Living with Parkinson’s and Gaucher's disease
Other books by Elaine Benton
Visit my Blog
Elaine Benton was born in England in1963. She inherited Gaucher disease, a rare chronic genetic
disorder from her parents. To date, there is no cure for Gaucher Disease but in 1991 she began to
receive a new long awaited medicine, in the form of infusions. At the age of 44 Elaine was diagnosed
with Parkinson’s disease. Having two chronic diseases makes life very
difficult, but she remains in good spirits.
Elaine’s optimism and sense of humour provide the valuable tools and
coping mechanism she needs to deal with Gaucher and Parkinson’s disease.
She is a remarkable young woman, who brings inspiration to all, touching
people with her personal battle, always with a smile on her face, and a story to tell.
Synopsis
Elaine decided to use her experience and insights to produce a collection of poems. Her book
"Parkinson's, shaken not stirred!" describes what it means to live with Gaucher and Parkinson’s
disease. Using the book as a platform with which to give support and hope to other young patients
suffering from chronic disease, the book will enable them to relate to similar situations, and to know
they are not alone in their struggles. Elaine’s aim is also to enlighten others and spread the word by
bringing knowledge and creating greater awareness of Gaucher and Parkinson’s to the general
public. The poems tell a very personal story of Elaine’s daily struggles, giving an honest yet raw
picture, she tells it exactly as it is. Some poems are serious, others are light hearted and funny, but
all come straight from her heart and personal experience.
"Parkinson's, shaken not stirred!"
Living with Parkinson’s and Gaucher's disease
by Elaine Benton
A collection of short poems, from a lighthearted point of
view, written by a young women, suffering from
Parkinson's and Gaucher's disease.
It gives words of support to other sufferers and brings
greater awareness of Parkinson's to the general public.
Paperback edition
Worldwide delivery
Reviews
The response to this book has been phenomenal, and the hundreds
of messages that people have sent, attest that Elaine is sending
forth an important message to sufferers of chronic disease, their
families and friends, those in the medical field, and people who
struggle with other difficulties in life.
The book is inspirational, uplifting, and definitely shakes one up. It’s
impossible not to be stirred by Elaine’s passion for life and
unshakable determination.
"The poems were straight from your heart- with an underlying desire to educate and encourage others, both those suffering directly, as well as
the care givers of those with a degenerative disease, and the public in general.
You examine from all angles some of the emotions that you wrestle with as well as the physical pain and symptoms you face. Your poems allow
an honest look into your daily life and the brave ways you constantly face each new challenge, they can only be an inspiration to anyone that
reads them."
Taya, USA
"This is a must have for anyone with Parkinson's or any chronic disabling illness and their Carers. It makes you laugh, cry and understand."
H. Davis, England
"This touching collection of poems manages to be entertaining while giving the reader a glimpse into the mind of someone suffering from two
debilitating and restricting diseases. The writer takes us with her through her treatment and many intimate aspects of her daily life while
remaining positive at all times. Impossible to read without smiling."
Steve, London
"The focus of the book deals with how Parkinson's has, and has not, changed the author's life. She still carries on with her daily life, albeit with
some modification. She explains how she manages to remain optimistic about her own future. Her experience and wisdom would serve other
Parkinson's families well (patients and care givers.
I wish this book had been available when my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's so I would have known what to expect in the years to
come."
Josh S. Washington, USA
"For suffers of any debilitating chronic disease there are always so many factual, informative and therapy books out there. But now here is a
book of poems for the soul, which needs as much nourishment as does the body. Make time to sit, read and breathe, time to understand that
you are not alone but that there are others feeling what you feel, going through what you are going through. Written with humor yet
acknowledging the hardships and difficulties that this disease creates in daily life.
For those not "lucky" enough to be born with the happy gene draw strength and hopefully a renewal of motivation to live each day, each
moment to its fullest as does the author Elaine Benton a sufferer of both Gauche and Parkinson's a particularly vicious combination."
Ash, Israel
I feel it was instructional and your telling all others afflicted with the same (and other) diseases, that is okay to feel the way they feel, to embrace
it. It's also a 'hats off' and thank you to all of us caregivers, lovers, spouses, families who don't give up the ship. Thank you for making it easy to
read. I was amazed at all the different subjects touched upon.
Kate, USA