Exploring contemporary theory and practice surrounding loss and bereavement for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), this book brings together international contributors with a range of academic, professional and personal experience. This authoritative edited book looks at diverse experiences of loss across this population whether it be loss due to transition, the loss or death of others, or facing their own impending death. The book begins by offering theoretical perspectives on loss and compassion, bereavement, disenfranchised grief, spirituality, and psychological support. It then addresses contemporary practice issues in health and social care contexts and explores loss for specific communities with ID including children, individuals with autism, those in forensic environments, and those at the end of life. Identifying inherent challenges that arise when supporting individuals with ID experiencing loss, and providing evidence and case studies to support best practice approaches, this book will be valuable reading for students, academics and professionals in the fields of disability, health and social care.

After twenty years of preaching faith, a painful reality settled in I had a lot of academic faith but precious little practical faith. I decided one of two things was true: either God was making a fool of me, or there were some simple things about faith I had overlooked. A burning desire to "re-learn" faith resulted in this book. I took a new approach to Scripture study. Instead of customarily reading the Bible to confirm what I already believed, I began to read the Bible just to see what it said. As I re-read the Bible "for the first time," the simplicity of the message overwhelmed me.When we focus on Christ, faith flourishes like flowers after a spring rain. When we focus on ourselves, trusting God becomes an unnecessary struggle. The "What about me?" culture we live in makes man the center of the universe. Man-centered thinking and the cross of Christ are at eternal odds with each other. Self doesn't need improvement-it needs the cross. We don't need more faith-we need a new focal point. When we make Christ the beginning, the center and the end of everything in our lives, self will take its rightful place on the cross and faith will become instinctive.

Palliative care is dedicated to ensuring that patients experience physical, spiritual and emotional ease as death approaches; bereavement care supports those who are left with the difficult task of coping after the death. The arts offer a powerful medium of assisting people to achieve understanding and peace of mind. fears and anxieties, and gently explore the emotional, spiritual, and psychological issues that aid a full understanding of themselves and their conditions. At the same time, they can serve as a way to communicate difficult and complex feelings to professionals or family members which cannot always be articulated in everyday conversation. been pioneered by artists, writers, nurses, musicians, therapists, social workers, and chaplains in palliative care settings, and range from simple painting and writing activities to organized communal activities like the writing and performing of a play. inspiration for any practitioner working in a palliative care setting.