduce dementia stigma:

1.      Improve public understanding of dementia
2.      Improve GPs’ understanding of dementia and their ability to recognise the symptoms
3.      Develop better specialist diagnostic assessment services for dementia
4.      Provide timely and accessible information
5.      Develop stronger peer support networks to help people cope.

You can click through to see the videos featuring Terry Pratchett and other sufferers by going to the link below.

Relevant links

• Terry Pratchett appeal (Opens a new window)