Harwich councillor shares dementia diagnosis to end stigma

David Smith was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in May 2023, the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's.

David, 78, said: “I want to show people that there is life after dementia diagnosis.

“I’ve been put on medication to try and slow it down.

"When I was first diagnosed, I told all my fellow councillors. I told them I wanted to continue as long as possible, as I felt it would be best to carry on.

“They’ve been supportive, but if they ever say I should call it a day, I would."

Access - Councillor David Smith says more support is needed for people with dementia and is concerned for others who lack experience and know-how with systems  (Image: Submitted)

David was diagnosed after going to see his GP about memory loss.

He was sent for a DAT scan - a brain scan used to diagnose Parkinson's disease, before being seen by a consultant.

David said: “The consultant I see is brilliant.

"The way he told me was kind. But when he gave me six to seven books, you try and read through that and you are scared witless."

David read all the literature, which as well as describing symptoms of dementia discuss statistics about life expectancy.

Each week David writes a story from a question about his past, which he sends off to his granddaughter in Australia, with all the past memories and photographs soon to become a book.

David said: “I was a journalist for a while - I do like writing.

“They send a weekly question. I really do enjoy that and it does bring back memories I had forgotten from my childhood, my parents, that sort of thing, it does bring back lovely memories.”

David is also on a 12-week course, one day a week for two hours, which talks about memories to stimulate his mind and memory.

Another skill David keeps up is driving, with him taking a “stringent” driving test every six months with the results being sent to the DVLA to see if he is still capable.

David is till able to go to most places on his own, but fears some people will "treat you like some sort of idiot, they treat you with kids gloves" when they discover he has dementia.

Councillor - David Smith is both a Harwich town councillor and Ramsey and Parkeston parish councillor (Image: Harwich Town Council)

He has not suffered any real discrimination but is concerned what will happen when his condition deteriorates, with the possibility he will not be able to talk in a few years.

David, who is also a Ramsey and Parkeston parish councillor, says it is important to him to see out his Harwich Town Council term until 2027, when he will be in his 80s.

He said: “It’s not something to be ashamed of, not something to hide. If I had a broken leg I would tell people.

“I was quite candid with the Labour group on the council. We have a sort of monthly meeting, and at the first meeting I said I wanted to continue as a councillor.

“They thought I should - they have been so supportive.“

The town clerk and staff at both councils have also been very supportive. 

To help with his health, David walks his dog three times a day and is also eating more healthily.

He said :”I have lost of bit of weight. My senses have changed and my diet has changed - I don’t eat as much as I used to.”

Family - David Smith with his grand daughter and three of his great grand children (Image: Submitted)

As a councillor, with experience helping others navigate social care systems, David said: “You have to really ask for things - they don’t fall in your lap.

“You have to know what you are doing to ask for things. That’s one thing I think can be improved. If you don’t know what you are doing, you don’t get much help.

“I have been quite savvy with getting help for other people.

“I can claim attendance allowance but apart from that, most of it is from charities - the Alzheimer’s Society - but you have dig things out.”

Dementia has not been in his family's history. He regularly sees his family - including two grown-up children, six granddaughters and four great grandsons.

David said: “My family, especially my wife, have been brilliant, supporting me as much as they can."

Asked about the most important message he has for others, David said: “The main thing is don’t talk down to people.

“Treat people with dementia as normal people.”

David is inviting people to take part in a walk on September 21 from Dovercourt lighthouse to Harwich lighthouse, organised by the town council, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.