Publisher's Information:
Zoe's Win by Jane Colby is a remarkable book - the first of its kind. Telling the story of a child with ME in a way that ensures no-one will remain unmoved, it includes a self-help section and, best of all, unequivocal advice for doctors and teachers:
ME is an organic illness, court cases result from inappropriate treatment, and education must by law be tailored for the children's needs. The National Curriculum is unsuitable for children with ME and many fare better out of school than in it.
Reviews by Mark and Anna Daffin (aged 15 and 13, TYMES Issue 30) give it 10 out of 10, and Dr Nigel Hunt of the CMO's Working Group recommends it as "a truly welcome addition to the ME literature". Includes the full statistics from the BBC's "Panorama" on ME in children.
Orders are post-free if placed via Young Action Online, PO Box 4347, Stock, Ingatestone, CM4 9TE. Cheques payable to the publisher, Dome Vision. Price £7.95 (£1 off a second copy). For orders from outside the UK, please send a sterling cheque. Add postage/packing as follows: Europe £1.25; World Zone 1 (eg USA, South Africa) £2.25; World Zone 2 (eg Australia, New Zealand) £2.55. The offer of £1 off a second copy still applies but add another 50p postage (World Zone 2 add £1).
You can buy Zoe's Win from Amazon.co.uk right now!
Readers' Comments
"Zoe's Win by Jane Colby was mentioned in our last newsletter and I very much
enjoyed reading it with my 9 year old, Megan. In Meg's words, 'I loved it. I loved the way
she described how she felt when she was bad. It was just like me! She really understands.
It was so good to read about another kid.' "
Mary Robinson, Lyndonville News (Dr David Bell’s online newsletter)
"I would like to order two more copies of the book Zoe's Win by Jane Colby. I
ordered one copy a month ago and thought it was wonderful... my friends thought so
too."
Parent
"A short note to say 'thanks' for the copy of Zoe's Win.... it justifiably lives
up to the glowing reviews it has received. Congratulations - young people and their
families have needed just this kind of information and help, and the style and way or
presenting the info. through a young person's story is terrific!"
Parent
"Many congratulations on Zoe's Win. I love the descriptions when Zoe is feeling
awful - and the section with Ben's tips."
Parent
"I enjoyed Zoe's win enormously - will read it to my children - and cried a little
at the children's poems. I haven't come across another book which describes how horible a
flare up is, never mind for children to endure. I was lying in bed reading Zoe's win, to
distract me from terrible pain everywhere."
Parent and ME Sufferer
Reviews and Recommendations
Dr Nigel Hunt
General Practitioner, GP Tutor, Member of the Chief Medical Officer’s
Working Group on CFS/ME
"This timely publication written by Jane Colby, Action for M.E.’s children’s officer, is a truly welcome addition to the literature on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/ Chronic Fatigue syndrome. Bouts of ME can last for several years and there is a spectrum of severity and disability, which sufferers can experience.
Aimed not only at young ME/CFS sufferers but also their parents, carers, teachers and medical professionals, this book is packed with practical advice on how to cope with this complex illness. This is a book that encourages collaboration between fellow sufferers, their carers and their professional advisers.
Clear practical guidance is also offered on how to address the educational needs and wants of the child, when pitched against this energy-depleted condition.
It is to be hoped that this thought-provoking book will help raise awareness of M.E/CFS and promote a more unified and equitable provision for our young M.E/CFS sufferers."
Anna Grace Lidstone
Editor and Coordinator, TYMES (The Young ME Sufferer)
"It takes a special kind of intelligence and sensitivity to understand the effects of ME on a child. In Zoe’s Win, Jane Colby successfully communicates Zoe’s changing world; not only the symptoms of ME but the consternation and the pride, the fear and the courage, the frustration and the hope.
The practical principles for teachers include the experiences and guidance of young people, expressed through poetry and ‘downright sensible thinking’. Even good teachers can find it difficult to learn from children - but this approach, and the direct style, are balanced with fine analogies, reasoned argument and the promise of ‘gratitude and affection for the rest of their lives’.
This book ensures that young people, families and professionals will be informed and inspired."
Anna Daffin (13)
reviews the story section for TYMES
The style of writing of the story is informal and uses everyday language and the kind of words a young person would use. The story itself is well set out and easy to read. There is a lot of factual information put across throughout this section which would be very helpful for either the young person suffering from ME, or a parent. Also it would benefit doctors and teachers, helping them to understand what it is like for the young person with ME.
Because this information is in the form of a story, it is more readable, easy to understand and take in. I think Zoe’s Win is very relevant to young people suffering from ME. The symptoms Zoe went through are those that I and many other young people experience or have had. This is a great story, it shows two people almost, one Zoe that is sad and cannot see the finishing line and another that has learned to cope and is back on track. The story is inspirational as Zoe did win in the end, even if she did not achieve being a sportswoman as she had originally wanted, she won the achievement of being able to live and cope with ME. [And another kind of win too! But that’s a secret. (Author)]
Mark Daffin (15)
reviews the self-help section for TYMES
This section of the book is well laid out, the print is easy to read and does not give you a headache - a problem I found in the early stages of the illness. I especially like the brief headings above each paragraph, this is useful in that you can flick through the pages to quickly find a relevant paragraph to show a friend or GP etc.
The content is easy to understand and follow, there is no medical or scientific terminology to confuse you before you have reached the end of the sentence! For style and layout I give this section ten out of ten!!
The points raised in this section of the book are very important points, of relevance to anyone with ME, especially young people who have just contracted the illness. There are questions that I and my family needed answering in the early stages of the illness. At this time everything is so overwhelming for both the young person and their family. This section deals with everything that you need and want to know clearly and succinctly and will be a great help to young people trying to get to grips with the illness.
(TYMES reviews were published in Issue 30, December 1999)