Health

The capacity for social connection begins at birth.  In fact, it begins prior to birth, as babies can hear voices and sounds while still in the room.  Realising that the biology of human beings is so fundamentally grounded in connection pushes us to think about the care that babies need – and the support that parents need in order to provide such attentive care.

Once we fully comprehend the lasting developmental impacts of the early years, we become skilled at thinking about their implications for all stages of adulthood.  Even the link between childhood stress and the risk of dementia begins to make more sense. 

We need health care systems that prioritise relational models of care.  The growing movement for a trauma-informed lens is fully in line with this priority, which is why Suzanne actively champions this shift. 

Stories such as this one from a volunteer who works in the dementia field, and who brings her talents in knitting to that role, keep Suzanne energised:  “The inspiration for my knitted snuggle bear fidget toy,  intended to help calm people with dementia, came after I attended a study day where Suzanne Zeedyk was the keynote speaker.”