Global Play Brigade is proud to support Taking It to the Streets, a global campaign led by Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice designed to creatively “smash the silence” around dementia. The Coalition is led by GPB member Mary Fridley who, together with Dr. Susan Massad, created The Joy of Dementia (You Gotta Be Kidding) at the East Side Institute, where she is on faculty.

Officially launched in June, Taking It to the Streets will take place during the week of September 18-24, 2023 (World Alzheimer’s Month). The Coalition is asking its 815 plus members from 34 members (including several brigadiers) and those involved with partner organizations like GPB to host public-facing events, activities and conversations that present a playful and creative alternative to the fear, stigma and hopelessness surrounding dementia.

“When I first entered the world of dementia in 2013, I quickly realized that ‘what is to be is up to me’ so with the support of friends and community, my diagnosis has not been an ending but a new beginning,” shares Coalition member, poet and Dangle and Dot co-founder Nancy Nelson. “My life is full of ah-ha moments filled with sprinkles of fun, some laughter and joy amongst serious day-to-day learning about myself and dementia. I urge everyone to join us in taking it to the streets so that everyone affected by dementia can live better, longer and with purpose.”

Nancy is one of 55 million people living with dementia worldwide, a figure expected to triple by 2025. And yet, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias continue to be dominated by a stigma- and shame-filled ‘tragedy narrative’ that, according to Mary, has led to this very human condition being surrounded by an isolating “cone of silence.” 

As she shares, “As we’ve learned from those who helped bring AIDS, autism, disability, cancer and so much more ‘out of the closet. If this is to change, we need to win the hearts and minds of people across the world so that together we can shatter the silence. That’s why we’ll be Taking It to the Streets in every possible community. And we’re doing so with creativity and through the arts, play and more because this is how we restore humanity to people impacted by dementia and ensure that diagnosis is a starting point for joy, connection, growth and new possibilities.”

If you’d like to learn more, visit the campaign webpage, where the “Taking It to the Streets” logo, campaign information and social media toolkit are available for download.

The Coalition also invites to you become a member (it’s free and takes a minute), which you can do by clicking here.

If you’d like to contribute your play energy to this effort — or want to speak with Mary about the Joy of Dementia and/or the Coalition — contact her here.

Let’s Take It to the Street in September!