UBC Press What the Hell Happened to My Brain? book Paperback 304 pages

Kate Swaffer was just 49 years old when she was diagnosed with a formof younger onset dementia. In this book, she offers an all-too-rarefirst-hand insight into that experience, sounding a clarion call forchange in how we ensure a better quality of life for people withdementia. Kate describes vividly her experiences of living withdementia, exploring the effects of memory difficulties, loss ofindependence, leaving long-term employment, the impact on her teenagesons, and the enormous impact of the dementia diagnosis on her sense ofself. Never shying away from difficult issues, she tackles head-onstigma, inadequacies in care and support, and the media's role inperpetuating myths about dementia, suggesting ways in which we caninclude and empower people with the diagnosis. She also reflects on theways in which her writing and dementia advocacy work have taken her ona process of self-discovery and enabled her to develop a new andmeaningful personal identity.

Kate Swaffer commenced her professional career as anurse specialising in dementia and aged care. She now works as anadvocate and activist for dementia and aged care, has published manyarticles and a book of poetry, and has presented nationally andinternationally on dementia. She is a co-founder and co-chair ofDementia Alliance International, chair of Alzheimer's AustraliaDementia Advisory Committee and a co-chair of the Consumers DementiaResearch Network. She blogs at www.kateswaffer.com.