DEMENTIA IN SOCIETY
Campaigning to “Bring Dementia Out” Patrick Ettenes is an LGBT person living with young onset dementia. He shares his story and both he and Claire Days of the LGBT Foundation tell us more about the “Bring Dementia Out” campaign taking place in the United Kingdom. Patrick’s Story At the fruitful age of 31, I found out some life changing news, that soon I would be the youngest person in the UK with one of the rarest forms of dementia – Frontal Lobe Atrophy (Frontotemporal Dementia).
or support networks. Struggling with all the condition could bring was worrying. Using my connections and my struggles, I started advocating and asking to do something for the Alzheimer’s Society. I set up one of the world’s first LGBT Dementia Networks, but living with a condition along with people working full time, things fell by the wayside.
I was struggling with my diagnosis along with multiple mental health issues. After a few months of trying to come to terms with a diagnosis, I started going to support groups with the Alzheimer’s Society. I soon realised that there was no support for some- Over a few years the Bring Dementia Out Projone from the LGBT community, particularly a ect was born (developed by the Innovation man of my age, living alone, with no family Team at Alzheimer’s Society), and I was asked
Alzheimer’s Society campaigning to Bring Dementia Out
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Dementia in Europe
Patrick Ettenes
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There was no support for someone from the LGBT community, particularly a man of my age, living alone, with no family or support networks.” Patrick Ettenes
