by B. Smith and Dan Gasby
Dan Gasby shares his journey with wife, B. Smith, from the first time they met almost 30 years ago, to the moment he knew he had fallen in love with her, their fairytale marriage, and how younger onset Alzheimer's came knocking at their door to change life forever. The book also includes a sprinkling of short chapters written by B., to help us understand the disease from her perspective.
Every page is honest, bold, and compelling, and anyone who has been touched by alzheimer's will no doubt find many parallels to their own story. So many of the thoughts and emotions Gasby speaker of were reminiscent of those I felt with my own mother during her illness., I found those passages particularly validating.
Gasby gives readers an inside look at his life with B., sharing common challenges such as taking away car keys, coping with changes in personality, and bringing in outside assistance. Along the way, he offers tips and shares valuable lessons learned. He also explores the world of science, critical need for more study participants, and reasons African Americans are at a higher risk for the disease yet historically have a lower participation rate in research studies and critical trials.
This book is many things: a memoir, a caregiving guide, an Alzheimer's research primer, and a passionate advocate's call to action. Most of all, though, it's a beautiful love story.
Reviewed by Ann Napoletan
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