Born in 1991, I can’t tell an exciting or even romantic story about how I was taught to read by an elder of the family, along with all my siblings, because we couldn't go to school. I learnt to read in primary school. I remember being disappointed because my parents hadn’t started teaching me before. They believed I would be bored in primary school and lose interest in learning – yes, they are both teachers. All I remember from my first book was reading about a little boy named Leo. My primary school teacher, a middle-aged woman who looked like she was in her sixties (old age for a six-year-old) with thin hair and an even thinner body, made us over-enunciate every sound and sign each letter as we read the book. Before I could read them myself, my parents read to me a famous children’s book in French, Martine- written and illustrated by Belgian Marcel Marlier and Gilbert Delahaye. There must have been about 50 books in this series. When I learnt to read in French, I re-read them all. My parents bought them until 1998. There have been 13 published after that, but I became too old. It is my earliest memory of children’s books (which I share with about 75% of French speaking children of the 1990s). Until today, I remember the different books with all the topics. I remember the flowers shows, how to travel by plane, Martine going on a cruise, gardening, learning about the four seasons, the sad story with the donkey- that would always make me cry, and the camping one- which I had on a cassette tape. From the time I started reading independently, my parents encouraged it, providing me with ‘early reader’ and ‘young reader’ books by Loewe, a German publisher specialising in children’s books with large writing, simple words and sentences and some drawings. | Later, my parents took different approaches: My mother got me one award-winning book after another – publishers’ choices and similar – which I never found compelling. They looked and sounded boring and I always preferred choosing my own ones. I remember a time when many libraries in my area organised large book sales to empty their stock and make room for new books. The books were sold for a couple of Deutsche Mark (now about one Euro) by kilo and my record was buying 27kilos. My dad added a second book shelf in my room that week. While mum, who reads one book a year with her French students, believed it seemed a waste, but dad, an avid reader himself, encouraged it. At the time I bought almost anything that looked remotely interesting and I was able to get entire series at once. Being a library clearance, a lot of books were old, and I discovered some of the classics: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the Enid Blyton books, Charlotte’s Web, Astrid Lindrgren, Tom Sawyer, Ronald Dahl... it goes on. I made it through all the typical children’s’ books: fantasy (fantasy before Harry Potter that is, I was about 11 when I discovered the magical world of Hogwarts), adventure, girly books, boarding schools, animals, friends, flying cars and houses and so many more things that even made me write my own short stories. It is sad to imagine that I cannot recall many of the books that probably turned me into the keen reader that I am now. But fact is they are there, and no modern toys can make up for what I got from my first few years of reading. |
0 Comments
Claire is a recent graduate from the University of the West of England (UWE) with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism (First Class might I add, much deserved!), who has set up a website to portfolio her work as a journalist. In some of her recent work, Claire has been writing book reviews, so highly recommend taking a look at her website if your a reader too! (this can be found in the blog section of her website). You can find Claire's work here: http://claireherbaux.wordpress.com/.
Claire's latest piece 'A History of Reading' was inspired when completing a survey (more details below) about reading. This led Claire into questioning her own reading habits: 'how I learnt to read, what it means to me, significant books, anything that defines how and what I read now'. Over the coming weeks- Claire will be exploring these questions and bringing to us her discoveries. I hope you'll agree, this sounds like a really interesting piece! Part one: Introduction About a year ago I took part in a survey about reading. It was a questionnaire put together by a researcher and university lecturer looking into women’s reading habits. Thinking about those questions took me on a journey and reminded me of a lot of things I hadn’t thought about in a long time and memories that might otherwise have been forgotten. Going through my bookshelves back at my parents’ house in my old room triggered some of those memories. So now I am on a journey to remember all those book-related stories and really, my reading-story. All of us readers have one: It’s about how we were taught to read, if it was a pleasure or a chore, who influenced our reading, how we read throughout different chapters of our lives and lately, how we adapt this old-fashioned activity of reading to our modern, restless and technology-led world. Like the story of our life is defined by people, the story of our reading is defined by books: Our first one, the first one we enjoyed, the first one that taught us empathy, that made us cry, that we shared, and the ones we never let go. Asthma UK has a long history, stretching all the way back to 1927, when the Asthma Research Council was founded after the Earl of Limerick wrote to The Times. His letter drew attention to the distress and suffering caused by asthma and called for the establishment of an organisation that would research into the "cause and cure of asthma from a firm scientific foundation". At the time, there were estimated to be around 200,000 people in the UK with asthma (Asthma History). Asthma UK has invested hugely in research since we began all those years ago, spending more than £50 million on it in just the past 25 years. We've also reached millions of people with life-saving advice and support. Asthma UK scientists have also made major breakthroughs resulting in the development of new treatments that could ultimately benefit millions of people across the UK. These include flu vaccines for severe asthma, tablets for allergies and improving approaches for immunotherapy, which can have long lasting beneficial effects for people with allergic asthma. Asthma UK is the leading asthma charity. There are over five million people with asthma in the UK, and they provide support when most needed. Asthma UK strives to no longer make Asthma a daily battle for sufferers and to ensure others do not die from the condition. They are working to make this a reality through world-leading research, award-winning information and services, and life-changing campaigns. What They Do: They provide helpful resources for every stage of your asthma journey and advice for everyone coping with an asthma diagnosis, including the Asthma UK Helpline. The telephone Helpline service is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The number to call is 0800 121 6244 You can call them with any concerns you may have about asthma. They welcome any enquiry, no matter how big or small. They campaign and raise awareness in the media to make sure asthma is taken seriously, and everyone gets the care they deserve. They help people with asthma speak directly to politicians and decision-makers on the issues that are important to them. They have invested over £50 million into asthma research to date. They’re looking for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure which would transform the lives of people with asthma. Get Involved There are a number of ways you can support ASTHMA UK charity;
