Q&A: Sylvia Bouskill

What’s changed most since your diagnosis? 

Initially loss of confidence, but now I’m fighting back. I’ve been trained as a ward sister to have control and it’s difficult dealing with uncertainty. 

I’ve been a Street Pastor in my local town centre for 10 years – trained volunteers from local churches who care for, listen to and help people out on the streets at night. I don’t do it as often as I used to because I have physical health issues as well as dementia. 

What would you take to your desert island? 

Ella Fitzgerald on CD. She’s such a blessing to me, I love the way she sings. 

How has Alzheimer’s Society helped you? 

Alzheimer’s Society has made an incredible difference from the start by being available to listen, help and point me to things I might like to get involved with. They were there for me immediately after my diagnosis. 

If you could go back in time, where would you go? 

The 1950s, when I could hopefully do a lot of things better. One memory that came to me was my grandma and her second husband. I don’t have many regrets, but looking back I didn’t respect them as I should. It wasn’t that I didn’t love her – I just got tied up with my own life. 

What is your most treasured possession? 

My faith. It defines everything in my life – without God, I’d be nothing.