Getting on with Cancer

People who can't read or who don't like written words are often very good at reading pictures. That's why there are no words in these picture stories. These books all tell a story, but they also let the reader tell their own story - the one they see in the pictures. This can tell you a lot about a person's inner world and their understanding of situations. There is plenty to talk about and each story explores feelings and relationships as well as giving information.

Age: Teens and Special Needs

This book is based on a story by Veronica Donaghey, a woman with Down's syndrome who had lymphoma. Veronica wrote:

I'd like the book to be for doctors to read it. A Down's syndrome girl has had cancer twice and pulled through it. It's not all bad news. I don't mean doctors are stupid but they are sometimes. I'm not a burden. I help other people. I put something back. It's for everybody really. I'd like the book to have a happy ending. I'd like there to be photos of the people that helped me. I'd like Beth to draw the pictures.

Sadly Veronica has since died of her illness.

This book is designed to support people like Veronica, who become unwell and are diagnosed as having cancer. In this story, Veronica visits her GP, who refers her to a hospital consultant. She has a chest X-ray and then is admitted to hospital for an operation. After the operation, the consultant tells Veronica that she has cancer, but that it's not all bad news, some cancers can be cured. She goes on to receive radiotherapy and then chemotherapy sessions.
After the chemotherapy has finished, Veronica feels better. She is glad the treatment is finished. She hopes the cancer is cured. The story is divided into different sections highlighting the different experiences that cancer patients may have.

This book deals honestly with the unpleasant side of treatment, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is in a highly accessible format and is ideal for a person with a learning disability to read through with their supporter.