Student making headlines as Alzheimer's spokesperson
January 24, 2019
King’s student Ron Robert will be appearing on CTV National News and CTV Your Morning this week to discuss his work on a new national campaign for the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Robert will be part of The Alzheimer Society’s continuing nationwide campaign “Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand” which kicks into high gear on Monday, January 7, 2019 during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
After being diagnosed with dementia, Robert decided there was only one way forward: Stay positive and get on with his life. He had a bucket list that included such goals as going to university.
The once-advisor to former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau enrolled in political science courses, first at Wilfrid Laurier University and now at King’s where he is a mature student, also taking Disability Studies, part-time. He is currently completing a research paper on the benefits of education for people with dementia.
Robert’s interview with CTV’s Avis Favaro, conducted on King’s University College’s campus, can be seen as part of the CTV National News on Monday, January 7 at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. He will also be appearing on CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday, January 8 around 7:15 a.m. He will also be a guest on London Morning, CBC Radio, 93.5 FM on Tuesday, January 8 at 8:20 a.m.
To learn more about Ron Robert, read his story at:
CTV News: Following Alzheimer's diagnosis, this 81-year-old Ont. man enrolled in university: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/following-alzheimer-s-diagnosis-this-81-year-old-ont-man-enrolled-in-university-1.4244388 and https://www.ctvnews.ca/ctv-national-news/video/2.2007?clipId=1580540
CTV News: Alzheimer awareness month - interview with Ron and Alzheimer Society of Canada's director of eduction Mary Schulz: https://www.facebook.com/CTVNewsChannel/videos/529135537585094/
CBC: How this 81-year-old King's student is fighting back against Alzheimer's: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-ron-robert-1.4969375
The Record (Waterloo): It's time to address the stigma of dementia: https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/9138405-it-s-time-to-address-the-stigma-of-dementia/
The Western Gazette: Ron Robert: 81-year-old student battling Alzheimer's: https://westerngazette.ca/culture/ron-robert--year-old-student-battling-alzheimer-s/article_f901a792-1dae-11e9-bd28-f706f149f72e.html
Western News: Classroom helps student recover past, fight future: https://news.westernu.ca/2019/01/classroom-helps-student-recover-past-fight-future/
Western University (YouTube video - Recover the past, fight the future): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkNAE0KngWc
Alzheimer Society website: https://ilivewithdementia.ca/
Alzheimer Society blog: http://alzheimersocietyblog.ca/awareness-2019-ron-robert/
The Review: Alzheimer's Awareness Month: "Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand.": https://thereview.ca/2019/01/21/alzheimers-awareness-month/
The Londoner: Living with dementia: 'I can't let it stop me,' says Windsor woman (Ron Robert is mentioned in the article): https://www.thelondoner.ca/news/local-news/living-with-dementia-i-cant-let-it-stop-me-says-windsor-woman/wcm/6dc6bf41-3844-4ebf-a587-79059fd07848
The Londoner: Life with dementia: Ron and Sue's story: https://www.thelondoner.ca/news/local-news/life-with-dementia-ron-and-sues-story/wcm/0848c8f4-6d08-4f9e-8ce6-2c286d86bbdc
Peel Region Review: Canadians with dementia lead Alzheimer Society campaign: https://peelregionreview.com/canadians-with-dementia-lead-alzheimer-society-campaign-yes-i-live-with-dementia-let-me-help-you-understand/
Good News Network: Senior Enrolls in University After Alzheimer's Diagnosis: 'It's a good thing because I was bored being retired!': https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/81-year-old-enrolls-in-university-after-alzheimers-diagnosis/
Education News Canada: Student making headlines as Alzheimer's spokesperson: https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/University/1/741192/Student-making-headlines-as-Alzheimer-s-spokesperson.html
Classroom helps students recover past, fight future: https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/region/ontario/27/742193/university-of-western-ontariojanuary-14-2019-classroom-helps-student-recover-past-fight-future.html
Editionap.ca (French language): Oui. Je vis avec l'Alzheimer: Une campagne de sensibilisation: http://www.editionap.ca/oui-je-vis-avec-l-alzheimer-une-campagne-de-sensibilisation?id=846
Daily Heralds: Alzheimer's model for us all - The Happiness Connection: https://dailyheralds.org/health/alzheimer-model-00606402
Official Press Release reprinted on
King's University College website (story from September 2017: https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/media-and-communications/newsroom/inspiring-and-inspired-mature-student-and-advocate-for-living-with-alzheimers/