Monday 10 May 2010

A big thank you

A message from Del:

“On Saturday some of my former work mates from Mercedes Benz in Colindale held a benefit evening in Hendon for me, Em and Megan.I was enormously touched by the number of people who turned up. It was fantastic to meet many people who I didn’t really know but who told me they followed the blog.

The generosity shown on the night really moved both me and Emma and in practical terms will be really helpful. My work mates are a great bunch and I’m extremely grateful for their kindness.

I went to Wembley Stadium yesterday to watch a game with a group of friends. It was an enjoyable day and was nice to get out and about again.I have a motorised wheelchair which I now use most of the time. I’m slowly feeling more confident about using it and managed to crank it up to 5 miles per hour yesterday!! I’m still the target for some of the lads banter and was christened R2D2 yesterday. I wouldn’t have it any other way as it’s all in the name of having a laugh together.

Our team Enfield Town FC fell a little short at the end of the season losing the play-off final and the cup final. However, as I’ve said before the boys and my joint-manager Steve Newing can be really proud of themselves.It was my final couple of games in charge but I’m already looking at getting a box at Stevenage Borough FC as I really would not know what to do without having football to go to on a Saturday afternoon.

At home Em and I have recently had some work done to make it easier for me to get about. Access to the garden has been made much more simple for me to wheel out into. This will be great for the summer months when I can relax and enjoy our garden.Thanks once again to everyone who made Saturday such a success. It means a lot to us.

Make the most of now.”

Del ‘R2D2’ Deanus

Friday 30 April 2010

Del's Dream

Back in early 2009 when working on the book Del set some goals for the future. One of them was to get Enfield Town, the team he and Steve Newing jointly manage, into this season’s play-offs in the Ryman Division One north.

Despite a small budget Del and Steve have achieved that goal and on Tuesday evening Enfield beat Wingate and Finchley 3-2 in a thrilling match in the semi-final play-off.

They now play Concord Rangers in Canvey Island on Saturday with the winner being promoted to the Ryman League Premier Division.

Del now struggles to get a good night’s sleep due to the constant cramps he gets. But on the night after the Wingate game he said he couldn’t sleep because he was buzzing from the victory and was re-living it over and over again. MND may be ravaging his body but his will, wit and football wisdom is still as sharp as ever.

Due to his worsening health this will be his last game as the club’s joint manager. As he said himself: “What a way to go out eh? The boys might not realise it but they’ve kept my spirit up and given me a positive focus away from my disease. I’m proud of them. There’s no pressure on us as no-one thought we’d do so well in our first season in this division.”

Enfield Town’s fans and board have been fantastic. Del and Steve have already proven that the faith shown in them, especially taking into account Del’s illness, was not misplaced.

In tough times the best people pull together and this is true of the Enfield Town team.

Whenever I’ve gone to watch Enfield play it’s obvious the affection and respect they have for Del. Footballers are not known for their sensitivity but the way they look after Del is incredible. Whether it’s pushing him around the grounds in his wheelchair, making sure he’s warm enough as he sits on the touchline or simply keeping him involved in the banter that he thrives on.

Win or lose on they can be proud of themselves, not just as players, but more importantly as men who know what friendship, loyalty and unity really means.

Good luck and ‘Remember the Titans’

Thursday 4 February 2010

How to buy Memories Never Die by Del Deanus

Following an article in today's Sun newspaper here's more info on how you can buy
Del's book.

You can buy it for £9.99 via the link below:

The book can also be downloaded for £5.99
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/memories-never-die/7772583

To order a postal copy of Memories Never Die by Del Deanus please send a cheque made payable to Emma Luscombe for £12.99 (price includes postage and packaging) to 22 Lockleys Drive, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9LU. All profits from the sale of this book will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Please allow ten working days for delivery.

Any questions please email dandjpublications@live.co.uk

Friday 15 January 2010

Goals for 2010

To buy Del’s book Memories Never Die please see the bottom of this update.

Hi,

I was at Del’s last night and here’s the latest from the Deanus household.

Even though I’ve known him more than 25 years he never ceases to amaze me with the brave way he and Emma are dealing with their extremely tough situation.

I heard a friend recently describe Del as being ‘a real man.’ I understood the point he was making. Despite his illness, which makes the easiest of tasks a huge struggle, I’ve never heard Del moan about his life or sound bitter.

The onslaught of his disease means he is now clearly disabled but he never hides away. He just gets on with life.

Being with him is genuinely inspirational because it makes you realise what you have and the importance of making the most out of every chance that comes your way in life.

Cheers

Jerry

A message from Del,

“Hello and I hope you are all doing well.

Emma and I are still adjusting to life with our beautiful daughter Megan around. She was three weeks old yesterday and we’ve had a couple of comments saying she has my frown!!

As all parents of newly born babies know it’s tiring work. My condition makes it impossible to give practical help to Emma. I try to play my part by encouraging her and constantly letting her know she is doing an amazing job.

For those of you that don’t know I’m joint manager of Enfield Town FC who play in the Ryman Division One North. My friend Steve Newing is the other part of the double act. This bloody weather is so annoying because it’s played havoc with our playing schedule.

We’ve played only one game in a month but we are in a play-off position so we’re very optimistic. Still being involved in football really helps me stay positive and gives me a great chance to get out of the house, stay active and have a laugh and a joke with the lads.

