They Said I Would Never Work

Non-Fiction

Pages: 194 Ratings:

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This book is a heartfelt account of someone who, having survived the war as a child, contracted polio, which affected her spine. The hospital consultant said she would never be able to work, as she wore a spinal support and was unable to stand or sit for any length of time. Ignoring this, Daphne spent years in multicultural education, including 25 years as a headteacher. She also graduated as a professional counsellor and worked for the NHS in primary care and a hostel for homeless young people. She developed a charity that raised money for boreholes providing fresh drinking water in Zimbabwe and Uganda and travelled widely. Daphne writes with sensitivity; she is not afraid to express her feelings and her faith. The main purpose of this book is to encourage all those who are coping with a disability to reach out and explore, to discover what they can do rather than hide behind what is difficult, and to never lose hope or give up.

This book is the life story of Daphne Brown who, having as a child survived the war, contracted polio, which affected her spine. She had to wear a spinal brace, and was told by the hospital consultant that she would never be able to work. Against all odds she spent years in multicultural education, 25 as a headteacher, then graduated as a counsellor and worked with the N.H.S. in primary care and voluntarily in a hostel for homeless young people. She travelled widely and developed her own charity raising money for boreholes providing fresh drinking water, in Africa. It is a moving account of hope and perseverance.