Endal - Dog of the Millennium

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ENDAL

by Allen and Sandra Parton

The remarkable story of Endal, voted ‘Dog of the Millennium’, and how, through his remarkable skills, companionship and unstinting devotion, he gave Allen Parton a reason to live again. Allen Parton was seriously injured while serving in the Gulf War. He lost the use of both of his legs, plus all memories of his children and much of his marriage. He was left unable to walk, talk or write – isolated in his own world. After five years of intensive therapy and rehab, he was still angry, bitter and unable to talk. Until a chance encounter with a Labrador puppy – Endal – who had failed his training as an assistance dog on health grounds. They ‘adopted’ each other, and Endal became Allen’s reason to communicate with the outside world, to come to terms with his injuries, and to want to live again. Not content with learning over 200 commands to help Allen complete everyday tasks like getting dressed and going out to the shops in his wheelchair, Endal gave Allen the ability to start living again, and to become a husband and father again in his own special way. This is the incredible story of Allen, his wife Sandra, and his family. And, of course, Endal.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS – ALLEN AND SANDRA PARTON

Allen Parton was serving in the Gulf War when an accident robbed him of the use of his legs and half of his long-term and short-term memory. After 5 years in hospital, he was still unable to walk, talk, read or write. It was only when he was partnered up with his Canine Partner, Endal, that he found the strength to learn to communicate with the world again. As his aide with everyday tasks, Endal allows Allen to lead an independent life. Endal has been given many awards, including the PDSA Gold Award and Dog of the Millenium award. Allen and Endal currently work with a number of animal and disability charities.

Sandra Parton is a writer, known for Endal (2015) and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (1999).

WHERE TO BUY

This book can be purchased at most book shops including online from bookstores such asFishpond

Publisher: HarperTrue

ISBN: 9780007303007

Cloudstreet

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CLOUDSTREET

by Tim Winton

This book is a modern, comtempory work of fiction.

From separate catastrophes two rural families flee to the city and find themselves sharing a great, breathing, shuddering joint called Cloudstreet, where they begin their lives again from scratch. For twenty years they roister and rankle, laugh and curse until the roof over their heads becomes a home for their hearts.

Tim Winton’s funny, sprawling saga is an epic novel of love and acceptance. Winner of the Miles Franklin and NBC Awards in Australia, Cloudstreet is a celebration of people, places and rhythms which has fuelled imaginations world-wide.

This book has also had a recent re-release as special 21st anniversary edition and as a TV miniseries.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TIM WINTON

Tim Winton has published twenty-five books for adults and children, and his work has been translated into twenty-eight languages. Since his first novel, An Open Swimmer, won theAustralian Vogel Award in 1981, he has won the Miles Franklin Award four times (for Shallows,Cloudstreet, Dirt Music and Breath) and twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize (for The Riders and Dirt Music). He lives in Western Australia.

WHERE TO BUY

This book can be purchased through any good book store or online.

Bookworld is one of the online bookstores that sell this book.

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

ISBN: 9780140273984

A Big Little Life

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A BIG LITTLE LIFE

by Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz’s first ever nonfiction book is the deeply moving story of his life with his good dog Trixie.

Dean Koontz is known for exploring the dark side of human nature in his fiction. But his softer, playful side comes out when he talks about his beloved dog, Trixie, a golden retriever. Trixie had a special place in Dean’s heart and now in his first non-fiction book, Dean opens his heart to his readers to give us memories of Trixie, of the glorious dog who changed him and changed his life.

There’s everything in this memoir: adventure, mischief, emotion, and sadness too. Dean will talk with joy about the many gifts Trixie gave him – and the lessons she taught – and he’ll talk with sadness at losing his beloved pet. The loss of a dog is a heartbreak that’s been experienced by a great many people, and Dean’s delving into that loss is a powerful part of this book, and a cathartic experience for those of us who have loved and lost an animal companion. Trixie had a big little life and lives for ever in Dean’s heart… and in these pages.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dean Koontz is an international household name whose hugely entertaining parables for our times have been bestsellers in many countries, selling seventeen million copies each year. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, he lives with his wife Gerda, their dog Anna, and the enduring spirit of their dog Trixie in southern California.

WHERE TO BUY

Most Bookshops online or off. Online examples include: Barnes and Noble, Fishpond, Angus and Robertson or Booktopia

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 9780345530608

Understanding Depression

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Understanding Depression

By Maria Prendergast

Depression is devastating not only for patients but also their families and friends. This book provides a unique insight into this pervsive illness, and includes frank and moving stories from both sufferers and their carers.

