A visual diary: On dementia and caregiving | Tony Luciani | TEDxCambridge

A three-year visual diary documenting a mother with dementia and her life forgotten, poignantly rediscovered through her son's touchingly created photographs. Artist Tony Luciani shows through a participatory caregiving process that we can all learn to be more willing to help others in times of need and discover profoundly fulfilling joy while doing it. Learn more at www.tedxcambridge.com Tony Luciani is a Canadian visual artist working in the mediums of painting and photography. He is known for his interpretive realist style and exploration of the themes of nostalgia, memory, and aging. Luciani’s early painting and drawing practice was highly influenced by the Renaissance Masters and often depicts scenes of rural Southern Ontarian life and landscape. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@catstitchstudio]

This is the best TED talk I have ever seen. What a lovely man. He and his mother are so lucky to have each other.

[@danielelizabethkelly6282]

This should be mandatory for aged care workers to watch! What a beautiful man, and fantastic mother. I have worked with dementia for years and this has touched me on a different level. Bless him

[@joshgormally]

I lost my mom to Alzheimers a year and a half ago and I miss her dearly. I caregave for her for 4 years prior. I miss her so much. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@erinhilliard9347]

You got me in tears…”this is for you mom,” (photo clicks).

[@Dementialand]

My God, same story. My name is Suzka, a wild-child artist, a painter and last person one would think to be a caregiver. But when my mother was diagnosed with dementia I was drafted. I had to leave my bohemian art studio in California and move to the Chicago suburbs...in winter. I was lost looking for some book that didn't give me suicidal thoughts. Couldn't find the book I was looking for so I wrote one. 'Wonders In Dementialand'. Even the ending is great!

[@LadyTeague]

"Make the time meaningful" YES!! 💛

[@ForSeraph]

Brought me to tears. How beautiful you and your mother are. I love how you helped her become a part of this amazing creation. This is so helpful and inspiring. Bless you a million times over.

[@treeman8823]

Mamma passed away on August 25th in her 99th year. I was there in her final moments. I kept my promise to be with her. Elia Clementa Luciani (Celli), 1923 - 2021.

[@listentothis1]

nice nice, one of the best Ted Talks ever, my momma is going thru this. She's turning 90. She thinks I work in the nursing home. Its ok. its ok. You did not disapoint. THank you for sharing, thank you so much.

[@0pink00pink0]

This brought tears. You helped me see things from a perspective that truly matters...moms! Thank you for doing this TED Talk!!!

[@sofiahabtemariam6628]

Wow, what a wonderful story plus the Photographs are beyond words. Tony while you were talking about your mum brought me to tears! You are an amazing son and so inspiring 🙏🏾❤️❤️

[@Feeble_cursed_one]

It's too early in the day to be crying.... thanks for sharing

[@randyw4984]

THANK YOU, I am a live-in caregiver....The texture of your talk is just how I feel about your paintings and photographs... This is Beautiful, as are you and Momma.

[@rmsano]

I could watch this 100 time - and still laugh and cry through the whole thing.

[@mindfuleats4517]

The photographs are amazing and have brought tears to my eyes... well deserving of that standing ovation.

[@doritahenriques3641]

How wonderful and profound talk, very well done 👏 ✔️

[@marynolan3471]

And without your Mom the pictures would be very differant. Your Mom is fun. God bless you ❤️

[@deniseleblanc9663]

I lost my Dad to Alzheimer's 3-1/2 weeks ago. I felt your heart through your talk, photographs, and paintings. What a beautiful way to honor your Mom and to give the audience a glimpse into who she was before the dementia tried to erase who she was and who you know she is. Thank you for sharing.

[@christinakim8925]

That was beautiful, and I hope he is doing wonderfully

[@michellec2899]

Hello Tony, I just read your comment of your mothers passing. Much peace and comfort to you and yours,🙏🙏. It was a pleasure to meet your mother ,and her fun quirky personality,I won’t soon forget her and your compassion. Perhaps this would be a wonderful thing to share with the board of education, as I learn by doing ,and I think our youth today can learn from this. I am a caregiver, I can tell you that my parents are my rock, funny how my husband & I moved to the same city ,to be here for them, & my husband became ill,was recently in a coma, & let me tell you ,they we here for me! My mother has dementia, and my grandmother had it too ,it’s tuff at times, but we keep on pushing forward, for everyday we find adventure. Thank you 🌺🌸🕊🕊🇬🇧🇨🇦M

[@gatorgirrrl]

Thank you Tony. You honoured your mom so beautifully.

[@yanl7843]

This is extraordinary, thank you for sharing.

[@michellec2899]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

[@lizherbst7393]

This is the most profoundly beautiful experience. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@Dolphin7707]

Toni, as I watched your magnificently transparent telling of part of your story, my eyes welled with tears and I had a lump in my throat. Just recently, my Mama was diagnosed with some form of Dementia. Thank you for confirming what I felt in my heart... And you are an amazing son, which she knows very well. 🤗

[@BLFulle]

I wish my journey with care giving were as inspiring. Caring for my mom is physically killing me.

[@jespace5193]

The best Ted presentation I ever seen so far, so emotional and visually engaging. 🤝 wish I can meet this person. Thank you.

[@naturefoodlover5919]

You are great son and person Tears comes when I see your this video

[@cherryoctopi]

What an Amazing woman!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@teresawatts9955]

I enjoyed this very much I work with people that has this disease

[@TuwinDiane]

You're an amazing man, and you obviously get it from your mom. Thanks for sharing!

[@Cmpisfly]

Beautiful!!!!

[@narmadaiddamalgoda7691]

Best TED talk!

[@lornafoster8430]

What an AHA moment indeed! This is truly a story of adventure and incredible love between an elderly mother and a creative and loving son. Both so very blessed to have each other. Hearing the candid thoughts and conversations, seeing the photos and paintings brought on so many feelings. This story is an inspiration and gift to all of us. A well deserved standing ovation!

[@retiredmona2181]

What a beautiful sensitive and raw video!!! Thank you

[@anniemody]

A TEDx Talk that is beautiful beyond words. The photographs are so sensitive and the interactive affection between mother and son is very moving to see. It was emotional to watch and I felt a connection having been a caregiver to my own mom there was deep empathy for how difficult this must have been for Tony to share his personal space in public. But it's very needed to create awareness and he has presented it in such a deeply heartfelt way

[@nishithhegde3581]

Your mom is lucky to have a son like you :)

[@thebeardmeister]

God bless you, this is just beautiful. Your Mum would be (is) so proud.

[@mtlim9146]

It is a great deed done by a son !

[@ShellyKingston]

So inspiring. I do appreciate this story. As a caregiver, I am inspired.

[@priscillawong1808]

just love this! Amazing photos and amazing lives!

[@CraigMansfield]

The guy seems really good at his crafts. I feel for him, for his pain. He's suffered too much, too close together.

[@valwest5815]

OMG Tony this was the best. I am having trouble typing this through the tears in my eyes. Bravo you have outdone yourself...Thank you for this...

[@peaceloving1]

Very Inspirational and heart touching.

[@paula3280]

What a beautiful son you are! Your mom knows that in her heart!

[@MD-vk8ed]

Thank you for sharing. If you read this Tony. I'm 33, an artist at heart, and caring for my 70 year old mother with late stage dementia. My heart is warmed by your story. My mom was an artist at heart, too. The dementia that has afflicted her affected her eyesight and well its a whole extra bag of worms. Maybe what I want to to say is that I will take those moments I have very dear. I get these ideas of works of art and I am very humbled that you were able to portray whats been going on in my mind and heart.

[@treeman8823]

Thank you, MD. All the best on your voyage. Keep yourself open, and welcome it all in. The experiences are there for you.

[@Dementialand]

👍👍👍👍👍 “In the long run, Suzka just lets her mother “be.” The book is full of insights about dementia without being saccharine or preachy in any way. It guides us on a valuable journey. Not only might this book be read for insight and/or entertainment, it strikes me that it would be a good companion assignment for university courses in gerontology, the life course, and aging.” - Amazon reviewer talks about 'Wonders In Dementialand'

[@hissendaud653]

I Think Most People ARE Awesome I Love Humanity

[@vishaleah8667]

💖 I love this. Making "THE CONNECTION" with a loved one who has dementia is very precious. I'm very fortunate to say I have done so with my grandma. 💖 Blessing to you and your mom. 😎

[@colorfuldays921]

I cried cause she reminds me of my nana's.. beautiful work

[@michelleoneill5141]

Amazing story & amazing people - such a strong emotional bond between them that will never die. Well done Tony & Mamma.

[@linavan56]

What a heartfelt and moving presentation of life. It truly was a reminder of so many forgotten life experiences. It was inspiring and so close to home, as my grandmother Maria Domenica Luciani also had a husband who died of phenomena leaving my grandmother to care for two young daughters in Castropignano. Her life hardships were evident in her face until she passed away 80 years later in Canada. You are truly and heartfelt and talented soul. Thank you for sharing part of your journey. Lina Van Esch

[@jaderose5127]

Thankyou for sharing this very personal time shared with you and your mother. I can empathy with you because I had a similar experience coming through a challenging time when my mother had a similar diagnosis. It brought with it some amusing times but also sensitive moments of what next? During the last 9 months of my mother’s full time care a poem read outside sisters office ....’Do not be alarmed at what you see this is our world and we are ‘Happy’ The care was outstanding and a comfort when leaving each time on our visits knowing she was in safe hands, a safe place to be! Being a professional nurse myself I appreciate all that you went through Tony and for a creative story through the eyes of those precious times with your lovely mum. 🌸

[@chrisburke2085]

JUST BEAUTIFUL, thanks for sharing

[@AirElegant]

Great story, inspiring presentation.

[@VANITAS555]

So touching

[@paulsauvan1015]

Thanks for this really beautiful sharing !

[@martineemmons3206]

Very good talk. My mom had dementia too - it's such hard road. Thank you for sharing :)

[@kendunnmusic2307]

Thanks Tony!

[@shauniebnaturalista6672]

Really extraordinary.

[@ThexBorg]

I hear ya Tony. I care for my mum as well.

[@dythaticebilici]

Thank you so much for this really good video He has really good perspective to show us with photo how is the life of person who has alzhmier it's incredible

[@MorganBuchanan]

That was beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@highereducation2018]

its Amazing

[@lixinzhang7586]

Very genuine approach. Well done!

[@KIWI7707]

Magnifique.

[@gorizirdo7]

Touched.

[@Artauraiamnyc]

Love it !

[@garlandfraley734]

Wonderful

[@tareksabbouh]

God bless you

[@taajhussein6929]

حلقة جدا رائعة بقدر ما هي مؤثرة.

[@insaneniraj8406]

I enjoy it and I loved it too

[@linobarata3615]

very good

[@carmenmendez5763]

Muy bueno

[@runneryg]

My mum had it too.

[@anonymous_23490]

Nice

[@fauziyakhan1767]

Good

[@anmolmathur3234]

❤️💓💓💕💖

[@kalo667]

👍

[@captain_code]

YOU CHANGED THE NAME!

[@ankushtagore4299]

Your mom is same like my grandma.

[@vikiv.1352]

Who's here after Everywhere At The End Of Time

[@sunrise145]

حلوه

[@martingarcia6654]

Como puedo escuchar en español

[@wesemikrf1719]

Martin Garcia 8

[@nonnaphatphunphoem7325]

Very Good 😂😂😂

[@psychology_apprentics]

2nd

[@robertadefariajeronimo8061]

What am I doing here??? O don" t speak english!! rsrs

[@Margarinetaylorgrease]

15 mins later her pad was soaked.

[@Margarinetaylorgrease]

When will you all start taking it seriously? A zero hrs contract that hardly pays the bills. £12000per yr. Spend half the day travling without pay. I'm tired, should I get a new job? Should I let them down? The staff turnover is discussing.