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I Want to Make You Smile: A Family Memoir of Resilience in the Age of Alzheimer's shares our family's journey through the duality of grief and purpose, shedding light on the deeply personal and culturally distinct aspects of caring for a loved one with dementia in an African context. This book is a tribute to the life and legacy of our beloved sister, Smileth Ncunyiswa, affectionately known to many as "Smiza." More than a memoir, it is a call to social justice, grounded in our family's experience of home-based caregiving-an approach that embraces the humanity of Alzheimer's patients amidst the profound challenges.
A former student of Healdtown High School and St. John's College in Eastern Cape, Smiza was a dedicated educator. She served as both a teacher and school principal in Soweto. With a Master's Degree in Education, her career even took her as far away as Hungary, in Eastern Europe. Diagnosed in 2012 while attending Harvard's Educational Leadership Program in Boston, USA, as a visiting fellow, she is now in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and receiving hospice care at home.
Through a socio-biographical lens, I reveal Smiza's battle with Alzheimer's, highlighting the complex realities faced by Black individuals living with dementia in South Africa-a condition often misunderstood, underfunded, and underserved. In a society where stigma and cultural misconceptions persist, people with dementia can be left feeling dehumanized, isolated, and invisible. As a social scientist and caregiver, I bridge our personal experience with broader social realities, using a sociological lens to show that Alzheimer's is not just a personal tragedy but a public issue in urgent need of awareness and resources.
With Alzheimer's dementia rates increasing sharply among Black elders, the need for culturally sensitive support and practical caregiving solutions has become critical. I Want to Make You Smile aims to catalyze understanding, inspire social change, and provide a lasting source of support for home-based caregivers across South Africa.
This book is my most purposeful work-a prophetic mission to honor Smileth's legacy. Through a narrative that intertwines personal resilience with community empowerment, I invite readers into a discussion about human frailty, the emotional strength required in caregiving, and the resilience of those afflicted by and those supporting individuals with dementia. Together, we can forge a path of compassion and change for all touched by this illness.
