Dancing with Dementia: My Story of Living Positively with Dementia [Paperback]

Christine Bryden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2005

Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. Since then she has gone on to challenge almost every stereotype of people with dementia by campaigning for self-advocacy, writing articles and speaking at national conferences. This book is a vivid account of the author's experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. She describes how, with the support of her husband Paul, she continues to lead an active life nevertheless, and explains how professionals and carers can help. Christine Bryden makes an outspoken attempt to change prevailing attitudes and misconceptions about the disease. Arguing for greater empowerment and respect for people with dementia as individuals, she also reflects on the importance of spirituality in her life and how it has helped her better understand who she is and who she is becoming.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184310332X
• ISBN-13: 978-1843103325
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Forgetting Is the Worst Part..., November 19, 2005

By 

Betty Burks "Betty Burks" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing with Dementia: My Story of Living Positively with Dementia (Paperback)

This is evidence that some people can overcome the impossible. The dreaded calamity of not being able to remember in one of its worst forms hit Christin Boden at the age of 46 when she was diagnosed with progressive Althemizer's disease. Of course, she was hit hard and set out to learn all she could about this debilitating disease. The main thing is that she did not just crawl in a corner and give up. After all, she had three children to care for, so she became an advocate for people with dementia.

She wrote a book, WHO WILL I BE WHEN I DIE? and, three years after her initial diagnosis, she married again at the age of fifty and got on with her new life. She lectured around the world for the Dementia Advocy and Support Network International. She sets forth the reality of living with this major setback. Both emotional and physical needs must be considered. Unlike Michael S. Gazzaniga's proposal in THE ETHICAL BRAIN, the consideration of euthansia was not an option.

"It's like a 115-year-old brain trying to power a 55-year-old!" In the Appendix to this book, she makes a point, "Do You Believe in Miracles?" In her case, a supporting husband, along with new drugs, and her high-level of capability have slowed down the progression of this disease. She makes suggestions for caregivers about what to do without demeaning the person.

DANCING WITH DEMENTIA is a vivid account of her tenacity in exploring the effects of memory loss. Ethical challenges are a part of life and emerges as the brain ages. Normal aging involves DNA in the early stages of forgetfulness. During the aging process, we have problems with short-term memory and being able to form new long-term memories. She shows what it is like to live with dementia, the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks, and the many difficulties in communication. Even a simple TMJ probe can cause major problems if the surgeon hits the wrong nerve, causing paralysis of that side of the face and possibly making the patient unable to speak clearly.

Like Christine Bryden, as we get older, it is necessary to keep a positive attitude and believe in miracles.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great!, October 25, 2008

By 

G. Barajas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing with Dementia: My Story of Living Positively with Dementia (Paperback)

This book was great; it clearly speaks to the reader and makes you want to more. It only has four chapters, so it's short and sweet. The information is presented in an easy to read format, and the medical terminology is defined so that the reader can understand. This book has definitely changed my views on what is like living with dementia. I recommend this to anyone who would like to know more about dementia, and especially to anyone dealing with this illness and their families.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great insight, September 30, 2007

By 

A.H.M. "daughter of someone diagnosis with a ... (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dancing with Dementia: My Story of Living Positively with Dementia (Paperback)

This book contains information that most books dealing with dementia do not - HOPE & a personal account from someone who is actually going through the disease themself! Which gives great insight to anyone connected to dementia! I would highly this book!