Wendy Mitchell spent twenty years as a non-clinical team leader in the NHS before being diagnosed with young-onset dementia in July 2014 at the age of fifty-eight. Shocked by the lack of awareness about the disease, both in the community and in hospitals, she vowed to spend her time raising awareness about dementia and encouraging others to see that there is life after a diagnosis. In 2019 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford for her contribution to research. She has two daughters and lives in Yorkshire.
Very compelling . . . A really thoughtful and thorough exploration of end-of-life concerns – shared, I know, by many people with dementia diagnoses and their families. Strong and clear about your own values, you recognise and support others' choices too. -- Professor Celia Kizinger One Last Thing is wonderful .... [Wendy,] thank you for writing it, thank you for listening to so many voices and for unpicking the threads to find the details that you needed to know. Thank you for thinking aloud, for 'showing your working out,' so others can follow you along the winding road into the future . . . your book will give hope and courage to many people, because as we both know when we speak about dying we always find ourselves reflecting on living. This beautiful book is an uplifting and courageous read, and I am incredibly proud to know you. -- Kathryn Mannix As wise and wonderful as you might imagine, having the vital conversation about death – hers & ours, in her final book. Don't duck this one: you will be glad you joined her. -- Professor Tom Shakespeare