Disability-and-Health Books

An absolutely wonderful book even if you aren't interested in pursuing an assistance dog it is a must read. The authors ability to share not only her family's experience but others as well is deeply touching. I found it informative, educational and heartwarming.

THE GOLDEN BRIDGE is a wonderful book about working with dogs with special needs children with a primary focus on children with developmental disorders and particularly children with autism. Patti Dobbs, along with other guest writers, have a child with autism. They generously bring you into their lives to share the pain and the joys of having a child that is "different". They all explain the isolation from other families and the beautiful effects that a dog can have in healing.
There is compelling information about the significant benefits of dogs in the lives of families with special needs and children in classrooms, as well as instructions on training or finding dogs to be a part of families or therapy sessions. Excellent!

Patty Dobbs Gross presents an inspirational story of her personal struggle and triumphs as she tries to find the best resources for her son with autism, one of which is a service dog. Patty is honest and direct as she explains her feelings of isolation, frustration, and sometimes even anger and embarrassment with friends, the school system and Danny's peer group. Later chapters in the book focus on training and incorporating service dogs into the lives of children with developmental disabilities. These chapters are contributed by experts in their fields and should act as a model for any service dog organization.

This is the definitive text on the use of assistance dogs for autism from an author who has placed more dogs for autism in the United States than anyone else. She speaks with authority and the compassion of a mother who has raised a child with autism through the assistance of a service dog. I highly recommend this book to all those with a family member who is affected by autism.

This was a great book with a great deal of useful information. My only caution is that you need a box of Kleenex when you read some sections...it is very moving. This book gives great insight into how a well trained dog can help with an Autistic child. It also gives useful information on how to train a dog to work with an autistic child but it is not a do it yourself book...professional help is needed.

Very informative book. I highly recomment this to all whoe suffer from back and neck pain. It simply explains what pain is coming from where and what the alternative could be for help. A very good book....

The appointment with the surgeon about the pending back surgery of my husband let us confused, as the information blended together. By reading Dr. Filler's book, we were able to inform ourselves, and understand the procedure which had been recommended. It was a great help, and obviously written by a professional. Thank you, Dr. Filler!

This is a pretty comprehensive guide for understanding the workings of the human back. The author takes you through an anatomy lesson where you learn about the different sections of the human spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum. The structure of the individual vertebrae and the differences among the vertebrae in the various sections are described. Then he goes into the actual spinal cord and nerves and how they are affected by problems in the vertebrae. Various back pains are discussed including 'referred pain' which is where you feel pain in one of the body's extremities that is actually caused by nerve trauma in the spinal cord or one of the nerves that branches out from the spinal cord to that extremity. All facets of spinal health are presented in easily understandable terms.

The second half of the book proceeds by discussing the various surgical methods that can be utilized to treat spine related problems. Historical procedures are included along with current medical trends for treating spinal problems so that you can see how back surgery has progressed over time. Even future directions and experimental techniques are discussed to give you a feel for what is up-and-coming in the field of spinal surgery. Risks are discussed as well so that you can make an informed choice to have a particular operation and understand the related consequences.

There are even chapters that discuss types of pain, pain medications and their associated complications, non-surgical methods for treating back pain and their effectiveness and potential consequences, genetic spinal disorders, recovery from spinal surgery, and even cost and health insurance matters. In fact, the health insurance chapter has valuable information describing the differences among the various type of insurance available such as HMO's, PPO's, and PSO's and explains the difference between 'contracted' and 'uncontracted' providers so that you'll know what to ask when seeking surgical help and how to control your costs.

All-in-all the book was worth the price for the information you will gain. However, I found that there was little discussion about 'degenerative' spinal problems in specific though I could imagine some of the techniques described might be useful for these situations such as transpedicular kyphoplasty. I would have liked to see the book spend some dedicated time discussing this particular type of spinal condition with, perhaps, some information about technologies that are on the horizon. Perhaps a few references to internet sites where one could find information on specific disorders would be nice as well.

