With humour and compassion Julie and Ming relay experiences, stories, and insights garnered from lived experience caring for and loving someone with dementia.
Dr Julie Goyder worked as an enrolled nurse before completing a PhD at Curtin University. The result was a book about Dementia, entitled We’ll be Married in Fremantle, published in 2001. Little did she know then that one day her beloved husband, Anthony, would succumb to Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. Julie taught Creative Writing and English at Edith Cowan University for 20 years before resigning to care for Anthony but it soon became obvious that the nursing home decision would have to be made. Since then, despite the pitfalls of Anthony’s Dementia, and the impact on Julie and their son, Ming, she has become a passionate advocate and spokesperson for Dementia care. Her blog, at jmgoyder.com, often addresses the humorous and poignant conversations she shares with Anthony. But she also writes about herself and her ongoing struggle to find a way to make this kind of situation more palatable for others.
Menzies (“Ming”) Goyder has completed a Diploma in Community Service and is now undertaking a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. He is a musician and currently writing an album dedicated to his dad. Ming has been a wonderful support to Julie in caring for Anthony at home during the early years of Anthony’s Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. He has transitioned from anger to acceptance in his struggle to deal with his dad’s illnesses and he has become a passionate advocate for Dementia care by accompanying Julie in speaking publicly about their family’s journey.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx