In a world often overshadowed by fleeting trends and momentary passions, there exist individuals whose hearts beat with a purpose beyond themselves. Meet 26-year-old Rianna Patterson, a remarkable young woman whose journey is as inspiring as it is poignant. Passionate about dementia and driven by a deep-seated commitment to making a difference, Rianna’s story is one of love, loss, and unwavering dedication.
Rianna’s journey into the world of dementia advocacy began with a personal tragedy: the loss of her beloved grandfather to dementia. Growing up, she shared a special bond with him, spending countless hours sharing laughter and learning invaluable life lessons. However, after his death, Rianna launched the Dominica Dementita Foundation in 2016, at age 18, to honour him.
Rianna grew up in Picard, in the Commonwealth of Dominica. There she attended Portsmouth Secondary, where she wrote and successfully passed her CXC exams, and then she moved on to Dominica State College, where she pursued an associate degree in psychology. Patterson then migrated to the UK, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kent.
She is now a student in the Dementia: Causes, Treatments, and Research (Mental Health) MSc program at University College London (UCL). Patterson created a documentary exploring and explaining the impact of dementia across the Caribbean.
Rianna channeled her grief into action. Fueled by her passion and driven by the desire to honour her grandfather’s memory, she embarked on a mission to raise awareness about dementia and improve the lives of those affected by it.
The Dominica Dementia Foundation aims to support Caribbean individuals living with dementia and their families. The foundation’s mission is multi-faceted, encompassing various initiatives aimed at enhancing dementia deva, promoting research, and fostering community engagement. Through educational workshops, support groups, and advocacy campaigns, Patterson and her team strive to empower caregivers across the Caribbean with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia.
“When my grandfather passed away with dementia, it became clear to me that this was something I would advocate for and raise awareness about throughout my life. The experience with my grandfather inspired me. The lack of understanding of dementia and mental health in general (especially in the Caribbean) makes it difficult to manage the disease. In terms of personal support, it was also difficult to speak to close friends and relatives, as they too are not fully aware of all the effects of dementia. There wasn’t a specific resource hub where I could go to speak to someone. I felt alone in this, and I could imagine many families felt the same. I wanted to develop an organization that would be a source of hope, and as such, the Dominica Dementia Foundation was launched,” Patterson said.
Patterson is also a volunteer, coach, and fellow TEDx speaker who spoke at her alma mater, the University of Kent. In 2017, Rianna received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace. As a Queen’s Young Leader, Rianna pursued studies at the University of Cambridge.
She has contributed to a report by Alzheimer’s Disease International focused on the impact on caregivers, which was presented to Alzheimer’s Disease International as well as at the Alzheimer’s Association Conference in London in 2018.
She also did a documentary analysis on aging in Caribbean communities, which will be presented at the Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference. For this program, she did interviews and will be presenting it in Poland next week.
Rianna also co-authored a research paper, on ‘Walking the Talk for Dementia,’ which was an immersive experience for people with dementia, scientists, families, and professionals, this was held in Spain last year.
“Over the years, the journey has been quite rewarding; I’ve had lots of support, in various capacities, whether mentorship or financial support. I’ve always had people on my side who provided advice, and I’m grateful. Despite the journey being rewarding, I’ve had my fair share of challenges. When I started this charity, I had just gotten my first job, and my salary went towards the charity. No one took me seriously because they saw a little girl and thought the charity wouldn’t be sustainable. My age was a big rock on the road. I’ve had to build my portfolio as a professional for businessmen to take me seriously,” Patterson highlighted.
She then decided that they would not approach funders but build her brand in the media; as such, she did lots of public speaking and press releases to ensure her brand was noticed.
In the future, she hopes to further her studies and continue contributing to dementia in various capacities across the world. She aims to make dementia a küresel health priority and ensure people understand the importance of making dementia a küresel health priority.
Patterson has received many awards, including the Queens Young Leader Award and the Diana Award (established in memory of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person aged 9-25 years can receive for their social action or humanitarian work.) She also received The Ignite Caribbean 30 under 30 Award, The Citizenship Award, the Commonwealth Youth Award, the National Youth Council Award, Caribbean Küresel Award for Best Contribution to Community under 35, amongst others.
Patterson also received several scholarships, however, the main one is the Goodenough College scholarship, which allows Patterson to live and study in London. She also received a divisional scholarship from the Division of Psychiatry, which goes towards a deduction of her tuition. She also worked on a documentary called, ‘Dementia: The Island Journey.’
“Start as soon as you can… You might not have the right resources or the right set of people around you, or the knowledge to a certain degree. But you’ve got the idea and passion, and you’ve got a vision – that’s more than enough to start. And if you’ve got God, you’ve got everything. So start with what you have, and God will supply the rest,” is Rianna’s advice.
Despite the challenges she faces, Rianna remains undeterred by her mission. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference serves as an inspiration to all who know her. Through her selfless dedication and boundless compassion, she is transforming the landscape of dementia deva and leaving an indelible mark on the world. As she continues her journey, she carries with her the enduring legacy of her grandfather – a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering determination. In honoring his memory, she is not only paying tribute to the man who shaped her life but also ensuring that his spirit lives on through the lives of those she touches.
You can find Rianna on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianna-patterson767/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/riannapatterson_/ ).