Terry Pratchett: I have Alzheimer’s

[muriel_volestrangler]

Terry Pratchett, the bestselling fantasy author, is suffering from a rare form of Alzheimer’s but would like it to be known that he is not dead yet.

In a statement posted on the website of his illustrator Paul Kidby, the author describes the diagnosis as “an embuggerance”.

He adds: “Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there’s time for at least a few more books yet.”
...
Pratchett was referred to a specialist and an MRI scan revealed areas of dead tissue, suggesting that he had suffered a "mini-stroke" at some time in the past few years and that he was now living with its legacy.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3042608.ece

Frankly, it's pretty difficult to be cheerful with news like that.

[Love Bug]

1. Bloody hell!

[dmallind]

2. A favorite of mine, and a great attitude here

I have never thought it productive to approach health issues with a fearful or negative mindset.

Hopefully our favorite sepulchurally-voiced scythe-wielding Discworld character won't be taking down the Pterry lifetimer any time soon.

[BOSSHOG]

3. I recently picked up

a book with an interesting theme:

Losing My Mind by Thomas Debaggio who has Alzheimers and he writes of his experiences with it. My Dad had Alzheimers and that is one horrible disease.

[pitohui]

6. yeah it's in my family too

i saw the book you spoke of but i didn't read it, i just can't

when i get it, let me die, there is nothing positive to be told about losing your mind and being forced to live on, without a brain, while destroying your entire family's financial future

disclosure -- one of my relatives was kept alive 20 years w. alzheimer's without her brain, yes, she made a lot of money, but it's a hell of a way to punish somebody for being rich -- you just can't win, if you are a "success" then you can be kept alive in hell for subjective forever while the hospitals and nursing homes drain your bank accounts

we talk about torture but as long it's cool to torture people who have done nothing wrong except get sick how much activism can we expect about torturing folks who are very highly likely to be criminals or involved with terrorists? we have been hardened against torture, because our own family members are tortured for no reason except profit to a nursing home -- and we can't stop it

[Withywindle]

4. Horrible news!

:cry:

I so admire his attitude, though. As always.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. LOL! That guy's hilarious! Alzheimers!

But seriously: fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!

[YOY]

7. Although Terry may be loosing his memory slowly his readers will cherish theirs

and new readers will have new memories of their own when they read Mr. Pratchett's works.

Any man who can humanize the character of "Death" the way Terry has is bound to get a soft-treatment when the reaper comes actually knocking...