A different type of update

A message from Del

Hi all,

Once again thanks for your constant support. This update is slightly different from our usual ones which normally include extracts from the book.

Jerry and I are often asked how we go about writing Del’s Story (this is not its confirmed name yet so any suggestions are more than welcome:)

We currently have around 40,000 words written and we are aiming for around 60,000 and to be finished by August 25 2009. We have covered a lot of my life up until now and are beginning research to find out whatever we can about any suspected link between being a sportsperson and developing MND.

So here is how we do it……..

Firstly neither of us has ever written a book before so we are kind of making up it as we go along. It seems we are doing ok so far because the feedback (which we love to get, good or bad) has been pretty positive.

Two to three times a week Jerry comes to our house and we record ourselves having a chat about pre planned subjects. Tonight we are talking about my relationship and love for Emma, previously on Tuesday we discussed my football coaching career.

Other subjects which represent chapters of the book have included dealing with my diagnosis, my daily struggle with MND, my football career and happy events like my wedding, holidays abroad and time spent with my friends and family.

This has been the way we have gone about it for the past four months.

Once we have finished the taping session Jerry goes back home, listens to it and then writes it up. Then we go over it together and make sure it’s accurate and makes sense.

This isn’t as easy as it sounds because I have a memory like a concussed goldfish with a bad hangover and Jerry has such a short attention span he’s like a kid with ADD who has binged on Coca-Cola and candy floss.

Sometimes our sessions are difficult because of the nature of what we are discussing. I think though it’s made easier because we’ve know each other more than 25 years and we often have a laugh reminiscing about events and people from the past.

Slowly but surely we are getting there.

We are still looking for a publisher and will be increasing our publicity efforts as we get nearer to having the book completed.

Thanks for reading and make the most of now.

Love Del.

Things to do before I die

Hi All,

Below is a message from Del and the latest extract from the book.

Cheers,

Jerry

Hi,

Firstly thanks for all of your continued support and love.

We have had a couple of week’s break from working on the book. During that time I’ve been to Las Vegas with Em and some family and friends.

I also organised a day out for two coach loads of friends and family to the Derby in Epsom on Saturday. It went fantastically well and I think everyone had a great time, especially if you judge it by the amount of alcohol we got through.

I’m doing ok and although my arms might be giving up on me my will to carry on certainly hasn’t.

I’m glad to be focussed again on the book. We have a lot to do if we are to reach our target completion date of August 25 but we are confident we can do it.

Thanks again,

Del


Here is an extract from the book which follows on from Del’s diagnosis and how he put together a wish list of things he wants to see and do.

“That first month was unbelievably tough. I’d wake up very stiff and had to really concentrate just to get out of bed. This panicked me. Had the disease already spread to my legs? No one knew how quickly the disease would spread. I was staring into a dark tunnel not having a clue where it led.

Out of the darkness came hope in the simple form of a few scribbled bullet points on a piece of scrap paper that made up a short but powerful list.

A friend visited me and Em a week or so after Em proposed and asked me about things I’ve always wanted to do. And so my dream list came to life. I guess it was like one of those ‘Things to do before you die’ lists with one massive incentive. I know I ‘m dying and it really is now or never.

The list was full of simple treats and once in a lifetime adventures. A couple were in place already. My stag do at the Grand National race meeting was already booked for the beginning of April. It was just a few of my closest friends and I having a good drink and watching two days of horse racing. Em and I were getting married on May 29 and this weekend with the lads could not have come at a better time.

I’ve always wanted to go with a load of family and friends to watch the Derby meeting at Epsom. Because Em and I only wanted a small intimate wedding this Derby day out was a fantastic way of sharing our joy with friends and family who couldn’t be at the reception. With that and the stag do at Aintree everything was falling into place.

I’ve always dreamed of travelling across America. Through the unbelievable generosity of someone I’ve never met and still to this day not know who he is this dream became a reality to.

Some of the things on the list were not as grand.

These included having a weekend on a barge. When Em and I lived in Berkhamstead we’d often take walks on warm days along the canal that went through that lovely town. We’d stop off along our way for a quick drink in a pub called The Boat which sits on the banks of the canal. I use to marvel at the barges. Especially when I often saw the occupants of a few of them anchor down and pop in for a pint. I’ll have some of that I thought.

I’ve always enjoyed darts and have always thought a great night out would be to watch the World Darts Finals. Probably Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor playing some other bloke. That was who the final normally featured.

Horse racing featured prominently in my list. I’ve always enjoyed racing and love horses. My condition permitting I’d love to ride a horse, so riding one also went on the list.

The list gave me things to look forward to and events to plan and occupy my mind. It gave me a reason to keep on going, to keep fighting and to stave off the dark thoughts.

Another dream was to wake up on Christmas morning on a beach, somewhere hot, beautiful and peaceful. Again it was through the generosity of others that this dream came to life.

Also I want to visit the Lake District as many friends who have visited that region have told me how beautiful and peaceful it is. "

Del’s List
(X signifies I’ve achieved it).
Grand National at Aintree X
Derby at Epsom X X
World Darts Final
Ryder Cup
Lake District
Hire a barge for a weekend
Wake up somewhere hot on Christmas X
Travel around Ireland
Ride a horse X
Go from coast to coast in America. X
Visit Alcatraz X
Picnic in Central Park, New York X
Play roulette in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas X
Niagra Falls X
Watch Chicago White Sox X
See the Grand Canyon X

Thanks for reading.