I am a physician who specializes in interventional spine procedures. I suggest this book to my more educated patients. Very good,well written overview of spine anatomy,physiology,and repair. Another reviewer suggested that there is not enough info in this book on disk replacement technology and kyphoplasty. My response is that understanding everything in this book will put you ahead of 99% of laypeople. This is not meant to be a textbook on cutting edge medical procedures.

I especially enjoyed the section on understanding health insurance. I have found the "Dummies" and "Idiots" books useless in helping patients understand back problems. Five stars.

After a few years of worsening spinal stenosis I recently had to have a multiple laminectomy. There have been some post-operational complications or further problems, and I am trying to sort things out. I may have to decide to have further surgery or not.

Dr. Filler's book has been very helpful to me in understanding my situation regarding my spinal problems and my possible options for addressing them. The book presents basic, practical information in a comprehensive, well organized, and detailed manner. The writing is clear and straight forward. Dr. Filler clearly has a lot of knowledge and experience, and he shares it in a way that is very useful for patients.

My son has an undiagnosed developmental delay - similar to cerebral palsy. He is 20 months old and I am so glad that I found this book while he was young (although I wish I had been stretching him since infanthood). We have excellent therapists, but this book is a great reminder of how important home therapy is - and it serves as a reminder to me of the exercises the therapists do. Easy to read and the pictures are a good guide.

This book is filled with helpful, easy to understand info for parents of kids with CP. My daughter is 3 and I wish I had it when she was an infant. I haven't finished reading it, but have learned alot. Her physical therapist even uses one of the walking suggestions (using a hula hoop) and says it's a great idea.

Great book! Very helpful for parents of children with CP. Book was received quickly and was in very good condition.

This book is a great help for many types of motor delays other than cerebral palsy. Highly recommended by the mother of a special needs toddler who is not walking or standing.

I work with students with severe and profound multiple disabilities (3-22 years)and I have found this book helpful when explaining things to my staff and parents. It really is written so anyone can understand and the chapter breakdown lets you go right to the skill without having to read the whole thing. My OT and PT also checked it out and loved the "Tummy Time" section. I would also reccomend "Children with Disabilities" by Batshaw. This is a must in a professional (or personal) resource library.

This book has been a real life saver to us during a trying time with our adult son's health. The book is so very complete, yet gentle and comforting in its approach to issues of great concern to parents. I really appreciated their balanced approach to health issues-- medical, behavioral and life st yle. I recommend their adult Down syndrome clinic to anyone who can get to their CHicago area. We gave a visit to our son for his 21st birthday!

As a mother of an adult with Down syndrome, I found this book to be amazing. I wish I had found this book years ago! I now understand why my daughter does many of the things she does. This book delves into not only physical aspects which might contribute to the mental wellness of adults with Downs, but also the psychological as well.
I was fascinated to learn that so many things my daughter does is very common with many adults with Down syndrome.
This book is a great guide to help all parents, family members, doctors and others who live, help and work with adults with Down syndrome.

I just received this book and I can't put it down. I am mother of a 17 year old daughter going on 30. This book is so informative. I am even learning more things about my daugther and I thought I had it all figured out. I think if the public were to read this book, there would be no more trouble having our kids with DS be more accepted in the public eye. Its so enlightening. Dennis McGuire is going to be at the DS conference in April. I can hardly wait to see him. I have been to one of his presentations before, he is so on the mark, its uncanny. Wouldn't it be great if all the teachers, doctors and public knew all this information.

I work in the healthcare field with persons with Mild Mental Retardation including Down's Syndrome. I'm also a grad student and have taken several courses in this area. This book is a revelation. The first thing that's great is that it's a practical manual specific to just Down's (most caregiver manuals are so broad as to be virtually useless). This book has answers to real world problems culled from experience and insight.

It does a great job at systematizing a lot of the knowledge out there and coming up with ways to apply it. The concept of "groove", chapter on OCD and Down's (something I was having a problem with with a specific client I work with and haven't seen anything useful written on) and Time Perception were all really good.

Lots of helpful, PRACTICAL information and not a bunch of the kind of garbage educational theory and psychobabble that passes as scholarship nowadays. This stuff works. I've used it already. It is obviously written by people who actually work with people with Downs and not ivory tower bureaucrats.

