Louise Jones, Get Into Reading group member, Birkenhead

“Before joining a Get Into Reading group I spent most of my time in a hospital bed (I have Asperger’s Syndrome) as the stress of the outside world was just too much, sending my blood sugar through the roof… and into a hospital. I am no mathematician but I know it costs a pretty penny to have a week in a hospital bed but since becoming involved with The Reader, I have not been a hospital inpatient once, although I still go to A and E occasionally as will always be accident prone (but there lies yet another story)!

I know of countless other people who say their actual health has improved thanks to The Reader and at a fraction of a cost to a hospital bed! And here speaks someone with an F in maths so if I can work it out anyone can.

I don’t say all this for myself but if anyone knows how reading can actually bring you back from the brink or in my case jumping into the Mersey, it is me!

I still get very frazzled with the outside world at times but not as much as what I used to, the other week at the hospital attending an appointment I got very upset and quite hysterical. The Deputy Head of Nursing said after initially calming me down, “Is that reading thing you go to on? Because they seem able to do things with you no-one else can”. So off I toddled and within about five minutes of arriving at the group, I had a smile on my face!

“Hospitals can do many great and wonderful things but they cannot provide friends or a valid reason to get out of bed, like reading together can. Hopefully those in power may see a little light and discover what The Reader can do… and also save one hell of a lot of money.”