I had a corneal transplant fifteen years ago, and with all my concentration on my PCA, I forget about it. Until today when my wife notices my eye is really bloodshot; this is a sign of early rejection, and happens now and then, but need quick intervention.

All I need is steroid eye drops, but it makes me remember how lucky I am to have any eyesight, and to think of others who don’t.

Tiring, enjoyable, thought provoking is how I would describe enablement.

Being able to speak in front of others, have the knowledge and courage to stand your own does not come easy to most, especially those who society has stigmatised. Therefore, enablement is vital: up here in Scotland, Alzheimers Scotland does a great job of this, as do other charities such as Life Changes which gives money to local charities for enablement.

When I was first diagnosed, even when I first came up to Scotland, I never thought in my wildest dreams, that I would be actually speaking to the heart of government, like I did this week. I have always had a bugbear about the state of, and lack of, disabled toilets, but  due to AlzScot and others I undertook research and was empowered enough to feel confident to speak about them to those “in power”.

I also have been enabled to speak at conferences, speak to students etc, all of which assists me but also I hope the listeners.

There is also the rural aspect to all this, but as I like to keep these posts short, I will discuss this another time.