Many, many wonderful opportunities have come my way since being diagnosed with dementia. None of which I would have ever thought possible when I sat in the Consulting room, bring told there was nothing they can do. I believed them, I thought it was the end….because they never told me any different……
However, as the days and months passed by, I woke up. I woke up to the fact that there was still so much I CAN do and still a life to be lived, no matter what others told me. I saw the effect on my daughters of this attitude of ‘the end’. The ignorance we shared, as we knew nothing then. But through their love and support and working together as ‘Team Mitchell’ we began to rise to the challenge.
It’s not be easy, but then nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. Some days I felt like giving in and ending it all. But then, a smile, a comment, a thank you has stirred that need to continue once more.
So why am I telling you all this? Well yesterday, I was overwhelmed and humbled. Once again I’ve been fortunate. This month 2 Universities have given me the honour of presenting me with a Doctorate – Bradford Uni is next week and yesterday my local Hull University started off a wonderful week.
I wasn’t allowed to take my iPad with me so no real time recording of the event. The best thing of all was that Sarah, Gemma and Stuart were all there with me.
I woke feeling overwhelmed with a banging head before it had even started. Usually I never get nervous, but this was a truly alien experience, after all I’d never been deemed clever enough to go to University in my youth, so this was totally unexpected in my life.
The ceremony took place at the new Bonus Arena in the centre of Hull.
I’d been given detailed instructions for the day and we were ending with a get together in my village pub. I though it was just Prof Liz coming for a cuppa, until I got emails…😳😂
All the previous words were written before the event, now I’m snug at home after a very wonderful day.
Needless to say, the detail has long gone but I was allowed into the realms of academia for a VIP lunch with the Chancellor and other people before we went into the robing area. We then trooped in line into the arena…..
Lots of piccies were taken before the start but I only managed one of me and Liz, who spoke kindly about me before I received the Doctorate
And during the event as I was receiving my Doctorate, thanks to Sarah…
After the event I was met downstairs by Sarah Gemma and Stuart so time for a family piccie – 3 most very special people in my life…..
Many people came up and said kind words to me before we headed off to the village pub, where very special people joined us. All people I’d worked with at Hull….
Catherine Hart, from the Research Team gave me the most amazing momento of all the things I’d done with her team, in pictures and words…..so that, along with the certificate and brochure, made for very special keepsakes…
My batteries were dead, my head was banging and this Duracell bunny needed some silence, but what a lovely day…..
Next week Bradford for an equally overwhelming day…….
Our family joke is that now we have 2 Doctors and one nurse amongst us and only the nurse can save a life……..😂
Congratulations Wendy and very well deserved for all you continue to do.
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Well done Wendy – you continue to inspire and educate so the award was well deserved.
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Congratulations Wendy. A lovely award for you and your family.
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Congratulations Wendy. Such wonderful news and so well deserved.
Gil Graystone – The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster
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How wonderful! You absolutely deserve these honours 🙂
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Congratulations! Thank you for the frequent reminders that losing memory is a change—-not the end of living. It is helping our family navigate these uncertain times in a healthier way. Yes, you are a beautiful educator and well deserve this degree.
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Very kind thank you 🙏
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What an amazing experience Wendy. Your daughters must be so proud of you. You are indeed a very special lady.
I do hope you can relive the day & honour through photos & your daughters sharing their memories of the occasion.
Well done
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Congratulations Dr Wendy!!! I am so glad your valuable input and hard work has been recognised. Well done 🙂
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How wonderful for you & your family, I bet they were so proud of you (again!). And those robes really suit you! Congratulations, so well deserved.
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How absolutely wonderful to receive two doctorates in two weeks! Sending much love from Toronto Canada 🙂
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Many congratulations!It’s very well deserved.
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Wendy, congratulations. What an honor that is so well deserved. You continue to inspire me. Thank you.
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Wow. Well done you. What an incredible journey your life is Wendy. x
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Huge congratulations Wendy. I have just read this before I head out to deliver a Dementia Friends session. You are so inspiring and I always mention you and your book when I speak of ‘living well with dementia’. Thank you for all you do and give to others.
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Aww very kind of you thank you 🤗xx
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This is so wonderful. Congratulations!!
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Thank you ☺️
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Wonderful and congratulations!
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Thank you ☺️
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Congratulations Wendy. What an exciting time for you and your family at the moment – and very well deserved!
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Thank you ☺️
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Congratulations Wendy – so much deserved. Sending love. Xxx
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Thank you ☺️
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You are an inspiration! Congratulations for you do, your courage, your strengh. A big hug from Brazil.👏👏👏🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
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Thank you ☺️
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Many congratulations Wendy! I’m so pleased you’ve received this wonderful recognition for all your hard work.
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Thank you ☺️
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Congratulations from me, outof The Netherlands.
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Thank you 🙏
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Fabulous news and so well deserved. Congratulations my friend Dr Wendy xx
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Thank you 🤗🤗xx
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Wendy I think you have saved or rested more lives than you can imagine! Mary
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🙏🤗
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I’m so excited about this news, and in my opinion these are well deserved!
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Great day for all of you all! And the “family joke” at the end cracked me up!
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Congratulations Wendy. You’ve done more than enough to merit several doctorates – your book, blogs and tweets must add up to several theses, and the pioneering originality of your work is there for all to see. You’re pretty good at the teaching side of an academic’s responsibilities as well.
(Tim, Leeds)
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Thank you ☺️
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Well done Wendy.
I recently read your book, loved it, and have ordered several more so that you can spread the word a little more about life after a dementia diagnosis.
I think that you are fab and reading this last post brought more than a few tears to my eyes!
Keep on keeping on.
Dinah x
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So so kind of you, thank you 🙏☺️
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Congratulations Wendy, and Thank You. Well deserved honour
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Thank you ☺️
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That’s truly special Wendy, and well deserved. Congratulations 😊
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Thank you ☺️
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Congratulations! Your such an inspiration 💕
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Thank you ☺️
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Fabulous! Well done, Wendy. Well deserved.
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Thank you ☺️
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Congratulations , those doctorates are well deserved. You continue to be an inspiration
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Thank you ☺️
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How wonderful, Wendy! Congratulations!
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Thank you ☺️
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Well done and congratulations 🌹
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Thank you ☺️
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Just read your blog today! Congratulations! Overwhelmed perhaps but don’t EVER be humbled! Your contribution of support to what, l am sure, is a HUGE number of your reader/followers is more than just reason for these awards.
Love and thanks, Bob xx
Sent from my iPad
>
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Soo kind Bob thank you 🤗xx
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Congratulations Dr. Wendy…that’s such wonderful news.
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Thank you ☺️
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Very well done, and congratulations Wendy!
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Thank you ☺️
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I have dementia. I’m 51. I also have 51 one years of trauma. Clap my hands for you all for your positive reach in life and all the ones you love by your side. I know this lady, who’s mother is ill. Been sick mentally all her life. Her 51 year old daughter came to her side. As for me. I struggle with that’s happening. And I am losing the fight.
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Sending you lots of hugs.🤗🤗xxx
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Aw brilliant and the colour suits you !!! We follow you everyday big hug Veronica and Christopher xxxxx
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Awwww thank you ☺️ 🤗xxx
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Huge Congratulations Wendy – truly deserved – your insights help us so much – I read all of your blogs (and read your book of course!) 🙂 I am not sure where you get all of your energy from! 🙂
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Well I’m always saying I’d rather die of exhaustion than dementia…😊🤗x
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As Dr. Suess said, “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
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