Disability-and-Health Books

My daughter age 9, cherishes this book like no other. Why? I'm certain it's because she no longer needs to ask, why? She now has an understanding beyond the adults I come in contact with, and being an innocent child, she doesn't doubt the rude effects of PD. Thank you Rasheda for having the Love necessary for this advocacy and fight.

When I was disgnosed with Parkison's disease 11 years ago, the diagnosing neurologist made a comparison that people might mistake Parkinson's for dementia. It has taken me a long time to rid myself of that image. I found that the Parkinson's library at LSUSHCS (Louisiana State University at Shreveport's Health Scienced Center) had purchased I'll Hold Your Hand So You Won't Fall: A Child's Guide to Parkinson's disease by Rasheeda Ali, I couldn't reserve it fast enough. This amazing work by this amazing and courageous daughter was just what I had been searching for to send to my two grandsons, who live outside of Boston (I live in Texas) and whom I see once or twice a year, because of the distance. I wanted them to understand Grampy's struggle and to not be afraid of him if he acts strangely or can't keep up with their boundless seven and nine year-old energy. I've not seen them since I purchased the book and mailed it to them, but I have every confidence that my next visit will be a 'comfortable' and enjoyable one with, hopefully some questions for Grampy about Parkinson's disease upon which they and I can establish common ground.

Thank you, Rasheeda, for this grand gift designed to provide knowledge and put a 'face" to Parkinson's disease.

I found this book to be very helpful because my husband has Parkinson's disease and it has helpt my daughter understand what is going on with him.
This book anwsered most of her questions

Kudos to Rasheda Ali for writing a beautifully illustrated guide that educates its readers both with fact and compassion. I truly believe that the book's explanation of Parkinson's disease can be a guide, not just for children but for all family members. This text is a "must have" for families coping with seeing a loved one deal with Parkinson's disease.

I believe this book was great idea to help our kids understand their elders, and I hope that the same idea can be used to write similar books about other terminal diseases such as Alzheimer's.

I also think this book should be made available in primary school libraries, to make it more accessible to all children wither any of their relatives have PD or not, because I believe that such information should be known by everyone.

I highly recommend this book. If you are someone with a learning disability or just know (young or old) someone with an LD it is one of the best books you could purchase. It is very insightful and I was able to lock-in on many of the items discussed by Harry. Since I have a processing LD, this book, in particular, proved invaluable. I have learned so much about my own LD just from reading it and I know that it could prove just as beneficial to others. To go along with this book I also recommend Samantha Abeels book "My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir.

Harry Sylvester has taken a subject that professionals have completed years of education to comprehend and puts it into a personal narrative about real people, including himself.
It's one thing to overcome or learn to live with a learning disability as a child. Discovering you have a learning disability as an adult is like solving a puzzle you've been assembling for decades.
As a professional working with adults who live various physical and mental challenges, I now have a new resource for understanding so that I may better serve my clients.
Harry takes us into his world of pain, struggle and self-discovery from his early school days to middle adulthood.
If we can take our own experience and turn it into solutions for others, we have doubled our self-discovery. Harry has done that. This is a book that will be used as a text of learning for years to come.

Professionally narrated by Dale Hill, Legacy Of The Blue Heron: Living With Learning Disabilities by Harry Sylvester is an audiobook presentation of his personal life experience of overcoming serious learning disability challenges in an ultimately successful pursuit of success as a mechanical engineer, business owner, and even boat-builder. Written by a dyslexic who became a president of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Legacy Of The Blue Heron offers personal insight into a life with unexpected obstacles and triumphs. A welcome addition to any community library audiobook collection, Legacy Of The Blue Heron is especially recommended for anyone having to deal with a learning disability within themselves or within their family.

Harry Sylvester's struggle with learning disabilities is written in easy to understand and hard to forget language. The Legacy of the Blue Heron chronicles Harry's devastating educational experiences, his diagnosis of a learning disability and the incredible work he has done from that pivotal moment. Best of all Harry offers hope for anyone facing these difficulties. Harry also provides many solutions from someone who's been there and understands. Harry's work as an advocate for others has changed many lives for the better. Harry's story is an inspiration, one that must be shared. If you know of anyone with a learning disability or are planning on working or marrying anyone with a learning disability or just want a fantastic read this is the book.

