Stumbling Through Space and Time Living Life With Dyspraxia

Cover design courtesy of Ian James Ross, web copy on the book itself courtesy of the publisher, Jessica Kingsley Publishers

"In 1994, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia, and I was unable to do everything that children are expected to do by the time they're in school. For me, this included everything from riding a bike and catching a ball, to reading, writing, and basic math."

When talking about her dyspraxia, Rosemary Richings is often met with confusion. Why do so few people understand dyspraxia, or even know what it is?

Rosemary shares her experience of growing up dyspraxic, and how it impacts her sense of space, time and co-ordination. Diagnosed with DCD at the age of four, Rosemary shares her insights and experience dealing with challenges, from coping with bullies in school to choosing a dyspraxia-friendly university, pursuing self-employment and travelling abroad.

Rosemary shares guidance for others about what helped her develop her skills, including ballet and gymnastics, the Wilbarger Protocol (brushing therapy) and equestrian therapy. Full of practical tips and insights into the strategies that gave Rosemary the confidence to succeed, this is an essential guide for other dyspraxics and those supporting them, which shows you how you too can thrive as a dyspraxic person."

Table of contents:

Topics explored in the book in chronological order:

1. Dyspraxia in childhood
2. Adolescence and dyspraxia
3. Secondary school and preparing for university
4. 1st and 2nd Year university challenges
5. The effect of stigma on self-esteem and body image
6. Coping and persevering
7. Aging out of my dad's health insurance (and the school system)
8. How having a disability motivated my decision to pursue self-employment
9. Developing healthy relationships with others
10. Why do people rarely know what dyspraxia is?
11. The mental health impact of having no support
12. When do people need to know about your dyspraxia?
13. Why do some dyspraxics avoid driving a car?
14. Travelling abroad with dyspraxia: can it be done?
15. Creating your own dyspraxia community: pros and cons

About the author

Rosemary Richings is a freelance writer, editor, and public speaker specialising in neurodiversity and disability and her work is based on her experiences living with dyspraxia  and sensory processing issues.

​Rosemary's work has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Torontoverse, Shape Magazine, The Good Trade, The Luupe, and a long list of other websites. Currently, she is serving on the board of trustees of Dyspraxic Me, and is a regular collaborator with Dyspraxia Magazine and Dyspraxic Alliance. 

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If you're a content creator or journalist interested in talking about my book on your show or in your media outlet, check out my press page as well.

Endorsements:

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The title of this book is 'Stumbling through Space and Time - Living Life with Dyspraxia', but Rosemary Richings, in my opinion, has conquered it. Learning of the hurdles she faced during her adolescence within the education system in Canada is in itself difficult to stomach but shows the grit and determination of the author to succeed despite the best efforts of educators attempting to write her off and label their neurodivergent student as another 'underachieving', 'unpunctual' and 'unruly' pupil destined to join the scrap heap that is 'life'. Rosemary, fortunately, had the moral support of close family and friends to guide her through adolescence into adulthood. I especially loved reading her honest account of dealing with the chaos and utter confusion that comes with being dyspraxic, especially in the big wide world where space and time aren't something we gravitate towards or away from easily. This book is a triumph from start to finish. I highly recommend purchasing it!

Billy Stanley

Founder

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Dyspraxic Help 4 U

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This is a marvel of a book, sure to open both hearts and minds. Rosemary Richings writes with such grace, compassion, and thoughtfulness. I was deeply moved by her story and her sense of solidarity with others who have been harmed by the status quo. She is unafraid to name the policies and ways of thinking that marginalize and exploit, nor to boldly imagine a better world. This book needs to be read widely.

Audrey Farley

Author

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The Unfit Heiress

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Goodreads reviews for Stumbling Through Space and Time

Reviews from Goodreads.com

Proudly endorsed by the following communities & groups

Stumbling Through Space and Time has also been featured in health and well-being library catalogues such as The Wellington City Library's Good Health collection, the  Edinburgh Napier University Well-Being Collection,  and Denver Public Library's Celebrating Neurodiversity: Books For Adults.

Words of praise released on launch day of the book

Also endorsed by:

Rachel Charlton Dailey, guest editor and columnist for The Mirror's Disabled Britain Series who called it "an incredible new book by a disabled voice."

Where to buy the book:

E-book and print editions are available. Sorry, no audiobook options are available at the moment for reasons beyond my control, but e-book formatting  is adapted for screen reader and dyslexia friendliness.

​You can view your options for both e-book and print purchasing right here. Although I also recommend the following options not listed in the link provided:

• The Jessica Kingsley Publishers online store
• The Dyslexia Shop
• RNIB bookshare
• The Guardian Bookshop
• The Times Bookshop
• My personal favourite indie booksellers of my book: Caversham Booksellers (North America's largest mental health bookseller), Another Story Bookshop, a friendly little bookstore walking distance from the street I was born on, Argo Bookshop: if you happen to be in Montreal for any period of time, Payot: a Swiss book chain.

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If you don't see your most local and familiar bookstore option listed don't worry: simply ask if a copy is available wherever you typically buy books, and if no copy is available, you're more than welcome to advocate on my behalf for why a specific bookstore should order copies of my book.

If you would rather borrow a copy from your local library, Worldcat is a useful database of libraries (both at local universities and public libraries) in your area carrying copies of my book. If your local library doesn't have any copies, you can also make the case for why that's something they should consider.