The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

Sign in Sight: Step into the Deaf World (Human Horizons), 13 Oct 2004
A very useful book to those who are intereted in learning to sign and need to know just a bit more about the world of deaf people.

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

Sign in Sight: Step into the Deaf World (Human Horizons), 13 Oct 2004
A very useful book to those who are intereted in learning to sign and need to know just a bit more about the world of deaf people.

A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT!, 15 Nov 2003
This is an excellent book for those interested in reading a broad sweep of the subject of disability which is increasingly on the political and economic agenda in Britain. Whether you're disabled or 'able-bodied' this book is a mine of useful information, not just for students of disability studies [although this should be one of the standard course texts]. Mr. Johnstone is a lecturer of Disability Studies at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire - it was the first college of Higher Education [as it was then] in Britain to recognise that disability merited a course subject in its own right in the same way that other 'minority groups' are rightly merited as valid subjects on their own. If you want to know how disabled people in Britain are treated today then you should buy this book.

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

Sign in Sight: Step into the Deaf World (Human Horizons), 13 Oct 2004
A very useful book to those who are intereted in learning to sign and need to know just a bit more about the world of deaf people.

A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT!, 15 Nov 2003
This is an excellent book for those interested in reading a broad sweep of the subject of disability which is increasingly on the political and economic agenda in Britain. Whether you're disabled or 'able-bodied' this book is a mine of useful information, not just for students of disability studies [although this should be one of the standard course texts]. Mr. Johnstone is a lecturer of Disability Studies at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire - it was the first college of Higher Education [as it was then] in Britain to recognise that disability merited a course subject in its own right in the same way that other 'minority groups' are rightly merited as valid subjects on their own. If you want to know how disabled people in Britain are treated today then you should buy this book.

This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk, 23 Oct 2008
This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk . Something is not working. Under books, put in the title -- Henrietta's Dream, or the author Henrietta Spink, or Spink Dream or anything else you can think of and it will not come up.

The only thing I could find was the out of print version, which is only available from a used seller.

I had to go to the Spink Foudnation website and access the page via their link.

Why is this happneing? Can you fix it?

Thanks!

An inspiration, 11 Oct 2007
Reading this book made me wonder how anyone would cope in these circumstances. The simple things we take for granted like getting the shopping done, finding time to get your hair cut seem almost impossible. To keep a relationship alive and find time for you without feeling guilty at leaving the children.

This book made me realise how lucky we are, and how simple my life seems compared to the struggle everyday for Henrietta. And how inspirational she is to have found the strength to cope and see the positive side.

Purely on the strength of this book, my family are in the process of volunteering with our local authority to hopefully support a family like Henrietta's, and I hope we can help make their life easier in some small way.

Mmmm, 01 May 2005
As the parent of a disabled child, I recognised so much in this book, and applaud Henrietta Spink for being a fighter because so many parents quietly suffer which is no good for anyone, including their children. If only those at Local Authorities over Britain who place disabled children somewhere below wheelie bins and bollards in their list of priorities would read this. I got a bit lost in the spirit world stuff, and it also has to be said that most parents out there don't have a nanny, a second home and Alan Titchmarsh on speed dial. However, even with some privileges, her life is tougher than most people could ever imagine and I am grateful that she has articulated this so well.

hard life, 15 Aug 2004
read this book to see that your life is as easy as pie. I do not know how they coped. I would have died from exhaustion. Fantastic and inspiring. Henrietta make's me feel ashamed I moan. and it has enlightened me on the ignorance of others about disability, including myself.

The Observer Review, 23 Jul 2004
Freddie and Henry: a mother's struggle

Henrietta Spink tells the story of her struggle to look after two children with severe disabilities in Henrietta's Dream

Liz Hoggard
Sunday July 18, 2004
The Observer

Buy Henrietta's Dream at Amazon.co.uk

Henrietta's Dream
by Henrietta Spink
Hodder & Stoughton £12.99, pp290
When Henrietta Spink's son Henry was born she had a vision of him as a young man silently reading in a library. A year later Henry was diagnosed as quadraplegic and it was assumed he was brain damaged (even though no scan could pick up evidence). But Spink never lost sight of her initial 'vision', even when Henry's younger brother, Freddie, was also born with chronic disabilities (they were told he would never eat, walk or talk properly). Alongside a life of washing, lifting, feeding and caring, she resolutely searched for a cure for Henry.

Founder of the Henry Spink Foundation, a charity which helps parents to cope with disabled children, Henrietta Spink comes across as part warrior, part Joyce Grenfell. And she is a fantastically tough guide - taking us through the red tape of caring for two disabled children. Friends drop away and her marriage is severely tested. Then there is the profound loneliness of having two babies who may never communicate 'normally'.

But Henrietta has no time for self-pity. She actually comes to see being the mother of two disabled children as 'a gift'. Of course it's possible to dismiss her as irredeemably posh and privileged (her relatives include The Duke of Sutherland, while her husband ran the art company, Spink and Co, later bought by Christie's). But after her parents divorced, the titled members of her family literally faded away. Today she and Michael constantly face financial ruin.

Spink is remarkably clear-sighted about her own failings. And actually she was right about her vision. Henry, now 16, has been partly 'cured', after Spink tracked down an American neuroanatomist who has been able to unlock Henry's brain to the extent that his sight has improved and he can walk with assistance. Meanwhile Freddie, 14, can walk stiffly and string together simple sentences, despite being profoundly autistic.
Of course, it's impossible not to be humbled by the challenges facing any parents of disabled children. But shame is very different from pleasure for the reader. And this book is unputdownable. It reads like a thriller: as Spink takes on a variety of irritants from politicians and high court judges to Wandsworth Council (stunningly stupid in their refusal to fund even basic assistance).

True, there are PC lapses: Spink's colourful vocabulary takes in 'fruitcakes' and 'pansyish'. She is not afraid to claim that being middle-class has made her case harder ('When you're on benefits, then we'll help,' one official told her). More controversially, she asserts that disability is beyond class. But as one who has dedicated her life to 24-hour care, you sense she has earned the right to ask unpalatable questions.

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

Sign in Sight: Step into the Deaf World (Human Horizons), 13 Oct 2004
A very useful book to those who are intereted in learning to sign and need to know just a bit more about the world of deaf people.

A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT!, 15 Nov 2003
This is an excellent book for those interested in reading a broad sweep of the subject of disability which is increasingly on the political and economic agenda in Britain. Whether you're disabled or 'able-bodied' this book is a mine of useful information, not just for students of disability studies [although this should be one of the standard course texts]. Mr. Johnstone is a lecturer of Disability Studies at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire - it was the first college of Higher Education [as it was then] in Britain to recognise that disability merited a course subject in its own right in the same way that other 'minority groups' are rightly merited as valid subjects on their own. If you want to know how disabled people in Britain are treated today then you should buy this book.

This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk, 23 Oct 2008
This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk . Something is not working. Under books, put in the title -- Henrietta's Dream, or the author Henrietta Spink, or Spink Dream or anything else you can think of and it will not come up.

The only thing I could find was the out of print version, which is only available from a used seller.

I had to go to the Spink Foudnation website and access the page via their link.

Why is this happneing? Can you fix it?

Thanks!

An inspiration, 11 Oct 2007
Reading this book made me wonder how anyone would cope in these circumstances. The simple things we take for granted like getting the shopping done, finding time to get your hair cut seem almost impossible. To keep a relationship alive and find time for you without feeling guilty at leaving the children.

This book made me realise how lucky we are, and how simple my life seems compared to the struggle everyday for Henrietta. And how inspirational she is to have found the strength to cope and see the positive side.

Purely on the strength of this book, my family are in the process of volunteering with our local authority to hopefully support a family like Henrietta's, and I hope we can help make their life easier in some small way.

