Worldwide, there are over 55 million people who have been diagnosed with some form of dementia. Whether it is Alzheimer’s, Lewy-body, vascular, mild cognitive impairment, or another type, each of these individuals is more than their diagnosis. They are a person with a rich, vibrant history, and people who love them.
It is because of this that Before the Diagnosis: More Stories of Life and Love Before Dementia was written. Continuing in the style of Before the Diagnosis: Stories of Life and Love Before Dementia, the stories of the 23 individuals in this book introduce us to more people with a life worth remembering.
In the pages of this book, some of the people you’ll meet are a well-loved teacher, a shop owner, a good gift-giver, cyclists, parents, spouses, an acupuncturist, a family physician, a marathoner, and an artistic storyteller.
Two women who were both young when they were diagnosed with a type of dementia wrote positively about their lives since their diagnoses, with their first-hand accounts bookending the other essays.
We all need to remember that people with any type of diagnosis, whether it is a form of dementia or something else entirely, are so much more than their diagnosis. They are people. Remind people they are so much more than a medical condition. Find out about people. Share their story, and share yours as well.
I hope you are touched by what you read on the pages of this book.
Your purchase of this book supports the work of Alzheimer’s Orange County since 100% of the sales of the book are donated to them. You can find out more about the work they do at www.alzoc.org.
