Review of My Book by Loretta A. Murphy, MSN, CSN, RN

Posts: 35 · Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Berryville, Ar.

Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism
By
Big Bertha Evans

Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism, written by Big Bertha Evans, is a must read true story that all health care workers need to read. It is a rare insightful book that tells very plainly and honestly, the experiences her husband, an adult autistic, and she has had dealing with the medical, hospital, and health care community. Big Bertha wants everyone, especially nurses, to read her book because she thinks it will help them to provide more compassionate care to adults, like her husband, with autism.

As a 31 year veteran nurse with Master’s Degree in Community Health, I agree. But I will go one step further. This book will help everyone – nurses, doctors, therapists, medical assistants, and other paraprofessionals – understand how to provide better care for not only autistic individuals but for anyone entrusted to their practice.

Big Bertha is sensitive and forthright in telling this story. She does not hold back on the difficulties and negative attitudes she and husband Brian faced almost daily in society as well as in dealing with the medical community. However, it is when Brian became physically ill that his fears and anxieties worsened symptoms of his autism. Big Bertha tactfully but bluntly confronts the nurses, doctors, and other health care workers on their impatience, condescension, and often times, outright rudeness when providing care to her husband.

Wake up, health care workers. Read this book.

There is no excuse for any health care giver – regardless of their degree of education or lack there of it – to treat a patient with rudeness or impatience. It is our job to provide respectful care to our patients. It is our responsibility to assist them in maintaining their dignity. And it is our ethical duty to first do no harm.

Medical care in our world today is a business. The practice of medicine and nursing are no longer the only professions that take care of individuals with medical and psychiatric problems and disorders. In an illness situation, a sick person may come in contact with scores of health care workers. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic centers need to be diligent in teaching their employees – regardless of their job – the importance of using good interpersonal skills when dealing with patients and their families.

In The Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism, Big Bertha Evans has penned an entertaining yet amazing lesson plan for and about individuals with disabilities. The book will give hope as well as enlightenment to others needing to know more about living with autism. It will help adult autistics, their family members, medical and health care workers of all disciplines and experiential levels, as well as individuals in community organizations come to grips with a diagnosis that is increasing in incidence.

This short, very easy to read book is a highly recommended reading assignment for health care students in any field.

Loretta A. Murphy, MSN, CSN, RN