The Thousand Mile Stare: One Family's Journey through the Struggle and Science of Alzheimer's

Author: Gary ReiswigPublisher: Nicholas BrealeyHardcover:ISBN 10: 1857885368ISBN 13: 978-1857885361When most members of the Reiswig family reach their 40s, something in their demeanor changes. A normally responsible father assigns a dangerous farm chore to a much-too-young son. A vigilant grandfather drives in front of an oncoming train. And they all develop the thousand mile stare a wistful, blank gaze off into the distance, as though they are trying to find the missing pieces of themselves. A compelling and beautifully written personal account of one family s quest to beat this most dreaded disease. Each family member afflicted or not has to find their own way to meet this challenge. From In a style best called Midwestern conversational, Reiswig’s memoir reckons his family history, one riddled with loony aunts and absent-minded grandfathers. Once upon a time, his Depression-era relatives had no reason for or explanation of why so many of their kin seemed to become progressively more addled during the years beyond their fortieth birthdays. Hardscrabble Dust Bowl farmers didn’t need explanations. But as Reiswig’s parents’ generation aged, an aunt began to read about something called Alzheimer’s disease. And even though Aunt Ester May felt this could explain her husband’s memory loss and perhaps help him, the rest of the family preferred to deny any familial pattern. She persisted. Supported by Reiswig and a few of his siblings, she and the rest of the family eventually learned about and participated in studies exploring the existence of an early-onset Alzheimer’s gene. As they did, they all wrestled with the thorny issues of whether to test for the gene or not, and whether or not to have children. --Donna Chavez Review "Gary Reiswig, the last man standing in a generation ravaged by inherited, early onset Alzheimer's Disease, tells a family history like no other. His unique memoir explores the best hope that modern medical science offers to anyone facing the ultimate identity theft of Alzheimer's--especially Reiswig's own nieces and nephews, who are just now reaching the age when their destiny may express itself." --Dava Sobel, New York Times bestselling author of Galileo's Daughter, Longitude, and The Planets"A powerfully moving and extraordinary story told with a courageous heart." --Lisa Genova, author of the New York Times bestselling novel Still Alice"This powerful narrative tells not only the story of the many lives devastated by Alzheimer's, but also the tremendous courage of the people in this family who participated in research study with hope as the only tangible benefit. Someday, when a treatment is developed, and methods derived to prevent Alzheimer's disease, scientists will take the credit. But it is really the thousands of volunteers that courageously participate in research that make breakthroughs possible. Read this book." --Gerard D. Schellenberg, Ph.D., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine"Gary has given me a face, as he has to his family by writing this book. I like to believe that Gary's cousin Chuck and I are LIVING with Alzheimer's not dying from it. This book keeps our fires alive and I am grateful to him and his family for continuing to fight the war on Alzheimer's." --Kris Bakowski, diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at age 46"Gary Reiswig compassionately brings us close to the fear and suffering that he and his family endure as Alzheimer's plays itself out in each successive generation.... Studies suggest that the chances of developing the disease by age 85 is now close to 50/50. Thus, there is something very personal for us all in The Thousand Mile Stare. We all stand to face the Reiswigs' 50/50 dilemma unless we act to change the trajectory of this pending public health crisis." --William E. Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., recipient of the 2008 Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's and Related Diseases See all Editorial Reviews