23 replies to this topic

[TimRS]

---shameless plug alert!---shameless plug alert!---shameless plug alert!---shameless plug alert!---

Hey people,
Just to let you know that I have a book out, called Looking Up. The publishers have called it "A humorous and unflinching account of learning to live again with sudden disability."

Basically, it's a memoir of my experience from injury to finally getting home eighteen months later with a wheelchair and a new child (my wife was five months pregnant when I fell out of a tree).

I have been ...erm... 'unflinching' in dealing with all aspects of SCI, and part of my reason for writing the book was to offer an account of an ordinary person, who hasn't gone on to climb Everest or compete in multiple marathons, but just learned how to get on with everyday stuff and build a happy life again. Don't get me wrong, I am inspired by those people that excel after their injury, but that wasn't that relevant to me.

Anyways, I hope that maybe the book will be of help as a resource for any people who are riding the SCI roller-coaster by showing them and their friends and family that there can be a life after.

The book is called Looking Up, and is published in the UK by Virgin Books, priced £7.99

...and it is pretty funny, by the way.

[russ1]

Hey - well done, often thought such a book would be a good idea. Hope it goes well.

[nomis]

Congrats TimRS. Great achievement and no doubt an interesting process in reviewing your life through writing. Good looking cover promises a good read.

[TimRS]

nomis, on Apr 10 2008, 12:55 AM, said:

Congrats TimRS. Great achievement and no doubt an interesting process in reviewing your life through writing. Good looking cover promises a good read.

Thanks, Nomis.
I'm going to be doing an interview with Radio New Zealand on Tuesday 22nd April at 10.05a.m. So if you want something to listen to while you eat your cornflakes...


t

[nomis]

Great. That's my main listening station and I usually listen from waking to about 11am so I won't miss you.

[nomis]

If you want to hear Tim's interview with RadioNZ it is here.

It's about 30minutes and deals mostly with the early part of discovering himself with a spinal injury.

[EFSTA]

hi everyone...i would love to get a hold of this book

is it available here in australia!!!!

im streaming the interview now...

[TimRS]

EFSTA, on Apr 23 2008, 02:34 AM, said:

hi everyone...i would love to get a hold of this book

is it available here in australia!!!!

im streaming the interview now...

Yes, I believe it is. Either order it from your local bookshop or online. It's published by Random House Australia.

Tim

[cate]

Hi Tim
I hope the book goes well. Good idea and one that will have crossed many peoples thoughts. It is just getting down to it.
Cate

[sean3282]

Hi Tim,

I bought your book last week in WH Smith after seeing an article in 'Forward' magazine. I'm thoroughly enjoying the read, it's funny to see that some of my thoughts and feelings at the time of my accident were mirrored by someone else.
Congratulations on a job well done and I will recommend it to others.

Many thanks

Sean

[TimRS]

sean3282, on Apr 23 2008, 05:10 PM, said:

Hi Tim,

I bought your book last week in WH Smith after seeing an article in 'Forward' magazine. I'm thoroughly enjoying the read, it's funny to see that some of my thoughts and feelings at the time of my accident were mirrored by someone else.
Congratulations on a job well done and I will recommend it to others.

Many thanks

Sean

Sean. Thanks for your message. I really pleased that the book has reflected other people's SCI experiences too.

Tim

[bethanffydd]

Hi Tim, I'm half-way through your book and really enjoying it. My friend is C5 and I have a greater understanding of what he went through at the time of his accident now. Good luck for the future.

[sean3282]

Hi again Tim, I have finished your book and will be passing i onto the other half who is very eager to read it. Just one question: Have you had your Epiphany yet?

Moving onto 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' next.

Hope all is well

Sean

Edited by sean3282, 01 May 2008 - 12:44 PM.

[OZ Sister]

Hi,

I have just listened to the interview and will be off to read the book. Sounds like it will offer me and my family some useful insights for what lies ahead for us.

Thank you for putting pen to paper!

[TimRS]

Sean,
By Epiphany, I assume you mean a moment when the whole thing falls into place and I get my badge and get to put the initials SCI after my name (Which I think we should all do, incidentally.)?

No, I have not had a light-bulb moment, but more of a trickling of realisation that this is it, and it doesn't have to be unbearable. I suppose. Or something like that. Or not. So what I should just say is, no.

[Meadowlarkmark]

Good job. I hope the book does well and they make a movie. here is always room for another gimp movie.

[OZ Sister]

hi,

have tried everywhere to get this and apparently in OZ you have to order from UK, it is not stocked here. You can order it takes 3-4 weeks, or put in an order as I have done with a friend in the UK.

[TimRS]

OZ Sister, on May 2 2008, 02:30 AM, said:

hi,

have tried everywhere to get this and apparently in OZ you have to order from UK, it is not stocked here. You can order it takes 3-4 weeks, or put in an order as I have done with a friend in the UK.

Yes, it seems that Random House Australia are selling it from UK stock. It's a pity, as my wife is Australian, and obviously we have family and friends who are looking to buy the book.
It is worth the wait, I promise!

[EFSTA]

Hey Tim,

I finished reading your book last night.

My brother had his motorbike accident on feb 29 this year, and was left a c5/6 quad/tetra.
Reading your book made me understand his feelings and thoughts of what he must be trying to deal with. He is also only 27 without a partner at the moment or any children.

YOu are such an inspiration, even the funny bits in your book made me laugh with tears strolling down my eyes. But the reality check for me was the feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety he must be trying to cope with.

Crying as i write this, i am so glad that we are not alone in this world, and that the online community is so willing to help us all deal with things.

I even felt closer to you when i read the part that your wife is australian, NOt that it makes any differnece, but you can totally understand the "technical/financial" side of spinal cord injury down under!!

Tim i cannot thank you enough for writing this book!!!

Hope we cross paths when you're down under one day i would love to shake your hand..hell i would love to give u a kiss and hug for making me feel so comfortable and realising!!

thanks again
Effie

hey ozsister...the 3-4 weeks is TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT SISTER!!!

i ordered my book through angus & roberstons and it only cost $24.95

go and order yours today!!!

[OZ Sister]

I have got the book and read it and loved it. I did not want it to end Not a good one for the bus, alternating between tears and laughter bought me a few strange looks!

I wanted to read it as the radio interview I heard so resembled what initially happened to my brother and I was not disappointed. He even read the first chapter (I left it at my parents and he stayed there) and was really blown away by all the same thoughts running through your heads and the scario that unfolded.

I would love him to read the rest of it as I think, the whole scene you set of the lid on the box in your mind describes what is going on behind that wonderfully positive exterior of his. I think it really helped me to see more clearly the way he is dealing with everything. (He does not really let much out to anyone other than his wife) Talking to him about it he really agreed with your description and I could see the pain in his eyes just simmering below the surface. Breaks my heart.

For all that, it shows what we have know from the start there is life after SCI and a blody good one at that!

Thank you on for putting such a painfull experience into words to help the likes of me and others.

I can not thank you enough.

Shelley

[LisaU123]

Is this available in the US?

[TimRS]

LisaU123, on May 30 2008, 07:05 PM, said:

Is this available in the US?

...give this a go...

http://www.amazon.co...b...7220&sr=8-1

Edited by TimRS, 31 May 2008 - 09:01 PM.

[Kwag_Myers]

Amazon is out of stock (maybe the author should call the publisher and have some sent).

[ParaforGod]

Congrats on your book