PROJECT DREAM AGAIN

From the Forward

(The Foreword was written by the author's father.  Lester J. Cooper, M.A. (1919-1989) was an educator, missionary and an ordained minister.  He spent many years as a prinicipal of high schools in Kentucky before going to Zimbabwe, Africa as a missionary in 1960.)

     "We experienced great disappointment and frustration that our child with outstanding ability was unable to cope in work or school.  It was difficult during the earlier years of his illness to differentiate between his mental illness and adolescent behavior.  We felt like some of our friends and colleagues did not accept us in the usual manner because of our son's behavior, that they considered us less respectable because of  a non-conforming member of the family.  The mentally ill and their families have a special need for people to befriend them, not in sympathy, but in understanding and support."

ABOUT THE BOOK

"Living with and caring for a person with a mental illness does not necessarily lead to a direct understanding of the experience of mental illlness itself.  It does not automatically tell you what to say or what to do that would be kind or helpful.

For this reason I find the new book, When Even The Devil Deserts You, invaluable.

The book features many vivid descriptions and an occasional touch of humor.

The author has a a remarkable abilility to understand and describe not only his own experience, but its impact on family members."

[From the book review done by Carol Rees published in NAMI ADVOCATE. ]

THE AUTHOR