by Norrms McNamara
My name is Norrms McNamara. Someone once told me having Lewy Body`s Type Dementia is like having two diseases: you HAVE Dementia, and you KNOW you have Dementia. The same person, a Consultant, also told me that right up to the end of life, the person with Lewy Body’s will still have moments, if not hours/days, of clarity. I lost both my Father and incredibly wonderful grandmother to Dementia. (I say that because she brought me up. I am who I am today because of her.)
I have read the book, seen the last page, read the last line, I know what happens and know what can happen unless they find a cure for this awful disease. So when I was diagnosed myself nine years ago, aged just 50, I was absolutely petrified, and with good reason.
No cure, no sign of a cure on the horizon, and after checking out what help there was available for somebody my age with dementia, which turned out to be practically non-existent, I was at a loss at what to do. I was so lucky in one way because my wife Elaine had been, and still is, a carer for 30+ years, and it was she who helped me get my diagnosis as she recognised the signs.
So what’s changed in the last nine / ten years? A huge amount actually. We now have memory cafes all over the world, we have so many groups globally connecting up and beginning to talk about this disease. We have TV adverts, politician’s talking about it in Governments, and generally a better understanding, so why, oh why, is it still in the shadows when it comes to TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS DISEASE!!?
It is only because relatives of those with Dementia and those actually living with dementia have started to write books about it that we are starting to know the real truth about this disease, and this is exactly what my book The Lewy Body Soldier is all about. This is a book written by someone who has Lewy Body’s type dementia but is still lucky enough to have the abilities, with a LOT of help, to write it, but let’s make one thing clear:
This book is not for the faint-hearted.
This book is not about Clever Medical Terms or graphs.
This book doesn’t wear rose-tinted glasses.
This book is about not only about how hard it is to live with this awful disease, how hard it is to get help etc., but ALSO a book of helpful hints about HOW to get help, what to do when you go for a diagnosis and what to do after. It’s a book of hope, but most of all it’s a book of truth, and about, as they say, “Hearing it right from the horse’s mouth.”
I am at peace with my illness. I believe every day is a bonus and every breath I take is a blessing, and no matter what happens, if I can give a little back to all those around me who have helped me along my way, then so be it.
Purchase The Lewy Body Soldier
Purchase The Lewy Body Soldier
About the Author
Founder of Global Purple Angel Dementia Awareness Campaign, now recognised in 55 Countries around the world with 860 Global Purple Angel dementia ambassador’s. To find out more please contact
Connect with Norrms McNamara
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