Chamber Member Publishes New Book About Their Journey With Autism

“My difference was my strength all along!”

Jane McNeice —Social entrepreneur, mum-of-three and grandmother of four — has shared her professional and personal experiences with Autism in a new book. Titled Strength Not Deficit, this memoir charts Jane's journey: from her initial life-changing diagnosis at age 45 through to the epiphany that this difference was really her strength all along!

This is actually Jane’s second book on the topic (preceded by The Umbrella Picker) and takes us right up to the modern day, where she has managed to embrace a very specific Autistic trait that she believes has helped her to thrive in life. It also makes a case for how, while said trait is specific to neurodivergents, its qualities can be emulated by neurotypicals to achieve similar success.

In Strength Not Deficit, Jane refuses to shy away from the fact that success and challenge/suffering are not mutually exclusive, but rather highlights that, very often, they are bedfellows. She also makes predictions about the future for Autistic and neurodivergent people and challenges ableism in the process.

Speaking about this, Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said:  “We are always in need of more stories that will inspire people and help spur them on as they ready themselves to take the plunge into the high-stakes world of entrepreneurialism. Getting a business up and running from scratch can be an incredibly daunting task – no matter your aptitude or level of experience – and it’s not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With Strength Not Deficit, author and accomplished entrepreneur Jane McNeice offers a refreshingly positive outlook that is sure to motivate any aspiring businessperson and fill them with the confidence they need to succeed.”

“Challenging ableist views and societal stigmas, her story illustrates that Autism needn’t be an obstacle to overcome in business and that, on the contrary, it can be a real advantage. Yet while her experiences are undoubtedly specific, the lessons gleaned from them can be applied to anyone who has a goal that they are trying to achieve.”
 
More about Jane:
Jane McNeice is owner of Mind Matters www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk a mental health training company based in Yorkshire delivering training across the UK and beyond.

Jane’s ‘lived experience’ of late diagnosis Autism has been featured in a number of media outlets, including Forbes, Daily Mail, Top Sante, Take a Break, Brand You, and D:entrepeneur.
 
Strength not Deficit Publication date: 13th February 2024
Amazon link: https://shorturl.at/DHN27
For all press enquiries, email jane@mindmatterstraining.co.uk
https://umbrellapicker.co.uk/    https://www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk/