Heartbreaking story of one family's journey with dementia

Book signing proves a success for author as she tells of her family’s journey with dementia in new book

The heartbreaking story of one family’s experiences with dementia took centre stage on Saturday as author J Shannell Evans held a book signing and talk to mark the book’s launch.

“I’m trying my very best not to be emotional,” said Shannell to her audience, as she went on to tell how dementia had affected her grandmother, her mother, her brother and her sister across the generations. Two of her aunts also experienced dementia. She added: “Writing this book, it was as if when I finished it, a weight lifted off me. I felt it was so important to write this story, and I hope it will help others.”

Readers queued up to buy the book and have it signed by the author during the event – with many also sharing their own experiences with family members who had dementia.

The author was joined by Wence Martin, of the Alzheimer’s Assocation, who said: “Alzheimer’s is the leading dementia diagnosis in The Bahamas - it is estimated that 2,000 Bahamians since 2023, and we know that is a very conservative estimate. When we look at the causes of dementia and whether it’s hereditary or whether there’s some genetic factors, we don’t know – and the experts haven’t proven that there is or that there isn’t a genetic link.”

He added: “The projection is by 2030, there will be 6,000 persons in The Bahamas – once again we think that is a conservative estimate – with dementia. I celebrate Mrs Evans in being able to pen a book and raise awareness.”

Expert Dr Krystle Rolle also spoke to attendees, giving advice on dealing with dementia. “To date, about 3% of men and women aged 65 and above would be diagnosed with dementia, and nearly half of persons living at age 85 and above will be diagnosed with dementia. Based on World Health Organisation standards in 2025, they estimate about 2.26% of deaths in our elderly population are due to dementia.”

She added: “Dementia is a broad umbrella of cognitive impairment. The most common in the world is Alzheimer’s disease, although in The Bahamas the most common is vascular dementia. Persons end up getting vascular dementia through blood compromise to the brain, through stress, hypertension, and diabetes. It involves progressive brain cell degeneration which eventually affects memory, thinking and behaviour.”

Experts gave advice on warning signs for people to watch for, and guidance on how they could be diagnosed and reach out to support networks.

“I do hope this book can make a difference to people,” said Shannell. “Writing it really reminded me of all that we have gone through as a family, things even I had forgotten, and I hope it is helpful to readers who might be going through the same thing.”

The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia is available in paperback at Logos bookstore in Harbour Bay, and is also available as a paperback or an ebook on Amazon.

This is the latest book from Shannell after having previously published books in a range of genres – including poetry, drama, inspiration, mystery, children’s fiction, young adult fiction and non-fiction. She is also the CEO of Joan Shannell Evans Books Publishing. She now lives in Nassau, and is the chief financial officer at her home church, having worked in church ministry for 38 years.

To learn more, visit joanshannellevansbooks.com.

BOOK LAUNCH: Author hopes story of dealing with dementia in her family will help others in their journey

Joan Shannell Evans with her new book, The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia 

Author Joan Shannell Evans tells her most personal story yet in her latest book – which tells of the devastation wrought by dementia on members of her family.

The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia tells her own story – and that of family members throughout her life who suffered from a condition that robs people of their memories, their identities, and their connection to their family.

Joan will be holding a book signing and author talk at Logos bookstore in Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday, May 30, to mark the launch of the book, from 11am-2pm – which will include the opportunity for attendees to hear advice from medical experts on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The book is a heartbreaking tale – starting when Joan was just a child growing up in Andros, trying to understand why her grandmother could no longer recognise the family and the tragedy of the end of her life.

It was a pattern that would repeat with Joan’s mother, her brother and even today with her sister.

“My mother and I lived on Andros. My mother suffered from it for more than ten years,” said Joan. “She had depression and that led into Alzheimer’s. I would bring her up to Nassau for treatments. When I started caring for my mother, I was just in my 20s and there may be young people today who are going through this. I hope my book can be a source of information and a source of comfort, and bring an awareness that some families go through that.”

For Joan, every day with her mother marked a countdown to when the condition would affect her – while with her sister, the condition manifests very differently. She said: “What my mother had was Sundown Syndrome. As the sun starts to fade in the evening, people with the condition become aggressive. There was a medication that the doctor gave her for that and we would see it is 4 o’clock, it is time for the medicine. For my sister, sometimes it lasts through the whole day.”

Joan said she hoped the book would be helpful to others going through the same journey – but also said that writing the book was for her a way to deal with the challenges she was going through.

“When I am under emotional strain, I write for comfort. I remember when my brother was in his last stage, his son was asking if this happened to everyone. I was telling him you are too young but your grandmother had this, so we had to document this for our family, and I also did it as a way to relieve my emotions. I hope that people read this and see this happens to other people too. It just shows you need help and support.”

She added: “I relived a lot of emotions. Those in the house with the patient have the burden of it – and that hasn’t really changed over the years. I came to the realisation that there were times I felt annoyed with family members and I realised they were doing the best they can. Writing the book helped me get to a place where I could release those emotions – and writing it helped me to put into perspective some of the things that happened with my mother.”

This is the latest book from Joan after having previously published books in a range of genres – including poetry, drama, inspiration, mystery, children’s fiction, young adult fiction and non-fiction. She is also the CEO of Joan Shannell Evans Books Publishing. She now lives in Nassau, and is the chief financial officer at her home church, having worked in church ministry for 38 years.

The book is available on Amazon in both print and ebook formats, and is available as a paperback at Logos, in Harbour Bay, New Providence.

Also in attendance at the event will be experts to give advice, with Wence Martin from the Alzheimer’s Association in The Bahamas to speak about the organisation’s work, and Dr Krystle Rolle speaking about dementia.

The Long Nightmare: My Family's Journey With Dementia is available on Amazon here.

 

Joan Shanell Evans’ mother, Mabel Evans, who suffered from dementia, including Sundown Syndrome

DPA announces new chapter to coincide with World Book Day – with launch of books division

For those of you who have been following my updates recently, I now work at Diane Phillips & Associates, a PR and marketing firm that was kind enough to offer me a chance for something new! And... well, DPA has something new of its own coming soon - (rather exciting!) details below.  

DPA announces new chapter to coincide with World Book Day – with launch of books division

With decades of experience in telling Bahamian stories, the public relations and marketing firm Diane Phillips & Associates (DPA) is preparing for a new chapter – the launch of a books division.

The announcement comes amid celebrations for World Book Day on April 23 – with DPA eager to help Bahamians share their voices with the world.

DPA Books & More will offer services that help shape, design and promote Bahamian books as well as organising book launches.

“Telling other people’s stories has always been at the heart of DPA,” said company founder Diane Phillips. “We have shared your stories on the pages of our nation’s newspapers, on TV and radio, on social media and to listeners and readers far beyond our borders.”

Now, she said, both the time and the team are right to boost books and authors with a story to tell, giving life to everything from the short story to the full-length epoch, inviting readers to hear the tales of individual, corporate and institutional stories.

The firm has expanded with skilled graphic artists and creative social media content specialists. Most recently, DPA landed former Tribune managing editor Stephen Hunt, who has published 16 books in recent years.

“We cannot wait to hear from people who want their stories heard,” he said. “Our team is full of book lovers – for World Book Day on April 23, our team shared the books they love on our social media. Follow us, and share the stories you love too. We look forward to hearing from you.”

“I did it the hard way and learned the right way, as a journalist for many years,” said Phillips. “Now I am surrounded by talent in the office every day as we tell others’ stories and the book division is a natural step in the journey.”

DPA has been in business more than 35 years, winning numerous awards and commendations, and building long-term relationships with clients.

“We have helped paint a picture of life in The Bahamas from the underbelly of poverty to the pinnacles of commercial success, but there are a thousand untold stories that deserve to be heard and we are excited to let the stars of those stories shine.”

Diane Phillips is a familiar name in The Bahamas. A former journalist with a career ranging from daily broadsheets to the National Enquirer along with magazine writing and editing, she spent the 90s as executive director of two national tourism boards. More recently, she’s written more than 300 columns in The Tribune. She’s a past radio co-host on Guardian Talk Radio and GEMS, adjunct professor at UB, Paul Harris Award recipient for community service, director of NGOs, and organiser and emcee of national press conferences and events. In 2025, she was recognised for her contributions and awarded National Honours. Although she has marched for Freedom of Information and campaigned successfully to protect sea turtles and introduction of Sunday shopping, when asked what she does, she says simply, she writes.    

