Why I made a declaration of support for 'Care not Killing' today

Last Tuesday I went to a truly uplifting and inspirational presentation at the University of Leeds by Age UK.  It was inspiring because it enabled me to see the 'bigger picture' of where my dementia research might fit into the world.  I've been getting a bit lost in the nitty gritty of the detail and it made me see there are millions of people out there, who I could help, because I am looking into the reasons why some people who get dementia seem to slip through the social support networks of friends and family.  The presentation was also incredibly upbeat.  Yes, we have an ageing population - and isn't that fantastic?  I truly believe that it - human longevity - is the greatest achievement of science. It's wonderful that people born when I was born can expect to live a good twenty years longer than people born when our great grandparents were born.  OK, there is inequality which we must also do something about, but the progress in us living longer is truly astounding.

I got into correspondence with Age UK, saying how much I enjoyed the presentation and they asked me if I would consider blogging for them about my research, or related topics.  And it made me think 'what can I blog about?'  My research is in its infancy - in a way I am overwhelmed by what I feel we don't know. I don't feel in a position to start broadcasting to the world on my findings so far - there aren't any.  But I feel passionately about a number of things that are related to ageing, one of those things is opposition to 'Dignitas'.  I am sick of hearing about what a 'burden' older people are.  Then I saw this article in the Telegraph today basically saying what a huge resource our pensioners are.  Feeling I had to act with my feet to help say to older people 'you're worth it!' I then signed the declaration of support for Care not Killing.  But I suppose I would support that wouldn't I?  To expect anything less would be like expecting turkeys to vote for Christmas.

Three Amazing Things

1. Wondering whether I'm out of a PhD shaped hole I was in, the very fact I'm wondering, rather than agonising must be a good sign.
2.  Thinking I might have made a breakthrough in fact.  A systematic review has its flaws - missing papers which I have in my paws.
3. Drafting of emails that I might never send, but they get my thoughts in order.

Three Amazing Things

1) The drive from Leeds to the British Library
2) Early green shoots of leaves on young trees at the British Library
3) Getting relevant documents at the BL

Five Amazing Things

1) Listening and watching a brilliant presentation - about the wonderful longevity of human beings, a positive story about the 'ageing population'
2) Lipsyl
3) handcream
4) frankinscence oil
5) The barrel scraping that is this exercise in counting one's blessings

Six Amazing Things

1) Getting through to someone at the Library, then them emailing me back!
2)  Friends, family and colleagues who help you along this journey we know as life.
3) A bright car ride in the sunshine, where I sort of knew the way, might have even enjoyed the drive.
4) A certain special day coming up.
5) Important people in my life, that I do my best to thank as much as possible, but if I
haven't for a while and you're reading this and know me - Thank you!  For everything! 
5.5) Left over rissotto (made totally from scratch, including the stock by moi) and purple sprouting brocolli in sesame oil - yum!
6) Kisses at the end of texts, emails and internet postings x x x

Five Amazing Things

1) Been doing my blog relatively consistently for nearly seven years.  And it's been fun!
2) The clock ticking again.  So reassuring to have a clock that ticks.  You can lose yourself in it.
3) Reading and remembering from my blog my funny system of how to decide who got a wedding invite - a code, fortunately that could be cracked!
4) Running on a beautifully sunny and cold Spring morning like today.
5) The appreciation of English grammar.  Trying to be consistent in where I put my full stops.

Has this blog turned into the world's dullest blog?

I've been perusing my old blog posts and back when I was engaged and a newly wed they were great, funny and optimistic.  So, what has happened?  Where has my optimism gone? Well, life is probably more sedate without a wedding to organise and then freshly remember.  Work [and life] is probably a bother when you look back on it and a PhD is undoubtedly tough, not to mention family members getting sick, and it isn't their choice to get mentioned on the Internet. 

But the main reason- the passion which makes me, me - why I wanted to go into dementia research and am still motivated is because it is such a huge, unresolved issue. The elephant in the room.  Under the carpet.  And there is consensus. That could be one of the reasons I've been so quiet, as I want to maintain support from all parties, without alienating the right. All the political parties are united in that they want to resolve the problems associated with dementia - the devastation.  Everyone wants to increase research so we can get to the bottom of why this awful disease is so awful - and the sorts of things we can do to stop it being so dreadful.  We have such great examples to learn from - there's been amazing advances in the treatment and care of people who are HIV positive, people with learning disabilities, people with AIDS and cancer survivors.  So my optimism is still around, just a bit pushed out by the work I have to do to get the PhD done.  I must try and write some improved blog posts and get my regular readers back. (Hi Mum!)x

Ten Amazing Things

1) New motivational texts by my PC
2) Keep Buggaring On!  Apparently a Churchillian favourite - KBO he used to say.
3) Worth a go!
4) Just try your best!
5) Break it down into doable chunks.
6) Going on a run past the men playing football and then cricket.
7) Running fast between two lamp-posts to the Prodigy
8) Getting our shopping delivered
9) Accepting my self and situation, flaws and all
10) Doing most of poster