If you're a caregiver, work with persons with Downs' or are a concerned parent, buy this one ASAP. I can't say enough good things about this book.

This is the best book on this topic I have ever seen! We will soon be responsible for my 44 year old sister-in-law. This book is unlocking some of the mystery of her actions and habits. I have already recommended this book to other parents of down syndrome children. I'm impressed enough to put this book on my keep for life shelf! Thank you so much for offering such an informative book! Keep up the good work. Jean

This is not a book for treating ADHD specifically. The authors attempt to get to the source of ADHD rather than treat the symptoms. The theory, which is explained in the first half of the book, is that ADHD is caused by physical discomfort and not a mental condition in of itself. The theory is that children either miss a vital stage of development in which they learn to crawl or they fail to adequately develop physiologically during that period (which should last at least six months according to the authors). According to the authors 75% of ADHD cases are caused by children who do not develop correctly. The second half of the book is essentially a physical therapy program in which an adult working with a child can overcome the child's deficiencies.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND this book FOR ADULTS suffering from ADHD.
The authors may be on to something in searching for the cause of ADHD in discomfort (they made me a believer) but the type of discomfort that fits their theory doesn't apply to me.
They claim that their therapy program has been effective in healing the body and stopping ADHD at the source. Considering the favorable reviews given before mine I would assume that the physical-therapy program has been successful for the other reviewers. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to grade-school teachers who are in the best position to notice the type of behavior described in the book in their students and have the opportunity to share the book with the child's parents when diagnosis may be possible.

The type of warning signs exhibited by the child for whom this book would be useful include: a tendency to stand during class (to write while standing), a tendency to wrap legs around the front legs of a chair, the tendency to keep the legs straight (in a slouching position) while sitting.
Children suffering from this physiological disorder also have sloppy hand-writing or will be observed spending a significantly greater amount of time writing than the other students, in order to keep their writing legible.
A child exhibiting both a difficulty in school (paying attention) but also in playing sports (coordination such as dribbling a basketball while walking) should set off an alarm to this condition. The signs may be subtle. One child discussed in the book was an excellent baseball player, however, in making a catch he had a tendency to bend his legs and then drop down to his knees after every catch (he does this every time, because his body wants to align a certain way with the lower body bent and the upper body straight due to the inadequate physiological development that the authors argue is the cause of ADHD). The authors suggest that the condition may develop because of an infant spending too much time on his/her back while sleeping in a crib and not providing enough "belly time." The authors suggest that the common practice of keeping a child on his back when napping has been encouraged as a successful way to prevent SIDS but as an unintended consequence children are not spending enough time on their bellies and learning to crawl.

Note: I realized after reviewing this book that it was originally released as "Stopping Hyperactivity: A New Solution." The original title was more appropriate and I can only guess that the publisher wanted to cash in on the popularity of ADHD. Had the book retained its original name I would have given it a five star review. The new name "Stopping ADHD: A Unique and Proven Drug-Free Program for Treating ADHD in Children and Adults" is misleading and inappropriate for the subject matter. I would not have purchased this book under the original title.

This book is excellent. I teach 2nd grade and see the symptoms as described in the book. One of my parents actually took her daughter to the clinic in Indianpolis and worked with her child the prescribed exercises. The different in this student was amazing. Her grades improved, her attention span improved, and her social skills and acceptance by peers improved. I needed to purchase my own copy of this book to become more informed and recommend it to other parents of ADHD children.

Having tried multiple alternative therapies to treat our daughter's adhd/dyslexia/dyspraxia we were suspect that anything would work. Since our daughter did not crawl properly as a baby, this therapy made sense - go back and have her crawl. The results were impressive - almost a year after starting the therapy she is more organized, pleasant, and compliant. She mostly does her homework independently. She is on target for her grade although her writing and spelling are still weak, they are improving. Her coordination is outstanding now. She used to trip over everything and fall 1X/week on the playground. Now she never falls. School is so much easier for her than it used to be. She is able to stay seated and her writing is less labored. Combining this therapy with the Feingold diet (she still had residual anger issues, plus lots of allergies which led us to believe Feingold might help her), we have a child who is almost neurotypical in every way. This is not a quick fix and takes much dedication, but the results we feel are worth it.

