In October 2023, a small group of us put our heads together and decided to organise a conference, the conference, to celebrate our anniversary with a bang and leave a big mark in the process!
I truly believe we did this!
Meetings with the Directorate and the University followed, and we invited them to deliver talks. Charles got to work inviting an amazing international team to deliver talks and workshops, Anthony set up a scientific committee to invite people to submit posters and I set to work bringing in quotations and looking for the right place. Francis and I had our first meeting with Hilton very soon after to set the ball rolling.
To bring in a new concept that would liven up the conference, demonstrating two of our activities would showcase what we do and bring a total twist to the day. And a twist it certainly did as we had the hall of 200 people dancing and singing away to DancingtoDementia and exercising to our physiotherapy team. It was absolutely wonderful to see everyone having so much fun together. The faces of excitement and laughter were truly beautiful!
Bringing all the country’s stakeholders on dementia together, be it from the international side, medical side, Care Homes, students, public and of course, government and university, the emphasis was for everyone to put dementia high up on the agenda. Dementia is increasing, families are struggling, society is being affected, but, most importantly, people with dementia need help and support. We brought this to the table 20 years ago when no one dared say the word ‘dementia’…we worked hard over the last 20 years to create and increase awareness…we now have succeeded in turning heads towards the gravity of the situation.
Of course, after hard work one must party. Our gala was held the next day at Merkanti Bay in Hilton. A full-blown buffet, wine, a wonderful trio of the Scarlet band entertaining us, a very special array of paintings and a sculpture on auction, lovely raffle prizes, brought almost 200 people together. Sr. Vinnie Catania was awarded the lifetime prize for her loving contribution to the field of dementia, from caring for her own mother to invaluably contributing to the MDS. Miriana Buffa was given the prize for the best poster and ReMind Young Enterprise company were given a token of appreciation for their huge efforts to promote MDS and dementia through their cards. The ‘icing’ on the cake had to be the fog and heat which left us ‘a little wet’ but the excitement, chatter and relaxation by the pool and sea tipped the balance. Fireworks let off from the top of one of the Portomaso buildings were spectacular and gave us a real treat!
20 years of hard work have not gone unnoticed, and we are very proud to have been the winds of change and to have swept away much of the stigma. We know that the authorities are on board and have already achieved a lot towards this cause. Together, we will continue to strive to make life better for all.
Through the Malta Dementia Society, its ever-growing team and the services created over the years, we have supported these families, these individuals with love and attention. We will continue to do so no matter what. We are here for you all – just give us a call.