The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.

Its the Mountain Way is a coming-of-age story filled with suspense and memories of first love. Savannah Benjamin, born and raised in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, knew the ways of the mountain. She had only experienced the outside world from the books she read. But books couldnt teach her how first love felt, or explain why some people who seemed good were not always trustworthy. They didnt tell her that teenagers could be mean or unfriendly. These lessons she had to learn for herself. Set in 1983, marrying young was not unusual in the isolated hollows and villages of the mountains. At fourteen, Savannah was no longer a child, but not yet an adult. Her mother had married at fifteen, she wanted more for her daughter. Horace Jenks, the local moonshiner, had other plans for Savannah.

"The editors have brought together a range of eminent contributors who present a range of issues throughout the life cycle. The book asserts that it hopes to 'assist readers to anticipate change and discontinuity in people's lives and think about strategies to support them' through the many challenges that they may face in their lives. In my view this book certainly does that and the editors and contributors are to be congratulated on the production of a relevant and contemporary text that I have no hesitation in both endorsing and recommending to all involved in supporting and or caring for people with learning disabilities." Professor Bob Gates, Project Leader - Learning Disabilities Workforce Development, NHS Education South Central, UK "The editors have gathered an authoritative faculty to present and discuss a range of contemporary issues; both practical and ethical. The text is well grounded in the lived experience of people with disability and draws on the evidence-base of contemporary science. Each chapter includes thought provoking exercises. This is a seminal text for students and practitioners, researchers and policy makers." Associate Professor Keith R. McVilly, Deakin University, Australia "I currently own a copy of the first edition and it has proved an invaluable resource time and time again. There is not an essay I complete that does not make reference to the book and I can consistently use it to reflect back on my practice as a student nurse and social worker. Having read several extracts from the new edition it does appear to include very high quality content covering learning disabilities over the lifespan ... if I were to personally recommend any book for budding or current learning disability professionals then this would be it." James Grainger, Student Nurse/Social Worker, Sheffield Hallam University, UK "I like the way it has primary and secondary information from a range of sources. The exercises in the book also get you to think about the situation in question which helps us think about our values and anti-oppressive practice ... This book really does start with the basics and having a learning disability from birth and the effects, to in depth knowledge and literature ... This book would be very helpful to me as it brings in literature policies and models from both a health and social side, which is important for my course and collaborative working." Laura Jean Lowe, Student Nurse, Sheffield Hallam University, UK "It is written with a clearly conveyed in-depth knowledge and in a way that has professional lived experience within the context of the work. The authors have taken into account the emotional, client-centred approach to the modern practitioner's practice ... The book gives a true wealth of good practice scenarios that can only help practitioners be good at what they do and aspire to be." Lee Marshall, Student Nurse, Sheffield Hallam University, UK With its spread of chapters covering key issues across the life cycle this text has established itself as the foundational primer for those studying the lived experiences of people with learning disabilities and their families, and outcomes achieved through services and support systems. Recognising learning disability as a lifelong disability, this accessible book is structured around the life cycle. The second edition is refreshed and expanded to include seven new chapters, covering: Aetiology Breaking news (about disability) and early intervention Transition to adulthood The sexual lives of women Employment Personalisation People with hidden identities With contributions from respected figures from a range of disciplines, the book draws heavily upon multidisciplinary perspectives and is based on the latest research and evidence for practice. The text is informed by medical, social and legal models of learning disability, exploring how "learning disability" is produced, reproduced and understood. Extensive use is made of real-life case studies, designed to bring theory, values, policy and practice to life. Narrative chapters describe, in the words of people with learning disabilities themselves, their lives and aspirations. They helpfully show readers the kinds of roles played by families, advocates and services in supporting people with learning disabilities. New exercises and questions have been added to encourage discussion and reflection on practice. Learning Disability is core reading for students entering health and social care professions to work with people with learning disabilities. It is a compelling reference text for practitioners as it squarely addresses the challenges facing people with learning disability, their loved ones and the people supporting them. Contributors Dawn Adams, Kathryn Almack, Dorothy Atkinson, Nigel Beail, Christine Bigby, Alison Brammer, Jacqui Brewster, Hilary Brown, Jennifer Clegg, Lesley Cogher, Helen Combes, Clare Connors, Bronach Crawley, Eric Emerson, Margaret Flynn, Linda Gething, Dan Goodley, Peter Goward, Gordon Grant, Chris Hatton, Sheila Hollins, Jane Hubert, Kelley Johnson, Gwynnyth Llewellyn, Heather McAlister, Michelle McCarthy, Alex McClimens, Roy McConkey, David McConnell, Keith McKinstrie, Fiona Mackenzie, Ghazala Mir, Ada Montgomery, Lesley Montisci, Elizabeth Murphy, Chris Oliver, Richard Parrott, Paul Ramcharan, Malcolm Richardson, Bronwyn Roberts, Philippa Russell, Kirsten Stalker, Martin Stevens, John Taylor, Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Sally Twist, Jan Walmsley, Kate Woodcock

