Terry Pratchett: The Government is 'pussy-footing' around Alzheimer’s

October 12, 2013   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia

Sir Terry Pratchett pleads for the government to invest more money in Alzheimer’s research, on a new dementia blog

By: Laura Mitchell

 AWARENESS: Terry Pratchett has launched a new Alzheimer’s blog with an attack on politics
TERRY PRATCHETT, who suffers from a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease, has launched a new blog about dementia with a funny and honest look at funding and awareness of the disease.The novelist accused the Government of “pussy footing” around dementia and insisted a huge investment needed to be made to find a cure for the degenerative condition.The top-selling author, famous for his hilarious fantasy series of Discworld novels, said that technology and a compassionate care system help “paper over the cracks” but scientific advances are key.

Sir Terry, wrote on the blog run by Alzheimers UK: “There’s more money floating around the government for research, but barely enough to buy a middling premier league striker.

“If we’re serious about this thing and want to match the fanfare with the funding, then more money needs to be found down the back of David Cameron’s sofa.”

The 65-year-old, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007, also wrote a personal reflection on society’s response to the disease and his own experiences.

“There isn’t one kind of dementia. There aren’t a dozen kinds. There are hundreds of thousands. Each person who lives with one of these diseases will be affected in uniquely destructive ways.

“I, for one, am the only person suffering from Terry Pratchett’s posterior cortical atrophy which, for some unknown reason, still leaves me able to write – with the help of my computer and friend – bestselling novels.

SUFFERING: Terry suffers from posterior cortical atrophy, a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease

There’s more money floating around the government for research, but barely enough to buy a middling premier league striker

Sir Terry Pratchett

“There is no clearly plotted pathway to the course of these diseases. Dementia attacks those facets which make us who we are, and it’s a deeply personal attack that defies prediction.”And that’s the point. Every person with dementia has a unique story to tell, and words need to be put down before they run dry… or run out.”Sir Terry became a patron of Alzheimer’s Research UK in 2008, shortly after announcing his diagnosis with posterior cortical atrophy, a form of Alzheimer’s that affects your vision.

He has donated large sums to the charity and has subsequently campaigned for greater research funding, including delivering a major petition to No.10 and countless media appearances.

The new dementia blog from Alzheimer’s Research UK will share the ideas and experiences of people living with dementia, scientists working to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and the fundraisers who support the UK’s leading dementia research charity.

There are hundreds of thousands of people in the UK living with dementia, and more than 40 per cent of the UK population know someone close with the disease.

Alzheimer’s Research UK funds more than £20million of dementia research across the UK and is a leading commentator on new dementia research findings.

To read the Alzheimer’s Research UK blog visit dementiablog.org

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/436063/

 

 

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