Customer Reviews

Dancing with Dementia: My Story of Living Positively with Dementia

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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.

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.

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!

Inspiring story of how one sufferer from ementia ivercame guge difficulties to lead a varied and fulfilling life.

I sent this to my sister who says it's a good book, has helpful ideas in dealing with someone with dementia, but mostly identifies the problems and some of the similar manifestations of someone with the problem.