EP 93 :: Dementia: A Gradually Acquired Disability :: Emily Ong
Emily Ong talks with Bobbi and Mike about her experiences living with mild cognitive impairment and her global advocacy activism efforts for dementia: rights, rehabilitation, employment, and enabling a supportive environment.
Emily is a passionate advocate for the rights of those with dementia and a prominent activist in the global dementia community. As one of the newly elected members of Dementia Alliance International’s (DAI) Board of Directors, she shares how her advocacy started and her hopes to make an impact for those affected by the condition. She was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment with the probability of young-onset dementia in 2017.
DAI believes that in all matters concerning dementia the philosophy should be, “Nothing about us, without us.” They believe that many persons with dementia are very capable of representing themselves.
“Our work on claiming the human rights for all people with dementia means we are legally entitled to be included, and not just consulted, or represented by others. We are also entitled to the appropriate disability support that any other persons or groups of disabled people are afforded,” Emily says.
DAI seeks to represent, support, and educate others living with the disease and the wider dementia community.
“Without the support from my family and the new communities where I find solace in it is rather unlikely that I can be so emotionally strong and positive as I am now. My new friends taught me that there’s still life after the diagnosis because life can still be purposeful and beautiful with dementia,” Emily explains.
You can find Emily on Facebook and Instagram.
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