A REMARKABLE book charting the struggle for independence of a unique young Blackpool man has been launched in the town.

When Martin Yates decided to fly the nest it took a great deal more planning, not to mention courage, than most young people would imagine.

For Martin has cerebral palsy and needs round the clock care, previously provided by his parents in their family home.

But Martin persuaded them to relinquish this role, convincing them that he could employ suitable support workers to provide 24 hour care in his own home.

That was nine years ago and now Martin, 33, feels he has got everything in place.

The lessons he learnt, the contacts he made and the red tape he slashed form a 150 page book, entitled When Is Support Most Effective? When It's Not Visible, packed full of information to establish and maintain a support package.

Now an independent living consultant, Martin said: "I want to encourage disabled people by giving them the tools to take control of their own lives.

"For a severely disabled person independent living can't mean doing everything for ourselves. But it can give us the freedom to choose what time we get up in the morning and how we spend our day.

"It has been an emotional book to write as I have relived the traumas of landmark decisions fought for as part of my quest for independence."

In 1989 Martin set up his own trust to employ six support workers who work round the clock, on a seven day rota, all year round. The book draws not only on personal experiences, but also knowledge gained during a three year involvement with Manchester's Inclusive Living Conference and his role as disability adviser for the YMCA.

The book, only made possible after a grant from The Barrow Cadbury Trust, has been a 20 month project for Martin, who estimates his typing speed at six words a minute.

The book, available in printed format, or on disk for Apples and PCs, is £7.50. Simply send a cheque made payable to MYT, to Martin Yates, 49 Gloucester Avenue, Blackpool, FY1 4EH.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.