“We are always looking for new ways to share people’s news – and there are so many talented silent storytellers in The Bahamas,” said Paula Welch, DPA chief operating officer. “We look forward to helping them find their voice and their audience, to connect with readers and have their stories heard. Diane has been doing that for years, working with local authors, writing forewords to books and sharing stories that matter. This new division opens the door for others, as well as building the community of authors here in The Bahamas.”

The full details of the new division will be announced in the near future – but those interested are encouraged to contact dpa@dpa-media.com to register their interest.

 

REVIEW: British Lion at John Watling's Distillery

Rum and Rock are perfect partners

British Lion at John Watling's Distillery, Wednesday, April 8

There was an extreme weather warning over The Bahamas yesterday - but after the rain stopped, it was British Lion that brought the thunder. 

After the storm of the afternoon, it was a beautiful sunset over the Buena Vista estate that played host to British Lion. John Watling's Distillery is a great venue - here, the stage was set up in the rear courtyard, putting the audience up close and personal with the band. 

The thing with rock stars and their other bands is that you can't get away without mentioning the band with all the Platinum records. This is Steve Harris' other band, but the band you've heard mentioned more often is Iron Maiden. 

That's both recognition of the band's pedigree and a bit of a disservice to the band itself - which is a different soldier than Iron Maiden's trooper, more rock with a fistful of great melodies than Maiden's metal. 

First up came the support act, Tony Moore's Awake, himself a former member of Iron Maiden in the 1970s. Well worth listening to himself, he took to the stage solo to share a very personal story, about his bond with his mother, and his role as a carer for her after she was diagnosed with dementia. It was touching and honest, and very much deserves recognition. 

British Lion kicked things up a gear when they took the stage. Many years ago, at one of my favourite ever gigs, I was standing next to the venue owner when one particular artist took to the stage and after just moments, he turned round to me and said "You can tell when it's real quality" with a big smile. The same here. You can tell when it's real quality. 

British Lion set the tone from the off. It didn't matter that these were performers who have played all kinds of sizes of venue, they were here to entertain and to urge the crowd to make some noise, with expletives and all. 

This was a band that knows its stuff, driving rhythm section and charismatic front man urging the crowd on. They came, they sang, they conquered. 

As a venue, it was great - the rum was flowing, the music was pumping and the crowd were here for it. If this is a sign of more things to come, all the better for The Bahamas to have another music venue, and broadening the range of music on offer. That can only be good for everyone. 

Eventually, British Lion pounded its last thunder, and just in time for the first drops of returning rain. The crowd went home, happy with the night. British Lion? They may just have opened the door to a whole lot more. A great night. 

STEPHEN HUNT

REVIEW: Iconique ballet at Island House

Ballet Iconique at Island House

 

There was magic in the air at Island House last weekend.

Iconique returned to The Bahamas for its third year with a change of venue, relocating from Old Fort Bay Club, and it found a welcome home at Island House.

The show was divided into three segments, each preceded by a course of a gourmet meal.

The Covent Garden Dance Company has made it a mission to bring some of the world’s best dancers to The Bahamas – and has delivered on that promise.

More than that, it has also made sure this is not just about bringing foreign talent, but giving a platform to Bahamians as well.

That was showcased best by one remarkable piece during the evening, when a stage full of Bahamian talent brought gasps from the audience.

Bahamian dancers Courtney Celeste Fox and Vernal Adderley were joined by local dance students for a piece titled In Time (Part II). The choreography was fabulous, with performers creating a rippling wave of movement across the stage under the starry night sky. Costume design was also by a Bahamian, Phylicia Ellis, while the astonishing soprano voice of Bahamian Stanesha Deligence filled the air. It was breathtaking – and all the more when Courtney Celeste Fox informed the audience that the students had only had three rehearsals to perfect the dance.

Elsewhere, there was a mix of old and new – classic dances such as The Firebird, with music by Stravinksy, or the sensual passion of No Man’s Land, set to music by Liszt.

Perhaps most eye-catching was a pair of pieces by dancers Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser, with influences from the underground club scene. The pair performed some astonishingly intricate dancing, where their bodies interlocked with each other in ways that a fellow diner said looked like someone assembling a Rubik’s Cube. It was part dance, part puzzle, and showed the range of performances on stage.

Throughout the show, the dancers wrote poetry with their bodies. It was a remarkable show – a step up again from last year’s performances.

