22 Oct 2018
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au
Proceeds from the sale of a rich body of artwork by Sydney-based painter Naomi Lewis, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013 and passed away in 2017, have been donated to research at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).
“Clearly this cause is an important one for me,” said Michelle McEwing, daughter of Naomi Lewis and coordinator of the art show held at the Ewart Gallery, Workshop Arts Centre in Willoughby.
Mum’s great passions were her family, her community and painting. She would have wanted her final show to benefit a charity.
Michelle McEwing, daughter of Naomi Lewis
Ms Lewis’ paintings have been hung throughout many significant Australian buildings including Qantas first class lounges, the Hyatt in Canberra and at St Vincent’s Hospital.
The opening of the art show was held in April and was attended by family and friends of Naomi Lewis as well as representatives from CHeBA - including Co-Director Professor Henry Brodaty - and executives from Group Homes Australia, where Naomi was fortunate enough to live during her final months.
CHeBA’s Co-Director and head of the Memory Clinic at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Professor Henry Brodaty, says that vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
At CHeBA, we are leading a global research consortium which aims to improve understanding and ultimately lead to possible prevention of vascular dementia.
Professor Henry Brodaty, CHeBA Co-Director and Head of the Memory Clinic at the Prince of Wales Hospital
According to Michelle, the crippling disease robbed her mum of her joy of life but her memory is of a woman that loved with a huge heart and a loving nature that knew no limits.
“Mum was my confidant, my mentor, my role model, my life coach, my best friend and my precious, darling Mum. She filled each role with the sort of passion that inspires me. I spoke to Mum almost every day of my life and in the past 20 years two or three times a day. Every conversation ended with me telling her ‘I love you Mum’ and she would reply ‘And I love you darling, a big, big bit,’” says Michelle.
“She is the big, big bit that is now missing from my life.”
Michelle McEwing’s support of CHeBA has continued following her mother’s artshow with the inclusion of a gift to CHeBA in her own Will.
“Such extraordinary support from community members like Michelle McEwing encourages us to expand upon our research objectives and our striving toward better clinical care,” said CHeBA’s Co-Directors Professor Perminder Sachdev and Professor Henry Brodaty.
To find out more about CHeBA’s research or hosting your own community fundraiser please contact Heidi Douglass on (02) 9382 3398 or email h.douglass@unsw.edu.au.