Maria Prendergast also tackles the bigger picture, examining the information (and misinformation) available in the public arena and revealing the painfully inadequate state of Australia’s mental health services.

This extremely accessible book reveals the human face of depression. It will undoubtedly further our understanding of this illness and it is to be hoped, inspire a more enlightened approach to those who suffer from it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, MARIA PRENDERGAST

Maria Prendergast is a freelance writer and broadcaster. She has written many books, including Understanding Asthma, Understanding Migraine, Stroke and Heart Attack Rehabilitation and Banks Behaving Badly. She was a feature writer for Australian Consolidated Press for many years and currently contributes to newspapers in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is on a number of boards and committees, including the board of depressioNet from 2004 to 2006 and has a strong interest in social and environmental issues.

Maria has experienced depression personally since writing this book, following the death of her husband and best friend in 2009. She has always been a strong supporter of the founder of depressioNet – including our new dNet!

HOW TO BUY?

You can purchase ‘Understanding Depression’ directly from our dNet for $25.00 (inc p&h)! Justsend us an email and we will organise it directly with you.

Published by: Penguin

ISBN: 0-14-100493-2

Hands-on Health Promotion

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Hands-on Health Promotion

Edited By Rob Moodie and Alana Hulme

Hands-On Health Promotion provides health promoters with useful guidance on everyday practice – on how to conceptualise, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate health promotion programs at national, state and local levels.

In his Introduction to the book, Rob Moodie defines health promotion, provides a framework for how health promotion can be understood and successfully practised, and outlines the aim, approach, and content of the book.

The book’s 32 substantive chapters are then organised into five parts:

  • In Part 1, building blocks, the core activites that underpin all successful health promotion (information gathering, evaluation, influencing policy, public health law, advocacy, communication, leadership and management, project management, partnerships, and community mobilisation) are the focus, with the key elements of each activity outlined.
  • In Part 2,practical approaches are suggested to promoting specifc health and behavioural issues: tobacco control, physical activity, healthy eating, minimising harm from alcohol and illicit drugs, sexual health, injury prevention, road safety, and mental health and wellbeing.
  • In Part 3, practical approaches are offered to promoting health in various settings and sectors: early childhood, sport and active recreation, community arts, workplaces, and schools.
  • The focus of Part 4 is how the health of special populations (Indigenous people, refugees, women, men, young people, and older people) might best be promoted.
  • In Part 5, the focus is on how health inequalities might be reduced.

In each chapter, a what to do and a how to do approach is taken. The result is a stimulating, easy-to-read, and easy-to-use book that is ideal for project-to-project use – a book for dipping into, as a need arises, for ideas, inspiration, and directions.

The book will prove valuable to:

  • health promotion and public health practitioners;
  • tertiary-level students of health promotion, public health, medicine, and nursing;
  • health professionals, of various sorts, who are involved in health promotion ‘now and then’; and
  • other professionals (local government officers, community workers, sports coaches and managers, community arts workers, youth workers, etc) who play a vital role in promoting health.

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Rob Moodie
Dr Rob Moodie has been CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) since 1998, and has professional appointments in public health at The University of Melbourne and Monash University.

For many years, Rob worked in refugee and Aboriginal health care, and HIV/AIDS prevention programs, with Save The Children Fund, Medecins sana Frontieres, Congress (the community-controlled Aboriginal health service in Alice Springs), WHO, UNDP, and UNAIDS.

Rod is co-chair of the 2004 International Union of Health Promotion and Education World COnference, and is a member of the Federal Minister’s Aid Advisory of the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS.

Alana Hulme
Alana Hulme is Community Relationships Manager for Connectus, the business project of the Victorian Premier’s Drug Prevention Council.

Alana has managed a cross-sectoral partnership between the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission, and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

Alana has researched and worked on a diverse range of issues in health promotion, including risk and protective factors in young people, the role of local government in promoting health, and collaboration between health and other sectors.

HOW TO BUY

For more information see the details on the publisher’s website. The book may be ordered from the publisher.