Iconique has quickly become an extraordinary part of our cultural landscape, complete with building connections to local students and the new CAPAS performing arts school. Long may it continue.

Ballet in paradise - the return of Iconique

A couple of years ago, a man walked into my office with a brilliant, yet possibly slightly mad, idea. He was to bring some of the best ballet dancers in the world to The Bahamas. And just as the idea itself might be out of this world to try to pull off, so too would the performance have to be out of this world. 

That man was Matt Brady, the driving force behind what came to pass - Iconique, an evening of fine dining and marvels as truly astonishing dancers brought involuntary gasps from those in attendance, including myself. 

Last year, he did it again, repeating - and exceeding, in my mind - the extraordinary first performance. 

One of the highlights last year was what I would call a piece of history. Not happy with bringing the ballet to paradise, Matt and his team made sure paradise left its mark on ballet too. 

Courtney Celeste Spears is an internationally acclaimed dancer, educator and entrepreneur. And she's Bahamian. Matt said when he first met her, he could not help but burst out with a cry of "why aren't you dancing?"

Dance, she did. The show paired her with Bahamian jazz star Giveton Gelin to provide the music that formed the backdrop to her performance. There was more, with the costumes coming from another Bahamian, Phylicia Ellis, and Bahamian Vernal Adderley dancing alongside Courtney. It was, honestly, quite incredible, performed with the quiet roar of the sea at the Old Fort Bay Club venue echoing in the background. It was one of those magical moments, where you had to suspend your disbelief to convince yourself that yes, this was really happening. 

And now lightning is going to strike a third time. Matt and the Covent Garden Dance Company return. 

There's a change of venue this year - moving to the gorgeous surroundings of Island House with Old Fort undergoing some construction work. The sea might be farther away, but I suspect the magic will be just as close at hand. 

So why am I writing about it? Well, it would be a damn shame if people had the chance to go to this and missed out. It is fair to say I'm no ballet expert. When Matt sat in my office naming names of star dancers, I smiled and nodded and had no clue who was the superstar and who was the up-and-coming performer. But the night itself sparkled. It defied my expectations. There were funny pieces - I didn't anticipate laughing at ballet pieces performed like skits. There was passion. There was raw, powerful emotion. That doesn't come easy, and so when performers like that are prepared to put it all out there, take a gamble to bring art to a wider audience and show their talent on stage, I cannot help but applaud - and encourage people to support it. 

Iconique tickets cost $350+VAT, but also come with a three-course gourmet dinner. That might seem high, but I can genuinely say the dancing is worth the admission alone. 

The performances are on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7. There is also a matinee with a programme tailored for children to perhaps encourage the next Courtney. 

To get your tickets, or to find out more, visit www.coventgardendance.com, or email events@coventgardendance.com. 

Perhaps I'll see you there, as ballet shoe-clad sorcerors conjure their magic on the stage and in the swirl of the Bahamian air. 

Stephen Hunt

BOOK REVIEW: Growing Up Newry, by C.A. Newry

 

Growing Up Newry, by C.A. Newry

This is more than a childhood memoir. 

C.A. Newry may be writing about growing up, but he asks uncomfortable questions about the world in which he became the man he is. 

Too often, we look back with a nostalgic view, a sepia-tinged perspective of a world that was not quite what we wished it might have been. 

C.A. Newry instead looks with an unvarnished eye, not glossing over the awkward facts or the uncomfortable situations. 

He recites the people he remembers like the beads on a rosary, counting them off as too many went to fates that left them in prison or dead by the road. 

He recalls the way people treated those who were gay in the neighbourhood, complete with the uncomfortable language that goes with that. 

And through it all, you sense the path he took to become the man of today, full of this bundle of memories that don't fit together as a happy journey. 

C.A. Newry is well known in The Bahamas as a raconteur, a polemicist - I tend to think of him as the court jester, able to wrap uncomfortable truths up inside a laugh, a joke, as if to say look what I just made you think about, but also look, I made you smile. 

That wit and wisdom wrapped together are to be found in these pages. 

Do we learn who the author really is after reading this? No, but then it is clear he is still on that journey - still learning, still making others think, and yes, still smiling. 

Altered Instinct Rating: 5/5

Growing Up Newry is available on Amazon here.