Heart Disease, Cardiology, Cardiovascular, Psychiatry 

People with learning disabilities, like many other people today, are often overweight and at risk of coronary heart disease due to an unsuitable diet and lack of exercise. But most of us can prevent heart disease if we make simple and practical changes in our lifestyle. Looking After My Heart is about Jane, who smokes, drinks alcohol and likes party food. We first see her celebrating her 25th birthday with her family and friends. Several years later her father dies of a heart attack. When Jane starts to have chest pains, a friend reminds her of what happened to her father, but she refuses to go to see her GP. Then she has a heart attack in the street and is taken to hospital. There, Jane's heart is carefully monitored, and she has some tests. The hospital doctor gives her medication and advice about how to look after herself better. By the end of the book, Jane is fully recovered and we see her swimming, and going out with her family and friends. The book also contains written information about the symptoms of heart disease, what causes it, and how it is treated, plus a list of helpful organisations. This section includes guidance on how to tell if someone is having a heart attack and diagrams on what to do if they are.'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.Also available:Enjoying Sport and Exercise (Books Beyond Words) - ISBN 1904671551Enabling Recovery: The Principles and Practice of Rehabilitation Psychiatry - ISBN 1904671306 - from Amzon