Book Review: A Ray of Hope

[Guest guest]

A Ray of Hope

Jill Moss, Founder of AYME, has written a new book, 'A Ray of Hope', which is

published

January 2008. 'A Ray of Hope' is a re-written version of 'Somebody Help ME' and

is written

for any age group that wants a no-nonsense approach to learning about the

illness

ME/CFS, using simple, down-to-earth language and relevant scenarios.

The analogy of a mountain climb, mentioned in Somebody Help ME, is re-used but

in A

Ray of Hope' up-to-date and very appropriate suggestions are made for each

'mountaineer' (or person with ME), depending on their functional ability.

Throughout each

of the chapters, one is able to relate perfectly to the situations that present

themselves,

and feel enabled to follow the suggestions made towards recovery, whether they

are

mildly or severely affected.

The illness is explained using the analogy of ME being like a large mountain

which has to

be conquered. The mountaineers (or people with ME) need to learn all about the

mountain

(their illness) and it is explained simply. To prepare the mountaineers for the

'climb', a

carefully structured route towards recovery is suggested, which enables the

reader to

remain in control with all the decisions which need to be made.

The route towards recovery uses an holistic approach (often called 'Activity

Management'),

which many clinicians and patients prefer. The new NICE, government guidelines

describes

Activity Management as a goal-oriented and person-centred approach tailored to

the

needs of the person with CFS/ME.

Specifically, Activity Management should include (amongst others):

.. Understanding that activities have physical, emotional and cognitive

components, and

identifying these components.

.. Planning daily activities to allow for a balance and variety of different

types of activity,

rest and sleep. " 1.6.2.22 NICE Guidelines for CFS/ME 2007

A Ray of Hope is just £10.99 including post and packing if it's ordered directly

through the

publishers 'Sunbow Books': www.sunbowservices.co.uk (or £11.99 from bookshops)