There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves. And growing up, I felt like a monster in some ways. I didn’t see myself reflected at all. ...And part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make a couple of mirrors ... so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it." Junot Diaz

About the Mirror

There are very few photographs that reflect the joy in the lives of people living with dementia. So many of the images are photos of people holding their head in their hands, or drawings of leaves blowing off a tree. People with dementia (and their families) tell us they want a mirror that reflects life with dementia back in a way that gives them hope that they can live their lives to the full - for as long as possible. 

The Mirror is a gallery of images of people with dementia doing something they love. We don't deny suffering happens with dementia - we just want to give people something that brings joy and hope.  To participate:

1. Email us a photograph of a person with dementia doing something they love to: director@celebrateageing.com
2. Tell us what it is they love in one word (or a few) - ending in ING (ie: swimming, fishing, dancing, eating icecream, knitting, eating pasta, hugging grandchildren ... a verb/word ending in ING)
3. Tell us who they person is.

We will include the photo and details in the Gallery below. Give us a call if you have any questions, collection curator Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237.

Gallery of home snaps (the Mirror)

Hanging out at the beach with my dog Tinka, Noel Drescher

Walking in the park with my grandaughter and two great grand daughters, Yvonne Russo

Smiling at my great grandson, Phyllis Maxwell

Baking for family, friends and church morning tea, Norma Sargent

Feeding the fish with my great grand daughter, Yvonne Russo

Enjoying a beer on Mother's Day, Anne Hing

Cuddling with the dogs, Malcolm Squire

Enjoying the sunshine, lazy sunday afternoons, Keith and Wendy Glass

Being in the garden, Pamela Passlow

Spending time with family, Pamela Passlow

Playing with the grandchildren, Pamela Passlow

Growing flowers, Pamela Passlow

Eating Maltesers, Pamela Passlow

Cooking for family, Pamela Passlow

Swimming & fishing in the Ocean - Kev Clarke

Paddle boarding: on a homemade board and with Suzie our dog.

Hanging out with grandchildren - Kev Clarke 

Dancing, Keith & Wendy Glance

​Hanging out, Alfie & Andy

Nothing like a dance to make you feel happy!

Hanging out with my best mate, Alfie Di Meo & Andy Creighan

Knitting
Yvonne Bedford.

Eating ice-cream
​Edie Mayhew

Baking
​Norma Sargent 

I started knitting when I was 11. My sister Brenda taught me. All my sisters did. I made all the boys school shirts. I knitted the babies clothes and school jumpers. It’s relaxing to knit. When I knit I think about what happened yesterday and what I am going to have for lunch. I haven’t forgotten how to knit, it just comes naturally. (Photo by Dorothy McDonald).

I love ice cream. My favourite flavour is chocolate and pistachio. They are pretty good. The most ice creams I have ever eaten was 8 scoops a day on a River Cruise in Europe. I cant remember eating that many, I think maybe Anne made that up. I like vanilla as well. I also like Magnum sometimes. (Photo by Dorothy McDonald).

I love baking for my big family, friends and for the church morning teas. I've never needed to use a recipe, they are all in my memory. Nowadays it doesn't quite taste the same. Now I enjoy baking with my daughters and grand daughters.