Erin's Story In 2009, at the young age of 20, I received a phone call whilst watching The Knowing in the cinema, which changed my life completely. After receiving numerous calls on my phone, I decided to leave the cinema to take a call. At that point in time I had no idea how my world could come crashing down. Taking the call outside, my Grandma told me to remain calm and that my mum was coming to meet me at the cinema. I begged her to tell me what had happened. My grandma dropped the bombshell, my Dad, Stephen Wright, aged just 45 was dead. He had died suddenly and had just been found. My world was upturned and when a post-mortem revealed my father had died from an asthma attack I realised just how deadly the condition can be. I grew up with Asthma sufferers all around me. My Grandfather is an Asthma sufferer and my father the very same and now my husband is one too. There were very few times when my father didn’t have to use his nebuliser after walking up my grandparents drive. I believed my father to have unusually severe asthma, however since having researched the condition more and spoken to many sufferers on forums, I have been made aware that actually, his level of asthma was not so unusual after all. I have decided that I would not only like to support Asthma UK in their goal to find a way to make asthma easier for sufferers, but also for my dad, a wonderfully loving man, larger than life. I have decided to give my lungs a run for their money and complete a half marathon in memory of an amazing man. Your support would mean so much to me and the people whose lives are affected by asthma. It would be fantastic if you could dig deep and donate generously to my chosen cause, but anything would be greatly appreciated and I thank you very much in advance for supporting me. http://www.asthma.org.uk/Fundraisers/erin-jones The Facts About Asthma
Is asthma serious? Imagine being paralysed by fear as you struggle to breathe, unable to speak, unable to ask for help. That’s what an asthma attack feels like. There are 5.4 million people with asthma in the UK, which means asthma affects one in five households. Asthma is not just an excuse to skip PE. For a quarter of a million people with severe asthma, even climbing the stairs can feel like a marathon, never mind going outside their home. Three people die every single day because of asthma. But most of these deaths could have been avoided. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to changing this. Key Facts
Children, parents and asthma
If you have been reading my blog over the past few days, you will have seen I have been using a new female only gym in Weston-super-Mare called Eden. Tamzon is the pilates instructor and one of the fitness specialists with Eden. With 25 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer- specialising in special needs; medical disorders; sport specific injuries; postural correction; step and aerobic dance as well as previously owning her own gyms in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Tamzon can also back up her wealth of experience with qualifications such as being an academic trainer in the Diploma in Exercise Science for The Health and Fitness Professionals of South Africa with an Academy in Botswana and Zimbabwe as well as Pilates Instructor Level 1 and 2. In my recent sessions Tamzon has been introducing me to Joe Pilates – The New York Method Pilates, which is a mind-body connection and is perfect for rehabilitation of most injuries, medical disorders and postural correction. Her wealth of experience and expertise, full equips Tamzon with the understanding and know how for appropriate, supportive and engaging pilates sessions.
Pilates is known to have many health benefits and there have been numerous articles and studies in this specialism. Namely, it enhances lung capacity, circulation, nerve innervation, musculoskeletal discomfort and as it works the deep core muscles it prepares the body for the degenerative ageing process. Whilst having so many anatomical and physiological benefits it will also tone and strengthen the body. Pilates requires control and a mind-body connection to improve the body's mechanics and posture. It maximizes the relative arrangement of the body parts in any position allowing the muscles to function with maximum efficiency. Poor posture actually increases the strain on the body parts and supporting structures. Pilates will re-balance the body, altering muscle recruitment, restoring natural and normal movement patterns. This may be done with static and dynamic muscle contractions using minimum energy for the maintenance of good body alignment. The Benefits of Pilates include;
Pilates will
The principles of Pilates are as follows
There are many conditions which can be helped and benefited by with Pilates but clients must be monitored intensely. It is therefore essential to inform your practitioner of any existing medical conditions/concerns. The below are examples of contraindications where Pilates could be beneficial;
Having attended my first session with Tamzon at Eden, yesterday, I can honestly say it was the safest I felt in attending a group session. Recognising me as a new member, Tamzon and I discuss any potential ailments or illnesses that may impact on my ability to perform in the class- going into further detail where there are any concerns. Throughout the session Tamzon was observant in my attempts of the stretches and exercises we were undertaking (I say attempting because I am so stiff at the moment, a few of them were quite challenging), correcting any techniques to ensure I was executing the movement to a). maximise the benefit from the stretch/position and b). to ensure I was doing it in the safest possible manor. Moreover, even at a distance, Tamzon could indicate and diagnose points of constriction in movement because of my previous/existing lifestyle- of which I am assured can be corrected. However, it is highlighting to me the potential such existing lifestyle patterns/postural shape could effect my ability to move (including walking) in later life that spurs me on during my session. Something I still resonate with today as I look in the mirror, sit at my computer (ensuring my shoulders are back and back is straight) and even in the way my muscles feel the morning after- which ache in places I never knew existed! Tamzon and Sam x |