The exercises in this book have definitely changed my life. I can remember better, focus better, and organize better. Although this book is geared toward helping children, I am over 40, and these exercises worked for me. I was diagnosed with ADD just a few years ago. This book is well-written, well organized, and very genuine in voice. I fully recommend this book to anyone who shows signs of this STNR reflex still bothering them. I believe this is a breakthrough in ADD and ADHD treatment.

Dr. Miriam Bender should be applauded for her tireless research in revealing a misunderstood subject/label "ADHD". I have completely read this book and have started using the exercises with my child with positive results so far. The author, Nancy E. O'Dell organizes and addresses the subject very clearly so any layman can completely understand. If you have a child with hyper activity and are sincerely looking to rid your child of medication, it is in my opinion that you should study this book.
I am very pleased with the concept out lined in the book as it gives real solutions to a frustrating behavior condition that many children/adults experience in their daily lives.
Curt de la Cruz
www.selfhelp-motivation.com

If you are a parent, or teacher/therapist/service provider, to a gifted child with ADHD or Asperger's, this is the best book around. I am puzzled by the reviews that say this is academic in tone - I actually thought it was a tremendously effective and accessible compendium of the seminal research in the field. Dr. Lovecky makes two big, valuable contributions in this book - she documents what we know, empirically, about ADHD and Asperger's kids with high IQs (the focus of much research and treatment is based on the average IQ population, and is not always helpful or appropriate to understanding and working with gifted kids), and she offers many concrete strategies for helping these "twice gifted" children at home and at school to develop strategies for problem solving, social skills development, etc. As a mom of a recently diagnosed, and long misunderstood, gifted son facing extreme executive function challenges, this book made me understand my son better and helped give me some insight into how I can better support him as a parent. I am giving copies to my family members to help them support him as well! THIS IS A FANTASTIC BOOK WORTH TWICE THE PRICE!!!! Thank you Dr. Lovecky for writing it.

I have been reading book after book trying to figure out what is going on with my son, and I've finally found it! I had so many "a-ha" moments while reading Different Minds. Even the title speaks to me!

This book not only discusses the issue of twice-exceptionality (a new concept to me), it goes into great detail about characteristics of children with different exceptionality combinations. For example, ADHD is not lumped into one description...gifted kids with ADHD, inattentive-type are differentiated from gifted kids with ADHD, combined-type, based on the fact that their thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional reactions to situation can be markedly different. As an example, there is a paragraph that clearly describes why gifted kids have higher levels of anxiety, and how (in our case) inattentive-type ADHD can cause that anxiety to be even higher due to over-focus.

Another of the great things about Different Minds is that it gives very specific ideas on how to handle these issues. I needed practical, hands-on tools that I can use to help encourage, support and motivate, as well as cope with, my twice-exceptional son. I got some great ideas from this text that were very specific to our situation. The book discusses, as an example, how a behavior management technique that works with a boy with inattentive-type ADHD may not work with a girl with the same combination of issues. The specifics in this book are fantastic.

Also included are discussions of learning styles, which lead to several "a-ha" moments regarding my own personal learning style and that of those I interact with. I believe this can be invaluable in terms of learning to motivate people, both children and adults. This has helped us refine our home/bedroom organization system, as we are all visual-spatial and thus need to see our "stuff."

All this being said, the most important thing, for me, about this book is that after reading it, I did not feel so alone! I finally found a book that "gets" my child and makes him sound normal, at least for a twice-exceptional child!!

Through the years, I've bought countless books on the separate problems of ADHD, Aspergers, giftedness and learning deficits. This book was a GREAT relief because it really gave me all the practical information and more that I could possibly want to know on these subjects. Plus, it was enlightening. I'm highlighting pages and finding out things about myself, my husband AND my boy who is ADHD, Aspergers, gifted and has CAPD (auditory processing problems). I personally feel they are all somewhat related, and you don't get true giftedness without some other problems. I disagree with a previous reviewer who thought it was a book more for professionals. If you have a child with any of these problems, I'd recommend buyin this book and reading it thoroughly before going on and buying separate books on the subject.

