Members' Statements – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 10:45 am ar 24 Medi 2024.
I pay tribute to the 13 individuals living with dementia who recently joined local members of Rock Choir to record and release a poignant rendition of 'The Climb' by Miley Cyrus as a fundraising effort for Dementia NI. Many will have seen and heard the story over the weekend, as we took time to mark World Alzheimer's Day on Saturday. Those involved in the recording chose that song to challenge commonly held misconceptions about dementia, and they did exactly that.
There are few in the Chamber whose family circle or friend group has not been affected by a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia. Some live with the condition for many years, often feeling disconnected from, and unseen by, the world around them. Music, as we all know, has a tremendous ability to connect and unite people. It is especially powerful when individuals feel isolated and vulnerable. It is vital that individuals living with Alzheimer's or dementia remain an integral part of society and feel valued by it as they find the courage, day by day, to live with their condition.
Mark from Belfast, who took part in the recording, said that the initiative has given a voice to the voiceless. I commend the excellent work of Dementia NI and that latest fundraising effort.