21.09.2023
Why you should get involved in dementia research: Rianna’s story
A Sussex woman has spoken about losing her grandfather to dementia and how this inspired her to get involved in research.
Rianna Patterson, of Hastings, lost her grandfather, Terry Vidal, to dementia in 2013.
Following his death, she has been involved in dementia research. This included working with a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Inclusivity Panel in South London – and other organisations – to drive change so everyone can benefit from vital dementia research. The Inclusivity Panel ensures research is representative of the south London region.
She has also spoken in a video about the importance of research and why others should volunteer for studies through Join Dementia Research.
She said: “I lost him as a person and then his death was significantly difficult point in my life and I wanted to transform that pain into something that will support the community.
“I think what inspired me to get into research was experiencing first hand what dementia is like. Something I wouldn’t want anyone to go through alone.”
Watch the video below to hear her story:
Rianna's Story
Rianna Patterson lost her grandfather, Terry Vidal, to dementia in 2013. In this video, she speaks about the importance of research and why others should volunteer for studies through Join Dementia Research.
View transcript
0:055 seconds[music plays]
0:088 secondsHe was my father figure because I didn't have a father. We went fishing, we went, you know, beach walks, just regular walks.
0:1616 secondsA lot of the skills that I have today and the way I am is because of my grandfather.
0:2323 secondsWe had a few warning signs, but I think the final warning sign for us was when we were almost in a car accident and then it just kind of went downhill from there.
0:3535 secondsHe forgot how to walk, how to talk, how to eat. We went through a stage of hospital to home, to hospital to home.
0:4444 secondsI lost him as a person and then his death and that kind of, you know,
0:5252 secondswas significantly difficult point in my life.
0:5656 secondsAnd I wanted to kind of transform that pain into something that will support the community.
1:101 minute, 10 secondsI think what inspired me to get into research was experiencing first hand what dementia is like.
1:161 minute, 16 secondsSomething I wouldn't want anyone to go through alone.
1:211 minute, 21 secondsIs thinking about how your voice is then shaping the way people think, feel and develop treatments for dementia.
1:301 minute, 30 secondsThere are a number of ways that people can get involved in research. It could be a level of co-creation.
1:361 minute, 36 secondsSo creating the questions needed to share with participants and then also being a participant.
1:451 minute, 45 secondsSo answering questions or doing studies that actually record brain activity.
1:521 minute, 52 secondsMany ways to get involved in research is just depending on your interests. Please search for Join Dementia Research.
2:032 minutes, 3 secondsSign up to Join Dementia Research today www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk
Read more about her story on the NIHR website.
