Sonata Mačiulskytė | Image
| Sonata Mačiulskytė lives in Klaipeda, a port-city on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, in Lithuania. She was a caregiver since 2014 when her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and the first signs of pre-dementia started to show up in her behaviour in 2015. During the same period, she was awarded the doctoral degree in Social Sciences (Social Work), had been carrying out academic activities and successfully pursued a professional career, becoming the vice-rector of a university, the chairwoman of the national committee that formed the higher education policy in her country. After her mother moved into a care home, she became more successful in finding a balance between her professional and caring responsibilities, and personal interests such as sports, spending time outdoors, and enjoying community activities. Sonata's mother passed away in early 2024. Sonata Mačiulskytė was nominated by Demencija Lietuvoje (Dementia Lithuania). |
Barry Northedge | Image
| Hello! My name is Barry Northedge, I’m 65 years young and live in the Highlands of Scotland about a mile away from the shores of Loch Ness (don’t let anyone tell you that the Loch Ness monster doesn’t exist..), it is a beautiful part of the world. My wife, Margaret was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease about eight years ago when she was 55 years old, our life changed. She had no choice but to give up a job that she enjoyed and felt ‘lost’ but she has since become an active member of the Scottish Dementia Working Group campaigning on behalf of the thousands of people who are living with dementia. She remains a positive and active role model who, I believe, is an inspiration. I spent a career working in all forms of education. I was a teacher, youth worker, trained long term unemployed adults, managed Outdoor Education in Highland and, latterly, managed school improvement, similar to a schools inspector. I loved every phase of my career but retired just over three years ago to support Margaret. Since retirement we have been actively involved in dementia research and training, we have both just been elected to the Board of Trustees for Alzheimer Scotland and now I am particularly fortunate to be able to join the EDCWG. I’m looking forward to working with you all to promote a positive approach to living and working with dementia. Alan Barry was nominated by Alzheimer Scotland. |
Magnús Karl Magnússon | Image
| Magnus´s wife, Elly was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer´s disease at the age of 51 in 2016. Elly has been a trailblazer since her diagnoses. She gave a highly visible public talk after her diagnosis and several media interviews. She has been convinced that Alzheimer´s disease should be destigmatized through open and honest discussion. Elly was the first chairperson of the Icelandic working group of people with dementia. She moved to a care home in the spring of 2022, but continues to be positive and an inspiration to Magnus and everyone that knows her. Magnus has been following in her footsteps by talking about living with Alzheimer's through social media and media interviews. He is a professor of medicine and researcher but has, in his role as spouse and caregiver, focused on the the non-medical issues of Alzheimer's. Magnus lives in Reykjavik and they have two grown up children. Magnus was nominated by the Icelandic Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer Iceland). |
Filomena Martins Cunha | Image
| "My name is Filomena Martins Cunha, I have 62 years, and I'm living by the sea in the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal. I have a degree in Organizational Psychology and have always worked in human resources management. I currently dedicate my time to volunteering, notably as a member of the national board of Alzheimer Portugal." Filomena was nominated by Alzheimer Portugal. |
Paola Borghesi | Image
| "My name is Paola Borghesi, I'm 65 and live in Rome. I've been working for a bank for 37 years as Operation Manager, and now I'm retired. Paola was nominated by Alzheimer Uniti Onlus. |