“Lewy can seem scary and sometimes funny too, but whatever Grandpa is facing our love will help him through.“
About The Book
Grandpa and Lewy is a children’s book about Lewy Body Dementia. It is a story of hope and empowerment for children touched by Lewy Body Dementia. It addresses some of the symptoms that patients face and how a child might help a loved one dealing with the disease. The book will navigate children through possible scenarios in a non-frightening way through the adventures of a sneaky squirrel. The boy in the story always finds ways to love his Grandpa through the changes that Lewy brings. The boy misses the special things that he used to do with his grandfather but, eventually realizes that the love they share is so special that nothing can change it. He promises to love Grandpa through all the changes big and small and if one day they can’t be together he promises to keep Grandpa in his heart forever. The story encourages children to handle adversity with patience, compassion and kindness. There is also a section for caregivers to help those who are raising children while caring for an ailing parent. Though it is a children’s book, we hope that it will benefit anyone dealing with aging, mental illness or dementia in a powerful and meaningful way.
Inspiration Behind Grandpa & Lewy
According to the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center, Lewy BodyDementia affects approximately 1.4 million people in the United States. Watching my own father struggle with this disease for more than 10 years was devastating. Watching my children witness Grandpa’s decline was even harder. When my father was diagnosed with Lewy Body disease 15 years ago, we thought he had two terrible diseases — Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Once we learned that it was Lewy Body Dementia, we continued to refer to it that way as no one had ever heard of Lewy Body Disease. It is now much more well known as Robin Williams, Casey Kasem and Ted Turner are believed to had suffered from it bringing more awareness in recent years. However, resources to help children understand and cope with a loved one and Lewy are scarce. Grandpa and Lewy address some of the symptoms that LBD patients face and how a child might help a loved one dealing with the disease.
Meet The Characters
Grandpa – Grandpa shares a special relationship with his grandkids. He is loving, silly, and fun. Something has changed about Grandpa lately. Grandpa has Lewy Body Dementia and is starting to look and act differently.
Lewy – Lewy is a squirrel, silly as can be balancing carefully on branches and hiding in his tree. The squirrel represents Lewy Body Dementia in a non-frightening way. He can be both silly and sneaky. Lewy works very hard to keep his acorns safe. The squirrel symbolizes energy, playfulness, balance, preparation, prudence and resourcefulness. All things that we need when dealing with Lewy Body Dementia.
The Boy – The boy in the story always finds ways to love his Grandpa through the changes that Lewy brings. The boy misses the special things that he used to do with his grandfather but realizes that the love they share is so special that nothing can change it. He promises to love Grandpa through all the changes big and small and if one day they can’t be together to keep Grandpa in his heart forever.
Book Reading
Coming Soon!
Grandpa & Lewy will be available on Amazon in early 2021!