A HANDBOOK produced by Mornington Peninsula Post Polio Support Group to help polio survivors, has turned out to be the best seller for 2017 for Random Harvest e-library.
“We have sold downloads of ‘Life Skills for Polios’ to Djakarta, Harare, Wales, various states of America and hard copies all around Australia,” its author Fran Henke said.
“When postage turned out to be twice the cost of the book, we were relieved that Random Harvest based in New Jersey, US, offered to include it on the International Centre for Polio Education’s e-list.”
Mrs Henke, of Hastings, said Random’s editor-in-chief “advised last week that our book was their best seller for the year”.
Proceeds of e-book sales are shared with the international polio centre while all proceeds of hard copies go to Polio Network Victoria.
The book was published with backing from Dromana and Rosebud Rotary clubs, Rye-Rosebud Lions, Mornington Peninsula Shire Metro Access program, other support groups and individuals.
Mrs Henke said she decided to compile the book after attending the Australasian-Pacific Post Polio Conference in Sydney in 2016, where speakers provided up to date information on the wide range of issues affecting polio survivors.
“Everything from sleep to swallowing, bracing, anaesthetics, pain management, exercise and cramps, was canvassed and I wanted to share the information to those who couldn’t attend,” she said.
“I was able to go to Sydney thanks to an American Facebook friend and wanted to make sure she and others had the latest management advice. Another big plus has been that people who hadn’t come forward about their late effects, have bought the book and now are in the loop, also receiving the MPPPSG’s monthly newsletter.”
Spiral bound copies of ‘Life Skills for Polios, a light hearted handbook’ are available from flyingponypress@gmail.com for $15 plus $7 postage; or the e-book: US$5 from postpolioinfo.com/lifeskills.php
First published in the Mornington News – 9 January 2018
