An Everyone Story
Finding our way back to compassion, hope and humanity
'It was a disaster from the word go,' Barb Spriggs said when telling the story of her husband Bob's admission to the Oakden Older Persons' Mental Health Service in Adelaide. Barb had no idea that her story would launch a landmark inquiry, The Oakden Report, trigger a Royal Commission, and place her at the centre of a national scandal.
Barb's story also changed Duncan McKellar's life, a psychiatrist in the review team delving into the circumstances surrounding Bob's death. Duncan went on to lead a transformation in culture and care.
An Everyone Story explores what we might learn from Barb's story, from the stories of people who lived and worked at the Oakden Campus, and the reimagined services that followed it. It places these stories into context - of Duncan's life and learning, of our health and social care systems, and our communities. It asks why cultures of care and service go wrong and what we might do to achieve a kinder and more compassionate world. Ultimately, An Everyone Story considers what it means to be human.
What People Are Saying
“Duncan McKellar's An Everyone Story is a book that won't leave your hands or your heart. It profoundly crystallises what happens when our systems become dehumanised and how earnestly we must reach out to mend those all-too-easily neglected. As a filmmaker who's experienced the joys and challenges of sharing our lived dementia experience with the world, I know the immense value that difficult words shared can bring. This book will inspire you to be a better, more grateful human.”
— Jason van Genderen, award-winning filmmaker, Everybody's Oma, advocate for people with dementia and their carers
“Sitting at the heart of health and social care is empathy and love - the ability to feel with others and to offer care that respects every aspect of their humanity. When people, organisations and systems lose empathy and love, it is disastrous for everyone. In this personal, moving and very important book, Duncan McKellar narrates a powerful story of organisational breakdown and the impact that such failures have on the most vulnerable members of our communities. It is a story filled with sadness but also tinged with powerful hope that, even in the midst of devastation, those who seek the humanness of others can find it.”
— Reverend Professor John Swinton, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Chaplain to His Majesty, King Charles III, in Scotland
“An emotional roller-coaster that takes the reader on a journey of courageous and authentic change. Whether we are healthcare professionals, leaders, or just ordinary people hopeful of enabling positive humanity to prevail, Duncan McKellar's exploration of the transformation from toxic to flourishing culture is a humbling reminder of the importance of building compassionate, person-centred, and story-informed lives, where, through collaborative action, we learn to listen to the people we serve. Essential reading.”