Yes, Deidre Lovecky writes in an academic style. I appreciate books that don't talk down to parents, but allow us to share in the data the experts have developed without dumbing it down.

If you have a gifted child, know that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The chances are very good that you are gifted, too. If you truly have a need for the wonderful information in this book, I suspect you will have little difficulty absorbing the concepts that will help you help your child.

Having encouraged parents to boldly go and read this book, I must also comment that whatever you find here that should be acknowledged and coped with by your child's teachers, school administrators, or psychologist, can be easily communicated by getting them a copy with appropriate passages marked. The book IS written professionally and for the benefit of other professionals as well as parents.

I first met Dr. Lovecky 14 years ago, and I was impressed then with her insight and interest into children who were gifted and demonstrated difficulties such as ADHD, Asperger's, etc. Her depth of clinical experience and observation has enabled her to develop and share keen insights that will help any parent or professional recognize and help a gifted child with an added exceptionality.

This book was informative, but written in a tedious and academic style, like a textbook. I think it would be more useful as a reference for professionals than a guide for parents. In some respects my son would fall into one pigeon-hole, but in other traits he would fall into quite another. And it left me quite confused as to how to handle his difficulties. Many of the recommendations are oriented toward young children, but a teenager is a different matter entirely. It also ignores many of the other pressures on teenagers that are part of the equation. We're going to go to a therapist--hopefully he will be able to figure something out.

pete english, you spelled facet wrong. hehe. sometimes when i am home alone, i google myself (copyrighted).

I borrowed this book from the library and then I'm here now to buy it for my own. This book goes through each type of disability, how they are identified and will guide you through the maze of school testing, IEP's, and how to be your child's advocate to make sure they are getting everything they should be getting from their education! Great detail on emotional growth, planning for the future and assessment measures!

I recommended this book to the LD Specialist at my childs school who couldn't thank me enough for finding this book so she has a sound resource to suggest to parents of LD children. This book not only helps you learn to identify your childs learning disabilities or learning difficulties, but also to understand them. Also, it provides the information you need to talk with the school knowledgeably about testing and LD services. It helps you understand what your part of this process should be and tells you what you need to know to successfully participate in the process. It gives you strategies your child can use in everyday life situations that will help him/her learn. And it helps you with information about the social and emotional needs of your growing child. I no longer feel helpless in dealing with this issue. This book has given me the knowledge, but also very importantly, concrete ways to help my child be as successful as can be.

For any parent facing the possibility or reality that their child has learning problems this is the book I would recommend. I cannot think of a question it did not answer or a facit of the topic it did not cover. It helped me enormously - I am on my second read and this time I am taking notes.

When my daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability I was lost at how to deal with the school system. The first time we did her IEP I did not know what to expect. There weren't any parent advocates for us at the time of her IEP. This book prepared me on how to be an advocate for my child. I educated myself about her needs from the book and had alot of confidence when meeting with the school system to plan her education for the following year. Actually I went to the meeting knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it. It worked out that the items I asked for she received. Now we constantly use the book as a reference guide when we are unsure of something. This book is good right up into adulthood when your child is choosing higher education or out in the workforce. It was a lifesaver for us and a great learning tool!

The directions are so clear that this can easily be a first cookbook for young marrieds or students living away from home for the first time. To view some sample recipes, go to [website]

The book is MUCH more than I expected when I ordered it because of a printed explanation its contents. It seemed possibly appropriate for some of the "well aged" members of my Sunday School class in need of such things. But the idea of showing, explaining, and providing information about where to buy the tableware (to me unknown) so useful to older people was an unexpected bonus. In addition, having family experience with some of the problems of the well aged, I treasure the variety of recipes given. Now I have found out that the author targeted mainly baby-boomers, who might well use it in connection with parents and grandparents. I think it has universal appeal. Right on!

