Wise Before Their Time

Biographies & Memoirs

synopsis

Synopsis

‘This collection of true stories is as powerful as any great classic of fiction’ Sir Ian McKellen They are young and they have a life-threatening disease… The year is 1991. Diagnoses of HIV are rising and there is no cure in sight. Coming from all corners of the world, over forty young men and women talk about living with HIV and AIDS. They must cope with the enormous stigma, blame and guilt associated with the disease. And there are challenges in telling their parents and partners, trying to stay healthy and keeping themselves in work – all while facing an inevitably shortened future. Yet they remain committed to celebrating the joys of life as much as they can. This book is a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. First published in 1992, this book tells their unique stories in their own words.

bio

Author Biography

Ann Richardson has been a writer for many years. She is fascinated by other people’s thoughts, experiences and emotions and loves to write books where they can express their views in their own words. She writes on different subjects that capture her interest for one reason or another. This includes a book about people living with AIDS or HIV thirty years ago when there was no cure (Wise Before Their Time, Foreword by Sir Ian McKellen); a book about what it is like to work in end-of-life care (Life in a Hospice, Foreword by Tony Benn); and a book about how it feels to be a grandmother (Celebrating Grandmothers). Her most recent book. The Granny Who Stands on Her Head: Reflections on Growing Older, is a set of short pieces about the joys and challenges of becoming old, with an emphasis on the joys. It is also partly a memoir, including some stories from her life. Ann lives in London, England, with her husband of 58 years. Please visit her website www.annrichardson.co.uk

website

Author Insight

Living a day at a time

Are you living with a life-threatening illness? Or do you know someone who is? This book sounds like it should be depressing, but it is very inspiring because people with a life threatening illness take a very positive attitude to life. As one reader said, "it is a testament to human resilience". Here is one quote, among many:

Book Excerpt

Wise Before Their Time

I just live a day at a time.

I'm much more careful about who I choose to be with. Every day has to be very special. I wake up and think today's going to be a good day, so I want to be with people I like.

And simple things, like waking up and seeing the sunshine. And looking at flowers, seasons changing. And thinking, God, I've made it – here we are coming up to Christmas! I don't want anything major out of life. I just want to enjoy my children and my family. Just simple things, making a nice meal and having fun. Life's precious. Well, it is for us all. But in a way we've got the privilege of being able to prepare for our death. And being able to enjoy our life, however long we're going to be alive.

Buy

Amazon

Share
Follow Unfollow
Comment
x
Comment on this Bubble

Your comment and a link to this bubble will also appear in your Facebook feed.

Click Follow to receive emails when this author adds content on Bublish

First Name *

Email *

Choose Password *

Confirm Password *

Accept Terms

By submitting this form, you accept the Bublish Terms of Service

Ann Richardson

Wise Before Their Time

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Living a day at a time

Book Excerpt

Wise Before Their Time

Comment on this Bubble