No Spring Chicken - Stories and Advice from a Wild Handicapper on Aging and Disability

A companion to Falk-Allen's memoir Not a Poster Child, this handbook deftly and humorously shares tips and stories about disability-oriented travel, how to "be with" and adapt to a handicapped or aging person, and simple assistive health care we can employ in order to live our best and longest lives.

About the author

Francine Falk-Allen was born in Los Angeles and has lived nearly all of her life in northern California. As a former art major who got a BA in managerial accounting and ran her own business for thirty-three years, she has always craved creative outlets. Over the years, this has taken the form of singing and recording with various groups, painting, and writing songs, poetry, and essays, some of which have been published. Falk-Allen facilitates a polio survivors’ group in Marin County, and also a Meetup writing group, Just Write Marin County. She was the polio representative interviewed in a PBS/Nobel Prize Media film, The War Against Microbes. Falk-Allen resides in Marin County with her husband, Richard Falk. She loves mystery, and historical novels, and captivating biography and memoir, movies, music, pool exercise, the outdoors, travel, hanging out with good friends, lots of British tea, and a little champagne now and then.

Summary

A companion to Falk-Allen’s memoir Not a Poster Child, this handbook deftly and humorously shares tips and stories about disability-oriented travel, how to “be with” and adapt to a handicapped or aging person, and simple assistive health care we can employ in order to live our best and longest lives.

Foreword

Will hire professional publicist.

• Promotion via author’s personal mailing list (550+ people).

• Advertising with an international polio organization (3,000 polio survivor members) the author belongs to.

• Promotion via groups the author is involved with: a Meetup writers’ group, a small polio survivors’ group, and the City of San Rafael’s ADA Accessibility Committee and others.

• Book launch event at Book Passage, one of the primary bookstores in Marin County, where the author had Not a Poster Child’s successful launch.

• Author will market Wild Handicapper as a potential companion book to Not a Poster Child, ie., have a sale wherein if you buy WH you get Not a Poster Child at a big discount; possible occasional BOGO sales. Coaching on this will be welcomed.

• California (and possibly multi-state) book tour.

• Will run Facebook ads on author’s business page.

Additional text

2022 Foreword Indies Finalist in Travel2021 Foreword Indies Finalist in Travel

“Part of her book is designed to encourage all of her readers—disabled or not—to go out and explore the wider world, hence the amount of practical advice in these pages… She looks squarely at the additional challenges handicapped people face when traveling and offers exuberant encouragement. A fun, spirited book…”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Falk-Allen follows up Not a Poster Child with an enthusiastic… collection of stories from her life as a world traveler and polio survivor. She offers plenty of colorful accounts of places she’s visited… The book’s second part flips… between advice for caregivers of aging parents and for aging readers themselves concerning ambulatory difficulties, dealing with changes in one’s capabilities, and developing a partnership between the caregiver and the person needing assistance… the author’s infectious sense of adventure will appeal to those struggling with aging and disability.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Pull out your travel pants and let Francine take you on a globe-trotting tour of her favorite destinations and the best ways to navigate them, especially… [with a] handicap. After her travel section, she shares her resilient experience finding incredible resources and tools to maximize quality of life with a winning attitude. Highly readable and very informative.”

―Kathryn E. Johnson, Retired CEO, American Hospital Association’s Health Forum

“No Spring Chicken manages to be inspiring, heartwarming and informational all at once, with a charming irreverence that makes it a delightful read. Partly a book on travel, particularly for those who experience mobility or other challenges, it’s also a book that inspires curiosity, tenacity and adventure no matter one’s physical abilities or age. With compassion, humor and just the right amount of sass, Francine Falk-Allen encourages us all to explore, be kind to ourselves, ask for what we need, and have some fun.”

—Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, writing and speech coach and author of Filling Her Shoes and From Page to Stage

“Francine Falk-Allen has packed No Spring Chicken with useful information, inspiring personal stories, and laugh-out-loud moments. Whether you’re facing physical challenges of aging or a disability at any time, you’ll find many practical tips for making daily life and traveling to virtually any place in the world easier. I’m glad to have this resource to recommend to my therapy clients and others.”

—Marcia Naomi Berger, LCSW, author of Marriage Minded: An A to Z Dating Guide for Lasting Love and Marriage Meetings for Lasting Love

“Move over, Rick Steves, Francine Falk-Allen has condensed a life of travel from her living room to Paris, Egypt, and across the street into a smart, simple how-to for navigating any terrain. If you are aging or have loved ones who are unable to navigate the world as they once did, you will find this book extremely helpful; it’s laced with lots of common sense and humor. Her chapter on the importance of incorporating gentle Yoga into your daily regime is powerful and achievable. Add three deep belly breaths and get started.”

—Amy Peele, certified Chopra Yoga instructor specializing in chair yoga, and author of Match: a Medical Murder Mystery and Cut: A Medical Murder Mystery

“No Spring Chicken is like having your own personal guide at the Aging or Disability Theme Park, so you get the most out of all the rides! Part travelogue, part owner’s manual for aging or disabled people and those who love them, it’s a delightful guide to living your best life. Falk-Allen knows the terrain, has walked the path, and shares her wisdom with optimism and resilience.”

—Mary E. Plouffe, Ph.D., author of I Know It in My Heart: Walking through Grief with a Child

Product details

• Authors: Francine Falk-Allen
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 29.06.2021
• EAN: 9781647421205
• ISBN: 978-1-64742-120-5
• No. of pages: 352
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Lifestyle, personal development; SELF-HELP / Motivational & Inspirational, HEALTH & FITNESS / Physical Impairments, TRAVEL / Special Interest / Senior, TRAVEL / Special Interest / Disabilities & Special Needs