PAIN-LESS : LIVING WITH PAIN, FINDING JOY by Anne Welsh BOOK REVIEW and MORE AVAILABLE NOW

Title: PAIN-LESS

Subtitle: LIVING WITH PAIN, FINDING JOY

Author: ANNE WELSH

Genre: NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHIES AND MEMOIRS, CHRONIC PAIN, MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH

Length: 194 PAGES

Publisher: CAMERON PUBLICITY

Received From: NETGALLEY

Release Date: JUNE 19, 2019

ISBN: 9781781328750

Rating: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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DESCRIPTION:

Both a personal story of living with chronic pain and a positive guide for anyone who suffers regular physical pain and related stress.

Anne Welsh has lived with chronic pain all her life. As a sufferer of sickle cell disease, she is no stranger to the everyday struggles and mental anguish that can come from living with an invisible illness.

Like so many who suffer from painful and life-changing conditions, Anne has battled with depression: times when she believed that she could never lead a normal and happy life. But thanks to the support of many people along the way, she has discovered that life can still be wonderful, no matter your challenges.

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Go to AFRICAN GLITZ website to read about the PAIN-LESS Book Launch.
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Click HERE to read about Anne Welsh’s press junket on AFRICAN GLITZ.

Photos By: @danielsync

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MY REVIEW:

Do you know anyone who suffers with Chronic Pain?

If your answer is no, then you are extremely lucky.

I have been living with debilitating and demoralizing pain since 2009. It has affected and still affects all aspects of my life.

“I am often asked what sickle cell pain feels like and for me there are no words to describe it, but if I must try, all I can say is that it is like someone using a hammer to knock on your bones over and over again.”

Anne’s pain is caused by Sickle Cell Disease and she has been dealing with it’s effects her entire life. I admit to having heard of this disease before reading this book, but I knew next to nothing about it’s symptoms.

After reading Anne Welsh’s memoir, I feel that I am much better informed about Sickle Cell Disease and it’s details.

This book contains terrific tips and ideas of how to live with a chronic illness, as well as wonderful ideas for the families and friends of those of us who have an invisible illness as to how they can assist and support us. These ideas can be applied to any chronic illness, and are not specific to Sickle Cell Disease.

Anne’s upbeat attitude and her determination to live life as fully as possible despite her terrible and debilitating condition is inspiring and offers hope to the rest of us. The following quote really spoke to me.

“Finally I had come to understand that to become a better me, I had to accept help as well as not be afraid to ask for it. This is a realisation that all of us who live with a chronic illness need to come to. We cannot do it on our own, so accept the help offered, and it will make an enormous difference to your life.”

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I rate this book as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

***Thank you to #NetGalley and the #publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book.***
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Watch “Anne Welsh – Living with Sickle Cell (Part One)” on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/EdLOlEUeVq4
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Welsh is an author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She was born in Nigeria and emigrated to the United Kingdom when she was very young. She was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at the age of four, and, after returning to live in her homeland while still a child, faced many of the problems that come with living with a life-threatening disease in a developing country.

Since returning to the UK in her late teens, and with the support of her family, Anne has created her own path to happiness through her academic studies and her career. After completing a degree in Accounting and Finance, Anne went on to achieve an MA in International Banking before starting her career in investment banking. She now runs her own consultancy firm, specialising in business development in Africa and beyond.

Anne is a tireless advocate for sickle cell disease and her memoir, Pain-less, was borne of her determination to raise awareness about the impact invisible diseases such as sickle cell can have on individuals, and also to give support and advice to other sufferers and their families. Having frequently battled with depression, Anne is all too aware of the difficulties faced by sufferers of life-threatening illnesses. By writing this book, she hopes to help others improve their mental and physical wellbeing and enable them to achieve a joyful and fulfilling life.

Anne is married with two children – something she once thought may never be possible – and two stepchildren and lives in London.

To learn more about this author, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK – ANNE WELSH
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FACEBOOK – CAMERON PUBLICITY
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FACEBOOK – SILVERWOOD BOOKS
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INSTAGRAM – AUTHOR
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INSTAGRAM – CAMERON PUBLICITY
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INSTAGRAM – SILVERWOOD BOOKS
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INSTAGRAM – PAINLESS OFFICIAL BOOK ACCOUNT
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TWITTER
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TWITTER – SILVERWOOD BOOKS
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YOUTUBE
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AMAZON
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CHAPTERS
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KOBO

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Talking about this book? Be sure to tag it using #PainLess #NetGalley
#ChronicPain #Fibromyalgia #CFS #ChronicFatigue #constantpain #pain #sicklecell #sicklecelldisease

SOME EARLY REVIEWS/ADVANCE PRAISE

“A powerful account of Anne Welsh’s own journey with her ‘invisible illness’.”