Mmmm, 01 May 2005
As the parent of a disabled child, I recognised so much in this book, and applaud Henrietta Spink for being a fighter because so many parents quietly suffer which is no good for anyone, including their children. If only those at Local Authorities over Britain who place disabled children somewhere below wheelie bins and bollards in their list of priorities would read this. I got a bit lost in the spirit world stuff, and it also has to be said that most parents out there don't have a nanny, a second home and Alan Titchmarsh on speed dial. However, even with some privileges, her life is tougher than most people could ever imagine and I am grateful that she has articulated this so well.

hard life, 15 Aug 2004
read this book to see that your life is as easy as pie. I do not know how they coped. I would have died from exhaustion. Fantastic and inspiring. Henrietta make's me feel ashamed I moan. and it has enlightened me on the ignorance of others about disability, including myself.

The Observer Review, 23 Jul 2004
Freddie and Henry: a mother's struggle

Henrietta Spink tells the story of her struggle to look after two children with severe disabilities in Henrietta's Dream

Liz Hoggard
Sunday July 18, 2004
The Observer

Buy Henrietta's Dream at Amazon.co.uk

Henrietta's Dream
by Henrietta Spink
Hodder & Stoughton £12.99, pp290
When Henrietta Spink's son Henry was born she had a vision of him as a young man silently reading in a library. A year later Henry was diagnosed as quadraplegic and it was assumed he was brain damaged (even though no scan could pick up evidence). But Spink never lost sight of her initial 'vision', even when Henry's younger brother, Freddie, was also born with chronic disabilities (they were told he would never eat, walk or talk properly). Alongside a life of washing, lifting, feeding and caring, she resolutely searched for a cure for Henry.

Founder of the Henry Spink Foundation, a charity which helps parents to cope with disabled children, Henrietta Spink comes across as part warrior, part Joyce Grenfell. And she is a fantastically tough guide - taking us through the red tape of caring for two disabled children. Friends drop away and her marriage is severely tested. Then there is the profound loneliness of having two babies who may never communicate 'normally'.

But Henrietta has no time for self-pity. She actually comes to see being the mother of two disabled children as 'a gift'. Of course it's possible to dismiss her as irredeemably posh and privileged (her relatives include The Duke of Sutherland, while her husband ran the art company, Spink and Co, later bought by Christie's). But after her parents divorced, the titled members of her family literally faded away. Today she and Michael constantly face financial ruin.

Spink is remarkably clear-sighted about her own failings. And actually she was right about her vision. Henry, now 16, has been partly 'cured', after Spink tracked down an American neuroanatomist who has been able to unlock Henry's brain to the extent that his sight has improved and he can walk with assistance. Meanwhile Freddie, 14, can walk stiffly and string together simple sentences, despite being profoundly autistic.
Of course, it's impossible not to be humbled by the challenges facing any parents of disabled children. But shame is very different from pleasure for the reader. And this book is unputdownable. It reads like a thriller: as Spink takes on a variety of irritants from politicians and high court judges to Wandsworth Council (stunningly stupid in their refusal to fund even basic assistance).

True, there are PC lapses: Spink's colourful vocabulary takes in 'fruitcakes' and 'pansyish'. She is not afraid to claim that being middle-class has made her case harder ('When you're on benefits, then we'll help,' one official told her). More controversially, she asserts that disability is beyond class. But as one who has dedicated her life to 24-hour care, you sense she has earned the right to ask unpalatable questions.

Please STOP don't do it!!!!lol, 31 Jan 2007
Well!!!! I had to by this book as part of my course. And all I can say is that you either have to be a book worm to sail through the book or already have alot of knowledge of mental heath. The book is quite informative. But it is not easy reading, So be prepared to set side aot of time into understanding the book. If you have a short attention span, then you may need to buy the audio if its avaliable. I wouldn't suggest this book for people that would like to gain a general insite in to the world of mental health.

Good, but not worth £55!, 23 Feb 2004
This book deals with a wide range of mental health issues which are certainly of relevance to anyone working in this field. The many contributors have a great deal valuable experience and specialised knowledge and the content is rich and varied as a result. As good as it is, I certainly would not describe this as a core, "must-have" text. Also, this text was published in 1996 and your £55 might go a long way towards something more up-to-date instead, like a journal subscription, library membership or the next of edition of this book, to which I look forward with interest! If the text is required reading on a course or module a library loan might suffice, but if you must buy it it will certainly not go to loss!

