- 21 hours ago
Debbie Speaks Out About Her Dementia
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00:00Ladies, and what a relief it is to have no gentlemen here.
00:06As a woman who has dedicated her life to building businesses,
00:11there's a few things I've learnt.
00:14Top of the list...
00:18Oh, damn it.
00:20Why don't you just read it? No-one will mind.
00:23It's two milky coffees.
00:26I ordered a black one, did I?
00:28Did I?
00:29Oh, I'm sorry, Roy, my head's all over at shop.
00:32No, you definitely did. My mistake, I'll rectify.
00:35Fine.
00:37I don't think I should be doing this speech today.
00:40Of course you should.
00:42Do you want me to beat her?
00:43No, it's a women-only event.
00:47You do look good in your dress.
00:49Very funny.
00:51You're right.
00:53I'll read it.
00:54That takes the pressure off.
00:55Good.
00:56Now, can we talk shop for a minute?
00:58I really need to get into those accounts and you've still not given me the details.
01:02Oh, let's not do numbers right now.
01:05Thanks, Roy.
01:06I've got a head full of words.
01:08And after I've finished this coffee,
01:10I'm off to register the wedding.
01:12So, it's a busy, busy day.
01:15And you're totally on top of it.
01:18Come and find me at the hotel later, yeah?
01:19We'll source it then.
01:21Interesting.
01:21Once you give me those login details,
01:22there'll be one less thing for you to worry about.
01:25Mmm.
01:26Mmm.
01:26Is that Prosecco?
01:28Yeah.
01:28Yeah.
01:29It's a cheap one from Costop.
01:30I recognise the taste.
01:32Well, I haven't taken over the bar and restaurant,
01:34so I'll make sure we do a better job next time.
01:36Well, you can get good deals on nicer brands, you know.
01:39And I'd be happy to share that information.
01:41And maybe you could, er,
01:43do a bit of, er, promo for Speed Dial in return.
01:45Mmm.
01:45Let's talk.
01:46Oh.
01:46Women in business, watch and learn.
01:49Some of us are women in business.
01:51Er, excuse me,
01:53I used to run my own cosmetics firm,
01:54I love you, no.
01:55Oh, did you?
01:56Yes.
01:57What happened?
01:59I don't know.
01:59I just got bored.
02:00Mm-hmm.
02:01Fancy a bit of a change, you know.
02:02Why doesn't that surprise me?
02:04No, I don't.
02:05I don't like to be pinned down, you know.
02:07I'm a bit of a,
02:07a bit of a free spirit.
02:09Is that a free spirit or a free loader?
02:11Yeah.
02:12Afternoon, everyone.
02:12What?
02:13All right, sir.
02:14How you doing?
02:14You're looking very corporate, sir.
02:16Well, I'm representing Underworld Management.
02:20Are you Underworld Management?
02:23Well, I'm seen as a manager, you know,
02:26by the other machinists.
02:27Although, politics is really my thing.
02:30Oh, there she goes.
02:31Did you know I used to be the mayor of Weatherfield?
02:33I did not.
02:34I'm surprised that Debbie didn't ask me to speak today.
02:37She must have forgotten.
02:39Yeah.
02:41Hey, she is the star of the show.
02:44Oh, don't.
02:45I'm a bag of nerves.
02:46Oh, you'll be brilliant.
02:48Yeah, of course she will with all your experience.
02:50That's a fizz, bit of Dutch courage.
02:52Oh, no.
02:52No, I better not.
02:54Do excuse me, ladies.
02:56I've, er...
02:56I've just got to go and prepare myself.
02:58Yeah.
02:59Yeah.
03:01I hope she's going to be all right.
03:03And if she's not, we're all here to look after her.
03:06Do you know, there's not one political speech here.
03:08It's a business event, son.
03:10Yeah, and as mayor of Weatherfield, I've spoken at many events like this.
03:15I had an entertainment deal like this.
03:18Purveyor of the pizzazz.
03:19That's me.
03:21Pray God, she doesn't burst into sorrow.
03:24Afternoon, ladies.
03:25Afternoon.
03:25Uh, Deb.
03:29What?
03:30I'm sorry, just...
03:31I really need those login details, like, now.
03:33I need to pay the mixologist for a start.
03:35They're in my notebook, in my office, left-hand drawer, inside a jiffy bag.
03:39Cheers.
03:39Sorry for interrupting.
03:40And don't be stressed, OK?