This book provides a very realistic and easily read view of the school experience through the eyes of someone who was intelligent yet did not truly fit in the school model he endured. Harry certainly has proven his level of capabilities through his attainment of a college degree in engineering, state level advocacy and efforts leading to being elected as the President of the internationally known Learning Disabilities Association of America.

Harry's tender touch throughout the self exploration process makes the reader feel the emotions through his determination to find answers for himself. He then turns that new found energy into advocacy efforts for individuals with learning disabilities. His methods include reaching out to persons with substance abuse problems, juvenile offenders, and individuals struggling with underachievement.

One of his most important contributions through this book is the impact he has on future teachers and practicing educators. This book is not a textbook format but a humanistic challenge to rethink educational planning and support of students who learn differently. Harry challenges us to look at the social cost of failing to make changes.

Over 1/3 of the book is dedicated to solutions...solutions that are for persons like Harry who have the strength to look at their struggles but also for the wider audience of anyone who cares about education and empowering students to recognize their intelligence. Look around you and you will find someone who needs to feel supported by Harry's message. While you are at it, is there an educator you know that needs to hear this message?

Did you know that marijuana has plenty of medicinal usages. Most of the people would say no because of this crazy "war on drugs". But this time please don't "just say no" and spend some time to read the "forbidden facts" about hemp. A very well researched and written book on the medicinal usages of hemp.

I truly appreciate the heartfelt anecdotal cases that he presents. He does not say anything that I can disagree with, it is not that kind of a book. His scholarly approch to what cases it has been found useful is helpful to me because I practice in a state where it is legal for medical use, and I knew almost nothing. Robert P. Doughton MD.

I bought the book 6 days ago in Amherst and I'm already finished it as it is brilliantly written as it taught me alot of things I needed to know. It wakes you up to the real facts of marijuana for medicine and as a medical marijuana user,I realized that everything in the book is facts and truth.The doctor who wrote it is pure genius and I hope he follows up with another book as he has made the most positive changes in my life. Thank You Dr.Lester Grinspoon

During a Drugs and Society class at Northeastern University, my professor recommended this book as extra reading. The book ends all myths and disputes in regards to marijuana, and raises some serious questions about America's drug policies. Why would a substance that has been around before the age of men be illegal? It is because the synthetic drug manufactures cannot make any money off of it. What happened in 1937 that caused the U.S to condemn use of marijuana and prohibit it? Read the book, and then truly ask yourself how democratic the U.S really is.

Probing, illuminating, inspired insights from a qualified researcher and intellectual pioneer. A seminal cannabis tome to invigorate your library!

I met Nathan while visiting one of the authors in Alabama. I was lucky enough to accompany him to several DMB shows and found him to be inspirational in many aspects. His perspectives are those of genius. Despite the many and various challenges he has experienced in life, he puts most of us to shame by maintaining a positive and persistant puruit of personal acheivement. He taught me most of all, that life is not for spectators and how we manage our challanges define our lives.

Many a year ago, when Nathan approached me on the University of Alabama campus to read a book he had spent 20 years writing, I did not think much of it. After spending that weekend reading what then were mere pages in a box, my life has forever been changed. My perspective on life and my attitude toward life has been irrevocably altered. Nathan's brutal honestly and total willingness to sacrifice his all to make a differnce resonates on each page as Nathan's story is brought to life. I wish everyone could read this book. Is it a literary masterpice, probably not. Will it change your life, I bet it will. If you are looking for a book that will inspire you and lift you up, this is the one. And, as one that has been blessed to have gotten to know the man behind the book, yes Nathan is the real deal!

"Nathan," the autobiographical story of Nathan Ballard, is the moving narrative of a man who has lived with cerebral palsy much longer than the usual life span allows someone in his condition. The reader is given a world-wind look at the trials and accomplishments of Ballard's life. The book immediately engages the reader and teaches him or her not to feel sorry for the disabled. Ballard has accomplished much more in his life than many people who are in perfect health. He is multi-lingual and has participated in many national activities regarding the well being of disabled persons, including the panel which helped create the Americans with Disabilities Act. Overall, "Nathan" is very easy to read and gives great detail of each period in Ballard's life. However, the book does tend to skip from one point in time to another. This can be discouraging to the reader in several instances, where it jumps quickly from childhood to the present. The character development in "Nathan" is exceptional. Readers quickly feel as though they know Ballard, his family and his friends. "Nathan" will truly open your eyes to the life of a disabled person. It is amazing to hear a first hand account of how people in wheelchairs are actually treated by their peers. Ballard is a fixture on the University of Alabama campus and is very friendly and positive to the students. As a student at Alabama, I know the author and his determination to succeed in his writing career. A screenplay is currently being written on Nathan, and he is now working on a book of poetry.

