James on some of the challenges of public speaking as a person with dementia

Good afternoon, this is James speaking from a sunny living room. I gave you a wee tea break there so I hope you enjoyed it, and thank you for doing the work you do.

I had a thought about doing presentations. Sometimes – well, professionals have been doing presentations, they’ve got plenty of time to build it up, and they’ve maybe got half a dozen at their fingertips, and it’s something they’re accustomed to. But a lot of people diagnosed with dementia have never spoken in public in their life, so it is difficult.

What has happened to me on a couple of occasions was even worse. I was told what I wanted to talk about, so I did my presentation. I can’t remember anything so I’ve got to read it. So I did that, and then the night before I was asked to talk about something different. So, I did that, and then next morning when I went there, ‘oh, can you talk about this?’ That’s happened twice. Before they need to change it – well, I need time to do it. I’m not a professional, just an ordinary person with dementia. And, another thing happened once, I was doing it for, I think somebody from America, and they said to me, we’re running a wee bit late, could you cut your talk? And I thought, well, I wouldn’t know where to cut it, I don’t know how we’re running late. It put me in a very awkward position.

So, people should give people with dementia who are presenting a wee bit more respect, and understand they’re dealing with a problem, and if you’ve asked them to do something, let it go ahead – don’t change it at the last minute.

Well – enjoy your next tea break. Bye bye.