Nate Fakes

A Fade of Light Nate Fakes

An intimate and
moving graphic memoir dedicated to a loved one quietly affected by a rare form
of dementia.







The first time Nate met
his future stepdad, Ron, he thought Ron was nice, goofy, and kind, the type of
guy who wasn't afraid to be himself. Ron liked to honk at other Jeeps when
driving his own, pretend he was Buddy Rich and bang on the drums without
abandon, and order almost the whole menu at drive-thrus. Nate found it at times
embarrassing, amusing, annoying, and funny, but one thing was for sure: life
with Ron was never dull.







But as years passed,
Ron's behavior became erratic and strange. He forgot obvious things and seemed
more stubborn and irritable than before. Finally after some tests, Ron received
a diagnosis: he has frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder that
affects about 10 percent of all dementia cases. There is no cure.







Honest, heartbreaking,
and full of love, A Fade of Light tells Nate and Ron's story
in stylized black-and-white drawings to capture the fullness of a life well
lived--the ups and downs, the laughs and tears, the joys and heartaches, and the
unforgettable memories.