Anyone caring for an elderly person should be required to read this and refer to it often. Many older persons have very little left but their dignity - let's help preserve that. Wonderful ideas on special utensils for older people who have trouble handling regular silverware and china. Easy to follow recipes and special tips make this a "must have" for caregivers.

Ginny Gordon Walters has assembled a collection of tasteful and tasty recipes that my 79 year-old mother finds nutritional and easy to prepare; whether cooking for just herself or for a family gathering. The general tips, along with the graphics of special utensils, I found very helpful in trying to provide mom with cookware that can make things a bit easier on her arthritic hands. Ms. Walters' brief comments before each recipe seem indicative of someone who has experienced the ways in which this information can help our older generation maintain their quality of life. A valuable tool for our parents to continue to enjoy their independence!

This beautiful and thoughful cook book offers a wonderful selection of "comfort" foods with high nutritional value for the elderly and/or disabled person. Since nutrition is a key factor in health and longevity, Walters has highlighted the needs for certain foods and collected easy-to-make recipes focusing on those needs. In addition, the Introduction and Tableware sections have valuable and innovative tips for those caring for the elderly. I highly recommend this book!

This is an excellent book - it is more focussed on a lay-person's introduction to neurofeedback treatments for ADHD, great for parents. It is not really technical enough for a practitioner or someone wanting to learn more about the clinical application of neurofeedback.

A large section at the back of the book is dedicated to an index of worldwide practitioners who can treat ADHD with this drug-free approach

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)

If you've ever dealt with an ADD/HD child you know the frustration of a child fidgeting, disrupting others and needing constant supervision. If you are that frustrated, just imagine the frustration of the child. The authors have offered us a clear and concise look at ADD/HD. They have offered us an option that does not include medication.

Matthew's parents and teachers are at their wits end. They sincerely want to help Matthew but don't know how. "This book is about helping kids like Matthew: ADD/ADHD children who possess the potential to succeed, but who chronically function below their abilities because they cannot regulate themselves. `ADD: The 20-Hour Solution' describes and examines a revolutionary hi-tech methodology called EEG biofeedback (also called neurofeedback) that has unequivocally demonstrated its efficacy in helping chronically inattentive, distractible, impulsive, and hyperactive children regulate themselves."

"The pluses of EEG biofeedback training in treating ADD/ADHD children are extensive. This quick and painless treatment:

- Provides a viable alternative to psychotropic medication
- Trains children to self-regulate naturally and safely
- Trains children to adjust automatically to changing demands and conditions
- Emancipates children from continually professional supervision
- Creates a synergistic effect that can help other treatments work more effectively
- Permits parents to become involved directly in the treatment process"

Steinberg and Othmer discuss ADD/ADHD in terms that a layman can understand. Parents and teachers will be wondering why this book wasn't written years ago. The authors propose that ADD should stand for Arousal Disregulation Disorder. They made an excellent case for their opinion. In detail they discuss Matthew, a child that has ADD/ADHD. I found myself sympathizing with Matthew; he cannot control his fidgets and distractions. He soon becomes labeled as trouble and that label follows him from year to year. "Matthew had trouble staying in his seat and keeping his hands to himself. Note that he was `verbally exuberant when others wanted him to be quiet, and ... withdrawn and often clueless when people demanded answers...' Matthew was simply lost in an eternal maze of jumbled, intense feelings, sporadic mood shifts, changes in energy level and focus, and incomplete thoughts. These are hallmark signs of disregulation."

This book is well written and documented. As I stated previously it is written in terms that laymen can understand. I highly recommend this book to teachers, parents, grandparents and all who deal with children with ADD/ADHD. I believe "ADD: The 20-Hour Solution" is the answer for many children.

I think that the person that wrote the last review does not know nothing about neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a self-regulation work. In other words, it does the same thing that a psychoterapic aproach does, but faster.Only this!!!