Published by: IP Communications

ISBN: 0-9578617-6-1

When Angels Cry

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When Angels Cry

By David O’Neill

Tells the story of one man’s descent into a living hell and nightmare that was initially triggered by his discovery that his father had been sexually abusing his daughter. The book then follows his nightmare through to some sort of recovery after years of torment for his daughter, family and himself.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, DAVID O’NEILL

David was forty-two years of age when his book was published. After a lengthy career in sales and marketing management the events depicted in When Angels Crybrought about a major shift in his priorities and he has worked in community services (mental health) for the past ten years.

When their daughter was just four years of age David and his wife became aware that his own father was molesting her. This led to the discovery of other young victims in his father’s past and so began a decade of torment involving police investigations, court cases and ongoing intra-familial difficulties. It also began David’s own decades-long battle with manic depression (bipolar disorder).

 

HOW TO BUY?

You can purchase When Angels Cry ‘ from Amazon

(It is also available from http://www.whenangelscry.com.au/homepage.php

Published by: Addicted To Ink

ISBN: 0646404024

BOOK REVIEWS

“When Angels Cry is a rare and masterful insight into one of society’s darkest subjects. David’s moving and superbly readable true story is so fast-paced and well-crafted, I devoured it from cover to cover in one sitting” – David Crookes

Tracking The Black Dog

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Tracking The Black Dog

Edited By
Kerrie Eyers 2006

Tracking the Black Dog is the product of Black Dog Institute’s inaugural Writing Competition – drawing from highlights of the hundreds of entries.

The compilation weaves its way from ancient Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia and Egypt to modern times via mediaeval witchcraft, devils and superstition, the Renaissance, and Victorian rationalism. Comical, poignant and learned, these excerpts range from Anubis and faithful Argos, beautiful early myths and legends, through werewolves to darker medieval superstitions, witch hunts, alchemy, astrology and Knights errant, touch on Boswell and Johnson and arrive at mesmerism and ouija boards of Victorian times.

Churchill’s courage in the face of his illness, and references to black dog from our own times are also uncovered, links in a chain stretching back to our forebears. All served with a dollop of black humour.

The result is a lovely tapestry bringing together historical, literary, folkloric, psychological and linguistic threads to build a societal picture of depression.

Anyone who has ever experienced depression, or who wants to know more about this illness, will find the black dog’s trail through history a fascinating read.

ABOUT THE EDITOR, KERRIE EYERS

Kerrie Eyers MA (Psych), DipEd, MPH, MAPS is a psychologist, teacher and editor with many years’ experience in mental health, based at the Black Dog Institute, Sydney.

Gordon Parker and Kerrie Eyers are co-editors of Journeys with the Black Dog and Mastering Bipolar Disorder.

HOW TO BUY?

You can purchase ‘Tracking the Black Dog’ online from the UNSW Book Shop.

Published by: UNSW Press

ISBN: 0-82840-812-3

BOOK REVIEWS

What’s in a name you might ask? Well nothing and everything.

It’s nothing if you don’t live up to the name, and everything when it has resonance.

And for those who have experienced the dark fog of depression, the Black Dog certainly has meaning and that’s what this book conveys with humour and empathy.

– Dr Norman Swan, Host, ‘The Health Report’, ABC Radio National

Swimming Against The Tide

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Swimming Against The Tide

– Petria Thomas

by Andy Shea

A truly inspirational story of courage and determination. Swimming champ Petria Thomas opens her heart about overcoming debilitating physical setbacks as well as severe depression in her quest for Olympic gold.

About Petria Thomas

Petria Thomas won the hearts of millions around the world with her triple-gold-medal-winning triumph at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

Having overcome the pain and anguish of three shoulder reconstructions and two ankle reconstructions over the length of her glittering 12-year career, Petria is admired and respected for her grit, determination and steely will to win.

But there’s more to the Queen of Butterfly than meets the eye, and here for the first time is the full and authorised story of Australian swimming’s golden girl: her battle against severe depression, her cries for help that almost ended her life, and the extraordinary determination that overcame these physical and emotional pressures to reach the pinnacle of her career.

How to Buy?

This book is available online from fishpond.com.au Books and can be purchased there new or used.

ISBN: 0-7333-1590-9

Book Review

The following book review is by Janine Crosswhite on the Australian Women’s Sport & Recreation website.

I found this on the library bookmobile and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I thought I knew a fair bit about Petria but this book discloses her battle with depression and how bad it really was. I also did not know that she was the first swimmer to return to elite competition from a shoulder restoration and she did this twice, plus had an ankle reconstruction, before she won her three gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics. This is a story of determination, courage and dreams and also a love story with Julian Jones, her husband and weight trainer at the AIS. Very suitable for school libraries and/or for athletes trying to overcome injuries or setbacks.

