May 24, 2026
We’re pleased to highlight a powerful article by Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) Atlantic Fellow Colin Regan, published in the Irish Independent, which brings the lived experience of Lewy body dementia into sharp focus.
In “Living with Lewy body dementia: ‘The voices in my head became constant… and yes, sometimes I did answer’,” Regan shares the story of Wayne Baron, a Dublin-based chef diagnosed with young-onset Lewy body dementia in his early 50s. What began as subtle auditory hallucinations, initially mistaken for everyday background noise, gradually became persistent and life-altering, leading to a diagnosis that profoundly impacted both Wayne and his family.
The article offers a deeply human perspective on the condition, highlighting not only the complexity of symptoms but also the challenges of diagnosis, particularly at a younger age. It also captures the emotional realities faced by families, from uncertainty and fear to resilience and adaptation.
Importantly, the piece challenges common misconceptions that dementia only affects older adults, while emphasising the importance of awareness, early recognition, and support.
Through storytelling, this article powerfully demonstrates how lived experience can deepen understanding, foster empathy, and bring visibility to conditions like Lewy body dementia.
