On Death, Dying and Not Dying

In June 2000 Peter Houghton, a counselor in palliative care, was weeks from death due to cardiomyopathy. He had made his preparations and had said most of his good-byes. Then he was offered the chance to participate in a clinical trial. Six months later he was not only still alive, but planning a long distance walk for charity and writing this book about his experiences.With humor and honesty, his story chronicles the uneven path back from the brink of death. Combining knowledge drawn from his counseling work with other dying people and his unique personal experience, he describes what dying really feels like and explains the physical processes it involves. He also raises profound questions about medical trials and palliative care, and especially about our attitudes to life and death, and the way we approach death.

Peter Houghton has for many years been a counselor in palliative care. He was Director of the Birmingham Settlement where he founded Britain's first money advice center and worked with adolescents in trouble; he is also the founder of The National Association of the Childless in the UK. He is now actively engaged in fundraising for the Artificial Heart Foundation and is in the process of founding the Extra life Society for people who rely on mechanical support to stay alive.

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• UBC Press On Death, Dying and Not Dying book Paperback 176 pages