This guy is something else. I heard about him from a friend who read a story of his friendship with Dave Matthews online somewhere. When I bought the book, I thought there would be something about DMB in it. They are mentioned at the end, but this book is what it claims to be. It's about Nathan Ballard. What an interesting life. The book reads well, it is full of surprises and keeps you guessing.

I had no idea what life for a badly disabled person was like. The writers do a fantastic job of spelling out what the experience "feels" like, inside and outside. Nathan is honest about himself. He doesn't spare self-criticism. To me, that makes him more human. He's funny, too. I can see why Dave must like him so much. The dude has been through a lot.

The middle is a little lengthy about some lady who tried to rip him off and steal the book, but it doesn't detract from the story too much. If you are reading this, then by all means buy it. It's a great story. When I finished it I gave it to my mom.

Nathan is the compelling autobiography of Nathan Ballard, a man born with Cerebral Palsy, who worked with numerous committees on independent living for the disabled, provided input for the writing of the "Americans With Disabilities Act", learned to speak several languages, took a trip to Japan, was 22 years old when he learned to read, and went on to attend the University of Alabama. Assisted by freelance writer Michael Rogers, Nathan Ballard takes the reader on a remarkable journey that reveals what life for a person with a debilitating disease is really like. How there are times when life doesn't feel worth living. How some people take unfair advantage of the disabled. But the reader also discovers that no matter what the obstacles, Nathan loves people, life, and discovering what tomorrow will bring while enjoying the pleasures and overcoming the hardships of today. Nathan is a unique, engaging, and highly recommended addition to biography collections and reading lists.

This is an easy to read book from the child's perspective, which makes it easier to relate for kids.

My daughter is undergoing chemo. She was told she would lose her hair, so before she lost all of her hair I ordered this book for my grandson. It helped tremendously for him to understand why Mama was bald. I recommend this book highly to anyone who has a child whose parent is going through chemo.

When Abigail and Adrienne's mom told them she had cancer, they were afraid. But when the girls couldn't find any books that explained what might happen to their mother and what they might expect, they wrote one themselves.

They tell readers when their mother was tired during treatment, friends and family pitched in to help cook and to push her in her wheelchair. When chemotherapy made their mom's hair fall out, friends and family threw a hat party for her and honored her with an original song.

Their mom's hair has grown back, and Abigail and Adrienne have found that their family is closer than ever. The girls' story will show other youngsters that they are not alone in their experience with a loved one's cancer.

Many children's books about cancer in a parent treat it as movie disease: a convenient way to introduce mortality. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I needed a way to let my children know what they could expect as far as my therapy, and let them know what might happen emotionally.

This is by far the best of several children's picture books written about a parent with cancer. Because it is written and illustrated by two sisters, it conveys what kids want to know. It showed the passage of time during treatment, and it showed that people were loving and kind and hopeful in the midst of a rotten time.

This book is excellent, and I would recommend it to any parent who has been diagnosed with cancer as a way to open discussions with elementary-aged and younger children.

I go to school at Village Elementry in Coronado. Adrienne and Abigail are the cusins of a kid in my class named Paul. They got to come to our school and read the book to us. I think it was very good. It really is based on a true story! The book was about there mom who had breast cancer. They even wrote a hat song in the story! I give the book two thumbs up!

i am Happy to see the site, i cannat spellwords,

sorry

nithyanandan

I found this book to be a great way to become familiar with the range of issues that come to bear on incorporating graphics into a web page. Despite the exclusive use of Photoshop in the examples, the concepts are explained in such a way that makes it easy to identify the same graphic-editing techniques needed to be used with other software such as Paint Shop Pro, my graphic editor of choice. Good clear explanations and excellent examples do a great job of illustrating how "tweaking" things like the color depth and color pallete affect file sizes, download times, and picture quality. Originally, I kept renewing this book from my local library until I finally just bought my own copy. A great book!

