DONATE
DONATE
DONATE

THE FACES OF DEMENTIA ADVOCACY CANADA

We are a grassroots group of people living with dementia and care partners. We want to influence policy, inform program development and improve access to support and services across Canada.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MARY BETH WIGHTON, CO-CHAIR

MARY BETH WIGHTON

CO-CHAIR

Mary Beth lives in Southampton, Ontario and was diagnosed in 2012 with probable frontotemporal dementia at the age of 45. Since then she has become an advocate for people living with dementia both locally and internationally as a writer, blogger, and inspirational speaker. Mary Beth is a founding member and Chair of the Ontario Dementia Advisory Group (ODAG), an organization formed in 2012 with the mandate to influence policies and practices to ensure that people living with dementia are included in decisions that affect their lives. 

Mary Beth’s work crosses many initiatives including membership on the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia established by the Federal Minister of Health providing input into Canada’s National Dementia Strategy. She is a founding member of the World Health Organization project: “Network of expert reviewers for the knowledge exchange platform of the Global Dementia Observatory.” Aside from her role as Co-Chair for Dementia Advocacy Canada, Mary Beth has also served as a witness on behalf of ODAG for the Canadian Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for its study on dementia in the Canadian society.

LISA POOLE

CO-CHAIR

Lisa is a care partner and advocate for people living with dementia from Calgary, Alberta. Her father John has Vascular Dementia.  She is the founder and editor of Dementia Connections magazine, a publication and online resource created to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and provide resources to support people living with dementia, their families and care partners, and serve as a resource for health care providers. Lisa is on multiple boards including Dementia Network Calgary’s Strategic Council, Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S. & the Brenda Strafford Foundation Dementia Friendly Communities Initiative. 

MYRNA NORMAN

Member of Executive

Myrna lives in Maple Ridge, BC. After she was diagnosed in 2009 with Frontal Temporal Dementia, feeling total and absolute despair, her daughter Sherry explained to her, ‘It is what it is’. At that moment, Myrna decided to become educated in neuro-cognitive disorders, and to become an advocate.  
Myrna’s advocacy is far reaching as she speaks on the topic with the Purple Angel Ambassadors, the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, various churches, and staff and residents of retirement and long term care homes. She recently also attended the Dementia Strategy Conference in Ottawa.   
Speaking from personal experience from diagnosis, appointments, tests, appointments, and more tests, opened Myrna’s eyes on the vast issues within the current care systems. Her belief is that we can all do so much more for our complete community of neuro-cognitive disorders, and it drives her to ensure that the therapies, education, long and short term care practices by staff are all well versed and aligned in the care required, and that offer answers and paths to a fruitful life.   

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

ava-1.jpg

FIRST LAST

TITLE

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident.

ava-1.jpg

FIRST LAST

TITLE

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident.

ava-1.jpg

FIRST LAST

TITLE

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident.

DEMENTIA ADVOCATES & MEMBERS

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

RON POSNO, B.A.(HON), M.ED., ED.D

Ron was born, raised and lives in London, Ontario and was formally assessed with Minor Cognitive Impairment in August 2016. He has earned degrees from College Militaire Royale, University of Western Ontario, Wayne State University, and the University of Toronto. Nationally recognized for curriculum innovation in special education, Ron is a former teacher, consultant and school superintendent. A tireless advocate for people with exceptional needs, Ron has lectured in thirteen universities and colleges in Canada and the United States and speaks regularly on the topic of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

© 2022 All rights reserved​ Dementia Advocacy Canada