On day 2 of Dementia Awarness month 2020 #DAM2020, we hear from DAI member Dawn and her partner Maz who live in Mebourne Australia, on why they are glad they found DAI. Dawn joins two of our peer-to-peer support groups each week, and occasionally, is inspired to get up early for avirtual Cafe or online Webinar!

Dawn:Ā Iām so glad I found DAI because I really enjoy the weekly support group sessions on Zoom.
I like that all the people in the Zoom sessions are pretty much like me and we talk about lots of things that we can still do. I like it when we share what weāre doing, such as what weāre cooking. Itās really good to hear other peopleās experiences.
I appreciate that the others are very patient with me because I have Primary Progressive Aphasia and I find it difficult to express myself. Each week I write down what I want to say beforehand. Sometimes I read it and sometimes I just need it as a prompt.
I am so thankful that I was given Kateās book āWhat the Hell Happened to my Brain?: Lvign Beyond Dementiaā because it introduced me to DAI (and it is an excellent, positive book!)
Maz:Ā Iām so glad my partner, Dawn, found DAI because the weekly support group sessions on Zoom have been very affirming and encouraging for her.
They are a space just for her, not for both of us, and itās great for her to have her own voice without me doing most of the talking, which is what often happens when we are in group settings, online or face to face.
Although I sit off-screen, I am present each week as a communication support for Dawn when needed.
Itās great to hear the positivity and encouragement bouncing off the participants. Just hearing from others who are going through similar experiences and emotions is so important. As with any other group of people, the participantsā sharing is not always positive, and the hosts always treat any expressions of sadness with sensitivity.
Weāve also learnt about many useful resources through the support sessions and the DAI website.
Dawn comes away from the sessions with a smile on her face and a sense of connection with others. Although weāve never met any of the others in the group, we both feel that they are our friends and we are so grateful to the hosts who so generously give their time and expertise.