Although the book is oriented around Photoshop on the Mac (which is even better if you use a Mac), the concepts are universal. The book is visually pleasing, very informative (especially on graphic formats), and an inexpensive way to get started

The book is deceptive. The author makes it seem simple. In fact she packs in a lot of very cogent points whilst retaining a friendly style. Great for anyone starting out in graphics for the Web (though it does more or less assume you will be using Photoshop).

I found this book by accident in the library when I was starting the process of designing our office's web site. Because I was a rank beginner to the world of web design (although I knew the PC, Windows 98, Microsoft Office, FrameMaker, PageMaker and a little Photoshop), I needed some hand-holding to get my feet wet. This book was better than anything else I found for that task.

There are other web design books I like (like Roger Black's book on Adobe Press) but this is the best one I have seen for the person who literally knows nothing about the topic.Yes, it was written in 1996 and is somewhat dated for the person who wants to be cutting edge, but you have to crawl before you can run, and this book got me through the crawling stage so I could start to feel comfortable with the concepts I would need to work with my Adobe (and now Macromedia) software.

The writing style is crisp and clean and right to the point. I read it in three hours.

Try this book if you don't know anything about web design, then take a look at Roger Black for one designer's viewpoint on design issues. Once you have those two books under your belt, the author's latest book, Web Design in a Nutshell, would be a great next step.

This is an incredible book, I am an Occupational Therapy student and I found this book to be powerful and insightful. Newborn captures her emotions, thoughts and experiences in such a way that you feel as though you experienced them with her. For those working in rehab settings, knowing someone who had a stroke or stroke survivors, this is a must read. It is pretty short and I was unable to put it down, happy reading!

This book says it all. My sisiter suffered a stroke at 46 and this book helped me and her husband to understand what exactly she was going through and what to expect.

Although there are several first person accounts of the stroke experience, most have been written from the perspective of the older victim. When stroke hits a young person there a special twists to the knife. All those who have to deal with young people with stroke should read this wonderful book.

I've not only had the pleasure of reading this book, but I've met it's author. She's the real thing. She absolutely shines. She walks a couple of feet off the ground. Ms. Newborn is not only a survivor, but a person who has happiness to share with others. Her book offers incredible insight to those who have either experienced a stroke or know someone who has. She gave me a clear understanding of aphasia and how strokes effect people.

I read quite a few books about strokes following my own, but only wanted to own two. This book, which was a gift from a dear friend, provided such inspiration during my recovery. I still read it from time to time because it continues to be a touchstone for me. I've always loved the poem "Ithaca" which is referenced in the title but it's taken on a special meaning since reading this book. Thank you for writing it, Barbara.

I am a medical transcriptionist for several doctors offices and a hospital. I transcripe dictation from Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, orthopaedic and Rehab from doctors and therapists. This book has everything I have ever needed so far and I am ordering one for a fellow transcriptionist for her to add to her reference books. The sample reports included, tables and anatomical illustrations are fantasic. This one is a must! Thanks for making my job easier!

This book is wonderful. I recommend highly to anyone who does orthopaedic/rehab dictation. I ordered a copy for my partner who had little medical terminology knowledge and she has found it more than beneficial. It is extremely well cross-referenced and an asset to any transcriptionist's library. Thanks Stedman!

As a medical transcriptionist in the San Jose/Silicone Valley area I am continually looking for top notch reference books. Stedman's Orthopaedic and Rehab Words is a must have for the orthopedics transcriptionist. It is current and quite complete.

This is a wonderful book for any medical transcriptionist! I started working for another orthopaedist and he's a bit more "progressive" than my other clients. This book is invaluable! I highly recommend it!

Starting to do transcription for an orthopedist in 1997, I was about to give up...the language was a totally new world. I bought this book and within days felt like a new person while transcribing. I've used the book so much at this point, it's dog-eared from front-to-back! If I don't get a word now, it's because the dictation isn't clear, not that I can't find the word in Stedman's! Highly recommend!!

Lisa Lieberman's book is a excellent resource for anyone requiring outside assistance in their home. Well-written and well-researched, I am sure it will be a great help to many people.

"A 'Stranger' Among Us" is no less than a fabulous resource. The book's title is accurate, but quite modest: Though written with a focus on finding support persons for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, this book is nonetheless a valuable guide for families of persons with physical challenges, mental health difficulties, dementia, and serious learning/cognitive limitations as well. This book has a place in the library of any professional or agency serving challenged individuals and their families, and I heartily recommend it to family members and prospective support personnel alike. The author's personal experiences, professional training, extensive knowledge, and abundant compassion combine to provide a tool that is at once accessible, accurate, and wise. This book is a "must-have" resource, a generous and courageous gift.

