Book Nerd: I Will Never Forget: A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey Through Dementia by Elaine C. Pereira

Virtual Book Tour Dates: 6/23/14 – 7/21/14

Genres: Non-Fiction; Memoir; Aging

Blurb:

I Will Never Forget is the incredible true story of the author’s talented mother’s poignant and often humorous journey through the mystifying haze of Dementia.
Through superb stories of Elaine’s childhood, from her controversial name, tales of smoking’ dragons and the feisty teenage years, her motherBetty Ward’s wonderful character is revealed.

Over time, as their relationship evolves and a new paradigm is formed, Betty begins to exhibit goofy actions, uncharacteristic verbal assaults and bizarre thinking. Although clearly mystified by her mother’s irrational behaviors, Elaine does not appreciate the extent of Betty’s mental decline. Her amazing ability to mask the truth clouds Elaine’s vision and prolongs her denial until one cataclysmic explosion of reality over an innocuous drapery rod launches a waterfall of destructive events.

As her mother’s brilliant mind is steadily destroyed by Dementia’s insatiable appetite for brain cells, Elaine accompanies her mother on her journey. She witnesses Betty’s fascinating visions of her own mother, masterful Houdini-like disappearances and finally a stunning rally to take control of her own destiny.

I Will Never Forget is a heartwarming, humorous, honest and deeply moving story pertinent to everyone touched by the insidious effects of Dementia. Learn from Elaine’s unwitting mistakes as she weaves her way through her mother’s unpredictable disease to capture insightful and effective intervention
strategies.

See the book trailer on Youtube

Chapter 28: The Ugly Truth:

But as the adult, the nebulous abyss of being a parent to your parent is a delicate responsibility. Balancing respect and autonomy and naturally expecting them to be accurate when they tell you, I’ll be fine is a daunting challenge. Somewhere deep down, you know it’s not true. They are no longer fine.

My review:

Four stars

Copy received from Fire and Ice Book Tours for an honest review

Four stars

This was a very sweet and beautiful memoire about a daughter’s quest to help her mother with dementia. I was instantly interested in this book because I really enjoy reading peoples story. I think there is always something important to learn. “I Will Never Forget” was a very beautiful/ sad /inspiring example of that type of book. I loved Elaine was so honest and candid with her experience. I also really loved that the book didn’t focus on only the dementia but the family history. It was helpful in understanding the family unit. Little stories like how she was named Elaine made this family real and relateable.

I also really enjoyed how the author intertwined different moments from the past and the present. It felt like a conversation, someone sitting down with you and telling you their story. Elaine doesn't sugar cot the difficulties that she had when she learned her mother had dementia nor everything that followed. She also didn’t paint anyone as being super human, everyone was fallible and very human. I really admired this because when reflecting on events we tend to want to make ourselves look better, but the brutal and raw honesty is what really got to me. Elaine’s story and her mom’s battle with dementia was everyone’s story. I want to thank the author for sharing this

incredibly difficult journey. I can honestly say I feel like a better person after having read this book.

Even though the subject of dementia is not a light subject, I liked that the author didn’t make it seem like a dark subject. I thought it was a very honest and upright conversation about how she, as a daughter, struggled with taking care of her mom and her own vulnerabilities. I highly recommend and enjoyed this memoir.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Kindle

B&N Nook

Barnes & Noble

IUNIVERSE

Connect With The Author:

Elaine Pereira retired as a school Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years experience in pediatrics and a decade in adult home care. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University in OT and her Master’s in Liberal Arts. Pereira
maintains her OT licensure and holds Certifications as a Dementia
Caregiver and Practitioner. She and her husband Joseph live in
southeastern Michigan with their two big dogs Bailey and Maddee and Snoopy the cat. Together they have five adult children, Elaine’s twin daughters and Joe’s three sons and five grandchildren.

I Will Never Forget-A Daughter’s Story of Her Mother’s Arduous and Humorous Journey Through Dementia is Elaine’s first book, a memoir in tribute to her amazingly talented mother. Pereira writes for MariaShriver.com, Alzheimer’s Reading Room,
Endear For Alzheimer’s and a variety of guest blog posts. She has been featured in four television spots, Fox 2 Detroit, Living Dayton and Fox 45 Dayton and The Best of Aging magazine, April 2013 edition.

Her hobbies include golf, sewing, hand-craft projects and gardening. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States and world wide including Europe; Madeira, Portugal;
Australia; Seoul and Hong Kong.

Now she networks extensively to advance Alzheimer’s awareness and donates from each book sold to Alzheimer’s research.

Author Links:

Giveaway:

Win one of thirty print copies of I Will Never Forget. Entry is restricted to the USA! Enter through Goodreads.