03:42You're going to be great.
03:42Good afternoon, ladies, and welcome to the fourth annual Weatherfield West Women in Business
03:56Conference.
04:02My name is Marianne, and I run a company that promotes women in the workplace.
04:08Hooray!
04:08Today, I will be introducing a fabulous array of speakers, just for you.
04:15So without further ado, here's our first speaker, Fiona.
04:23Sorry, I'm late.
04:24Let me take a moment to thank some of our sponsors.
04:26Preston's Petals for all your floral fancies.
04:29What are you doing?
04:31Following Tracy's instructions, Preston's Petals for all your floral fancies.
04:35Speed sprint, design flyers, and twisty down.
04:38And all the catering's been free to see of the Chariot Square Hotel.
04:54And now, for our next speaker.
04:57A businesswoman who I admire greatly.
05:01Who in fact owns this very hotel.
05:02Well, so please put your hands together and welcome a Weatherfield West Businesswoman of
05:09the Year, Miss Debbie Webster.
05:19Ladies, and what a relief it is to have no gentlemen here.
05:23As a woman who has dedicated her life to building businesses, there's a few things I've learnt,
05:32and I'd like to share them with you.
05:36Firstly...
05:37Oh.
05:47Erm...
05:48Just hang on a minute.
06:00What's my passcode?
06:02Should I go help her?
06:05Maybe I should take care of that.
06:07No, no, just give her a minute.
06:11I've been diagnosed with young-onset dementia, by the way.
06:16Although, to be fair, I could never remember my passcodes at the best of times, so...
06:20I wasn't going to talk about this today, but you know what, maybe I should.
06:29Because this illness is certainly going to test all the business skills I've learnt over
06:34the years.
06:38And I've had many strings to me, Beau.
06:41Before I moved into property, I was a hairdresser.
06:44Oh!
06:44I've just remembered, now, what I wanted to tell you, yeah.
06:48So, first on my list, number one.
06:52Never underestimate the power of a good hairdo.
06:58When I walk into a meeting, I want to feel sharp, confident, in control.
07:06And I think you'll find this hair, my attire conveys just that.
07:10I've no idea what number two was, but with hair like this, who cares?
07:17So, here I am, a woman in business, with dementia.
07:24Now, that was a shock.
07:28I had to sit down and take the weight off my false eyelashes for a while with that news.
07:31But I have never been afraid of a challenge.
07:38And life, just like business, it's going to keep throwing us these curveballs.
07:45Yeah?
07:46But it's how we adapt.
07:49How we cope with them, that defines who we are.
07:55I'm adapting.
07:56I've got strategies in place.
08:02Methods to help me remember things.
08:05Breathing.
08:06To help me focus.
08:08Eh?
08:08And I exercise now.
08:10Ha, ha, ha.
08:11Oh, who'd have thought that, eh?
08:12Me at the gym.
08:14The only spandex I ever wore before that was them old-it-all-in-knickers-on-a-night-out.
08:20Mary's laughing.
08:21She knows what I'm on about.
08:22Ha, ha, ha.
08:24Ha, ha.
08:26So if you were to ask me today, Debbie, how are you?
08:30I'd say, yeah.
08:32I'm great, me.
08:33I'm tickety-boo.
08:35I've got a job I love.
08:36And I'm still working.
08:39And I'm getting married soon.
08:42Yeah?
08:43Finally.
08:44Ha, ha, ha.
08:44To a wonderful man.
08:48Yeah.
08:51Yes, her life's good.
08:52Good.
08:56But I'm not daft.
09:02I know it's going to get really hard.
09:07I know what's coming.
09:09Because this is a disease of losing things.
09:18First your purse, then the ability to remember appointments.
09:24Somebody's name you've known for years.
09:25And then eventually I'm going to lose all this.
09:33Everything I've built up from nowt.
09:39But do you know what it's made me realise?
09:44More than anything.
09:45I'm going to lose my connection.
09:52To all the people that I love.
09:57My friends.
09:59Some of them are here today and I've known them for years.
10:02Sally.
10:04Glenda.
10:05Leanne.
10:06We fight like cat and dog, but we love each other, really.
10:13All my family.
10:17My husband.
10:21Then I'll lose me.
10:25I'll lose myself.
10:26But that is not yet.
10:32Oh, no.
10:34And I am going to, I'm going to cling on to all those moments of triumph, joy and happiness
10:44I can before this god-awful disease takes over.