Steve and I are so lucky to have such a great bunch of players. When Megan was born the team donated the money in the payers’ pool to her. This money normally goes towards our end of season jolly up so it was a wonderful gesture.

I’m using a wheelchair to get around at games now. At first I was a little embarrassed but now I’ve come to terms with it and as long as one of the lads will give me a push it’s the best way of getting around at the moment.

I’m going to see my alternative therapist Seka Nikolic next week. I’m feeling tired and need the energy boost that Seka’s sessions always provide me with. I speak about Seka and her amazing work in the book.

Sales of the book have been steady and copies have been sent out across the globe with people from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and America buying copies.

I’ve set goals for 2010 which are important because they keep me focussed. They include spending as much quality time as possible with my family and friends. Also to stay as active as possible, to get Enfield into the play offs and promoted and to spend a long weekend on a barge.I also want to sell more books to raise more money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

If you want to buy a copy here’s how you can get your hands on one.

You can buy it for £9.99 via the link below:

The book can also be downloaded for £5.99
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/memories-never-die/7772583

To order a postal copy of Memories Never Die by Del Deanus please send a cheque made payable to Emma Luscombe for £12.99 (price includes postage and packaging) to 22 Lockleys Drive, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9LU. All profits from the sale of this book will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Please allow ten working days for delivery.

Any questions please email dandjpublications@live.co.uk

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog.”

Del

Monday 4 January 2010

Our little bundle of joy :)


Hi,

Happy New Year to everyone and as always thanks for supporting the blog and the book.

Emma and I have enjoyed our own little Christmas miracle with the arrival of our beautiful daughter Megan Eve.

Megan weighed in at a very healthy nine pounds on Christmas Eve. To say Emma and I are happy is the understatement of the year.

I was desperate for Megan to arrive safe and sound and she seemed pretty keen to make an appearance as Emma was only in labour for five hours.

I’m not ashamed to admit I cried tears of relief and joy as Megan’s birth was the most overwhelming moment of my entire life. It’s difficult, no make that impossible to put into words how I feel.

We have had so many cards, gifts and visitors during the past few days and our house has been a hive of activity. Thanks to everyone who has contacted us and shared their love and good wishes, we really appreciate it.

Megan’s showing signs already of being a lovely natured, laid back baby, sleeping during the day and coming alive at night. It’s been a very tiring but exhilarating couple of weeks.

Thanks for reading and if you haven’t already bought a copy of the book and want to do so follow this link to our publishing site.

Friday 27 November 2009


A message from Del.

“I’ll start off with a quick reminder to let you know how you can buy the book on line.

You can now buy it for £9.99 via the link below:
The book can also be downloaded for £5.99
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/memories-never-die/7772583

We have already sold about 150 books since we launched last Wednesday. For every book sold £4 goes towards the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Thanks to everyone who has bought a copy so far. For those that have ordered by post we are sending out the orders on Monday as our bulk book delivery has just arrived. The response we are getting to the book is very positive and we have had a couple of good articles published in Welywn and north west London newspapers this week.

I recieved an email recently from a young woman that made all the effort and work Jerry and I have put into the book worthwhile. She had became aware of my blog the night before her Fiance went into hospital to find out if he had MND. She said the blog gave her and her partner strength and inspiration to face the unknown.

Sadly their fears were confirmed and he has been diagnosed with MND but they sound strong, positive people and are making the most of now. We wish them well.

Her email meant a lot to me because the main reason I started the book and blog was to help those recently diagnosed with MND.

At home Emma and I are really excited and are busily getting ready for the arrival of our baby which is due on Christmas Eve. Em’s last day at work was yesterday so hopefully she can relax a bit more in the run up to little Deanus’ birth. Our lives are being made easier at the moment by the help we receive from others.

My carer Rob (pictured with me) has been great. I mention him in the book. He’s with me every morning and helps me shave, shower, get dressed and makes me breakfast. He also goes through stretches with me, this is important because many of my muscles are wasting away and we are trying to keep them active for as long as possible.

Rob’s a fantastic lad but there’s no getting away from the fact that he looks like a younger version of one of the guys from Right Said Fred.

Our other helper is Jane who visits on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She takes a lot of pressure off of Emma by preparing meals and tidying up.

I’ve been off work for two months now while my employers work out what will happen to me. If I was to carry on working my van would need a few adjustsments to take into account my disability.

I’ve been keeping myself busy by going on the internet and trying to find out as much as possible about the sides my team Enfield Town are playing. It’s such a bonus for me to still be involved with the club and we are doing well following a blip. We’re now in a play-off position and Steve Newing and I are feeling optimistic.

Thanks for reading.”

You can contact Del directly on dandjpublications@live.co.uk

Thursday 19 November 2009

How to buy the book


Hi,


Just a brief reminder to let you know how you can buy the book.


You can now buy it for £9.99 via the link below:

The book can also be downloaded for £5.99


To order a postal copy of Memories Never Die by Del Deanus please send a cheque made payable to Emma Luscombe for £12.99 (price includes postage and packaging) to 22 Lockleys Drive, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 9LU. All profits from the sale of this book will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Please allow ten working days for delivery.
Any questions please email dandjpublications@live.co.uk
cheers
Del