A bit of background

I talk about dementia quite a lot. At a minimum, each time I visit my mum, and post her photo on Facebook. It probably makes total sense, therefore, that my new business is dementia/memory problem focused.

And it all seems very altruistic. Here's the truth (and it's not something I usually talk about).

My mum had early onset dementia (we are over 13 years into her journey).
My mum's mum had early onset dementia.

There's a family history that I find hard to ignore.

And, as I'm turning 50 this year, my early 60s aren't looking that far away. So, as much as I am working on creating things that will be useful NOW (even if they're just fulfilling 'wtf can I even BUY as a gift?'), I've also an eye on how I would like my dementia journey to be, if it happens.
My mum used to be terrified of getting dementia. “I don’t want to end up like your nan”, she would say.
If I must feel that fear, I don’t want to give into it - I’d rather channel it into something useful. Something good. Something not fearful.

And a HUGE part of that is acceptance. Because it is extremely hard to accept how much someone changes when they have dementia. We cling on SO hard to memories, and rail against the now.

Hence 'This Present Moment'.

I want things that give a nod to what I maybe used to love, even if I no longer demonstrate it. I want an acceptance of where I am at - which is how I try, always, to be with my mum (and I don't always manage it, and that's ok). And I want a little bit of humour, because there is absolutely NONE around dementia, and yet my mum makes us laugh and smile on a regular basis.

And plenty of people with dementia will HAVE their sense of humour, along with the people who, again, can no longer demonstrate it. So, I want to create things for the family members and carers to enjoy, as much as the person with dementia.

Probably quite a tall order

Everything will be made with acceptance in mind, maybe a bit of humour, always a lot of love.

Much love,
Anna
xx

(ps, certain things I do, like the book, or the ‘Doodle’ mugs, also include a donation to charity, so look out for those).

My mum with possibly the best gift I’ve ever found for her - a pink octopus toy. It’s all about the tentacles, you see.
(And, no, I neither make nor sell these, but you can find them on Amazon!).