Description

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"Moving and illuminating….It is through stories like these that we begin to understand people living with Alzheimer's, and maybe—through empathy and compassion—we can heal what can't yet be cured."—Lisa Genova,, author, New York Times bestselling Still Alice

This groundbreaking multicultural anthology shares moving personal stories about the impacts of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

An estimated 5.7 million Americans are afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease, including 10 percent of those over sixty-five, and it is the sixth leading cause of death. But its effects are more pervasive: for the nearly 6 million sufferers, there are more than 16 million family caregivers and many more family members. Alzheimer’s wreaks havoc not only on brain cells; it is a disease of the spirit and heart for those who suffer from it but also for their families.

This groundbreaking anthology presents forty narratives, both nonfiction and fiction, that together capture the impact and complexity of Alzheimer’s and other dementias on patients as well as their caregivers and family. Deeply personal, recounting the wrenching course of a disease that kills a loved one twice—first they forget who they are, and then the body succumbs—these stories also show how witnessing the disease and caring for someone with it can be powerfully transformative, calling forth amazing strength and grace.
The contributors, who have all generously donated their work, include Edwidge Danticat, Julie Otsuka, Elizabeth Nunez, Meryl Comer, Greg O’Brien, Dr. Daniel Potts, Sallie Tisdale, and Nihal Satyadev. Reflecting the diversity and global nature of the dementia crisis, this anthology is published in collaboration with UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

About the Author

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Marita Golden, cofounder and president emeritus of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, is a veteran teacher of writing and an acclaimed award-winning author of more than a dozen works of fiction and nonfiction. She has served as a member of the faculties of the MFA graduate creative writing programs at George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University and in the MA creative writing program at John Hopkins University, and has taught writing internationally to a variety of constituencies. She currently lives in Maryland.

Praise For…

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"The stories in this anthology are moving and illuminating. I believe in the power of story to educate and demystify, to demolish fear and shame, to generate conversation and connectedness. To humanize. It is through stories like these that we begin to understand people living with Alzheimer's, and maybe—through empathy and compassion—we can heal what can't yet be cured."
—Lisa Genova, New York Times–bestselling author of Still Alice

"Alzheimer's can be isolating and terrifying, but when we share powerful stories like these, we begin to tear down the walls that keep it in the shadows. The powerful voices in this book shine a light full of humanity, heart, and healing to a disease that has affected so many."
—Lauren and Seth Rogen, Founders of Hilarity For Charity
 
“This anthology is terrific. It is the perfect read for those who have or have had the Alzheimer’s experience. The stories are heartfelt and real, and will make a difference in the lives of many. Another excellent piece of work from Marita Golden!”
—Goldie S. Byrd. Alzheimer's Researcher and Director, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest School of Medicine

“Here is what's so beautiful about this book: It is chock full of people sticking their necks out and telling their story. With clarity, with patience, with feeling, with faith.”
—David Shenk, cohost of the podcast The Forgetting: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's, author of The Forgetting, and creator of  the Living with Alzheimer’s Film Project

“Having lost a great grandfather to Alzheimer’s, I cannot stress enough the importance of a committed exploration of the disease. If this book were only shining light on Alzheimer’s, it would be enough but it’s more than that. It’s the fine, fine writing, full of story and beautiful language and inventiveness and wisdom. Up against Alzheimer’s is an essential read.”—Mitchell S. Jackson author of Survival Math

“A powerful collection of stories. Each one made me feel less alone against this horrible battle.”—Urban Book Reviews