– Dr Tedros AdhanomGhebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization

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“An honest and insightful account into a world unknown to so many.”

– The Most Revd and Rt Hon. Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

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“Any help for people to learn how to avoid pain triggers and handle their pain better is to be welcomed, as in this book based on the life and experience of Anne Welsh.”

– Professor Dame Sally C Davies, Chief Medical Officer UK

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ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE:

– In 2008, the UN established WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY. It falls on June 19th each year and is marked with various events worldwide.

– In 2018, the National Institute of Health launched it’s CURE SICKLE CELL INITIATIVE.

– Listen to THE SICKLE CELL PODCAST

– For more information about this disease visit the website The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

– Download a free eBook about Sickle Cell Pain in the Emergency Department: A Guide to Improving Care.

Download this free children’s book about Sickle Cell Disease, then go Download the free game app

ALL WE KNEW BUT COULDN’T SAY by Emmy Award Winning Canadian Actor and Author JOANNE VANNICOLA – If you only read one book this year, make sure it is this one. 5+ Stars – Compelling, Heart-rending, and Emotional. This is a MUST READ.

Title: ALL WE KNEW BUT COULDN’T SAY
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Author: JOANNE VANNICOLA
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Genre: NON-FICTION, BIOGRAPHIES AND MEMOIRS, MENTAL HEALTH, CANADIAN NON-FICTION, LGBTQIA

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Length: 232 PAGES

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Publisher: DUNDURN PRESS
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Received From: NETGALLEY
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Release Date: JUNE 25, 2019

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ISBN: 9781459744226

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Price: $19.99 USD

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Rating: 5+ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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DESCRIPTION:

Joanne Vannicola grew up in a violent home with a physically abusive father and a mother who had no sexual boundaries.

After Joanne is pressured to leave home at fourteen, encouraged by her mother to seek out an acting career, she finds herself in a strange city, struggling to cope with her memories and fears. She makes the decision to cut her mother out of her life, and over the next several years goes on to create a body of work as a successful television and film actor. Then, after fifteen years of estrangement, Joanne learns that her mother is dying. Compelled to reconnect, she visits with her, unearthing a trove of devastating secrets.

Joanne relates her journey from child performer to Emmy Award–winning actor, from hiding in the closet to embracing her own sexuality, from conflicted daughter and sibling to independent woman. All We Knew But Couldn’t Say is a testament to survival, love, and Joanne’s fundamental belief that it is possible to love the broken, and to love fully, even with a broken heart.

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MY REVIEW:

*** WARNING – TRIGGER WARNING***

This book contains scenes of child sexual abuse and physical abuse of children. If any of these topics cause emotional triggers for you, I strongly suggest you do not read this book.
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There are many memoirs that contain disturbing subject matter and ALL WE KNEW BUT COULDN’T SAY is no exception. However, the difference between other memoirs and that of Canadian Joanne Vannicola is that Joanne somehow managed to live through her horrific childhood and yet still emerge into adulthood full of compassion for others. Rather than allow her abusers to keep her ‘small,’ she has gone on to have a phenomenal career. To my way of thinking, Joanne being happy and successful is the best revenge. Her strength and determination are a big “F” you to her abusers. She didn’t let them win.

Not only that, but she has also become an advocate for LGBTQ youth. According to Joanne, “[Her] role meant [Joanne] could impact their lives, provide a little hope for others even though [she] still hadn’t learned to hold on to it [herself]…and it provided a deeper purpose…”

Joanne says in the book:
“I could not erase my own pain, but if I could help other kids, it meant healing was possible.”

This memoir is powerful. It is horrific in parts, especially when readers learn how Joanne was treated as a child, but it also includes some wonderful and touching moments and shows the power of friendship.

I do not want to give away too much with my review because I am hoping that everyone who reads this review runs out to buy/pre-order a copy of ALL WE KNEW BUT COULDN’T SAY.

YES, this book will make you shake in anger at the people who were supposed to love Joanne the most, but who turned out to be the perpetrators of her abuse, BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS A BOOK THAT NEEDS TO BE READ.

There are children suffering at this very moment, and people who see these things happening are often afraid to call Children’s Aid in case they are wrong. BUT … What if a child dies or suffers irreparable harm because you did not make that simple phone call? How would you feel? Could you ever forgive yourself?