I found this book, ADD The 20-Hour Solution, a clear and concise guide to understanding how the brain works and how EEG biofeedback can improve its behavior by self regulation. This book is written in a way that parents can understand not only what ADD is but how to approach it. Parents can learn from this book the questions they should ask and most importantly to take action themselves. I was amazed to find that ADD can be treated in your own home. As a mother and teacher, I wholly support self help solutions without drugs which are so often overlooked today. The case studies examined in this book give hope to any parent. I would do anything as a parent to help my child. If using a computer to train your brain works than that is what I would want for my child. This book is a must read for any parent that wants a solution to their frustration with an ADD child or for a parent that just wants more information about ADD. There is also a great Neurofeedback Practitioner Listing in the back of the book.

As a neurofeedback clinician, I have given this book to parents when they are considering brain-training as an option for their child. I have to say that I'm not wild about the title, as it suggests that in less than a day, the ADD will be gone, instead of it being 40 sessions at a half-hour each. The book is a simple, quick read and does a good job of explaining ADD/ADHD and sympathizing with parents who are trying their best to cope with a child who exhibits some of the symptoms inherent in the disorder. It doesn't go into any detail on the development or mechanisms behind neurofeedback, however, and is kind of showy and overly-excitable (too many exclamation marks) about how great training is. Don't get me wrong - I know it's great and I know it works, but there's just something about the book that seems to be over-selling the technique in a hokey way - like their on the home shopping network or something. I find myself more often referring clients to read "A Symphony in the Brain" or one of Daniel Amen's books instead, or else forewarning them that this book is a bit over-the-top excited about neurofeedback.

"Coping with Physical Loss and Disability" by Rick Ritter, MSW, is a jarring book at 92 pages. When I first got it, I thought it would be a regular self-help book, and I admit I was skeptical. But I opened it and it turned out to be a workbook.

There are six sections of the book, going from what your original loss was to how you could ask for and get help for it. In fact, I really had to consider that particular question. "Describe your loss in detail" was another. That was one of those where I had to write my feelings, and like many with disabilities I've told the story so many times, I figured I'd gotten it to a science. It was a blah story with which I started out, therefore; one I'd told a million times.

Then, something happened inside of me. I got angry. I don't do that too much; usually I'm at most irritated and that's that. Life is irritating to me these days for various personal reasons, so that was what the answer was like till that particular switch in my head went off. All of a sudden, there was a real answer. I actually started yelling "What? You want to know about the stupid primary care physician who said one leg was shorter than the other, when it turned out I had a blood clot in it? You want to know about my parents? What...?"

In the end, the question tore something out of me that I hadn't expected at all.

If you read this book, be prepared to do it slowly. At the end, you'll find a section of resources that is very intense. The author even stuck in movies that deal with disability! The book itself will take you to places inside that you didn't know existed, like that bit of anger -- believe me, I had more than one of those. I cried, I threw things, I felt sorry for myself, I sat for long periods of time thinking hard about questions my mind refused to answer but that on the other hand it wanted to. That test of my own will-power hurt a lot sometimes. But believe me when I say, it's very much worth it.

"Coping with Physical Loss and Disability: A Workbook" - Rick Ritter, MSW; LovingHealing Press 2006.

As we prepared for our oldest daughter's amputaion, I searched for something to help guide us along as a family. This work book is wonderful. Although my daughter was emotionally ready for her loss, Rick Ritter was able to better address some of what we may have missed prior to her surgery. I strongly recomend this book for anyone dealing with physical loss them selves or that of a loved one. Joi Warburton, Las Vegas, NV

After reading the other reviews I purchased this book. I have a degenerative muscle disease for which there is no treatment. Although I have coped fairly well up to this point, I was finding myself more and more isolated. As I answered the questions, I felt it would be better if I were going through this process with a professional. I answered as fully as I was able, but there doesn't seem to be any suggestions as to what to do with this information. The book suggests that you share your answers with three people. In my case that wasn't possible.I can see that it would be useful in conjunction with therapy. Without that professional input, the book left me hanging.

Rick Ritter has written a superb self-help workbook that will benefit readers who have suffered a physical loss or disability. Ritter has included 50 questions to be answered by the reader. He recommends these answers be shared with at least three other people. In responding to these questions, the reader is able to reflect on his or her disability or physical loss. The book engages the reader in discovering ways to deal with their physical loss. To those readers who have experienced such a loss, the workbook will provide a sense of empowerment to those still in grief or depression.

