This area is not only for books that I feel have helped me on my health journey, but also books that I have read and loved, and sometimes have even read more than once, because its a great read and sometimes superbly written, or a laugh out loud, or a really gritty story that shocks you, but you cannot put it down! its the four bar KitKat saying – once you’ve had two fingers, you really cannot resist the other two (or is that just me?).
A Boy made of Blocks by Keith Stuart – I’ve read this twice. I bought it at an airport an impromptu buy that only left my hands during meal times and when I went to sleep. If I remember correctly, it was rated high on the Richard and Judy book list that year and quite rightly so in my view.
It is a heartwarming and funny story about a neurotypical father, who struggles to connect with his autistic son. The story is actually inspired by the authors own life experiences with his son. I was drawn to this book as our son had been diagnosed with autism a couple of years before this was published, and after reading so many articles and books to help us to understand how we could best support our boy, we still found it such a minefield. Even though I worked in a school setting supporting children with special education needs (SEN) it felt different to be on the other side, and because our son wasn’t classically autistic and had a dual diagnosis of ASD and ADHD we found it hard and sometimes quite lonely, even though we did have people around us to support us and for that we were always so grateful. I guess it was nice to find a book that really delved into the challenges of what it is truly like to be a parent of a child with autism, but to also share the joy, love and at times the heartache of the journey, while also finding the humour. Anyway, I’m rambling, its a lovely book, read it!
Treating Arthritis The Drug-free Way by Margaret Hills and Christine Horner – I bought this before I got a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia in an attempt to help me tackle my daily muscular aches and joint pain. It is really insightful and begins with the story about a 21 year old Margaret Hills, who enjoyed a full life before being struck down with acute rheumatoid arthritis in 1947. At the time Margaret had been studying to be a nurse. After this life changing event she was told by doctors not to dance, cycle, run, (to not expect too much from her life) and to not return to complete her nursing training.
What I love about this book is that – Margaret took absolutely no notice of the medical advice she had been given and after three months of dancing, swimming and cycling, and after realizing at the end of this time she was not dead, she asked to return to her job as a trainee nurse. Adopting this, I’m going to do it anyway attitude served her well and ignited her passion for finding a way to treat herself and help others, her research made way for ‘The Margaret Hills Programme’ the book is a testimony to how many people she has helped.
The Mindful Art of Bread Making by Pauline Beaumont – I haven’t finished reading this book yet, I listened to a podcast on the ‘Deliciously Ella’ app where Ella interviewed Pauline. I have added the recording to the ‘Useful Resources’ section. So far I am really enjoying it. I will post a full review when I have finished, but if you love the art of bread making, its a no brainer.
dear-body.org 