Book tackles serious issue in entertaining way

Published 4 May 2010 09:16

WHEN his pregnant wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 24, Ian McMurdo believed she would die.

But brave Nan has battled the disease for more than 30 years and now Cumnock man Ian has finally chronicled her courage and determination in his book, "A Life Worth Living".

Ian hopes to provoke discussion about MS by tackling serious issues in a humorous way and to help sufferers confront their own demons through his own tales of adversity, dogs and trips to the Isle of Arran.

Granddad Ian, 60, says he'll never forget the summer when pregnant Nan was told she had contracted MS.

He said: "One day she could be horse riding, water skiing and ice skating, but within a matter of a few months she was completely unable to walk. We were absolutely devastated.

"I honestly thought the worst case scenario was that she would die and lose the unborn child she was carrying, the best was that she would spend the rest of her life housebound or even bedridden."

Now aged 59, Nan never let her illness get the better of her and continued to live her life to the max. Daughter Gillian, 32, also survived the ordeal unharmed and is now a mother herself.

The book tells Nan and Ian's life story since the onset of her disease and deals with attitudes to disability, the influence the couple's various dogs have had on their lives and the happiness and laughter they managed to introduce even in the most desperate of situations.

He also waxes lyircal about the importance to Nan and her family of their favourite place on earth - the "wonderful island of Arran".

Ian said: "You only get one chance to live, so you'd better make the best of it, and sometimes taking risks is a far better strategy than lying wrapped up in your bed with a hot water bottle and an emergency alarm button by your side.

"While our situation was far from easy, Nan really has lived her life to the max, but it was only because of her sheer determination that she managed to do that. It would be great if people enjoyed the book, and if it made them laugh as well as cry."

And Ian praised everyone who helped in writing his book. He added: "I've had a lot of help and support from family, friends and colleagues who helped me to recall many poignant stories and incidents, and hopes and fears over the years.

"And I had terrific support from my publisher, Dane Love of Carn Publishing, an established and successful authors in his own right.

"If the book helps even one person facing similar horrors, then that's good enough reason for me to have written it."

And some proceeds from the book will go towards the MS Society and the Ayrshire Hospice.

The book is available now from Costcutters and Words of Wisdom in Cumnock, Many Thanks in Mauchline, and New Cumnock Post Office. It will also be available in Waterstones in Ayr, Glasgow, East Kilbride, Stirling among others. You can also find it online by following this link:

http://tiny.cc/mcmurdo

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