10:48And when it does, I will face it head-on.
10:52Like the sassy businesswoman I am.
10:54Because you know why?
10:58I know who I am today.
10:59Oh, yes.
11:01I am Debbie Webster.
11:05I'm sharp, confident, in control.
11:09And I will not go down without a fight.
11:24If I wore mascara, which I don't need with these lashes, it would be running too.
11:38I can't believe I missed it.
11:40It really was a beautiful speech.
11:43Can you give us a potted version?
11:45You don't expect me to remember it, do you?
11:47She talks about a diagnosis.
11:50Hey, good for you, kid.
11:52Yeah, well, it wasn't planned, but I'm not sorry.
11:55In fact, I feel quite powerful.
11:57Hey, you should be.
11:58Ladies, allow me to introduce you to...
12:01Hey!
12:02Alfredo.
12:03Now there's a name I can't forget.
12:06How are you doing, Chuckie, eh?
12:07I'm grand.
12:07Thanks, Deb.
12:08It's looking sharp as ever.
12:10I know.
12:11This is our master mixologist, everyone.
12:15And he will cater to your every request.
12:18Well, then, then.
12:20Hi, Ralph.
12:22Did you get the account details?
12:24I did, thanks.
12:24Put everything back.
12:25Great, and you've paid all the suppliers.
12:27Yep, doing it now.
12:29So, I heard that your speech went down a storm.
12:31Yeah.
12:32Yeah, it did, actually.
12:33See?
12:34Knew you'd rinse it.
12:36And I booked a date for the wedding.
12:38March the 5th.
12:40Can't wait.
12:41Good.
12:43Because I want you to give me away.
12:46Me?
12:48Er...
12:48What about Kevin?
12:50I'd like you both to walk me down the aisle.
12:53You think he'd go for it?
12:55Well, he'll have to.
12:57You mean the world to me, Carl.
13:00Really?
13:01Yeah.
13:03More than you'll ever know.
13:05So, I always say, okay,
13:08a woman is like a tea bag.
13:11Do you always say that?
13:13Yeah, you squeeze her dry and then chuck her in the bin.
13:15I know the feeling.
13:16Have all that.
13:17No.
13:18You never know how strong she is
13:20until you put her in hot water.
13:22Oh, I used to say inspirational stuff like that in my speeches,
13:28you know, when I was very high-open politics.
13:30All right, Rachel Reeves, have a night off.
13:32I very nearly became an MP in Andalusia,
13:39and I've never touched sangria since.
13:43Who ordered a long, slow lick up the left?
13:46Oh, sweetheart.
13:48You know, I'm a bit disappointed.
13:50It's only a drink.
13:51Excuse me, is my ding-a-ling-a-tinger on its way?
13:54Or is that just the way that you're sitting?
14:01No, no, no, no.
14:04You, young lady.
14:06Oh, I like that, young.
14:08Are you sure you've not got dementia?
14:11You, young lady.
14:12Yeah.
14:12You are one of the strongest, right?
14:15So, here is to Debbie.
14:18Aw.
14:18Aw.
14:19To Debbie!
14:22Hey, Glenda,
14:23I think Alfredo's taking a bit of a shine to you, you know.
14:27I wondered why he kept looking over.
14:29Oh.
14:30Can he see this far over there?
14:32I thought he failed his driving test
14:34because he couldn't see that registration plate.
14:36Oh.
14:37Well.
14:38Right.
14:38I'm going to powder my nose.
14:40Excuse me.
14:41I hope that's not a euphemism.
14:43Hey, I am so sorry that I missed your speech, hon,
14:47but I'm really chuffed that you've, you know, come out.
14:51Oh, hey, I have, haven't I?
14:53I'll be on a float next at Dementia Pride.
14:56The face of vascular whatnots.
15:00I'll have to give him a ring.
15:02See you.
15:04All right.
15:05I'm afraid of.
15:10Steer clear, Glenda.
15:11Why?
15:12She's a bit whiffy around the pits.
15:16She don't believe in Washington.
15:17Sorry?
15:18Eight years in Holloway.
15:19You'd think she'd know how to use a bar of soap, couldn't she?
15:21Is the wedding booked or what?
15:27Well, I am getting there, Bernardina Weiner.
15:29Yes, I am getting there.
15:31Now, I've just booked myself a trendy young wedding planner.
