Ripples from the Edge of Life
by Roland Chesters
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Apr 27 2018 | Archive Date Mar 07 2021
Talking about this book? Use #RipplesfromtheEdgeofLife #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
If you were given just two weeks to live how would you feel? What would you do? How do you prepare for the end? Who would you tell and how? It was this terrible position Roland Chesters found himself in in the late summer of 2006. He knew he was seriously ill but had no idea that he had both HIV and AIDS. Luckily Roland did not die. Expert medical help and his own determination not to give in saw him through. His life though, had changed for ever.
‘Ripples from the Edge of Life’ is Roland’s account of a life changing diagnosis and the impact it had not only on him but on those close to him. More than a memoir, Roland’s story is not unique; ripples spread outwards and this empowering collection gives voice to 14 others who have survived similar traumatic diagnoses. This book contains wisdom, hope humour and inspiration in equal measures. Is an essential read for anyone facing a life changing condition and for those who support and care for them.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781781327098 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Terri P, Reviewer
In “Ripples From the Edge of Life”, the author, Roland Chesters, shares his first-hand experiences from his initial diagnosis to his eventual reconciliation with the terrible virus HIV/AIDs. The author then introduces us to a larger and broader community, including the voices of fourteen diverse HIV/AIDS survivors, as well as several health care professionals working in this field, and a handful of friends/colleagues occupying the relationship “ripples” surrounding the author and his story.
I found this book fascinating, frightening, saddening, uplifting, and informative - all at the same time.
I consider myself a reasonably well-informed person, but was appalled at how little I found I understood the current world of HIV/AIDS. It seems my awareness really stopped in the mid- 80’s to 90’s, my early adulthood period, and the facts as I knew them reflected in the movie “Philadelphia”, and other media of that vintage. This was long before the development and subsequent refinement of the life-altering antiretroviral drugs, and was back when a diagnosis of HIV was largely a death sentence, the shame and stigma attached was pervasive, and legal, social and community supports for the afflicted were scarce.
I am so happy to have read this eye-opening book which has not only allowed me to glimpse the pain, suffering and incredible trauma this terrible virus continues to cause, but also to witness the hope, bravery, and wonder of the survivors who have found value and meaning during their recovery via advocacy, compassion, education, and care for others in the community. And yes, stigma and shame is still out there, - but as the author and his voices repeatedly point out, (although sadly there are huge geographical gaps in this coverage), in general there has been tremendous progress made in HIV/AIDS treatments, socialization and acceptance.
Four wonderful thank-you-sharing-such-insight stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Silver Wood Books, , and the author for an opportunity to read this book.