Zebediah Beck and Thomas Caul are veterans of World War 1 that have fallen in love and moved into Prouwder House, a mysterious mansion just outside Pittsburgh. There they undertake The Work, which sends them through various doors and windows off to rescues all around the globe. They face daily challenges to their relationship and their very lives, all of which are chronicled here in their diaries. This is a fast-paced, well-written novel based on real events in the troubled year after the Armistice. It will enlighten you, move you, and amuse you.

Not everyone lives a perfect life. Especially this young teen. Read about her story, during her last three years of high school. Learn about her struggles and how she overcomes them.

"Even though there is no such thing—no such thing as perfect, and no such thing as permanent—for this moment I let myself feel hopeful. I allow myself the expectation of the best possible outcome from this night—as dangerous as the feeling might be.” It’s Christmas Eve, and one final gift remains on Jonathan Talbot’s list: something for a Dirty Santa exchange at his extended family’s holiday party. It might be fate that only one gift shop in town remains open. It might be serendipity that Olivia is the only employee manning it. It might be destiny that two strangers will come together to help each other face the smatterings of uncertainty and tinges of chaos sure to materialize as they step into an evening both have been dreading. Call it kismet. Call it karma. Call it Christmas magic, but Jonathan and Olivia’s worlds are about to collide, igniting a whirlwind of emotions set to a backdrop of twinkling lights and shimmering tinsel. This holiday season, embrace the extraordinary possibilities hidden in chance encounters and the miracles that manifest when we open our hearts to strangers. This sweet YA romance is a novella—approximately 25k words, or 100 pages long—and best read in one sitting with a mug of hot chocolate while wrapped in a blanket by the fire.

Sakeenah Francis describes her life as a Cinderella story in reverse. She grew up in a well-respected, middle-class African American family. She went to college, was homecoming queen, married, began a career and had children. Then, schizophrenia struck and she lost everything. She went from homecoming queen to being homeless and institutionalized. Sakeenah Francis tells her daughter about her darkest moments of living with schizophrenia in a series of letters that chronicle the first time she heard voices in her head, her hospitalizations, her struggle to parent, and her arduous path to long-term recovery. Both shaken and moved by her mother's revealing letters, Anika faces the haunting effects her mother's mental illness had on her. After years of keeping the secret about her mother's illness, Anika breaks her silence voicing what it was like to grow up with a mother with a severe mental illness.She describes the emotional roller coaster created by her mother's bouts of recovery and how this impacted her well into adulthood. Though Sakeenah lost many bouts in her early struggles with schizophrenia, she kept striving. Through it all, there was love which at times was the only thing that made sense to Sakeenah and Anika. Love gave them the strength and resilience to heal and piece together that which schizophrenia had torn apart in our lives. This sobering story carries a message of hope that will be inspiring to people affected by a severe mental illness and the web of people connected to them.