South Australia’s nominee for Australian of the Year is living proof that people with dementia can still achieve great things.
Diagnosed with the debilitating condition in 2008 at the age of 50, Kate Swaffer has gone on to complete three university degrees and is working on her PhD.
She has also worked tirelessly as an advocate and activist and has driven improvements for the 354,000 Australians who are currently living with dementia.
Not surprisingly, she says her own diagnosis dramatically changed her attitude to life.
“I guess I’m squeezing every little bit of lemon juice out of what you would call the lemon of life to make sure that every moment counts,” Ms Swaffer said at the time of her nomination.
She said it was important for people to “learn to live with dementia” and “not only to die from it”.
But she also laments the lack of resources and support for dementia rehabilitation and disability support.
Ms Swaffer has authored a number of books on dementia and was the first person with the condition to be a keynote speaker at a World Health Organisation conference.
She also remains chairwoman and chief executive of Dementia Alliance International, an organisation that provides a voice for the 47.5 million people worldwide living with dementia.
Judges said Ms Swaffer was changing society for the better by showing others how to lead remarkable lives despite the obstacles.
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