{"id":59981,"date":"2021-03-02T11:56:49","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T11:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=797414"},"modified":"2021-03-02T11:56:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T11:56:49","slug":"in-conversation-with-rianna-patterson-about-dementia-and-her-new-documentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/03\/02\/in-conversation-with-rianna-patterson-about-dementia-and-her-new-documentary\/","title":{"rendered":"In conversation with Rianna Patterson about dementia and her new documentary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dementia UK<\/a> defines dementia as “an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain”.<\/p>\n

According to Alzheimer’s Society<\/a>:<\/p>\n

There are an estimated 54 million people living with dementia around the globe and it is estimated that this number will rise to 130 million by 2050.<\/p>\n

Another 9.9 million people will develop dementia around the world every year.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Canary<\/em> previously reported<\/a> on the need to address stigma and misinformation about one of the most common<\/a> types of dementia, “Alzheimer\u2019s disease”. But there are various forms of the syndrome which affect people in all kinds of ways.<\/p>\n

Rianna Patterson is the founder of the Dominica Dementia Foundation<\/a> which is the first and only dementia organisation in the country. The youth-led foundation aims to raise awareness of dementia’s impacts on people in Dominica, raise funds for families affected, provide emotional support and facilitate research about dementia to be used all over the world.<\/p>\n

British and raised in the Caribbean, Patterson lived in Portsmouth, Dominica with her mother and grandparents, but is now based in Kent. At just 23, she’s a Dementia Friend Champion, a recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders award<\/a> and will be attending this year’s Global Woman Summit<\/a> as a part of International Women’s Day<\/a> on 8 March.<\/p>\n

Quoting artist Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation<\/a> as an inspiration, Patterson spoke to The Canary\u2019s<\/em> Aaliyah Harris<\/a> about her goals to produce a documentary film on dementia.<\/p>\n

Why did you start the Dominica Dementia Foundation?<\/h5>\n

I started the foundation in 2016. I didn’t have any direct experience with dementia apart from when I lost my grandfather to the illness and I became aware of the long-term effects. Through voluntary work and fundraising for Alzheimer’s associations, I gained experience.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Meet Rianna Patterson (@_stayinginmalane), the founder of Dominica Dementia Foundation (@dcadementiafoundation) which she set up in memory of her grandfather. We hope her story inspires you to find your purpose in life, and live it\"?\" #DominicaDementiaFoundation<\/a> #Dementia<\/a> #inspire<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/esGikXRKnv<\/a><\/p>\n

— SuperSisters (@SuperSistersMag) July 19, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n