SUSAN Ashurs is a W.I.L.D. woman who has battled through troubled times -- and is about to tell her story to the world.

She hopes it will help others in the same position.

Susan, a Leigh member of the Women In Learning Disabilities Group, has contributed to a book published by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities "Good Times, Bad Times" which includes a touching account of her marriage and separation.

It is a collection of work by women with learning difficulties from throughout the country, and covers a range of experiences including motherhood, relationships, marriage, divorce, sex, identity and friendships.

Her chapter entitled "Hoping Everything Works Out", written with the help of Bridget Whittell, from Leigh-based Add-A-Voice, tells about Susan's marriage and separation and illustrates how she has coped with the difficulties she has experienced.

Susan, 36, who lives in Leigh, is a member of the self advocacy group "Free Speech", an organisation of people with learning difficulties who meet fortnightly to discuss ways of making services and information more accessible, plus taking part in training events such as computer skills.

Bridget said it was through the WILD network that she found out about the book and asked Susan if she would be interested in contributing.

Susan talks about her feelings and how different people have been helping, or not helping, her to cope as she has experienced problems and gone through a particularly difficult time in her married life.

Five of the conversations at Susan's flat were taped and the chapter, using Susan's words as much as possible, was put together from these tapes.

Bridget said: " It was not easy for Susan to tell this story but she wanted to do it.

"There are some important messages in her account about the sort of support that is needed and wanted to help people get through the difficulties, problems and emotional crises that they may experience."

Further details from Lucy Whiting on 01942 601563 or email lucy@addavoice.fsnet.co.uk.