My Dementia Defense is more than a memoir; it is a journey of resilience, a testament to the power of personal narrative in the face of the unthinkable. A graduate of Stanford University and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Nicholson was a medical school professor, eye surgeon, and ambassador of ophthalmology to Latin America, the
Caribbean, and Spain. At age 74, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease, which had also affected his father.
Don had intended the book to be a legacy for his grandchildren, which he began writing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The creative exercise became a lifeline, a shield against the encroaching fog of forgetfulness.
My Dementia Defense gives the perspective of an experienced Alzheimer caregiver who falls victim to the same condition and may help prepare you when dementia appears in your spouse, parent, sibling, or yourself.