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Terry Pratchett diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Posted in: Press Room on 12th December 2007 by UKSFBN admin

In an open letter on Discworld artist Paul Kidby's website, legendary fantasy humourist Terry Pratchett has announced that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

The full text of the letter reads:

AN EMBUGGERANCE

Folks,

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".

We are taking it fairly philosophically down here and possibly with a mild optimism. For now work is continuing on the completion of Nation and the basic notes are already being laid down for Unseen Academicals. All other things being equal, I expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments but will discuss things with the various organisers. 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)

Terry Pratchett

P.S. 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.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the condition should refer to the websites of the Alzheimer's Society, the Alzheimer's Research Trust or other registered charities.

Source: via www.sfscope.com


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