The most engaging and definitive text on disability, 12 Oct 2001
Whether you are a reader of sociology / disability studies or not, this book offers the most enaging and thought provoking understanding of disability that you will find. Featuring seminal writers such as Mike Oliver, David Hevey ('The Creatures that Time Forgot') and Jenny Morris ('Pride Against Prejudice')'Disabling Barriers' uses the social model of disability to address issues of inequality. Looking at the way in which disabled people are represented in the media (David Hevey) for instance, the authors seek to debate that inaccessible environments and social prejudice's 'disable' people.
Through highlighting these concerning issues, 'Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments' points us towards possible solutions for the future of disabiity culture and equality.

Disappointed, 23 Sep 2008
I don't feel this booke matched its title.
I bought the 2004 edition and boy is an update required.
Its very old fashioned with too much emphasis on the science and not enough on the "how tos". Nutrition early intervention, development issues were so poor that i was disgusted with it.
9 months into the journey with only my life experience i could have written a better book ..............
.......can anyone recommend a good handbook???

Don't bother to buy this hold your cash.


a veryuseful and comprehensive book for parents and carers., 12 May 2004
What could be better than the stated aim of this handbook, ‘This book will assist each person in their attempt to provide encouragement and opportunity for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome to flourish and reach their full potential.’ This book just does that.

Sign in Sight: Step into the Deaf World (Human Horizons), 13 Oct 2004
A very useful book to those who are intereted in learning to sign and need to know just a bit more about the world of deaf people.

A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT!, 15 Nov 2003
This is an excellent book for those interested in reading a broad sweep of the subject of disability which is increasingly on the political and economic agenda in Britain. Whether you're disabled or 'able-bodied' this book is a mine of useful information, not just for students of disability studies [although this should be one of the standard course texts]. Mr. Johnstone is a lecturer of Disability Studies at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire - it was the first college of Higher Education [as it was then] in Britain to recognise that disability merited a course subject in its own right in the same way that other 'minority groups' are rightly merited as valid subjects on their own. If you want to know how disabled people in Britain are treated today then you should buy this book.

This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk, 23 Oct 2008
This book does not come up in an author or title search of Amazon.co.uk . Something is not working. Under books, put in the title -- Henrietta's Dream, or the author Henrietta Spink, or Spink Dream or anything else you can think of and it will not come up.

The only thing I could find was the out of print version, which is only available from a used seller.

I had to go to the Spink Foudnation website and access the page via their link.

Why is this happneing? Can you fix it?

Thanks!

An inspiration, 11 Oct 2007
Reading this book made me wonder how anyone would cope in these circumstances. The simple things we take for granted like getting the shopping done, finding time to get your hair cut seem almost impossible. To keep a relationship alive and find time for you without feeling guilty at leaving the children.

This book made me realise how lucky we are, and how simple my life seems compared to the struggle everyday for Henrietta. And how inspirational she is to have found the strength to cope and see the positive side.

Purely on the strength of this book, my family are in the process of volunteering with our local authority to hopefully support a family like Henrietta's, and I hope we can help make their life easier in some small way.

Mmmm, 01 May 2005
As the parent of a disabled child, I recognised so much in this book, and applaud Henrietta Spink for being a fighter because so many parents quietly suffer which is no good for anyone, including their children. If only those at Local Authorities over Britain who place disabled children somewhere below wheelie bins and bollards in their list of priorities would read this. I got a bit lost in the spirit world stuff, and it also has to be said that most parents out there don't have a nanny, a second home and Alan Titchmarsh on speed dial. However, even with some privileges, her life is tougher than most people could ever imagine and I am grateful that she has articulated this so well.

hard life, 15 Aug 2004
read this book to see that your life is as easy as pie. I do not know how they coped. I would have died from exhaustion. Fantastic and inspiring. Henrietta make's me feel ashamed I moan. and it has enlightened me on the ignorance of others about disability, including myself.

