Our members have composed a beautiful song with musician Cora Kelly to help raise funds for Dementia NI. Listen to it below and if you enjoy it, considering supporting local people with dementia on their journey with a donation.
'The Journey' gives those newly diagnosed with dementia hope that they aren’t alone and there is support available to help them live as well as possible.
Dementia NI members, all of whom are living with dementia, created the lyrics to ‘The Journey’, with singer-songwriter Cora Kelly putting their words to music. The message of the song is clear: life goes on after a diagnosis and with support from your friends, family and Dementia NI, it is possible to live well with dementia.
Check out the song/video below then donate via the Donate button displayed under the video or at the top of the page. All money raised will help empower local people with dementia to live well and drive positive change.
Donate today to empower Dementia NI members on their journey with dementia
DonateA heart-warming video accompanies the track, starring Dementia NI members and giving insight into their day-to-day lives, showing that you can be active and keep doing the things you enjoy following your diagnosis.
Dementia NI Member Martin Murtagh, 72, from Belfast, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease aged 63, explained how the piece was composed: “Cora Kelly came to our Empowerment Groups and really listened as we each told our diagnosis stories. Then she went away and put our words and perspectives to music. It moves me to tears when I listen to it. It’s very true to what those of us who have received a diagnosis are going through.”
“We named the song ‘The Journey’ because it describes the journey you go through when you receive a dementia diagnosis,” continues Martin. “I was in a bad place initially when I got my diagnosis. It takes time and strength to come to terms with it but there is help out there – from family, friends and organisations like Dementia NI. Their Empowerment Groups changed my life and helped me connect with other people with a diagnosis at a time when I felt very low. It gave me hope and a will to carry on and made me realise I could have a good life.”
Dementia NI currently has around 16 Dementia Empowerment Groups across Northern Ireland. These Groups provide a place for local people who have been diagnosed with dementia – and are in the early to middle stages of the condition - to come together to provide life-changing peer support to one another and to drive positive change in dementia services and in the community.
Singer-songwriter Cora Kelly, from Killough, County Down, added: “It’s been a pleasure working with Dementia NI members across Northern Ireland. My meetings with them have challenged my own assumptions about dementia. It’s fantastic that Dementia NI members are so positive and are living happy and fulfilled lives. They’re doing an amazing job in bringing awareness to this condition.”
Dementia NI Communications Lead, Jane Gillow, said: “We hope everyone loves ‘The Journey’ as much as we do! We couldn’t be prouder of our members for creating such inspiring lyrics and sharing the message that there is still life to live following a diagnosis. Research shows that one in three of us will develop dementia in our lifetime. We want to highlight that our Empowerment Groups are here for those with a diagnosis of dementia, in the early to middle stages of the condition, to access life-changing peer support, make new friends and be part of their community. This Dementia Action Week, we’re calling on everyone to get behind ‘The Journey’ and donate vital funds to Dementia NI. All proceeds will go towards empowering local people on their journey with dementia.”
Please check out the song and video embedded above then donate to Dementia NI via the Donate button displayed under the video or at the top of the page.
The single is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. It is also available to download on iTunes and there's a dedicated Enthuse page for donations.
You can also call us on 028 9693 1555 to donate over the phone. Thank you in advance for all donations!
‘THE JOURNEY’ – LYRICS BY DEMENTIA NI MEMBERS
Each verse represents a different stage in our members’ individual dementia journeys. Verse one describes initial shock following a diagnosis, verse two reflects on challenges faced and the bridge expresses acceptance and hope, having found Dementia NI’s Empowerment Groups.
Verse 1
I won’t lie, I was terrified
When the doctors said those words
My feet went 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 slippy road but I keep my feet planted
I have the strength to hold the cards 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
I stay strong
Chorus
It’s a slippy road but I keep my feet planted
I have the strength to hold the cards 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 slippy 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