Victoria Cairns’ inspirational new book shows that life can still be fulfilling after becoming disabled
Victoria Cairns worked for over thirty years as a medical statistician for various organisations, until she caught Lyme disease, which may have been the cause of her later needing an operation which then had devastating consequences and led to her becoming disabled.
Dealing with Disability provides invaluable advice for dealing with the troubles of life and gaining acceptance of what cannot be changed. It is written primarily for people who have recently become disabled and their relatives to help them gain confidence and do their best in dealing with their change in circumstances.
This inspiring book is based on the author’s experience in becoming disabled herself as a result of complications following a heart operation. It focuses on developing the right mental attitude towards handicap and still have a good life. It discusses avoiding negative thoughts and developing perseverance, and how to move on from trauma and let go of anger, blame and regret. Inside this book is a mix of psychological information and practical advice, while providing the supportive, scientific background for the information given, and the sources of evidence. It mentions useful strategies, exercises, treatments and devices.
Victoria comments that “Writing the book has helped me to focus on key topics. The book is based on my experience in becoming disabled, and it contains a mix of psychological information and scientific evidence. In January 2015 I had an operation for an irregular heart beat that resulted in a series of complications, and which has left me with a spinal cord injury and unable to walk.
Soon after I came home, after having spent nearly eight months in hospital, I decided to write a book on how I was coping with being disabled. I have used my own experience and knowledge of the medical literature to write what I could, in the hope that it would provide some help for others in a similar situation.”