Book review:
In sickness and in health: Sex, love and chronic illness
By Lucille Carlton
Review by Cristina Gómez Ortiz,
AEDEM, Spain
The purpose of the book is to educate and inspire creativity in dealing with the sexual needs of couples of all ages living with chronic illness. It is written from the female point of view since the author is the wife of a Parkinson's disease patient. Lucille Carlton was married for almost 50 years and had a very good marriage, maintaining sexual intimacy through two chronic illnesses. Her husband cared for her when she was debilitated for many years by a rare skin disease, and she cared for him through 16 years of Parkinson's disease. The information in the book is, therefore, applicable to many people dealing with various chronic illnesses.
The author gives examples of daily situations and feelings that people affected by chronic illness may experience in relation to intimacy and sexuality. She also talks about her own experiences in her marriage, as well as the experience she gained from working as a speaker and a columnist for the National Parkinson Foundation.
The ideas in this book are supplemented by the opinions and experiences of people with chronic disease and their partners, which help to make it convincing and complete. While there is no “professional” opinion in the book, the diversity of the contributions from real experience makes this omission irrelevant.
The book is focused on people with a chronic illness, single or living in a couple. I would say that certain chapters of the book are pertinent for the general public, since sexuality and chronic illness are topics that often arouse fear, and a better understanding of people's experiences can benefit everyone. I think it is one of the bestbooks that has been written for people with MS because it speaks openly about a topic that creates anxiety and apprehension for many, but which is relevant to all people living with a chronic illness.
The writer's style is simple and clear, which makes it very easy to read. The book had an important influence on me and I am sure that it could be useful to others.
Publisher: Dell, 1997, ISBN: 0440508053,
Price US$9.50
Website review: The Sexual Health Network website
Review by Tim Miller, Italy
The Sexual Health Network website is an American commercial website covering a broad range of illnesses and in the context of sexuality.
As a point of access it can be helpful to those interested in aspects of MS and sexuality, with some pages specifically tailored to MS.
The site's mission-statement clearly describes its scope and purpose. It is an English-language website, access is free, no special software is required to view the information, and navigation is straightforward, although it would be helped by the inclusion of a site map. Information on the site's experts and their backgrounds are included, as well their photographs. Contributions to the site are fairly recent, although the frequency of updates is not clear. It is intended as a starting point from which to move on to counsellors and therapists and to other sites through web links, banners and pop-ups (see review below).
As a gateway to further information it contains links through to the Healthology website from where audio and video clips can be downloaded, as well as related texts.
It can be useful and an immediately available point of information. The validity of the help available and the links contained are a matter for the visitor to judge, as with all Internet resources. It is a valuable starting point.
http://www.sexualhealth.com
Website review: Healthology
Review by Claudio Solaro, MD, Department of Neurology, Micone Hospital, Genoa, Italy
This website is not MS-specific, although there is an MS section. It also covers neurological diseases and symptoms such as headache and dementia and non-neurological diseases such as tumours. Access to all parts of the site is free-of charge. With regard to the MS section, the site design is user-friendly and is easy to navigate, both within the main sections and between links. Many MS issues are covered with up-to-date information, and the website is useful both for people with MS and specialists.
The audio/video sections are informative and can improve knowledge on management in clinical care for physicians, and also for other MS professionals. Some of the interactive options include courses that present various topics. This is a useful approach to get a quick readout about the state-of-the art on different MS issues. The contributions are from opinion-leaders in the MS field, whose knowledge and expertise is internationally acknowledged, lending a high level of authority to the site content.
While the site is very interactive, it is not possible to print some of the sections. A caveat regarding this site is that many sections need an audio system support programme (and audio speakers) that may not be easily accessible to all users. Moreover, the website is based on video sections that are not manageable in a simple way by Windows XP.
Overall the site is user-friendly and very informative. I would recommend it to healthcare professionals and anyone interested in learning more about MS and its treatment and management.
http://www.healthology.com/focus
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