Mum who lived in Leamington for decades has written book about the horror of watching daughter die of cruel illness to raise awareness and support charity

Anna and the Beast, written by Christine Reddall, is the true story of a young mum diagnosed with dementia aged 37.

Christine's daughter Anna, with whom she lived with in Leamington from 1984 to 2010, died of behavioural variant frontal temporal lobe dementia (BvFTD) in October 2017.

Christine wanted to raise awareness of the condition, to lobby for more research and show those who may encounter BvFTD where to find help and support so she wrote the book, which is due to be published next year.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Rare Dementia Support, a fundraiser for the National Brain Appeal.

Of the book, Christone said: "This is the book I have been meaning to write for quite a long time, but have not actually got around to until now.

"At times, writing it was harrowing.

"Though the awfulness of watching Anna throughout this illness will always remain in my brain, recalling it, committing it to paper, then reading what I have written, hit me like a sledgehammer at times, but if I cannot be brave enough to do this, how will people ever get to know about this awful disease?

"Unless the truth is laid out bare, warts and all, people will remain unaware that dementia can and does affect young people - people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

"However no matter what age, dementia is cruel, relentless, destructive, and all-consuming in its power to hurt and deprive people of the life they hoped for.

"Dementia is often invisible to others, especially in the early days, and is often doubted by other people, family, friends and professionals.

This means that carers can feel invalidated and disheartened - even doubting themselves.

"Shortly after Anna had died, I was invited to appear on Sky News to talk about Anna’s dementia.

"The producer asked me if I had any photos or videos they could use.

"I sent a few in that showed some of the bizarre behaviour that Anna displayed.

"The producer said that they couldn’t be used as they would be too upsetting for the viewers.

"Despite all the talk and hype in the media about ‘doing more for dementia’ there is still a massive stigma attached to dementia.

"People shy away from it.

"They are scared of it. Programmes on TV gloss over the worst symptoms, homing in on the ‘positive side’, assuring people that it is possible to live and function with dementia.

"This is true for many, but what about the ones like Anna who are so severely affected they can’t live and function normally?"

Anna and the Beast will be published by Goldcrest Books.

It will be available on Amazon as an e-book and also in paperback.