Preface. 1. A `Roller-coaster' journey since early 1998. 2. `Coming out' with dementia. 3. Let's talk about having dementia. 4. I know who I'll be when I die. Afterword. Appendix 1. Do you believe in miracles? Appendix 2. Frequently asked questions. Appendix 3. Where to go for help. Endnotes.
Truly inspirational, totally realistic account of living positively with dementia
Christine Bryden has worked in the pharmaceutical industry and as a senior executive in the Australian Prime Minister's Department. Following her diagnosis with Alzheimer's Disease in 1995, she has been instrumental in setting up local support groups for people with dementia and has addressed national and international conferences. In 2003 she was the first person with dementia to be elected to the Board of Alzheimer's Disease International. Her first book Who will I be when I die? was published in 1998 and has been translated into several languages. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Reading this book is a poignant, uplifting, indeed "spiritual"
experience. It also raises questions, for example about the
possible withdrawal of dementia-treating drugs in UK. It offers
helpful guidance about communicating with people with dementia. It
challenges us to ask how we might react in the face of a similar
diagnosis. Most of all it will change our perceptions quite
radically. The final chapter explains why Christine Bryden chose
the title she did. However, readers will need to find this out for
themselves!
*Methodist Recorder*
An enthralling account of one woman's multiple journeys or as she
prefers to call it her "roller coaster ride" as she confronts,
endures, surmounts and learns to live with the challenges posed by
her condition... [it joins] just a handful of other dementia
publications which I would describe as riveting; they have
dramatically extended my understanding and influenced my attitudes.
I have been amazed, moved and profoundly challenged... This book is
highly relevant to everyone whose lives are touched by dementia in
whatever way... Christine, we thank you for your courage, and
salute your persistent labour and achievements. We wish you and
those you love perseverance and patience throughout the remainder
of the journey and "peace at the last".
*Journal of Dementia Care*
This book, written "from the inside", is truly inspirational whilst
remaining totally realistic... This book is immensely practical.
There is wonderful guidance on how to communicate with someone with
dementia, and a further appendix on frequently asked questions
includes such issues as "Should the person with dementia continue
to drive".
*Christian Council on Ageing*
This book is very well done. The audience is people diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and their caregivers. They
will benefit by reading Christine's experience. People with
dementia will feel that they are not alone with their problems and
caregivers will be able to see how a person with dementia
feels.
*Alzheimer Society of British Columbia*
Dancing with Dementia is a powerful account of Christine Bryden's
personal journey in living with dementia, in which she continues to
explore her potential despite the disabling effect of the illness.
The book continually challenges stereotypes of dementia, and
contains much information on how it feels to live with a condition
that can often rob sufferers of dignity and respect... This is an
excellent book, full of insights into the emotional, spiritual and
social aspects of living with dementia, and what can be achieved if
the rest of us accept that dementia is as much about abilities as
disabilities.
*Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal*
In Dancing with Dementia, Christine Bryden provides a highly
personal odyssey of her 10 year journey with dementia. This
inspirational book is at once a love story, an eloquent testament
to the power of faith, an entreaty to think positively in the face
of adversity, a challenge to complacency, and an example of
successful international advocacy to include, validate and respect
a person with dementia…Bryden offers herself as an example of
someone who has overcome the negative stereotype of dementia. She
believes that people with dementia need to create an image of who
they are and who they are becoming. How they do this depends on
their personality, their life story, their health, their
spirituality and their social environment
*Ageing and Society*
Christine's Writing is clear and engaging as she tells the story of
her activism, initially at local then national level, and finally
through her membership of Alzheimer's Disease International where
she had been elected member of the board for the past two years.
Along the way she has setbacks, and struggles to communicate – but
the message of this book is very positive, and will repay the time
you spend reading it.
*Community Care*
The book is clear and engaging. It is written in a combination of
plain English and technical terminology that has clarity, but
remains non-patronising and easy to read. It challenges the way any
professional in this field may view dementia and leads the way in
suggesting there are positive things that people can achieve, and
that there should be a focus on what the person with dementia is
becoming, rather than the skills they have lost… a valuable
introduction to dementia for the recently diagnosed and their
families. It would also be a useful introduction to an occupational
therapist new to this area of work. It is also an inspiring and
motivating read for anyone working in this field.
*College of Occupational Therapists*
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