Fast Train Approaching.
S, Walter
Sold by Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
AbeBooks Seller since 11 June 2025
New - Soft cover
Condition: New
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketSold by Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
AbeBooks Seller since 11 June 2025
Condition: New
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketBy Steve Walter
ISBN: 9781847470911
Published: 2007
Pages: 171
Key Themes: manic depression, bi-polar disorder, breakdown
Description
FAST TRAIN APPROACHING. is a novella length autobiographical story of breakdown and survival. The text is interspersed with poems, which represent a form of compressed experience and a thread of continuity throughout the book. FAST TRAIN APPROACHING. is a frank and open account spanning the decade from Steve's first breakdown in 1997 (when he was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder) to the present day. This is a confessional book, in many places raw, honest, and in parts shocking. It traces the circumstances and thoughts that contributed towards Steve's breakdown, through illness, losing touch with reality, to returning to whatever normality is. This book challenges common perceptions of mental illness and demonstrates how very real the experience of delusions can be.
About the Author
Steve Walter has written this story, not only because it is therapeutic, but also because he knew that other people often like to read and to understand someone else's experience, to help make sense of their own, or of problems experienced by those close to them. He also thinks it is important to talk about the issues surrounding mental ill health, in the interests of crushing stigma. Too often the experience and effects of depression, mania, delusions, are hushed up or result in unfair treatment and discrimination. Mental health problems are often treated as if there's been a death in the family. People avoid talking about them. In FAST TRAIN APPROACHING.Steve offers people an insight into his thinking, his emotions and, with the detail of the actual medical reports, distancing himself through the third person, he takes them through the pain. He shows that it is possible to come out the other side and, with the support of his employer, to be rehabilitated and integrated back into work, into life.
Book Extract
So what happened? First, let me tell you the story in a nutshell. I'll sketch out the framework, then recreate the complete picture. In 1997, at the age of 37, I had my first breakdown. Two years later, my second. Up until then life had been relatively uneventful, more or less ordinary. It had followed a familiar pattern: school, university, further qualifications, grandparents died. Grandparents I'd loved. I kept fairly fit, healthy, hobbies, cycling, drama, writing, got married had children. My life was normal. At least as normal as life ever is.
The first time, it built up slowly. As well as relationship issues at home, there were factors at work such as the constant pressure to meet deadlines - lunch was the all too familiar hurried sandwich at the desk. On one occasion, I took what most would regard as a 'minor conflict' with a senior manager at work (over a stress research project no less!) as a major, personal insult and this blew the lid off everything for me.
Life began to race wildly. I was on a high. My behaviour was changing. Gradually, more people realised that there was something wrong. At first, as far as I was concerned, I was having one of the best times of my life - I had so much creative energy. Ideas would come flooding in and I wanted to do everything, all at once.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days for any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, Rarewaves, Unit 144 The Lightbox, 111 Power Road, W4 5PY, London, London, United Kingdom, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or Rarewaves, Unit 144 The Lightbox, 111 Power Road, W4 5PY, London, London, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (Rarewaves, Unit 144 The Lightbox, 111 Power Road, W4 5PY, London, London, United Kingdom)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Please note that we do not offer Priority shipping to any country.
We currently do not ship to the below countries:
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine
Israel
Please do not attempt to place orders with any of these countries as a ship to address - they will be cancelled.
| Order quantity | 9 to 14 business days | 9 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.