Another sample from my forthcoming book  ENCOUNTERS:

Oblivion

I sit alone,

as the world walks by

oblivious to my pain,

as am I...now.

Financial Elder Abuse - A case history.

The following case study focuses on the repeated ‘Financial abuse’ of an elderly woman.

A definition of financial abuse:

 ‘Stealing from, defrauding someone of, or coercing someone to part with goods and or property.’ (Action on Elder Abuse.)

Case Study  Mary

Mary is now 88 years old and lives alone. She has a variety of medical conditions that reduce her ability to mobilize without the aid of a wheeled trolley. She also suffers from severe hearing loss. This has the added effect of causing further social isolation. She refuses to attend any of the available Day Centres, as she feels unable to communicate or join in conversations.

Writer of the Month submission - Elder Abuse

If I mention the word ‘Abuse,’ what springs to mind?

I am willing to wager that ‘Elder Abuse’ was not your first thought, which is hardly surprising considering it remains largely unreported in the media.

What constitutes ‘Elder Abuse?’

On a lighter note

Like many, I regularly take part in the National and Euro lotteries. Being a bit of a superstitious soul, I always play the same numbers and whilst I won the occasional £2.50 or £10, the frequency of these 'Little windfalls' were few and far between.

A moment of contemplation

I have a sneaking suspicion that waking up to a damp, miserable and rain laden morning, is responsible for my contemplative mood. 

It brought to mind the lines of a poem I once heard as a child. 'The clock of life.' 

I was never able to remember the whole version or who had penned it, as a result developed my own version from the lines that I could remember.

Joining the twitterati

You can now follow me on Twitter  @TheAccidentalPo

Dealing with rejection

As writers, this is something that we have to get used to. Whether it is the numerous rejection letters from Agents and Publishers or simply not winning that competition.

In the beginning it can totally deflate you, leaving you feeling like a complete idiot for thinking that you could write successfully in the first place. The urge to throw pen and paper in the bin is very strong at this stage. DON'T!