I'm proud to be joining #TeamARUK in the 2025 Great Scottish Run!

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity. They are striving for a cure by revolutionising the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented.

I was a primary carer for my mother who had early signs of dementia. Sadly she passed away in April 2024 after almost a year of palliative care.

Watching a loved one, especially a parent, lose memories and become less of who they were can take its toll.

In 2022, through my creative work in the arts, I was awarded a residency with the National Theatre of Scotland to research an idea for a play or short film. My topic of choice was the pandemic's impact on dementia care, with a specific focus on the South Asian community.

No Word for Dementia

I spoke to other carers in a similar situation and found a common thread.

There is no word for dementia in South Asian languages due to a lack of understanding of what it is, how it impacts a person and those around them. Unfortunately, the symptoms can be translated as mad or crazy, leaving sufferers and their families open to being stigmatised.

This is magnified by the fact that people in South Asian communities are far more likely to develop dementia than the general population. This may be due to a higher risk of other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. [Source: Alzheimer’s Research UK].

Dementia Care

My research ultimately led to a short film commission in 2024 by the National Theatre of Scotland to write and direct KINAARA, a story about the challenges of dementia care in the South Asian community.

Through your support of my creative and fundraising efforts I hope to help raise awareness of dementia and the need for a cure.

Thank you for supporting me!

Links

More info about the film: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/kinaara