The Observer Review, 23 Jul 2004
Freddie and Henry: a mother's struggle

Henrietta Spink tells the story of her struggle to look after two children with severe disabilities in Henrietta's Dream

Liz Hoggard
Sunday July 18, 2004
The Observer

Buy Henrietta's Dream at Amazon.co.uk

Henrietta's Dream
by Henrietta Spink
Hodder & Stoughton £12.99, pp290
When Henrietta Spink's son Henry was born she had a vision of him as a young man silently reading in a library. A year later Henry was diagnosed as quadraplegic and it was assumed he was brain damaged (even though no scan could pick up evidence). But Spink never lost sight of her initial 'vision', even when Henry's younger brother, Freddie, was also born with chronic disabilities (they were told he would never eat, walk or talk properly). Alongside a life of washing, lifting, feeding and caring, she resolutely searched for a cure for Henry.

Founder of the Henry Spink Foundation, a charity which helps parents to cope with disabled children, Henrietta Spink comes across as part warrior, part Joyce Grenfell. And she is a fantastically tough guide - taking us through the red tape of caring for two disabled children. Friends drop away and her marriage is severely tested. Then there is the profound loneliness of having two babies who may never communicate 'normally'.

But Henrietta has no time for self-pity. She actually comes to see being the mother of two disabled children as 'a gift'. Of course it's possible to dismiss her as irredeemably posh and privileged (her relatives include The Duke of Sutherland, while her husband ran the art company, Spink and Co, later bought by Christie's). But after her parents divorced, the titled members of her family literally faded away. Today she and Michael constantly face financial ruin.

Spink is remarkably clear-sighted about her own failings. And actually she was right about her vision. Henry, now 16, has been partly 'cured', after Spink tracked down an American neuroanatomist who has been able to unlock Henry's brain to the extent that his sight has improved and he can walk with assistance. Meanwhile Freddie, 14, can walk stiffly and string together simple sentences, despite being profoundly autistic.
Of course, it's impossible not to be humbled by the challenges facing any parents of disabled children. But shame is very different from pleasure for the reader. And this book is unputdownable. It reads like a thriller: as Spink takes on a variety of irritants from politicians and high court judges to Wandsworth Council (stunningly stupid in their refusal to fund even basic assistance).

True, there are PC lapses: Spink's colourful vocabulary takes in 'fruitcakes' and 'pansyish'. She is not afraid to claim that being middle-class has made her case harder ('When you're on benefits, then we'll help,' one official told her). More controversially, she asserts that disability is beyond class. But as one who has dedicated her life to 24-hour care, you sense she has earned the right to ask unpalatable questions.

Please STOP don't do it!!!!lol, 31 Jan 2007
Well!!!! I had to by this book as part of my course. And all I can say is that you either have to be a book worm to sail through the book or already have alot of knowledge of mental heath. The book is quite informative. But it is not easy reading, So be prepared to set side aot of time into understanding the book. If you have a short attention span, then you may need to buy the audio if its avaliable. I wouldn't suggest this book for people that would like to gain a general insite in to the world of mental health.

Good, but not worth £55!, 23 Feb 2004
This book deals with a wide range of mental health issues which are certainly of relevance to anyone working in this field. The many contributors have a great deal valuable experience and specialised knowledge and the content is rich and varied as a result. As good as it is, I certainly would not describe this as a core, "must-have" text. Also, this text was published in 1996 and your £55 might go a long way towards something more up-to-date instead, like a journal subscription, library membership or the next of edition of this book, to which I look forward with interest! If the text is required reading on a course or module a library loan might suffice, but if you must buy it it will certainly not go to loss!

Any book by Illich is worth a read especially this one, 16 Jul 2007
The professions e.g doctors, lawyers teachers, social workers are more akin to a priesthood. Their prescription for the masses is non negotiable what they say goes. The masses for their part have given up responsibility for themselves and would rather have the state make decisions for them.