This #Stoptober, Book Beyond Words is making an impact! The new picture book supports people with learning disabilities on their journey to quit smoking.
In the UK, around 1.5 million people have a learning disability. Shockingly, research from 2013 found that women with learning disabilities die, on average, 20 years sooner than the general population, while men die 13 years earlier. People with learning disabilities face huge health inequalities, including higher levels of unmet needs and delays in access to diagnosis and specialist referrals.
The book named, 'Joe and Julie Stop Smoking' aims to change that by empowering readers to understand that smoking is harmful, how to stop, and what positive changes can happen when they do. The story was inspired by a real-life experience—a woman with a learning disability started smoking after a friend gave her a cigarette. She didn’t enjoy smoking at all, but since no one had ever talked to her about quitting, she didn’t know how to stop.
Here at MacIntyre, we have been a part of the reviewing of Joe and Julie Stop Smoking to ensure it was spot on. Plus, MacIntyre's Easy Read Advisors have created additional resource, including an easy-read information guide on smoking,
You can download the Easy Read guide below and click the link to 'Joe and Julie Stop Smoking'.