In a time of despair, I met someone who helped me to move forward.


When I received my diagnosis and thought as well about my family, I found myself focusing on nothing but sad information. I despaired, thinking my life would only last a few more years, and spent my days shut away at home.
After that, I met Mr. Tanno and also Ms. Moriya, the representative of “DAYS BLG! Hachioji,” a day service in Hachioji City. From there, I was given a work “role” and a “place to stay,” and little by little I was able to look forward as I accepted myself. More than anything else, meeting other people who are also in the same situation has been a great support for me.

Expanding encounters through peer support, book publication, etc.


Although I am no longer working at the day service, I will launch “Orange Door Hachioji” in 2021 and be appointed “Tokyo Dementia Hope Ambassador” in 2023. Through lectures, peer support activities, and the Airport Universal Design Committee, I have had many opportunities to meet various people.
With the publication of “From Me, a Dementia Survivor, to You, a Teenager” from Iwanami Shoten Publishers, I have been given the opportunity to give lectures to medical/nursing students, speak at companies, and engage in a variety of other activities.
Relaxing time with family and friends
When I need a break,

I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog or having a meal with my family and other local friends. The most relaxing and reassuring time for us maybe when we can interact with our friends and family members in a natural, self-created form.
“Living in the Present” – Life goes on.

I would like to continue to think about how we can live together looking forward, not by picking up loud voices only, but by reaching out to small voices, those who are unable to speak out. I would be happy if you could look at “living in the moment,” and that we all have that “moment,” even if we forget about it when we are asked later. We are not special, just “a step ahead of you in dementia.”
By “acknowledging” dementia as it is and “knowing” it correctly, prejudice will disappear.
Life does not end when we receive a diagnosis of dementia. Our life continues.

Written by Miki Sato
Translated by Satoshi Nakano, Noriyo Washizu