Out Of The Blue

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Out Of The Blue

by Joanna Fincham

This is the story of how Jo tackled her demons, found love and created a new, healthy, happy life free from depression. It’s a story of how love really can conquer all and how life on the land can heal and nurture you.

Inspiring, warm and fiercely honest, this is a wonderful personal account of overcoming adversity and making the most of life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – JOANNA FINCHAM

When Joanna Fincham appeared on a popular reality TV program in 2008 looking for love, little did the viewers know that Jo had been suffering from depression on and off throughout life.

Jo, it seemed, was a vivacious city girl looking for love with a handsome farmer. On screen she appeared bubbly, warm and happy but in reality she had struggled with depression and bulimia for many years, both illnesses bringing their own difficulties and experiences.

Despite her struggles, Jo went on to find love on the show with Farmer Rob. In a fairytale ending Jo moved to the countryside and left her city life behind her. Now living on their farm in South Australia, Rob and Jo got married and had a gorgeous baby daughter.

 

HOW TO BUY

You can purchase this book from the Authors website or the Publishers website

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

ISBN: 9781742375496

 

Comments from People Like Us

 

I was filling in time recently and decided to have a look in a bookshop and came across ‘Out Of The Blue’ by Joanna Fincham. For those of you who watch The Farmer Wants A Wife – Joanna was the bright bubbly girl who won the heart of Farmer Rob, got married and they have a little girl. The surprising part is that behind the smile, laugh and bubbliness is a girl who fought depression. When I started reading it I couldn’t put it down and I read it in 4 days so if anyone else is interested I highly recommend buying and reading it.

(22/07/2024)

Mastering Bipolar Disorder

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Mastering Bipolar Disorder

Edited By
Kerrie Eyers & Gordon Parker

Mastering Bipolar Disorder gathers personal stories from the real experts: people with bipolar disorder. They share inspiring and sometimes amusing accounts of their experiences of bipolar episodes, and wise advice on ways of managing the highs and lows on a daily basis.

They cover all aspects of bipolar disorder, from first symptoms and diagnosis, to times when the disorder is more or less under control. They emphasise the importance of personal strategies such as exercise and support networks alongside medication and professional assistance.

With tips from clinicians and the latest research, Mastering Bipolar Disorder offers tested and proven solutions to help everyone with bipolar disorder and their families experience a better quality of life..

ABOUT THE EDITORS, KERRIE EYERS AND GORDON PARKER

Gordon Parker MD, PhD, DSc, FRANZCP, FASSA is Scientia Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute. He is a renowned researcher with over 30 years’ experience with mood disorders, and is author of Dealing with Depression: A common sense guide to mood disorders.

Kerrie Eyers MA (Psych), DipEd, MPH, MAPS is a psychologist, teacher and editor with many years’ experience in mental health, based at the Black Dog Institute, Sydney.

Gordon Parker and Kerrie Eyers are co-editors of Journeys with the Black Dog and Mastering Bipolar Disorder.

Gordon Parker was an inaugural Patron of depressioNet and remains a Patron for our new dNet. He is passionate about finding solutions to the challenges of treating depressive illnesses and importantly, maintains a private consulting practice as he understands the need to always remain connected to the individual when conducting reseach on larger populations. A wonderful man we are proud to have supporting us!.

HOW TO BUY?

You can purchase ‘Mastering Bipolar Disorder’ directly from our dNet for $25.00 (inc p&h)! Justsend us an email and we will organise it directly with you.
It is also available from all major bookshops in Australia.

Published by: Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 978-1-74175-546-6

BOOK REVIEWS

A great insight from a sufferer’s perspective I hope people draw strength from reading how others deal with this condition. You can see that it is a constant battle living with bipolar, but with the right help and self-management the disorder can be controlled.’

Andrew Johns, former Australian Rugby League captain

This book takes you inside the experience of learning to tame bipolar disorder. It and offers a message of hope. It is essential reading, not only for health professionals and people with bipolar disorder, but also for those of us who love someone living with this misunderstood condition.

– Julie McCrossin, journalist and broadcaster

A great insight from a sufferer’s perspective – I hope people drawer strength from reading how others deal with this conndition. ou can see that it is a constant battle living with bipolar, but with the right help and self-management the disorder can be controlled.

– Andrew Johns, former Australian Rugby League Champion