PLEASE MAKE THE CALL. If it is determined that there was no abuse, then you can rest easy knowing you did the right thing. A bit of embarrassment is nothing when a child’s life and/or his/her mental health is on the line.

This book is not only about abuse. It is also about growing up and trying to come to terms with your sexuality. Joanne came of age not too long ago, but it was long ago enough that being gay, bisexual, trans, or queer was not acceptable to society at large. In fact, the phrase “non-binary” did not even exist. People kept their sexual orientations quiet and this fact made Joanne question what exactly was “wrong” with her. This memoir follows her journey from questioning her sexuality to accepting it and to become an advocate and role model for other LGBTQ youth.

Joanne’s life has been full of pain and agony, but it has also been a life filled with many triumphs, including her winning the her battle with anorexia.

I could go on and on about how amazing Joanne Vannicola is (all based on her book as I have not met her yet.) Instead, I will encourage everyone reading this review to pre-order her book immediately. Don’t wait to do it. Order it immediately. You will not be disappointed. ALL WE KNEW BUT COULDN’T SAY is a 5+ Star Book and you will continue to think about Joanne and her life long after the final page has been read. It is impossible not to. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joanne Vannicola is an Emmy award-winning Canadian actor and writer, who has been working in film, television, and theatre since she was eight years old. She has also been nominated for a Genie, a Gemini, and an ACTRA award.

Joanne is a long-time advocate for the LGBTQ community and has an essay in the anthology Cuarenta y Nueve, a book by 49 artists for the 49 victims of the Orlando Pulse club massacre. She is the Chair of the first LGBTQ+ committee for the actors union, ACTRA, and sits on the sexual assault ad-hoc committee at ACTRA for women in film and television.

Joanne’s forthcoming memoir, All We Knew but Couldn’t Say (Dundurn Press) will be available 1 June 2019.

She is a recipient of the Ontario Arts Council Grant in 2016—Writer’s Works in Progress for her memoir. Joanne was selected for the Diaspora Dialogues Program in 2013 and worked with author David Layton for six months. Her short screenplay His Name Was Steven, was selected for the Queer Ideas Screenplay competition.

Joanne founded the non-profit organization, Youth Out Loud, between 2004-2009, to raise awareness about child abuse and sexual violence.

Equity issues have always been at the forefront of Joanne’s work both in her artistic world and in her personal/political life and she is very passionate about youth, women, and LGBTQ equity and rights.

To learn more about Joanne Vannicola visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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OFFICIAL AUTHOR WEBSITE
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BLOG
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GOODREADS
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FACEBOOK
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INSTAGRAM
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DUNDURN PRESS ON INSTAGRAM

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TWITTER
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DUNDURN PRESS TWITTER

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IMDb

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AMAZON
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CHAPTERS
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PUBLISHER’S WEBSITE
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WANT TO ATTEND THE OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH???

WANT TO MEET JOANNE IN PERSON?

WANT TO HAVE YOUR BOOK SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR?

SIGN UP FOR FREE TO ATTEND HER OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH HERE

****This book is my “A” entry in the GingerMom’s 2019 A to Z Reading Challenge****

F.O.L.D. BOOK BASH was terrific – Check out the amazing and diverse authors, poets and publishers I met on Saturday.

F.O.L.D. stands for FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY 

Today at City Hall in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, FOLD hosted the 2017 Book Bash. 

WHAT IS A FOLD BOOK BASH?

• A one-day book market designed to give authors and book selling organizations a space to promote their books. 
• A chance for the community to learn about books written by local authors
• The ability for consumers to learn about and to purchase multicultural books that reflect the diversity of the city and  country in which they live
• A chance to meet the authors of those books and to have them autographed 
• As well as the chance to listen to authors read from, and talk about their books. 

FOLD is the first and only literary festival in Canada to focus on diverse authors and stories.

The first Festival of Literary Diversity was held in May 2016 and included more than 25 unique sessions held over three days with over thirty of Canada’s most exciting authors.

Mark your calendars for May 3rd to May 5th, 2018 for the next Festival. There will be quite a few authors and publishers with many different sessions to choose from.

CHECK IT OUT – YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID. 

AUTHORS I MET ON SATURDAY  & SOME AMAZING BOOKS YOU NEED TO OWN

#1. 

JAEL RICHARDSON 

Jael Richardson is one busy woman. Besides being the Founder and Creative Art Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity, she is also an author in her own right.

Her book THE STONE THROWER: A DAUGHTER’S LESSON, A FATHER’S LIFE is a memoir based on her relationship with her father, CFL quarterback Chuck Ealey. The memoir received a CBC Bookie Award and earned Richardson an Acclaim Award and a My People Award as an Emerging Artist and was adapted into a children’s book in 2016. 

