DEMENTIA is being highlighted in a rather novel way by a Leamington children’s author.
Lee Sterrey’s latest work turns the spotlight on the issues faced by dementia sufferers, their carers and their families.
A friend who worked as a nurse on a dementia ward saw the pressures the families and carers of dementia sufferers were under and implored Lee to find a way to support them.
The result was The Buttercup Game which reaches out to children and adults with a story of courage and making the best of things in the face of adversity.
The book is the third in the 38 year-old part-time writer’s ‘Adventures on Honey Bee Farm’ series which is inspired by the antics of the animals on the farm she, husband Darren and their two children live on.
The story focuses around Grady Grey, who loves to visit his Nana but when she starts forgetting things, Grady is left with the challenge of how to still have fun.
The former Stratford High School pupil said: “While the story is fairly simple, it provides a way for children to understand what is happening when the relative forgets things, or even forgets them.
“The whole purpose is for parents or other relatives to have that discussion, and explain to the children the differences they may see. Most importantly the story focuses on the child to be themselves and to still have fun.”
“When my friend explained the issues, I was so taken back by how much the families had to endure, that I had to help. As a children’s writer, I believe I was able to provide a way for families to explain the situation to young children.
“Even adults have told me they have used the as a tool book to understand dementia and the pressures carers face, which is more than I could have hoped for.”
When not penning animal adventures, Lee works full time for IBM.
Visit www.amzn.to/1SLJwr0 to buy ‘The Buttercup Game.’
