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All About Me (and my shunt)

by Terri Rice Bellush

23 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #03-0965; ISBN 1-4120-0596-5; US$13.50, C$15.00, EUR11.00, £7.50

All About Me (and my shunt) is an educational and heartwarming story written for young children who have or know someone who has a ventricular shunt due to Hydrocephalus.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpt      Catalogue Information

About the Book

ALL ABOUT ME (and my shunt), written and illustrated by Terri Rice Bellush, is a long-overdue educational and heartwarming book about Hydrocephalus written for very young children.

This fun, yet serious story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Janet. She tells us some of the typical things she likes to do, such as read books and visit her grandparents. She then explains about her Hydrocephalus on a level that young children can understand.

We are then led through Janet's experience of having a shunt. She describes some of the symptoms she has when her shunt isn't working properly. We also follow her through the process of getting her shunt fixed at the hospital. Janet concludes her tale by telling us that having a shunt isn't so bad because it helps keep her alive so she can do all the things that she enjoys.

Included at the end of the book are brief descriptions and simple drawings of three common types of shunts: Ventriculo-Peritoneal, Ventriculo-Pleural and Ventriculo-Atrial.

This book is an excellent way to comfort and teach young children about Hydrocephalus and shunts.

Reviews

Unlike any other book of it's type - it talks from Janet's point of view. She covers everything from hospitalization, to knowing that 'shunts break like toys', her teachers knowing her condition, and states that 'having a shunt isn't so bad.'

We recommend this book, especially to parents with young children. However, adults would enjoy it too.

The illustration is unique and very child-friendly. The entire booklet was colorful, demonstrated in a way that is understandable from the very young to adults.

We believe that you will find this book very worthwhile.

- Debbi Fields, Executive Director - National Hydrocephalus Foundation

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About the Author

Terri Rice Bellush, the mother of a child with special needs, lives in Amherst, Ohio with her husband and two daughters. In creating this educational and heartwarming book, Terri drew upon her daughter's own experiences living with Hydrocephalus.

Her mission is to provide comfort and hope to the many children who have or know someone who has Hydrocephalus.

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Excerpt

My name is Janet.

I also have Hydrocephalus. This means that a part of me inside my head doesn't work quite like it should. The ventricles in my head make a special kind of water that keeps my brain nice and comfy.

The problem with my Hydrocephalus is that the water doesn't drain out. (Kinda like a plugged up sink drain)

So now I have a special drain inside called a shunt.

It's important to know that just like toys, shunts can wear out or break.

When any of these things happen my doctor checks me out and sometimes I go back to the hospital for a new shunt.

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Catalogue Information

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