Our film launch for Willy Gilder’s bold ‘Unheard Voices’ was a huge success with comments about the films such as:

“I see hope & humour in these films”.

“These films shows there is a life to be lived after diagnosis”.

“What an important, powerful and human screening.”

“I really enjoyed the film launch this morning. Well done to everyone involved.”

With Willy Gilder commenting “I found myself somewhat unexpectedly and profoundly moved by sharing my films. To have my idea that this all might mean something validated meant a lot to me.”

We hope you’ve managed to watch & share but please also take a moment to meet the stars of his interviews. The ‘Unheard Voices’ of those living with dementia that Willy set off around Scotland to capture with honesty and humour that only peer-to-peer support can bring. Watch the stories of those with lived experience of dementia talking about themselves, their lives, and what they would like you to know about their condition.

 Audrey Ross

‘I was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 54. I was terrified at the time and thought I was going to die. Through meeting Willy Gilder and being involved with STAND I can now understand the dementia more. I live on my own with my dog Bouncer. We have a great life!’

Audrey shares her story of her Early Onset Dementia with her friend Willy who she met through STAND in Fife. Audrey’s grandchildren explain her diagnosis as ‘It’s OK Gran we ken your brain’s broken’ which is fine by Audrey as she feels ‘If you get diagnosed with dementia, it’s not the end of the world it’s just a new way of life’.

Watch Audrey’s film here!

Gerry King

I am 60 years young and was diagnosed at the age of 55 with Alzheimer’s disease. I lost my confidence, self-worth and a reason to get up in the mornings. This all changed when by chance I met an amazing lady called Ruth. We struck up an amazing friendship and went on a crusade to make Fife Dementia Friendly. I am a founding member of STAND, a charity which provides peer to peer support to those living with dementia and their families. Our ethos is to encourage, enable and empower people living with dementia and their families to live well with dementia.

Willy chats to his good friend Gerry King about when Gerry was diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia. Gerry gives a very honest account of how this affected himself and his family but concludes by saying ‘It’s not a death sentence’.

Watch Gerry’s film here!

 Christina Hobbs

‘I think my dementia started after an accident where I fell and hurt my head badly. It was after this I started to forget things and struggle with day-to-day life.

I met STAND and have never looked back. My friend Ellis is my main source of support. She is wonderful. Everyone should have an Ellis!’

Christina shares her dementia story with Willy and wants people to know if you get diagnosed with dementia “It’s not the end of the world. If you have some good help, you can carry on and lead a reasonable normal life”.

Watch Christina’s film here!

Ron Coleman

The Demented Poet, Co-Founder of Deepness Dementia Radio. Originally from Dundee, Ron lives in the Isle of Lewis with his wife, Karen Taylor and dog Nor.  Following his diagnosis with dementia in 2017, Ron established Deepness Ltd as a space for people living with dementia to come together and live well with dementia through the media platform of the website.  He has made a new life writing poetry, plays, music and books as he thrives living with dementia.

Ron Coleman the self-named ‘Demented Poet’ chats to his pal Willy whose been nicknamed ‘The Demented Artist’ about Ron’s Early Onset Dementia diagnosis. Ron chats about all the dark places of dementia including incontinence and death but also comments ‘I might be demented but I’m enjoying being an artist that I probably wouldn’t be if I hadn’t got dementia’.

Watch Ron’s film here!

Jake Sutherland

I was diagnosed with FTD just before I turned 65. My whole life changed from that day. I lost my driver’s licence, and a job I loved as a janitor at a primary school. I had always been the person who worked and kept my family financially secure, but that stopped abruptly. All I could see was the end stage of life, as I had witnessed my mother struggling with Alzheimer’s before she died. I thought my life was over, but I have begun another life, with a positive happy outlook. I just turned 67 and have never been so busy. I published a book about the first year post diagnosis. Finding Jake, written under a pen name, Peedie William, helped me come to terms with life.

After chatting with Willy about all things dementia Jake feels we can help break the stigma surrounding dementia by letting people know “It is just a normal illness… like cancer. It’s just a part of your body stops working.”

Watch Jake’s film here!

To view all the films from Willy Gilder’s bold ‘Unheard Voices’  series click here!