I was diagnosed with early-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type in 2006 when I was 56. I was struggling to cope with sight and hearing changes but the experts told me it was nothing to do with my dementia diagnosis. I felt isolated and upset until I went to a dementia conference and started chatting to other people living with dementia and discovered that they were also living with sensory challenges.

As a result, I produced the booklet Dementia and Sensory Challenges (published by the Life Changes Trust) in 2015. But there was more to learn, so I applied for a Fellowship to travel to Canada and Ireland to find out more.

Since my Fellowship, I have produced a book from my findings, Talking Sense – Living with Sensory Changes and Dementia, which is available free as a digital (PDF) or audio download, and in Welsh language versions. Over 1,500 copies of my book have been given to people living with dementia, and to carers and professionals working in the field of dementia. My learning has empowered people living with dementia to seek help for their own sensory challenges.