Bøker av Christine Bryden

Christine Bryden was diagnosed with dementia in 1995, but her experiences do not reflect the mainstream discourse of loss of self while living with dementia. In this book she explains why people with dementia have a meaningful and continuing sense of self and calls for a different understanding of dementia that results in greater inclusion.

Insightful and inspiring presentations by the foremost dementia advocate, compiled here for the first time, provide new ways of understanding dementia and better ways to ensure that the voices of people with dementia are heard.

Christine Bryden was 46 when she was diagnosed with dementia, and in this book she describes her remarkable emotional, physical and spiritual journey in the three years immediately following. Originally published in Australia in 1998, the book is brought completely up-to-date with new material and photographs, and is a truly inspirational read.

Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. Since then she has gone on to challenge almost every stereotype of people with dementia by campaigning for self-advocacy, writing articles and speaking at national conferences. This book is a vivid account of the author's experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks. She describes how, with the support of her husband Paul, she continues to lead an active life nevertheless, and explains how professionals and carers can help. Christine Bryden makes an outspoken attempt to change prevailing attitudes and misconceptions about the disease. Arguing for greater empowerment and respect for people with dementia as individuals, she also reflects on the importance of spirituality in her life and how it has helped her better understand who she is and who she is becoming. Dancing with Dementia is a thoughtful exploration of how dementia challenges our ideas of personal identity and of the process of self-discovery it can bring about.