The cover is finished, the book is ready. Now I need your support. I’m looking for your help getting this book out to people facing Alzheimer’s. I want to bring them support and encouragement, but I can’t do it alone. If you are long time followers and know who I am and what I am doing, please consider supporting. Even just $10 would be a big help. For those who haven’t been long term followers, I’ll give it to you from the top.

The Short Story

When Rundy was twenty-four years old he began caring for his grandfather who was dying from Alzheimer’s. Grandfather and grandson took a three year journey together to Alzheimer’s end. This book is the story of that journey.

With compassion, hope, and a strong dose of gritty realism, The Sea is Wide tells the story of how the wide sea of Alzheimer’s was crossed. In writing that is by turns uplifting and poignant, Rundy shares his journey of perseverance and love.

The Purpose of This Book

Alzheimer’s is a scary disease. People who are facing Alzheimer’s, whether in themselves or in a loved one, face many fears and questions. This book will be an encouragement and support to those people. I am sharing my story to pull back the curtain and shine a light into the dark corners of the Alzheimer’s journey.

There are hard parts and sad parts in the long road of Alzheimer’s, but there is also a place for love and hope. This book is so that nobody has to face Alzheimer’s alone.

Why I Need Your Support

It has taken me several years to write and refine the manuscript. After multiple revisions and many edits, the story is now complete and ready for publication. I had a professional-quality cover designed and carefully polished with extensive feedback. The complete book package is ready to print.

This is a timely book. The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s is increasing rapidly. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s and today it is the sixth leading cause of death. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages had Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million—a 40 percent increase from those currently affected. By 2050, Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple. Nearly everyone will be touched by Alzheimer’s at some time in their life—whether it is grandparent, parent, relative, friend, neighbor, or coworker. We all need to better understand how to face this disease, and help others deal with it.

I am excited by the possibility of reaching those people. My experience with caregiving has convinced me that people need this story of hope, encouragement, and perseverance. I want to give people help and encouragement through this book. I want to go out and personally help them by sharing the lessons learned from my experience. But that is a big audience to reach, and I need your help.

How you can help:

(1) Spread the word. Tell your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers about this book. The more people who hear about this book (and can tell others) the more people will be helped in their struggle with Alzheimer’s.

(2) Give a monetary donation to this campaign. It costs a significant amount of money to get a book published and to the people who need to discover it. Here’s a partial list of expenses:

•     Cost of setting up the title (ISBN, setup fees, etc)
•     Cost of printing the books
•     Cost of shipping the books
•     Expense of advertising
•     Expense of setting up a website
•     Travel expenses incurred going to speaking events to share the book

Even a contribution of $10 can bring this book to people and revolutionize their approach to Alzheimer’s and caregiving. Together, we can bring a new perspective to Alzheimer’s.

Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.

What People are Saying

“It is a must-read for those taking care of loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s and for those in the medical and nursing profession. I will definitely recommend this book to my patients and nursing students.” – Louise O’Keefe, PhD, CRNP.

“I highly recommend this book.” – Wilmer Estevez, RN

“An honest look at what daily care looks like through the eyes of a loving care-giver. I laughed, I cried, but most of all, I observed how it is possible to care for a loved one through the very bad days that are inevitable while also being grateful for every respite. […] I want to thank you for showing me that beyond all the heartache this can be a journey of love and dignity.” – Cynthia Phillips, Caregiver

“A real insight into the depth, love and reality of a caregiver and a victim of Alzheimer’s.” – Debbie Rombach, RN

“I laughed and cried my way through […] it echoed things I went through with my mother and her dementia.” – Alice Janick, Caregiver

“The Sea is Wide gives healthcare professionals an inside look at the struggles that families of those effected by Alzheimer’s face on a daily basis” – Nicole Wayman, LPN

Interview with Rundy Purdy

Why did you write the book?

I wrote The Sea is Wide to share my experience, and my grandfather’s experience, facing Alzheimer’s. My goal is to educate and encourage those facing Alzheimer’s, and provide them with hope and support.

What was your inspiration for the book?

Life inspired this book. In a sense, life wrote this book. What I experienced in three years of caring for my grandfather powerfully affected me and deeply changed me.

Also, I wrote a journal/blog while caring for my grandfather and that formed the rough base material for what would become The Sea is Wide.

What would you say to someone facing Alzheimer’s?

The journey you face is hard, but it is not meaningless. Alzheimer’s can take many things from you (or your loved one) but it does not take away worth. Most importantly, Alzheimer’s cannot touch love. Love laughs in the face of Alzheimer’s because it knows in the end it cannot be destroyed or beaten.

And finally, you don’t have to take this journey alone.

What do you plan to do with the funds you raise?

The purpose of the funds we raise is to reach as many people as we can with my story–and so encourage and support as many people as possible. A big part of the funds will be used to print and ship the books, and then also for travel expenses to go to venues and speaking engagements to share my book, my experience, and my story.

To donate, please go here. Thank you so much!