Mum has dementia. Dementia does not have my Mum.

Linda’s Story - Living well with dementia

Linda enjoys going for coffee dates with friends and family in East Belfast

Lucinda Jane - known to family and friends as Linda, was born in East Belfast in 1944.

At the age of 21, Linda started her nursing training at Belfast City Hospital and also spent a year doing midwifery. In 1967 she started her work as a District Nurse during the height of the Troubles within the Skankill and Falls Area and to this day, enjoys to talk about the challenges, hardships and strong sense of community support she experienced. Linda later returned to East Belfast working as a District Sister in Gilnakirk and Braniel.

In late 2017, Linda was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This came as a huge shock to Linda and her family. Nursing people with dementia over the years meant she was very aware of the lack of understanding, awareness and stigma attached to the condition. As a result, Linda chose not to tell many people about her diagnosis.

Since then Linda continued to take part in her normal activities; volunteering at the weekly luncheon club in her local Church, weekends in Portrush, taking part in community events and swimming once a week. In May 2020, Linda sadly lost her husband during lockdown; the one person who truly understood her condition and her difficulty in remembering things. In July, Linda made the brave decision that she did not want to live in the family home on her own and moved to Sydenham Court with her dog Alfie. Her daughter Clayre recalls the day when Linda seen the facilities at Sydenham Court, “she cried with joy and relief… she is only there 4 weeks and I can see the difference in her already.”

Linda enjoys going to the local park with Alfie, going to coffee shops with her daughter and friends and continues to drive taking her test once a year to ensure it is safe to do so. Linda recently joined a Dementia Friendly Walking Group in East Belfast with her daughter where, after 30 years, she has been reunited with an old neighbour who is also living with dementia. Her daughter Clayre has joined Dementia Friendly East Belfast Steering Group to offer her advice and experience as a carer. With the support of her family and friends Linda has felt more comfortable sharing her experience and seeking support in the local community.

Linda’s story shows how life does not have to stop after a diagnosis of Dementia, it is just a new chapter and she continues to show how it is possible to live well with dementia.

“For me, my mum has dementia but dementia does not have my mum. She is so proud of her new home and cannot wait for things to relax so she can show her friends around and re-engage in some of her regular activities which have stopped during this time” – Clayre Thompson (daughter)

After 30 years Linda & Roy were reunited at our Dementia Friendly Walking Group in CS Lewis Square