Gilley the Giraffe … who changed
Written by Nimmi Channa
Illustrated by Phil Lynch
The book has been written by a mother for the siblings of her child recovering from
encephalitis. Being the parent of a child recovering from encephalitis can be a
bewildering and lonely experience. Being the young sibling of that child, or indeed
the child him or herself can be equally bewildering. "How can he look the same
brother, yet act so differently?" "What has happened to me?" "Why
has he started having seizures?" "When will we be a normal family again?"
The story of Gilley is carefully and sensitively told, with appropriate language
and a context within which young children can relate. Beth Wicks, Education Consultant,
says “Having worked for many years with children who have suffered encephalitis,
their families and schools, I know how difficult it is for children to understand
what has happened to them. Parents and teachers are frequently at a loss regarding
how to explain to a child why he or she feels different; becomes tired or irritable;
can’t keep up at school or at play; or no longer has the same friends, particularly
when they may not fully understand this themselves”.
View inside pages
Tony Eves, one of the Society's Trustees,
was inspired to design and produce this special Gilley the Giraffe soft toy. Tony
has donated the toys to the Society and all income produced, will go directly to
the work of the Society.
An initial copy of the book is available at no charge to Encephalitis Society Members;
however we do ask that you pay the postage. To receive a free copy, a membership
number is required. Additional copies and copies for anyone not directly affected
by encephalitis or living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland are £7.
To become a member of the Society, please download and complete a
membership form, (no cost).
Online Shop
Different Dan - How a family
copes with childhood brain injury
By Jenny Tunstall & David Shum
Illustrated by Andrea Quinn
When Dan suffers a brain injury, all family members are affected - Dan himself,
his brother. sister, mother, father, and Fuzzles the cat, too. Fuzzzles describes
how family life changes and how the family copes with those changes. There are the
practical changes, such as visits to hospital that interrupt family routine, and
extra chores that the brother and sister must now do. There are cognitive changes,
such as confusion and memory problems. And there are emotional changes, such as
feelings of anger and loss. But the family discovers that talking about their worries,
problems and feelings helps them cope.
Online Shop
Sam and the Green Velvet Monkey - a charming picture book for young children
about a boy coming to terms with his brother’s accident and brain injury.
from CBIT www.cbituk.org/
Elvin, The Elephant Who Forgets - an illustrated book, suitable for younger
children, that shows the struggles, emotions and confusion of a child with a brain
injury.
from CBIT www.cbituk.org/
Learning from the Experts - A set of leaflets written by young people with
an acquired brain (ABI), namely “the experts”. These leaflets offer
information and tips to other young people with ABI. The set of 4 leaflets includes
1) an introduction, 2) ideas to help with school work 3) ideas to help at home and
with your friends and 4) tips on managing fatigue.
from CBIT www.cbituk.org/
My Mum has a Brain
Injury
Produced by Angus Council
"Children of brain injured adults often feel lonely and isolated because of
the way the injury has affected their mother or father. They may find it hard to
get information from adults, and they often worry that in some way the brain injury
has been their fault"
Wendy Murray
Service Manager
Angus council
Lunan Park Resource Centre
Guthrie Street
Friockheim by Arbroath
Scotland DD11 4SZ
My Dad has a Brain
Injury
Produced by Angus Council
This book is "intended to answer a child's common questions and to help them
to understand the nature of their parents ilness, especially trhe 'hidden disabilities'
such as forgetfulness and irritability."
Wendy Murray
Service Manager
Angus council
Lunan Park Resource Centre
Guthrie Street
Friockheim by Arbroath
Scotland DD11 4SZ
That's What Friends Are For - this book is aimed at 5 to 8 year olds and
is based around a young child who is coming to terms with a diagnosis of epilepsy
and looks at how the different reactions of his friends and family affect him. This
book will be a particular help to young children with epilepsy and their siblings
and friends.
Buy from Epilepsy Action
www.epilepsyaction.co.uk
So..... what is epilepsy?
Book launched to help children with epilepsy
Children with epilepsy, and their parents, have helped a Swansea team of specialists
put together an easy-to-understand guide to help young people across. So..... what
is epilepsy? is a clear guide with simple language and illustrations. It
is aimed not only at children with epilepsy, but also their friends and classmates
to help them understand the condition.
www.wales.nhs.uk/documents/swanseaepilepsyguide.pdf
Last modified: 3 October 2008