It started simply as questions scribbled on a piece of paper, then typed, and stapled to other sheets of paper. Soon, Chris Manifold began to realize that his homemade approach to book-making wasn't going to cut it anymore.
"I had these papers stapled together, and it looked kind of shoddy," said Manifold of Burke, who has self-published a 134-page book called "Knowing Me, Knowing You." The book, which left the presses in early February, is designed for anyone looking to put together a comprehensive biography of their loved ones.
"What are things about your mother that you don't know, that you'd like to know?" said Manifold.
To promote the book and to raise money for the national Alzheimer's Association, Manifold is signing copies of the book at both area Burke Used Books locations, at the location in Burke on Saturday, April 2, and one at the Falls Church location on Saturday, April 9. A portion of the proceeds from each book sold there, $2, will benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
"I studied the book … and at first, I wasn't sure to make of it. But, upon further studying it, I realized what a valuable resource it can be. It presents an easy way to gather personal information about family and friends in a non-invasive way," said Betty Ransom, program director for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
IT WAS A personal connection to Alzheimer's disease that spurred Manifold to began his journey which ultimately resulted in the creation of the book. In 2001, his mother, now 64, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. The realization that he might not have many years left to learn more about her mother spurred Manifold into action.
"You always have memories, and I don't mean to belittle people's memories of their loved ones, but once you get to a certain stage, those memories are all you have, and you're not going to be able to hear more," he said.
Manifold's aunt also has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and it has affected all the members of his extended family, who all still live in central Pennsylvania, near Hanover, where he grew up.
"I never would have thought about life being that miserable to be honest," said Manifold.
So Manifold began conducting research, reading books and online questionnaires to come up with a list of questions which he thought he should ask to find out more about his family.
He tried it out on his parents, and his wife Debora, before they got married in September 2004.
"It strengthened our relationship, going over these questions together, and saying, 'Have you ever thought of asking this question that way,'" said Debora Manifold.
The book is structured in a fill-in-the-blank format, and each question has six blanks, one for each VSP, or Very Special Person, to fill in or have filled in through first-person questioning. With over 100 pages to fill, the questions run the gamut, from general information to personal history, and even the sticky questions, like "Have you ever stolen anything worth over $10? If so, what?" Another question is "Describe your wedding day."
"That's something you maybe never thought to ask your parents about, but it's really neat to find out."
Manifold said he hopes that in the process of asking the questions, those doing the asking find out more about themselves.
"As the Alzheimer's Association emphasizes and encourages "Person-Centered Care" as the best way to meet the needs of people with dementia, this handy book provides a means to gather and document the types of information essential to providing "person-centered care," said Ransom. "It would be especially useful for future caregivers if the information was gathered prior to the onset of dementia."
Manifold said he hopes to continue donating money from sales of the book to Alzheimer's Association, and he would like to donate a larger percentage of sales through his Web site, www.CSManifold.com, to the organization.
"The idea would be for families who are dealing with Alzheimer's to document the beliefs, feelings, whole person, who that person is before they can't anymore," said Manifold.