A fantastic addition to my medical library to use for all of my patients who have family members with disabilities. The book provides many answers and practical help for those seeking and employing in-home support. It is written in an easily readable, user-friendly format.

I most appreciate the sample advertisements and the sample contracts provided. It also helps give permission to those who stay at home to consider in-home help.

A "Stranger Among Us" is very well written, with easy to follow examples and even worksheets to greatly assist with the hiring process. I especially appreciated how the author allows us to benefit from her "hands-on" experience in her own household, and also includes input from some of the providers that she has employed. Also the reader benefits from extensive research put into this book regarding boundaries that should be established between you and the "In-Home Provider" .

The information and insite offered in this book is amazing. This book illustrates how to endure the difficult and time-consuming process of hiring the right person for the job who will also 'fit" with your family, how to see if the support is working as well as expected and also includes a chapter "When It's Time To Say Goodbye".

A "Stranger " Among Us is a must for anyone who intends to hire "in-home" help, whether you require special support for disabilities or to hire someone to assist with the everyday tasks of a busy household.

FINALLY, a book that understands the true needs of families and how to help us proactively help ourselves. One of the most difficult dilemas when you have a loved one or child with special needs, whether medical or neurological, is how do you find qualified, caring caretakers? So often as family members we find this task so daunting that we choose not to seek outside help. This book is so reassuring, it gives you the tools to find qualified care, but also the right people for YOUR family.

The thing that strikes me about this book is not only how detailed in strategies it is, but how respectful it is about different kinds of people and their diverse needs. One chapter in particular that stands out is Defining Your Family Culture and Needs. This author recognizes that families have different values, and she discusses how having caretakers who match those values can create harmony, or finding caretakers who are different can enhance a family's life by exposing them to a new way to look at the world. It celebrates the benefits of both and the right to make the choice that is right for your family.

This book has step by step instructions about the various ways to go about hiring caretakers, in and out of home, the strategies you can implement in order to find the best match for your family, there is also a strong emphasis on the role of communication and having mutual respect. She recognizes that a caretaker can become part of your family (which we have certainly found to be true.)I could go on, but it is so incredibly detailed that I couldn't possibly do it justice. This book takes all the guess work out of finding a caretaker, all the things I have wondered and worried about facing when our current caretaker eventually move on to other endeavors. The book makes facing that so much less frightening. I HIGHLY recommend this book not only for parents of children with special needs, such as myself, but as a template for anyone seeking qualified care for their loved ones, whether they have disabilities or not. This book should be on hand in every library and every program that works with families in order to provide an understanding of the need for qualified care and how to how to provide in home supports for those families. I already have two copies and am planning to buy more to make sure our local therapy centers have them in their libraries.

Kristi Sakai parent of 3 with autism, author of
Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

This is an Awesome workbook for Parent's and pre-teens. My son is almost 12 and it really helped us work thru some of the pre-teen issues that come up.

This is a wonderful workbook in which adolescents with AS can explore and embrace their own unique needs. The worksheets and concepts are very clear and pave the way for the adolescent with AS to gain critical insight into themselves and then problem solve, and plan accordingly. I HIGHLY recommend this book. The concepts and strategies can be easily adapted for use with all ages.

This excellent book is clear, well thought out,and easy to use. Those challenged by AS are presented with opportunities for self exploration and an understanding of what AS is and how it might be effecting their lives. They are encouraged, validated, and this interactive workbook helps THEM come out with solutions!!! As a parent I can't recommend this book enough! I can see it being adapted for use with many ages.

My daughter, age 9, already knew a lot about Asperger's Syndrome, so introducing her to it wasn't an issue. She enjoys working in the workbook with me. Throughout the workbook, the child focuses on strengths and weaknesses, what the child can do and what they may need help with, etc. The child builds goals and plans for certain situations. We have not made it all the way through, some of the things are to make a homework schedule, etc., and we bought the book over the summer, so we are waiting for school to start before completing it. I really like that it helps me to be involved in her planning and tasks and gives us time to talk about things in a structured way, instead of her just venting about her problems. We are talking and working in a more productive way now, and hopefully as she works toward some of her goals she will see the benefits. My daughter is very high functioning, but I believe that it would be helpful to a wide range of children.