An inspiring true story of a life devoted to helping Downs children.Alex Bell is a 53 year old woman who lives in Swinton, on the outskirts of Manchester. She is feisty, funny with a real firecracker of a personality. She has needed that strength of character for Alex is the adoptive mother of 8 children with Downs Syndrome or other disabilities, children who some parts of society would perhaps prefer to forget.Age 28 and unmarried, Alex adopted her first Downs child, Matthew - and became one of the first people in the UK to be approved for adoption as a single woman. Amazingly, she went on to take eight more children under her wing, Simon, Adrian, Nathan, Andrew, Chloe, Tom, Emily and Callum. Some had been through a frustratingly bureaucratic care system, or moved from one foster parent to another. It sometimes seemed an impossible challenge, but Alex was determined to give these children stability, love and the best life possible.With her down-to-earth charm, Alex also brings together the families often torn apart by Downs. She encourages the birth families to get together - some of whom have sadly turned their backs on their son or daughter, but others have now long been happily involved in their children's lives.The nine children each have unique, sometimes heartbreaking stories, but they are also the most joyful, compelling and fascinating children you're ever likely to meet:* Happy-to-lucky Matthew, 24, who takes people on tours of Man. Utd - the only Downs child to be given such a privileged position, and testament to Alex's care* Adrian, the family timekeeper and numbers wiz, as if born with a clock inside his brain* Chloe, the lovable, mischievous scamp known as Little Miss DynamitePrepare to be amazed, moved and entranced by this powerful true story that will change the way we all look at disabilities. Alex believes special needs children are 'gifts', and spending any time with her it becomes obvious that she also has a very special gift of her own.

Mother Like Alex: One Defiant Woman, Nine Special Children

Politics & Social Sciences

Bernard Clark

Politics & Government

HarperTrue

Reality TV has established itself as a major television genre. This is TV about real people, and for real people. But how valid is the claim that these programmes tell us the truth about our lives? Is it better simply to point the camera and let people tell their own stories, or does this approach miss something important? Some argue that it is arrogant for programme makers to impose an interpretation. Others insist that they have a responsibility to bring intelligence and insight to their subject matter. This issue is discussed by contributors from both sides of the debate. The Institute of Idea's mission is to expand the boundaries of public debate through organizing conferences, discussions and salons, and publishing written conversations and exchanges in a hope to play a part in shaking up a culture that seems to shy away more and more from confrontation and the clash of ideas.

Reality TV: How Real Is Real (Debating Matters)

Christopher Dunkley

Victoria Mapplebeck

Graham Barnfield

Reference

Hodder&Stoughton

Poems for Pert Persons

Literature & Fiction

Poetry

Merlin Bks.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bernard Clark. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bernard Clark