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The book was produced with the help of the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling. In his introduction to the book James writes:
“After many years of wandering in the wilderness I was diagnosed with dementia. Before and after that, I had spent my time sitting at home deeply depressed and unable to function. I had hit rock bottom. I was ostracised from life and society.
After diagnosis, there was a bewildering maelstrom of things happening, and all sorts of people streaming to my door: doctor, consultant, Community Psychiatric Nurse and people from Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia (ASAD).
Being told that I had dementia led to a door reopening after a difficult time in my life. Through ASAD I met Brenda, who took me under her wing and arranged for me to have some personal support from Marilyn (also ASAD) for a few months. Marilyn, a skilled photographer, encouraged me to start taking photographs again. I had forgotten how to use my camera and needed retraining. After some heartaches and gradual technical success, I began to develop more confidence (dementia had shattered my confidence in many ways).
I had previously only taken snaps of the children growing up, but now I looked at things in a new light and tried to produce photographs that reflected, not the stark image of the subject, but rather a mood. I hope my photographs give you a pleasant glow. But I feel it is important that the photographs show what can be achieved when someone is given person-centred help."
James' book is available from www.dementia.stir.ac.uk/publications/artspubs.htm
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