Our Members Contribute To Song That Fundraises For Local People With Dementia
This Dementia Action Week (15-21 May 2023) has a theme of diagnosis, so we thought it was the perfect time to showcase a song our members created with local musician Cora Kelly to give those newly diagnosed with dementia reassurance. You can download the single today and Cora is kindly donating all proceeds to Dementia NI, to help empower local people with dementia.
The Journey gets across what it's like to live with dementia in a captivating way, with each verse representing a different stage in our members' journeys with dementia. The message of the song is clear: life still goes on following a diagnosis.
"We wanted the public to hear our voices through song in order to give others recently diagnosed some hope and so everyone could understand more about what it's like living with dementia from our perspectives," says Dementia NI member Allison Batchelor.
You can buy the brilliant The Journey today and donate to Dementia NI at the same time on ITunes or Google Play. We also have a fundraising page for the song. We hope people will continue to really get behind The Journey and encourage anyone who enjoys the song to support the work we do by downloading it!
Our member Martin Murtagh explains how the song was composed: "Cora came to our Empowerment meetings and really listened as we each told our stories about our diagnosis. Then she went away and put our words into the song. She's got a wee gift! It has me crying when I listen to it. It's very true to the experience of living with dementia and what everyone who's received a diagnosis is going through. If a person with dementia or their family listens to it, they'll know what it's about right away."
Cora, who is from Killough, County Down, has experience of supporting a loved one with a dementia diagnosis.
"My granny was diagnosed with vascular dementia over five years ago," says Cora. "I have seen the impact it has on individuals and the surrounding family. I am so grateful to still have my grandmother and she has never lost her amazing sense of humour! I understand how hard living with dementia is and that's why I think the members of Dementia NI are doing such an amazing job in bringing awareness to the condition."
She adds, "It has been a pleasure working with Dementia NI members throughout Northern Ireland and I have personally learned so much over the past few months. I have often come away from meeting with the members challenging my own assumptions about dementia and I’m so amazed at how Dementia NI members are still so positive and living happy and fulfilled lives.”
The Journey: lyrics
Each verse represents the various stages of our members' journeys with dementia. Verse one captures their initial thoughts following diagnosis, verse two reflects the challenges our members face and the bridge celebrates the feeling of connection that many experience within our peer support groups.
Verse 1:
I won't lie, I was terrified
When the doctor said those words
My feet went out from beneath me
Could not believe what I'd just heard
If I judged my condition
From what I saw on television
I'd give up
Chorus:
It's a slippery road but I keep my feet planted
I have the strength to hold the cards that I've been handed
If I stumble, if my feet fall or if I need some assistance
I know the journey's long but
It's worth the distance
Verse 2:
My voice is mine
I don't need someone to say what's on my mind
Though the love I have to help me
Is the best that you could find
I worry for my loved ones
'Cos the future is so unknown
But we'll all stay strong
Chorus:
It's a slippery road but I keep my feet planted
I have the strength to hold the cards that I've been handed
If I stumble, if my feet fall or if I need some assistance
I know the journey's long but
It's worth the distance
Bridge:
I found my place
I'm surrounded by faces
Who understand me
Our worries and fears
Soon disappear
After a conversation... and a warm cup of tea
Chorus:
It's a slippery road but I keep my feet planted
I have the strength to hold the cards that I've been handed
If I stumble, if my feet fall or if I need some assistance
I know the journey's long but
It's worth the distance