Terry Pratchett has announced he is suffering from early onset Alzheimers:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2226306,00.html
This is one of the cruellest of illnesses for anyone. For someone who relies on and takes so much enjoyment from the use of their brain as a writer it is – well it’s one of my worst nightmares.
Terry seems to be taking it with his customary humour calling it an “an embuggerance”. And I really don’t know what else to say.
I feel like I’ve been just punched in the stomach. I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.
Based on what I’ve seen of him speaking I can imagine he’s embarrassed as to the amount of attention he’s getting.
It is a bit of a shock but there are some pretty effective drugs out there, I know one sufferer who, thanks to medication, has a pretty good quality of life.
I’m hoping his books will continue to steam-roller over my remaining shelf-space for some time to come.