Getting on With Cancer

When Veronica's doctor told her she had cancer, she was confused and terrified. Then he told her some cancers can be cured.Getting on with Cancer tells the story of Veronica, a woman with Down's Syndrome, who has cancer. She has surgery and also radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The book deals honestly with the unpleasant side of treatment. It is designed to be used as a counselling tool by anyone working with people who have both learning disabilities and cancer. It will also be valuable for other client groups, for example, people with chronic mental health problems. The book ends on a positive note.Included in the book is Veronica Donaghey's story 'It's not all bad news', written in her own words. There are also guidelines for carers/supporters and for healthcare professionals and information on relevant resources and helpful organisations.'The excellent Books Beyond Words series encourages client empowerment in a dynamic way.'- British Journal of Learning Disabilities What are Books Beyond Words? Few picture books are available for adults and adolescents who cannot read or who have difficulty reading. Fewer still provide information and address the emotional aspects of difficult events like the Books Beyond Words series. Each specially commissioned book actively addresses the problems of understanding that people with learning and communication difficulties experience. The stories are told through colour pictures that include mime and body language, to communicate simple, explicit messages. These help 'readers' to cope with emotions and events such as going to the doctor, bereavement, sexual abuse and depression. People with learning disabilities trial every single picture before publication to ensure they can be readily understood. Supporting text and guidelines are given at the back of each book. The authors are all experts in their fields. Lists of resources and helpful organisations are provided where appropriate. 'This series has established the highest reputation for tackling complex and difficult issues, clearly, compassionately and with considerable skill.' - Viewpoint (Mencap) 'Books Beyond Words offer a useful resource for prompting discussion on a variety of issues.' - Communication Who should use Books Beyond Words? Books Beyond Words can be used by: Anyone who understands pictures better than words. People with learning or communication difficulties. People with literacy problems. People for whom English is a second language when an interpreter is not available. Anyone who speaks a different language. Relatives, friends, supporters and advocates. Teachers, social workers, health and legal professionals, police officers. 'These books are powerful interpretive tools for anyone who works with people with developmental disabilities' - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 'The acid test for these publications has to be whether or not one would find them useful in clinical practice... my own answer would be an unequivocal 'Yes'.' - Journal of Intellectual Disability ResearchBy telling the whole story in pictures, Books Beyond Words titles help people to prepare for an event or to deal with something that has happened. People are able to relate the pictures to their own experiences, without being distracted or confused by accompanying text. The pictures share information and show procedures, but they also illustrate emotions relevant to the topic or experience. Supporting information, as text, is provided at the back of each book. A suggested storyline gives one interpretation of what is taking place.Also AvailableMichelle Finds a Voice (Books Beyond Words) - ISBN 1901242064I Can Get Through It (Books Beyond Words) - ISBN 190124220X