When my stepfather died after an eight-year battle with alzheimer’s our family was left with many unanswered questions.
During his illness doctors diagnosed everything from dementia to “just old age” but none was properly able to explain his dramatic behavioural changes.
Had we known what to expect his life – and ours – would have been so much more comfortable.
Sorour-Morris’ documentary of prominent Cape Town businesswoman Kate Jowell’s descent into Alzheimer’s should be read by anyone who has a family member or friend affected by this disease. Jowell’s story is sad yet it gives comfort to families like ours because we know now that Alzheimer’s has no class, race or age barriers, and that there are things that can be done to ease the burdens borne by the Alzheimer’s sufferer and those who have to see them through their illness.
Something on my mind by Sharon Sorour-Morris, Oshun Books, R210
Rating: 4/5