I've just been reading through the reasons you've signed again. There's 100 now, and they're so powerful and moving. There's a sense of coming together about something which matters deeply to so many people all over the world, in lots of different ways. This petition is only one of the voices, and a small one. Whatever happens, all that common action is huge. 

I've needed to  take a couple of days out this week, my thanks to Kate and Carol for helping that happen. The Alzheimer's Society's unwillingness even to be there to accept the petition - the hurt of that went deep, I don't know why. None of this is all about me, but that doesn't make it any less painful. To be ignored, unheard, by people whose stated aim is to support and listen, that's hard to bear, perhaps for any of us. Being treated without compassion, as less than human, hurts. I even felt a bit frightened. It was time to duck under the parapet for a while...

Today I've been listening online to some of the presentations at the Alzheimer's Disease International Conference in Poland. And there they are, full of hope and positive approaches to dementia, including instead of separating, kind instead of cold. There's so much that's wonderful going on. In the end, that's what's important, and that's where the energy needs to land. That's where the life is.

For now, let's see what we can do. Letters and emails to the Alzheimer's Society are adding to the voices, and an investigation is going on by the Advertising Standards Authority.

Yes, we're fragile. Who wouldn't be, living with and around dementia? But I think we can be strong together. 

With love and thanks, special thanks to Kate White and Carol Sargent, and to you all. If that sounds a bit sloppy, it's because I feel a bit sloppy right now...

Maxine