Navigating the many challenges that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis brings is a problem that many people don’t want to think about until they have no other choice.
Nate Bertone, a Salem High School alumnus, accomplished director, designer, playwright and producer, is hoping to show that the conversation around the disease can be approachable and light with the recent release of his first ever children’s book “Nana Nana”, which tells the story of a young boy and his relationship with his grandmother who is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s.
Bertone held an event last Tuesday at North Shore Music Theatre, celebrating the national book launch of “Nana Nana”, with illustrations by James Claridades. The night included a discussion with Bertone on the creation of the book and a wider conversation with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association and Hilarity for Clarity about how to use tools like comedy, music, theater, and books to open up difficult dialogues about topics like grief, loss, and Alzheimer’s.
The story is told from the perspective of a child named Nate, as he and his grandmother navigate the many changes that are associated with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. By portraying different experiences a child may have when interacting with a relative with Alzheimer’s, such as forgetting their favorite songs, name, and eventual changes in personality and behavior, Bertone hopes to give children a better understanding of the symptoms and show them it’s normal to have questions.
Bertone’s grandmother, Gertrude Bertone, passed away in 2017 after battling with Alzheimer’s for seven years.
“When I was a kid, a lot of my life was spent with my grandparents in Salem,” Bertone said. “They kind of took care of me while my parents were at work, and I just fell in love with them — they were like my best friends.”
A year after she passed away, Bertone premiered a stage play at North Shore Music Theatre called “Letters from War”, which told the story of an aging grandmother battling the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s after years of living with her adult daughter.
“For about two years, I was really confused by (Alzheimer’s) and really tried to figure out what the disease ultimately was,” Bertone said. “And being in theater, my first response was to turn those characteristics into a character in a play.”
After an overwhelmingly positive reception, Bertone was hoping to share the same messages of hope and acceptance to a younger audience who typically would not see a stage show.
“I was really trying to figure out how to tap into a new audience, and how do I use the tools that I have to help a younger audience that may not be going to the theater, and do it in a way that can outlast any stage show?” he said.
Beyond just providing children a more personalized understanding of Alzheimer’s, Bertone also saw the value in telling the story through a child’s perspective due to their inquisitive minds and capacity for “playing pretend”, which allows them to be more present and understanding when interacting with people with the disease.
“To those of us who have experienced the sadness caused by Alzheimer’s, this book is so special,” Jay Allen, a country artist, songwriter and philanthropist, said at the book launch on Tuesday. “Because of Nate’s talent and dedication, I’m confident that this witty and heart-felt work of art will bless, comfort, and educate many young lives.”
“As someone who lost my beloved grandmother to Alzheimer’s, I was warmed to the core by Nate’s loving tribute to his Nana,” said Wayne Brady, an Emmy award winning actor, singer, writer, and producer. “Being able to have a conversation about Alzheimer’s in this form, with children, is such a blessing. How wonderful to be able to teach that even though our loved ones may not remember the times we’ve had — we can remember for them.”
The book is now available for purchase on Amazon or through the publisher, Susan Schadt Press’ website at susanschadtpress.com/nana-nana.
This post was originally published on here
