Back From the Brink

"The autobiography of Tim Chan, a young man with severe autism, provides a powerful theme of the unrelenting struggles in pursuing inclusion for a meaningful and productive life. He comes face to face with daunting obstacles of autistic challenges, as well as non-acceptance and stigmatisation in the wider world. Tim's insights into these challenges are testament to his resilience. His unstinting efforts in finding strategies to overcome them pave a way to understanding autism from an insider's perspective and address issues of inclusion and social justice. Additionally the story includes the voice of Tim's greatest supporter and advocate - his mother, Sarah, and her tireless efforts to help translate the world to Tim and help Tim translate himself to the world. We see Tim through her eyes - compassionate, insightful and ever ready to explore ways for Tim to develop mentally, emotionally and socially." Anne Carson Poet, Author, Artist, Editor

"Back from the Brink is a must-read book for many: For people with autism and other vulnerabilities, Tim provides the voice of a peer with insights. He shares the pain, the elation and the resilience that provides a path to guide especially when the times are tough. For families of people with disability, Tim and his mother Sarah provide a roadmap identifying the setbacks and the breakthroughs and offering insights for people discouraged by the 'system'. For anyone who works or hopes to work with people with vulnerabilities, Tim shows the impact of suppression of voice and the way in which staff attitudes and values can fundamentally respect or deny personhood and enable or hinder opportunities that others take for granted. Tim Chan has a great deal to offer - a thinker, a researcher, a motivational speaker, a peer worker. This book is a taster and a testament to the power of voice." Belinda Epstein-Frisch, OAM Disability Consultant and Advocate

"Tim and Sarah's story is at times bleak, but it is, from beginning to heart-warming conclusion, spellbinding and moving. What impressed me most about this unusual book are the thought-provoking, often deeply moving insights emerging from the interplay of Tim and Sarah's mutual perspectives. Resurfacing after the last page is turned was an effort. This is a compelling read, at times heartbreaking, invariably uplifting and intellectually stimulating."
Dr Mike Steer, AM NSW Office on Disability, Conjoint Senior Lecturer, Sensory Disability, RIDBC Renwick Centre & The University of Newcastle, NSW

"I reread many passages, some because they are so perfectly evocative and moving; I want to fix them in my memory, to influence my thinking moving forward. Others are very visual and provide strong sensory connection. I think the encounter at the end is most significant to fully comprehend the story in its entirety, with a richer perception for the reader. I really love this book; it made me smile in parts, wince and cringe in others and cry at times. It is very rich in so many ways as it comes from a deep awareness and sensitivity."
Amanda Marshall CEO, Kevin Heinze Grow, 2006-2017

"Tim is determination personified! He has great depth to his writing and his written voice is an authentic one."
Chris Varney CEO and Founder, I Can Network