15:36A bit wet around the gills,
15:37but I'm hoping with youth comes, um, you know, funky ideas.
15:43Because, as you know, funky, my middle name.
15:47You know, I've always longed to get married.
15:49You know, a big meringue dress and a big meringue cake thingy.
15:53You could just cut out the middle, man,
15:55just make a big load of meringue.
15:58Might be more realistic, you know.
16:00Yeah, I wonder if I've left it too late.
16:02Oh, no, never say never.
16:04You never know.
16:05Mr. Wright might be just round the corner.
16:07Or behind a bar, making cocktails.
16:13He seems to have stopped looking over now.
16:15Oh, has he?
16:17Go and ask him out, Glenda.
16:18Go on, I dare you.
16:20Oh, go on, what have you got to lose?
16:22Do it with my dignity.
16:24You'd have to locate it first.
16:26Well, if you don't, I will.
16:27Oh, hashtag don't tell Timothy.
16:30Oh, Glenda.
16:32OK, then.
16:33Yes!
16:34Oh!
16:38Come on, Glenda.
16:40Go on.
16:40Go on, she's done it.
16:41Go on.
16:43She's got it.
16:45Holloway present.
16:47You what?
16:49She told the mixologist I've just been released from Holloway.
16:52Did you?
16:54Hang on, which one are we talking about?
16:55Also, Tina.
16:58Call me Tina.
16:59If anyone really needs a washer round here, it's you.
17:02Sorry, do you know, I don't mind Chrissie,
17:04but I'm not handling Tina.
17:05Come on, have a nice.
17:06Oh, so here, have one on me.
17:07What's happening left?
17:17Oh, a newsflash.
17:18You know Joan Rivers.
17:20Oi.
17:21Right, ladies.
17:22Stop lowering the tone in my hotel.
17:25Fuck a-watching.
17:26I'm sorry, Debbie, but it's her.
17:28She told the barman I refused to wash.
17:31What'd you say that for?
17:32She said I stand.
17:34Oh!
17:37Right, come on, ladies.
17:39Let's ship-shape.
17:39We're off.
17:40Oh, wow.
17:41Where are we going?
17:41Back to mine.
17:42I'm a bit of a celebrity in here, aren't I?
17:44And we need a bit of privacy.
17:46So we'll call off and get some alcoholic beverages.
17:49My treat.
17:50Oh!
17:52Oh, Mary, can you pass me green map?
17:54Oh, damn, I have me eye on this.
17:57Right, come on, ladies.
17:57You know what we're going to do?
17:58Hold each other up tonight.
18:00Yeah, we're not going for the jugular.
18:01No.
18:02Follow thy leader.
18:04There's no taxis, because there's no taxis.
18:06There's normally loads of them going up and down here.
18:09No, I'm on the streetcar's off.
18:10It's going to be half an hour.
18:11Oh, you're joking.
18:12Sounds like a timmering.
18:14Oh, stuff that for a game of soldiers.
18:16I cannot clicky-clack one step further in these heels.
18:19Me bunions are throbbing.
18:21Right, someone will have to push me.
18:23Oh, no!
18:25I'll be ready.
18:25I'll be ready.
18:26Get me leg over.
18:28Yeah, no.
18:28Come on, come on, come on.
18:29That's been a while.
18:30Right.
18:31That's it.
18:31Oh, come on, come on, come on.
18:33This is a little bit common.
18:35Oh, no.
18:36Sally said, I remember you in miniskirts on PVC.
18:41Rainmats.
18:42And an eel on your love vibes.
18:44Oh, no, no, no.
18:45Don't you talk to me about common.
18:48Oh, I'm misremembering.
18:50I'm a mad calf now.
18:52Right, come on, ladies.
18:53Come on.
18:54Come on, come on.
18:55Come on, no.
18:55Come on.
18:56Come on.
18:57Don't worry.
18:58No, no, no.
18:58Oops.
19:02Ecky bump.
19:04Uh-oh.
19:09I don't think there's much damage, mate.
19:12You all reek of booze.
19:13Oh, that's my signature scent.
19:16I mean, a lot of people mistake it for whiskey, but oh no, it's my eau de printemps.
19:21Yeah, there's no law against having a good time, is there?
19:24In the middle of the day.
19:26Maybe I should do you all for disorderly conduct.
19:28Oh, as former man, there is nothing disorderly about me.
19:34No, me.
19:36Mia Culper, officer, this is all down to yours truly, yes.
