'Friends In Deed' Announced; Two Novels About Autism Help Parents Cope

'Friends In Deed' Announced; Two Novels About Autism Help Parents Cope.

'Friends In Deed' Announced; Two Novels About Autism Help Parents Cope

Wednesday 20th July 2011 | 11:45 AM

Autism and childhood disease immunization are controversial in both diagnosis and implementation. A new novel helps parents see that diagnosis does not define the child, and that when all else fails, faith will sustain you. (BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA) - Author Elizabeth Ferguson today announced the release of the highly anticipated Friends In Deed (ISBN #9781742840727), a compilation of two novellas about the complexities related to supporting a child with a disability. The book will strike an inspiring chord with parents who are struggling to cope with a life re-defined by diagnosis. In Julie's Journey, the main character is a single mother who deals with the problems she faces when she must fight for the rights of her 10-year-old son whose challenging behaviour is eventually diagnosed as autism. The second novella, Mary's Mission, is a sequel written from a different perspective, dealing with Mary's struggle to provide support and services for her severely disabled son. Through faith, she manages to support family and friends. "Ultimately, I wrote Julie's Journey to let parents know that they're not alone when they fight to support a child with a disability. The second novel, Mary's Mission, was written to show how faith will sustain, even in the most difficult circumstances," says Elizabeth Ferguson. Julie, speaking with her mother: "I've been having some trouble at school with Ben. Slowly she pulled out the list she had made, the information on ADHD and autism, and placed them in front of her mother. As Beth reached for her glasses, Julie asked, "Is there a family history of slow learning, or clumsiness, or anything in the family?" Elizabeth Ferguson is a registered nurse who was involved in the immunization programme in the Shoalhaven, and also the parent of a child with multiple disabilities. In her professional and personal capacity, she has assisted numerous parents to identify developmental issues that they had with their children, and in accessing diagnosis, support and education. Elizabeth Ferguson is a mother of three and married. Now retired, she spends her time travelling between Australia, the USA and Bahamas. Julie's Journey was previously published by an American publisher. Mary's Mission has never been published and is a sequel to the first. For more information, please visit http://www.bookpal.com.au/