Abstract
This chapter is based on two presentations made by Christine Bryden, who has early onset dementia. These presentations are joined by reflection by her spiritual advisor on Christine's journey into dementia. The journey into dementia is a complex and tortuous one. The disease affects the not only the person diagnosed but their family and close friends. As the disease progresses, often friends, and even family, may stop being with, or visiting the person who has dementia. Yet, as Christine so clearly shows, it is possible to communicate with people who have dementia. Dementia is so widely feared that the mere knowledge of the diagnosis can isolate people from each other. Christine's journey is inspirational and much can be learnt from her struggles that will serve to assist others, in developing better means of working with people who have dementia and helping them to improve their quality of life, for as long as possible.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Ageing, Disability & Spirituality |
| Subtitle of host publication | Addressing the challenge of disability in later life |
| Editors | Elizabeth MacKinlay |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Jessica Kingsley Publishers |
| Pages | 134-144 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Edition | 11 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781843105848 |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |