When Peter Berry was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 50, he took an early retirement from his job working in the family’s timber business. After the devastating diagnosis, he became depressed but, being a "glass half full" personality, battled through his depression and focused on his lifelong passion for cycling. He has used this passion to raise awareness of the condition, particularly in younger people.

Peter’s whole philosophy is to live well with dementia and to inspire others to do the same. He maintains an active lifestyle due to his love of cycling, which keeps him fit both below and above the eyebrows, he says. He rides a penny farthing, a single speed bike, a road bike, and a 1950's Claud Butler, although not all at the same time – he’s good, but not that good, he jokes.

Along with his friend Deb Bunt, Peter cycles nearly every day. Their travels throughout Suffolk, England have led them to have many serious heart-to-hearts about his disease, which Deb put together in a book called Slow Puncture: Living Well with Dementia.

“It's a book about me,” Peter says, “but a book I have never read and never will read as my short-term memory means I have forgotten the previous sentence as soon as I have started a new one.”

In this episode we discuss the difficulties encountered with a dementia diagnosis at age 50, the financial pressures he’s had to overcome, and how cycling has made life with COVID tolerable.

Read Peter’s AlzAuthors Post: https://alzauthors.com/2020/12/29/early-onset-alzheimers-bunt-berry/

Start reading Slow Puncture now! https://amzn.to/3tbDsis

Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission from book sales.

Connect with Peter Berry

Website: https://peterberrylwa.wixsite.com/peterberry/the-book 

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DebBuntAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterBerryLivingWithAlzheimers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeterBe1130

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterberry8/

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

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Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.