Taking It to the Streets Launches in September 2023
International Grassroots Campaign to Shatter the Silence Around Dementia
NEW YORK, NY, June 13, 2023 — Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice (Coalition) is launching an international grassroots campaign to transform the narrative about and shatter the silence around dementia and through “Taking It to the Streets,” a global campaign during the week of September 18-24, 2023, during World Alzheimer’s Month.
The Coalition is asking its 815 plus members and its partner organizations to host public-facing events, activities, and conversations that present a creative alternative to the fear, stigma and hopelessness surrounding dementia, and then share their celebrations and stories on social media using hashtags #reimaginingdementia, #takingittothestreets, #shatteringthesilence.
“When I first entered the world of dementia in 2013, I quickly realized that ‘what is to be is up to me’ so with the support of friends and community, my diagnosis has not been an ending but a new beginning,” shares Coalition member, poet and Dangle and Dot co-founder Nancy Nelson. “My life is full of ah-ha moments filled with sprinkles of fun, some laughter and joy amongst serious day-to-day learning about myself and dementia. I urge everyone to join us in Taking It to the Streets so that everyone affected by dementia can live better, longer and with purpose.”
Nancy is one of 55 million people living with dementia worldwide (World Health Organization, 2023), a figure expected to triple by 2025 - and this doesn’t include family, friends and others impacted. And yet, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continue to be dominated by a stigma- and shame-filled ‘tragedy narrative’ that, according to Coalition coordinator Mary Fridley, has led to this very human condition being surrounded by an isolating “cone of silence.”
“As we’ve learned from those who helped bring AIDS, autism, disability, cancer and more ‘out of the closet,” Fridley continues. “If this is to change, we need to win the hearts and minds of people across the world so that together we can shatter the silence and that’s why we’ll be Taking It to the Streets in every possible community. And we’re doing so with creativity and through the arts, play and more because, as the work of our members and so many others powerfully demonstrates, this is how we restore humanity to people impacted by dementia and ensure that diagnosis is a starting point for joy, connection, growth and new possibilities.”
The “Taking It to the Streets logo”, campaign information and social media toolkit are available on the website for download by Coalition members and partners; individuals, dementia and non-dementia related organizations, memory care communities, university departments, community clinics, libraries and arts and cultural organizations.
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Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice (Coalition) is an international group of people living with dementia, carers/care partners, family and community members, dementia activists and allies, health professionals, advocates, artists, academics, policymakers and others, who share a vision of care that promotes inclusion, relationships, creativity, joy and the possibility of growth for everyone. Founded in 2020, the Coalition has over 815 members in 33 countries.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Mary Fridley, Coalition Coordinator and other Coalition leaders, including those living with dementia, are available for interviews. For more information or to set up an interview, contact the Coalition at reimaginingdementia@gmail.com | 929-285-1691.