To learn more about Jael, visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE      

GOODREADS          

TWITTER    

FACEBOOK          

INSTAGRAM        

CHAPTERS              

This is me with Jael at the 2017 FOLD Book Bash

#2. 

DEJA BEALS has been writing poetry since the age of sixteen. She finds her inspiration for her poetry in family, friends and everyday experiences.  

DĖJA BEALS has been writing poetry since the age of 16. You would never know that during those early writing days, her poetry was filled with incorrect grammar. Now, like Déja herself, her writing has matured and
 developed. Her work has blossomed to include a range of topics such as love, faith and everyday experiences.

Déja finds her poetic inspiration in family, friends and her daily experiences.

She is known for her silly moments, big laugh and even bigger heart. She has been said to have wisdom beyond her years and uncanny insight which adds depth to her writing. She is currently living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

To learn more about this author visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE     

DÉJA’S OFFICIAL BLOG     

GOODREADS      

TWITTER     

FACEBOOK     

INSTAGRAM    

AMAZON          

DISCOVERING DIVERSITY PUBLISHING    

3, 4 and 5.

I met these three very gracious and amazing women at the FOLD Brampton Book Bash. 

About the multitalented Catherine Graham – Not only has she written the fiction novel QUARRY but she is also only days away from the launch off her new poetry collection THE CELERY FOREST which is being published by Wolsak and Wynn. 

Author and Poet – CATHERINE GRAHAM

QUARRY is a fictional story set in Southern Ontario during the 1980s. Only child Caitlin Maharg lives with her parents beside a water-filled limestone quarry, but her idyllic upbringing collapses when she learns her mother is dying. After a series of family secrets emerge, Caitlin must confront the past and face her uncertain future. 

THE CELERY FOREST      

Like Wonderland or Oz, Neverland or Narnia, The Celery Forest is an extraordinary world filled with strange creatures and disorienting sights. But the doorway to the Celery Forest is not a rabbit hole or an old wardrobe. The doorway is an MRI. For poet and novelist Catherine Graham, this is the topsy-turvy world she found herself in after learning she had breast cancer.

     More than a survivor’s tale, these poems are a map through unknowable terrain, infused with awareness and forgetting, written by a poet with the visionary ability to distill our sense of wonder into something we can hold.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHERINE GRAHAM, VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINKS: 

To learn more about this author visit the following links:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

GOODREADS 

TWITTER   

FACEBOOK    

INSTAGRAM      

AMAZON       

CHAPTERS         

     
#4.  

Publisher & Author Alexander Leggett  

CEO and Founder of Two Wolves Press, Alexandra Leggat is the author of the novel The Incomparables as well as several other published works. 

Alexandra started Two Wolves  Press as a way to nurture talent without compromise  – to work closely with Two Wolves writers to follow and trust their intuition and publish “instinctual fiction”. 

Two Wolves Press publishes Catherine Graham’s novel QUARRY and
Aileen Santos’ SOMEONE LIKE YOU.

To learn more about this Publisher and author, visit the following links:
 
OFFICIAL WEBSITE   

GOODREADS     

TWITTER   

FACEBOOK        

INSTAGRAM      

AMAZON     

CHAPTERS       

MORE INFO COMING IN MY NEXT BLOG POST. 

COMING EVENT – Attend the Toronto Book Launch of THE TORONTO BOOK OF THE DEAD on Friday, September 15th at 7.30pm – FREE ADMISSION

Friday, September 15, 2017 – 7:30 PM

Book Launch: Toronto Lit Up

Spacing Store

401 Richmond Street West
Toronto M5V 3A8

Cost: FREE

IFOA and Dundurn Press invite you to the release of The Toronto Book of The Dead by Adam Bunch as part of the Toronto Lit Up book launch series.

“Toronto has witnessed countless lives lived and lost as it grew from a muddy little frontier town into a booming metropolis of concrete and glass. The Toronto Book of the Dead tells the tale of the ever-changing city through the lives and deaths of those who made it their final resting place.”

 

 

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Toronto Lit Up is a three year initiative, spearheaded by the Toronto Arts Council and IFOA, designed to spotlight Toronto’s writers and empower local artists with career-building opportunities.

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Participants

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  Adam Bunch

  Adam Bunch is the creator of The Toronto Dreams Project, and has written about the history of the city for Spacing Magazine, Torontoist and the Huffington Post. In 2012, he earned an honourable mention for a Governor General’s History Award. Adam lives in Toronto.