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What I Wish People Knew About Dementia

The Sunday Times Bestseller
4.24 goodreads logo

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( 957 ratings, 128 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In What I Wish People Knew About Dementia, Wendy Mitchell shares her personal experiences living with dementia, offering insightful reflections and practical advice. Through her unique perspective, she aims to educate and raise awareness, challenging common misconceptions about the condition.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you are interested in a heartfelt and insightful perspective on living with dementia. Written by someone who experiences the condition firsthand, it offers valuable reflections and practical advice to help others understand and navigate the challenges of dementia, making it a deeply human and informative read.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Essential reading' SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE 'A book of hope' OBSERVER 'A marvellous tour of insights' THE TIMES 'A must-read... I couldn't recommend it higher' MICHAEL BALL 'Wendy Mitchell is a life-saver' FRANCES WILSON, AUTHOR OF BURNING MAN

In What I Wish People Knew About Dementia, Wendy Mitchell takes readers on a deeply intimate and enlightening journey through the intricacies of living with dementia. Diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's at the age of fifty-eight, Wendy faced a future that seemed bleak and filled with the inevitable decline associated with the disease. However, she refused to succumb to despair and instead embraced her new life, discovering along the way the resilience and capacities of the human spirit.

This transformative book is more than just a memoir; it's a guide brimming with practical advice and insights that challenge the preconceived notions surrounding dementia. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, scientific research, and evocative storytelling, Wendy dispels the myths and misconceptions that often cloud our understanding of the condition. Her narrative is infused with her characteristic humour and wisdom, making it both an educational and emotional read.

Rather than letting dementia define her, Wendy redefines what it means to live with the condition. She shares her strategies for maintaining independence, the importance of community and connection, and the essential need for empathy from those around us. By presenting a nuanced picture of dementia, Wendy fosters a deeper understanding of what those affected by the disease experience daily and how they can live fulfilling lives.

What I Wish People Knew About Dementia is a beacon of hope and a call to action. It's an invitation to see beyond the stigma, to understand the true nature of the disease, and to support those who live with it. Whether you're a caregiver, a family member, or someone seeking to learn more about dementia, Wendy's insights are invaluable. This book is an essential read for anyone looking to build a more compassionate and informed perspective on one of the most challenging conditions of our time.

Join Wendy Mitchell on this remarkable journey and find out how a diseased brain can teach us profound lessons about living fully and loving deeply amidst adversity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Wendy Mitchell’s What I Wish People Knew About Dementia is a hopeful and engaging read that combines practical advice with deep existential messages. Critics praise Mitchell’s warmth and optimism, noting the book’s unique perspective as a memoir by someone living with dementia. It's seen as essential reading for anyone touched by dementia, offering a blend of how-to guidance and a manifesto for a more informed approach to the disease. Reviews highlight its honesty, wisdom, and the uplifting portrayal of resilience and human spirit.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526634511

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Wendy Mitchell spent twenty years as a non-clinical team leader in the NHS before being diagnosed with young-onset dementia in July 2014 at the age of fifty-eight. Shocked by the lack of awareness about the disease, both in the community and in hospitals, she vowed to spend her time raising awareness about dementia and encouraging others to see that there is life after a diagnosis. She is now an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and in 2019 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford for her contribution to research. She has two daughters and lives in Yorkshire.

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