Hartlepool man with dementia draws on experiences to write his first novel
52 year-old Michael Booth is raising awareness after his diagnosis at 46
A Teesside is set to become what's believed to be the world's first person living with dementia to publish a murder mystery book.
52 year-old Michael Booth has drawn on his own experience of Alzheimer’s disease after being diagnosed at 46 - just a few months after losing his mum Christine to the same disease.
He has since worked tirelessly to raise awareness around the condition – publishing a book and an information leaflet about dementia.
He is also an involvement member with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), using his lived experience to improve services.
He said: "The diagnosis was a real blow, especially after watching my mum go through it. It felt like a kick in the stomach then, and still does.
"Alzheimer’s has no cure, and I had to come to terms with that. It’s important to be open about it, because there’s still so much misinformation around it."
Forget Me Not: The Letter in the Headboard
Michael has penned a 264-page debut novel called Forget Me Not: The Letter in the Headboard.
Michael says writing the book provided him with a unique challenge. Although used to writing reports for business, as a former project manager, he found fiction to be a “real change of direction”.
Michael spent two years planning and writing the book; setting it in Hartlepool and weaving a tangled web of conspiracy stretching across Europe.
A character living with dementia plays a major role – and Michael hopes this will help readers understand more about what it is like to live with the disease.
He said: "There were days when I couldn’t spell or couldn’t hold the plot in my mind. My right-hand tremor often made typing almost impossible as well.
"But, with the amazing support of my wife, I did it. I believe it’s the first time in the world that a person living with dementia has published a murder mystery.
"I’ve had some good feedback about the book, and I just hope people enjoy the story. I really did put my all into it.”
He added: "I was told that writing a book while living with dementia isn’t supposed to be possible, and now I understand why. Honestly, it was exhausting.
“To say it was a challenge would be an understatement. I had paper notes and reminders everywhere to help me remember the plot and characters.
“I nearly gave up a few times but was determined to show what people living with dementia can do. It took a toll on my health, but I made it. I finished it.”
The book is published on Friday (24th April) and Michael already has an idea for a follow-up novel.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust support
Michael is also working on a new dementia awareness project and contributes to vital dementia pathway work within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).
He said: "I take the good days and try to hold them, then battle through the bad ones. I keep going because I still have so much to give. I want people living with dementia to know it’s not the end. It might feel like it is, but it’s not.”
Gemma Gray, an involvement and engagement facilitator with TEWV, said: “Michael is a true inspiration, and we wish him every success.
“He uses his lived experience to improve services and is a shining example of what can be achieved when services co create with the people who use them.”