Before I Forget: How I Survived a Diagnosis of Younger-Onset Dementia at 46
Author: Christine
Bryden
Genre: Non
Fiction – Real Life
Publication date: 28
August 2015
Synopsis
'Some days all I want to do is give up the constant, exhausting
struggle and stop trying to be normal. But I can't. It's not in me to
walk away from a fight. I'll keep fighting and telling my story. Before I
forget.'
When she was just 46, Christine Bryden – a brilliant biochemist, science advisor to the prime minister and single mother of three daughters – was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Doctors told her to get her affairs in order, as she would soon be incapable of doing so. Twenty years later, she is still thriving, still working hard to rewire her brain even as it loses its function.
The unusually slow progress of her condition puts Christine in a unique position to describe the lived experience of dementia, a condition that affects 1800 new Australians each week. She shares what it's like to start grasping for words that used to come so easily. To suddenly realise you don't remember how to drive. To be exhausted from the effort of thinking, smiling, talking; of trying to appear 'normal'.
In this moving, inspiring memoir, Christine looks back on her life, in an effort to understand how her brain – once her greatest asset, now her greatest challenge – works now. She takes us through being a gifted child and then a troubled adolescent, examines how she survived a destructive marriage while enjoying a high-flying career, and shares the steps she takes to maximise her brain function. This is Christine's legacy for people with dementia and those who care for them.
When she was just 46, Christine Bryden – a brilliant biochemist, science advisor to the prime minister and single mother of three daughters – was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Doctors told her to get her affairs in order, as she would soon be incapable of doing so. Twenty years later, she is still thriving, still working hard to rewire her brain even as it loses its function.
The unusually slow progress of her condition puts Christine in a unique position to describe the lived experience of dementia, a condition that affects 1800 new Australians each week. She shares what it's like to start grasping for words that used to come so easily. To suddenly realise you don't remember how to drive. To be exhausted from the effort of thinking, smiling, talking; of trying to appear 'normal'.
In this moving, inspiring memoir, Christine looks back on her life, in an effort to understand how her brain – once her greatest asset, now her greatest challenge – works now. She takes us through being a gifted child and then a troubled adolescent, examines how she survived a destructive marriage while enjoying a high-flying career, and shares the steps she takes to maximise her brain function. This is Christine's legacy for people with dementia and those who care for them.
Trish's rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Inspirational, Moving stars
I don’t read a lot of non-fictional, real life stories, but when I read the blurb to Before I Forget, I was taken with Christine’s story as dementia is a disease that took the life of my grandmother. I know, it’s not exactly the same, but I saw my grandmother struggle and I always thought it was a disease for older people. How wrong was I?
This was a moving, inspirational real life story of a young woman’s struggle with younger-onset dementia.
Through her story, Christine taught me that you can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself and your worth. That hard work is what life is all about. Never give up.
Thank you to House of Rusher for providing an advanced reading copy.
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