The first chapter can be downloaded free from www.goldenbooks.co.uk
An Amazon reviewer writes: 'Through her writings the author is somehow able to universalise the everydayness of dementia, the 'insidious creeping up slowly, wrapping its tendrils around you, gently at first then squeezing harder.' It's an emotional, evocative and very human read. It is full of tips and facts, as well as the many unknowns. While turning the pages I both laughed and cried in equal amounts (positively cathartic.) As a purely layperson I strongly recommend this book. I think it an essential and informative read for those closely around those having symptoms of dementia: family, friends and carers. I also would really hope this book gets out into the wider medical world - of which Chris has quite a bit to say. There's a very useful resource section at the back too.'
An Admiral Nurse (specialist dementia nurse) says: 'Two things make Chris an ideal story-teller. Firstly, she had the foresight to keep a diary of looking after her Mum and Dad, which means the book can trace the ups and downs of her life as a carer in accurate detail. This helps the reader to see how dementia progresses, confronting the carer with many difficult decisions. Secondly, she is (like the Mum she describes so affectionately) very curious, constantly asking herself what her parents might be thinking and feeling. This curiosity has also led her to read extensively about dementia and its effects, making her a knowledgeable guide in comparing and contrasting the experience of her parents, one of whom has Alzheimer’s, the other vascular dementia.'
The memoir is in two parts. In Part One Chris tells the dramatic family story while Part Two is more reflective, a chance to stand back and ask questions such as why did we not see all this coming? The final chapter 'Learning from dementia: losses and (a few) gains' gives a lay person's experience of dementia in rich detail.
'But Then Something Happened: A Story of Everyday Dementia' (Golden Books, ISBN: 9780957307902) is available in both paperback and Kindle formats from Amazon and can be ordered from bookshops.
For more information contact Chris at [email protected]; to download Chapter One go to www.goldenbooks.co.uk
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