19:43Debbie Webster, Weatherfield West Businesswoman of the Year.
19:47Two years running.
19:49Would have been three.
19:51Only, er, there was vote rigging by that sunbed place on the parade.
19:56Now is the winter of our discount time.
20:00You see, the thing is, officer, I've been going through a lot lately, yes.
20:12And you don't need to know the whys and the what-fors and the whereabouts,
20:17this is, but my good friends here, the usual suspects.
20:26You've been trying to cheer me up a bit.
20:30And as former mayor, I can confirm that, affirmatively.
20:36I wasn't mayor.
20:37I can confirm that, too.
20:39And I could have been mayor, but I haven't the time.
20:42Not with my social commitments.
20:43Sorry.
20:49Before I tell you what's wrong with me, and if you don't believe me, you can ring the health
20:57centre on Rosamond Street.
20:58Ask for Dr Sue Gaddis, or Sue, as I like to call her.
21:01We're on first name terms.
21:03They're like that.
21:04Aw, yeah, she's lovely Sue.
21:06Do you know her?
21:07Is it, Sue?
21:08I didn't know that.
21:09I did.
21:10So, let's just call what I have.
21:13Well, what would you call it, girls?
21:14You'd call...
21:15I'll tell you what you'd call it.
21:16You'd call it a medical condition.
21:18Oh, go on, then.
21:19What's wrong with you?
21:20I've got me feet are killing me itis, and I can't get back to this.
21:25Very funny.
21:27Admire your brass neck.
21:28Go on with you before I change my mind.
21:30Go on.
21:30Hey, it is a medical condition, you know.
21:35Holy tootsies.
21:36My name's Freddy Krueger.
21:38Bye, bye.
21:38See you, Freddy.
21:39See you, Freddy.
21:40Bye, Freddy.
21:41Not all disabilities are visible, you know.
21:44Hey, I'm the face of blisters, me.
21:46I'm ready to go now.
21:48I should have told him you got dementia.
21:50Why?
21:51I'm firing on all cylinders made today.
21:56I know me own son's a copper,
21:58but why do I always get an overwhelming feeling?
22:02I want to slap him when I see him in the round.
22:05Oh, hold on.
22:06You're a child of the 80s, like me.
22:10They were more foe than friend back then.
22:12Hey, I thought you were just going to come straight out of it
22:14and wave your diagnosis in his face.
22:16I thought the same thing.
22:18We're like twins, Lily.
22:20I'm getting very cheeky in my mature years.
22:24Like you'd have believed you in the first place.
22:25Oh, exactly.
22:26I am far too sexy to have a life-limiting condition.
22:30Are you allergic to strophins?
22:33Er, no.
22:34Neither am I.
22:35Is there a corkscrew in here?
22:36Cos this one's got a cork in it.
22:38Oi, move away from there, nosy for nosies.
22:40I've got one here.
22:42Hey, I know I sound like a scratch record,
22:44but I'm so proud of you, Debbie.
22:47Oh, yeah.
22:48Oh, give over.
22:49I won't be able to get my head through my turquoise door
22:51at this point.
22:55Hey, do you have any regrets in life?
22:58I'm not dead yet.
22:59I know, I know.
23:01And what do you?
23:02Er, let's see.
23:04Oh, yes.
23:05I very much regret dying me air blue
23:07for a Manchester City match in 1989.
23:11It were pre-bleached,
23:12so me old perm went green.
23:15Like your dog.
23:21And do you regret not having kids?
23:25I mean, I don't, but, you know,
23:28a lot of women do.
23:30Oh, life's too short to have regrets.
23:33Yeah, erm, you've just got to make it do, haven't you?
23:35With the cards you dealt.
23:37I'm sure we all wish we'd done more with our lives.
23:40Oh, you've done loads with yours, Sally.
23:42Have I?
23:43Yeah.
23:44You'll keep your fostering.
23:45That's really impressive.
23:46Got more patience than I have.
23:48Or a screw loose.
23:49Yeah, and you've only mentioned 78 times tonight
23:52that you used to be Lord Mac.
23:5579, actually.
24:01You see, were each and every one of us
24:04amazing in our own right?
24:07What?
24:08To all us wonderful women.
24:11Aw.
24:11Yeah.
24:12Fabulous.
24:12Fabulous women.
24:14Cheers.
24:15Nice one.
24:16And I love Lily.
24:31Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:42Cheers.
24:43Cheers.
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