There has been a rise in older members of our population mainly due to the post World War II baby explosion – the baby boom. This coupled with the facts, that advances in medicine and better lifestyles have us all living for much longer.
With this longevity, come degenerative diseases, the diseases that many of us get in older age. In particular with stroke, arteries become narrow or may be blocked. Because of the sheer numbers of older people now many families either have a relative who has had a stroke or they know someone who has.
In the event of a person close to a child having a stroke it is good to have information available in a form that the child can understand to gain an insight into what strokes are all about, the treatment and what to expect down the track.
Early on in the recovery stage of stroke a child may find the symptoms being experienced by a grandparent for example, distressing. Not being able to speak intelligibly or crying at inappropriate moments, the inability to walk or not being able to hold cutlery with both hands because of one sided paralysis for instance. The chance of recovery from stroke is now much more possible due to advances that have been made in preventive medicine and in treatment techniques.
Much of my nursing career was spent in the field of rehabilitation where I got to see and work with stroke patients and their families during their time of rehabilitation. It was during this time as a registered nurse that I became acutely aware of the absence of material available to inform children about stroke, so I wrote a little book as part of a series on degenerative diseases. Information written in a way that kids would easily relate to and understand complete with illustrations and a resources section for them, mums and dads and teachers.
What better way for children to learn about things than for them to read a story?
This story surrounds a grandfather who had a stroke and his loving family, including his grand daughter. The story encompasses the whole situation, the stroke happening, the hospitalization and immediate and ongoing treatment. The grieving process of the family and observations of the young girl are also discussed.
Readers of all ages but especially, 8-12 year olds will benefit from the knowledge this little book provides.
http://www.stroke-explained.com/
To learn more about Elizabeth’s other children’s publications:
http://www.dementia-explained.com/
http://www.parkinsons-explained.com/
http://www.arthritis-explained.net/
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