SPINAbilities: A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida [Paperback]

Marlene Lutkenhoff (Editor), Sonya G. Oppenheimer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

If you are a teenager or young adult with spina bifida, you will want this book. Spinabilities gives you practical tips and suggestions for becoming independent and managing your health care. Spinabilities provides you with the information you need to set goals and make them a reality. It is also recommended for parents, siblings, friends and teachers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. This manual has been developed to help young people who have spina bifida attain as much control over their own care and achieve as much independence as possible. Years ago, babies born with this disease (1 in 1000 is affected in the U.S.) had a slim chance of survival. Now, due to advances in medical knowledge, many people can expect a long and full life?going to college, having careers, marrying, and even having children. Written by various nurses and therapists, this resource discusses the nitty-gritty of everyday living?mobility; dressing; and care of the skin, bowels, and urinary tract. How to deal with family, school, and issues of sexuality, including having sex, are also covered. The writing is clear, easy to read, and matter of fact. Suggestions of resources with addresses and phone numbers are included. Black-and-white cartoons add to the friendly tone of the text. This is a unique book with a special audience that should be available for the young people who need it and the adults who teach and care for them.?Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 8^-12. A mixed bag of essays by a variety of health care professionals considers a wide range of issues related to spina bifida in an effort to help those who have it become more independent. Medical terms are clearly explained, but the writing is pedestrian, and the amateurish cartoon illustrations (seen only in galley) add little. What's more, YAs with the condition probably won't discover anything new in the chapter on medical particulars or learn much from the section on nutrition, which is very general. The book is most successful when it deals with daily self-care concerns, especially those related to skin care and mobility. Also included are chapters dealing with questions about sexual matters (including discussion of orgasm and pregnancy), school, and family relationships. Use this in tandem with Kaufman's Easy for You to Say: Q & As for Teens Living with Chronic Illness or Disability (1995), a more comprehensive look at the issues. Stephanie Zvirin

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149867
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149861
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #981,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to spina bifida., April 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: SPINAbilities: A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida (Paperback)

I recommend this book not only for teens, but parents, because it explains spina bifida in very easy to understand terms, and can help parents of younger kids think about things they can do now to help their children grow into independent adults.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 17, 2002

By 

"who_me_83" (WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SPINAbilities: A Young Person's Guide to Spina Bifida (Paperback)

This is a great book for teens that have spina bifida or their sibs. It explains things that can be confusing.