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Hey all,
I'm thinking of a writing a story dealing with the issue of Alzheimer's as part of the plot. But I don't know much about the disease, nor about the emotional journey one has to deal with when having a loved one suffer from this affliction. I did however have a grandmother suffer from lung cancer, and I wonder if the emotional journey is the same and would I just transfer my own experience with this to a different affliction? The plot of the story itself would in fact be very close to what I dealt with my grandmother (who practically raised me) but of course with the "what if?" factor thrown in.
Personally, I'm fascinated and saddened by the issue of Alzheimer's which is why i wanted to write a story that involved it, but with no personal experience would my depiction be trite and superficial?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking of a writing a story dealing with the issue of Alzheimer's as part of the plot. But I don't know much about the disease, nor about the emotional journey one has to deal with when having a loved one suffer from this affliction. I did however have a grandmother suffer from lung cancer, and I wonder if the emotional journey is the same and would I just transfer my own experience with this to a different affliction? The plot of the story itself would in fact be very close to what I dealt with my grandmother (who practically raised me) but of course with the "what if?" factor thrown in.
Personally, I'm fascinated and saddened by the issue of Alzheimer's which is why i wanted to write a story that involved it, but with no personal experience would my depiction be trite and superficial?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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Re: Advice on Research
12/05While I think that any traumatic illness is related, I think that Alzheimer's is specific, in the destruction of the mind...
maybe you could rent a show about it on Netflix, with some interviews with family members and patients...
I think the emotional impact of watching that for even an hour would be enough to make the writing very realistic...
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Re: Advice on Research
01/07If I was writing a story that dealt with alzheimer's, I would probably focus on an aspect of that disease that doesn't really seem as prevelant with other diseases. Most of the pain assosciated with Alzheimer's seems to come directly from a person's difficulty with remembering loved ones, having to relive tragic events on a daily basis, and frustration loved ones might feel towards the alzheimer's patient. I would also imagine an assosciated depression would come with having to see a person in such a condition, or if they patient has had a tragic life, having to remind them of tragedies everyday and seeing them react to it like its the first time they've heard it.
Still, I agree with watching videos documenting the disease. I'm sure there are plenty of good ones out there that would give you a medical and emotional standpoint.
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Re: Advice on Research
01/12visit a retirement community / old folks home.
talk with some of the nurses - bring them lunch / donuts.
ask about specific stories.
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Re: Advice on Research
01/15I was going to tell you something about Alzheimer's but I forgot. Wow, you have chosen a very heart wrenching subject to write about. I'm looking forward to reading it.God's speed!
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Re: Advice on Research
01/29Of course not.. you can perhaps do a self-help kind of book or write based on someone else's experience. You are interested to write therefore there should be no hindrances entertained at all :)
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Re: Advice on Research
02/07Thanks. The advice has helped me out. I think for me, watching a documentary would be most helpful. Unfortunately, I don't have netflix. But hopefully soon. I think I will also visit an alzheimer's home for a day as well. I actually performed in a show at an Alzeimer's and Dementia home a couple of times. So I think I will go back to the same home and do the research there.
Thank you for the help!
