Sad News for Terry Pratchett

[One Skunk Todd]

http://www.paulkidby.com/news/index.html

:(

[Noclevername]

Any clue as to what waits beyond that link besides "bad news"?

[hhEb09'1]

I dunno either, probably Mr Deeth

[ABR.]

Actually, Pratchett announces at this link that he has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease. He sounds pretty upbeat, all things considered.

[Jeff Root]

He isn't dead, he says. Unfortunately, his end may be above
his horizon. But he hopes to complete several more books, first.

-- Jeff, in Minneapolis

[schlaugh]

Damn.

Well, Mr. P seems to be taking the news it in characteristic stride - with humor and an upbeat outlook.

Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet :o)

[Noclevername]

Wow, that's terrible. I can only wish him the best, at least he seems to be dealing with it relatively well.

[Gillianren]

And, sadly, I am not a high-end expert in brain chemistry. So there's nothing I can do.

I met him once, at his last speaking engagement up in Seattle. (Seattle's his biggest US audience every time, apparently.) He's a very sweet guy. For one thing, I got to go to almost the front of the line because I walk with a stick. Disabled people and pregnant women; that's his rule. For another, he answered a couple of questions. He was one of the nicest authors I've met. I hope the progress of the disease is very, very slow.

[sarongsong]

Early-onset Alzheimer's is a rare form of dementia that strikes people younger than age 65. Glenn E. Smith, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., answers questions about this condition...
Does early-onset Alzheimer's progress at a faster rate?
There's a perception that it does, but it's not backed up by hard data...
Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/AZ00009)Good luck, Mr. P!

[KaiYeves]

Poor guy. Haven't read his stuff, but I enjoy reading the various quotes from it posted here.