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Terry Pratchett suffering from Alzheimers
11/12/2007 . Source: Jessica Martin 
Bestselling fantasy author Terry Pratchett, creator of the intelligent and greatly humanitarian Discworld series of novels, has sadly been diagnosed with a variant of the disease Alzheimers. Speaking on his diagnosis, Terry Pratchett said, "I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while, but because of upcoming conventions and of course the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems to me unfair to withhold the news. I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early onset Alzheimer's, which lay behind this year's phantom stroke."
He commented, "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)"
Alzheimer's, is a neuro-degenerative disease characterised by progressive deterioration and declining activities of daily functioning, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms - or behavioral changes - it is sadly the most common type of dementia. Familial Alzheimer's disease is an uncommon form of Alzheimer's disease (5 per cent of cases), and it is this that Terry was suggesting as the variant he had been diagnosed with.
Terry Pratchett finished by saying, "I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think - it's too soon to tell. I know it's a very human thing to say Is there anything I can do, but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry."
Since Terry's first novel, The Colour of Magic (1983), his Discworld books has spawned many related novels, short stories, cartoon and theatre adaptations, and even music inspired by the series. The first live-action screen adaptation for television, Hogfather, was broadcast on pay TV over Christmas 2006.
The best wishes of www.SFcrowsnest.com go out to Terry, along - we're sure - with all the good thoughts for the best from the Nest's readers.
Anyone looking to help create a cure for this horrid disease, might we suggest a donation to the Alzheimer's Society at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk
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