Ritter himself has experienced his own disability. As a social worker(MSW), he has had the opportunity to work with 100 people who have suffered a physical loss or disability. His workbook provides a roadmap for readers to follow to reach attainable goals.

Also included are interesting short stories of people he has worked with ranging from amputation, breast cancer, muscular dystrophy, AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, and quadriplegia. He recounts how these people were able to cope with their loss.

Having a disability or having suffered a physical loss doesn't necessarily lead to unhappiness. How one responds to that loss is what really matters. Rick also uses spirituality, support systems, and holistic methods as an approach to coping with the loss. Resiliency is crucial in facing any loss or disability.

As a mother of a son with cerebral palsy, I can see how this workbook could be very useful. He is now a happy young man working as an attorney. His disability didn't stop him from being productive. Also, having battled my own muscle disease along with rheumatoid arthritis, I found it helpful. As the daughter of a mother transfused with HIV contaminated blood, I can see how this workbook could have benefited her.

The resources included at the end of his book are certainly a bonus. He has listed helpful organizations, suggested reading, and films relating to physical loss and disability.

Rick Ritter has given his readers a wonderful gift. "Coping with Physical Loss and Disability" is an empowering book that will benefit many readers. I highly recommend this workbook. Thank you, Rick for caring. Your workbook will be appreciated by many people.

Nancy A. Draper (Author) A Burden of Silence: My Mother's Battle with AIDS

Reviewed by Christina Gonzalez, LMHC for Reader Views (5/06)

The author starts this very unique workbook with a compelling quote from Christopher Reeve, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable". This book is a way to help those who have found their dreams become impossible, find new ways to restructure their life, their ways of thinking and their ways of being in order to find ways to help their dreams become inevitable.

This book is oriented towards those who have experienced some type of a physical loss, whether from a disability, accident or including serious, chronic illnesses and pain. His examples range from people who have suffered knee injuries to quadriplegics, to individuals who have undergone a mastectomy from breast cancer to debilitating illnesses like muscular dystrophy. I would see value for individuals with ANY chronic health condition benefiting enormously from this book.

The author suggests that individuals who use this book consult with at least three people in their lives with whom they can share the results of the exercises which is very wise. The author takes the reader through a series of written exercises and anecdotes through six main chapters: Past and Future, Self Care and Support, Dealing with Loss: Feelings and Beliefs, Understanding Disability, Transforming Circumstance, and The Ongoing Process of Loss and Recovery. Each of these remain only questions and words on paper until the reader takes these questions and looks into their lives and then shares them with another.

As a therapist I will be recommending this book to my clients who are struggling with any chronic health issues. I would love to use this workbook with my clients in their therapy as well as suggest they share the information obtained about themselves with others in their lives. The author includes some excellent exercises to help the reader determine what people in their lives might be supportive to this process of recovery from physical loss and/or any chronic health condition.

The appendices include some excellent resources regarding therapeutic techniques and alternatives, suggested reading for coping with loss and disability, films on issues related to physical loss and disability, guidelines for watching films, and a listing of organizations and other resources that can help individuals coping with loss and disability.

As the mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy and as a psychotherapist myself, I found this book to be highly valuable for people dealing with any type of physical loss. As I mentioned above, just buying the book will not do anything. Filling out the exercises will help, but will not make a huge change. Filling out the exercise, following the author on the journey that he is leading the reader on and sharing with those close to the reader will make a great deal of difference. Some of the exercises I found helpful for those suffering from debilitating mental or emotional illnesses and even less acute health conditions such as asthma or others. This book is highly recommended to any individual who has suffered a physical loss and is still struggling to find their dreams. It would make a great gift from a supportive loved one who is also willing to make a stand to be there with the reader as they go through these exercises, and it would make an excellent aid to an individual who is currently seeing a therapist. I would not recommend this to someone who just wants to do the exercises randomly, haphazardly or in order to just keep their answers to themselves and not share them with another.