IHC book reviews

Just like other daughters by Colleen Faulkner It's how you love that matters. Alicia Richards loved her daughter from her very first breath. Days later, when tests confirmed what Alicia already knew--that Chloe had Down syndrome--she didn't falter. Her ex-husband wanted a child who would grow to be a scholar. For Alicia, it's enough that Chloe just is. Now twenty-five, Chloe is sweet, funny, and content. Alicia brings her to adult daycare while she teaches at a local college. One day Chloe arrives home thrumming with excitement, and says the words Alicia never anticipated. She has met someone--a young man named Thomas. Within days, Chloe and Thomas, also mentally challenged, declare themselves in love. Alicia strives to see past her misgivings to the new possibilities opening up for her daughter. Shouldn't Chloe have the same right to love as anyone else? But there is no way to prepare for the relationship unfolding, or for the moments of heartbreak and joy ahead... "So real, so honest...I laughed, I hoped, I cried. It's that good." Cathy Lamb, author of The Language of Sisters Reader comment: I enjoyed this book and hope it will promote discussion regarding sexuality and relationships. My only reservation was to do with some of the terms used such as “mentally handicapped”.

A major adjustment: how a remarkable child became a remarkable adult by Andy Merriman Sarah Merriman is just like any other urbane young woman in her twenties. She has a job in a Central London hotel, a boyfriend, commutes to work on the Tube, eats out, goes to films and theatre. This is all the more remarkable (though not to her) because Sarah was born with Down syndrome. Her parents having no prior inkling, it came as a huge shock to them that they now had a daughter with a disability. In 1999 her father Andy wrote a frank and moving book, A Minor Adjustment, about the challenge of her early years. The national publicity it gained saw it become a treasured resource for other families on a similar journey. Now he follows up with the inspirational story of how his daughter, whose favourite expression is `I love my life', has grown up, featured on Michel Roux's compelling Kitchen Impossible series, and is making a life of her own at a time when pre-natal testing is threatening the very existence of people with Down syndrome. Sarah has contributed throughout." - Book jacket summary

Sexuality and intellectual disabilities: a guide for professionals by Andrew Maxwell Triska This book provides a concise overview of sexuality and gender identity in clients with intellectual disabilities for therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare providers. It captures the social, political, and legal environment of the late 2010s and bridges the gap between research and practice, with engaging case examples drawn from the author’s own practice. Guidance on everyday issues like dating and sex education is juxtaposed with material on complex, current issues on topics like LGBTQ inclusion and sexual offending. User-friendly "toolboxes" provide brief guides to practical issues like using trans-friendly language and providing family interventions. Accessible enough for students and trainees, but thorough enough for veteran clinicians, this book explores issues that professionals face in providing competent care through the lens of justice and inclusion. - Book jacket summary

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Your IHC library team (Phil, Ros, Ann and Michael) on 0800 442 442, email them at librarian@ihc.org. nz or visit the online catalogue at https://ihc.mykoha. co.nz/ You can watch their library video at https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=AunmBYTIZTM