Summary |
The book is designed as a supplement to the more formal information provided by your medical advisers. It is not possible, nor even appropriate, to produce a miniature textbook of medicine, nor a comprehensive catalogue of aids and appliances, nor even a detailed description of all possible solutions to all problems of physical disability. Here the purpose is to help you work out your own solutions, to interpret the advice given to you by such professions and organizations as hospitals, social services, education authorities, voluntary societies, and even your friends and neighbours. Everyone considers himself an expert and will be free with advice. In one sense this book provides. In one sense this book provides the pinch of salt to add to the masses of free advice you will receive. In the absence of any other advice we hope it will help you pick your way through the range of problems.
Disabled people are individuals just like able-bodied people. Sometimes they desperately want to try to do things for themselves-even though they may not be very successful. Some days they desperately want to be helped and comforted. On other days they want to be left alone. The book attempts to encourage the disabled person to develop all possible areas of independence. It encourages able-bodied people to encourage disabled people to be independent; it tries to prevent you smothering a disabled relative or friend with kindness.
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