Jim Mann is a regular 63-year-old man in most respects, but for his Alzheimer's disease, which he was diagnosed with at the young age of 58.
Diagnoses of dementia among those of a young age is becoming more common, so the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is using popular online social media to reach a younger demographic during January's Alzheimer Awareness Month.
"British Columbians may be delayed in getting a diagnosis due to lack of awareness of the symptoms, so efforts to raise awareness about the disease is a priority for the society," said Ruby Ng, director of marketing and communications at Alzheimer Society of B.C.
The Society is adapting Mann's journal to document his real-life experiences on Twitter.
"It's not just an old person's disease, it impacts entire families," said Ng.
Mann writes notes to himself every day, and has kept a journal since his diagnosis.
The tweets from #injimsshoes explain daily struggles with the disease, all in 140 character bursts.
The posts on Twitter aren't about one facet of the disease. They are about all the events and things he has struggled with since being diagnosed.
"I'm beating myself up over not knowing where things are and so on," he posted on Jan 4. Shortly after that message he wrote, "My shortcomings are raising their ugly heads all the time."
The statements are reaching readers already.
"I read about a change in personality on the Alzheimer site. I know I have been experiencing that, but I don't understand why," one tweeter responded.
Mann was aware of Twitter prior to the campaign but hadn't used it, he says using the platform is a simple and effective method of letting other people know what they are up against.
"It makes all the difference to be prepared and be able to plan the rest of your life. I've had time to prepare, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for what is to come," said Mann.
The campaign aims to remind people if they are experiencing the same symptoms, to go to the doctor as soon as possible because the earlier the diagnosis, the earlier there can be support and medical treatment.
The society also intends to break down some of the barriers surrounding dementia.
"There is a belief that because I am physically fit, and not an old person I don't have Alzheimer's," said Mann. "I believe this campaign shows that there is life after diagnosis. The idea that I'm trying to break down the stereotype [of the disease]. Twitter is another tool to educate a broader [demographic]."
He is one of 10,000 British Columbians under 65 and living with early onset dementia, and faces many obstacles due to a lack of understanding.
"There is still a stigma," said Ng. "The content we're tweeting is appropriately personal for the Twitter forum and yet enables communication and information sharing about a topic that is still too often unspoken even in close circles.
"The stigma associated with dementia inhibits awareness, and as our recent survey findings indicate, low awareness is preventing many people from seeking a diagnosis in the early stages of the disease."
To follow Mann on Twitter visit www.twitter.com/AlzheimerBC or search #injimsshoes.
