UNDERSTANDABLY, Tony Parker of the Tavistock Dementia Alliance was disappointed that the play 'Grandma, Remember Me' had to be cancelled due to lack of support.  

He cites the reasons  as being lack of interest from those currently dealing with the problem (very definitely  correct) and those not associated with it not wanting to thinking about the problem (well maybe).   But I would take issue with his statement  'that the stigma of dementia still exists'.

Given the kindness, warmth and  support I have received from friends, good aquaintances, neighbours, voluntary sector organisations et al, in having to deal with my husband's dementia I do not feel a sense of stigma.   

I'm sure many of my other carer friends would say the same.   

Hard for people to understand the detail unless directly affected, yes, stigma, no. Surely the problem that lay with the play was in its marketing, and determining who was the target audience.  The title includes the word 'Grandma.'   My perception was that this could have been aimed at students from our secondary schools, Tavistock, Okehampton, Kelly, Callington, Launceston, or even at a pinch last year at primary school.   

If it was, and there was no uptake, then it may well have been poor timing due to the crowded season.   

Perhaps this topic could be included in the borough council's extremely  successful community safety day for school children that it organises every September.

Margaret Garton

Kaya

Yelverton