Suggested Reading
Detailed below are some of the books Carers have found helpful. If you would like to recommend a book for this page, contact Liz Ilderton on 01782 831612 We are indebted to Liz Ilderton, one of our Link Project Co-ordinators, for the following review.
"Meet DERIC LONGDEN - husband, writer, cat lover, broadcaster, lecturer, CARER
For years, Deric Longden has kept countless millions of readers amused, with books about his human and feline families. His sharp wit and infectious humour are remarkable in the light of the difficulties he has sometimes had to face:
Deric's first wife, Diana, suffered from M.E. which meant that she was wheelchair bound and in constant pain. Deric had to put his career as a broadcaster on hold and watch his business slowly fail, as he devoted himself to being his wife's full time Carer. After Diana's death, Deric married fellow writer Aileen Armitage who is registered blind and who, despite being staunchly independent, still needs extra support from her husband. Deric's hat trick of caring was complete when he began caring for his mother, who had suffered a debilitating stroke.
In his two books "Diana's Story" and "Lost for Words", Deric paints a loving picture of the three women in his life and gives us an uplifting insight into the positive side of being a Carer. He breathes humour into every aspect of a journey that encompasses despair, hope, bereavement, joy, resignation and personal fulfilment. He even manages to raise a smile when recounting his battles with beaurocracy!
Both books are published by Corgi Press.
"Diana's Story" ISBN 0 - 552 - 13944 - 0
"Lost for Words" ISBN 0 - 552 - 13943 - 2If, like me, you are a cat lover - you will enjoy Deric's books about the succession of felines who have ruled his household over the years. I suggest you begin with:
"The Cat Who Came in From the Cold". I promise you, you will never look at your family moggy in quite the same way again!This book is published by Corgi Press
ISBN 0 - 552 - 13822 - 3
"The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring" by Hugh Marriott
This book is for those of us who have come reluctantly to caring for someone with a long-term disability and who secretly feel bad about our unwillingness.
In a highly entertaining manner the author, himself a Carer of his partner who has Huntingdon's Disease, tackles the really difficult issues of "What if you didn't care?" "Pushing them down the stairs", "Are you the one who needs looking after?" "Officialdom and Chaos Theory" and "Tips which the experts don't tell you".
The suggestions for managing your life with your piglet (Person I Give Love & Endless Therapy) to reduce frustrations and despair are done in a way that is not only hilariously funny but also unpretentious. Making a conscious decision not to want what you can't have and "going at piglet pace" are just two of many really sound guidelines.
It addresses issues that as a Carer you can hardly bear to admit to yourself. It acknowledges that you are on your own and like it or not you have to survive or your piglet suffers.
This is a book that I predict will revolutionise the awareness of Carers: already I feel empowered by refreshing and liberating straight talking.
"The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring is published by Polperro Heritage Press. ISBN 0954423313
We are indebted to Glenys Thomas for her permission to use her review of this book. Glenys was a tutor on DipSw/CSS/CQSW and a lecturer in Group Work in the West Midlands before becoming a Carer.
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