<bgsound src="countrydreamer.mid" loop="true" autostart="false" height="25" width="100" controls="smallconsole">

You will find everything from silver to booklets listed here, if anyone has a pet project that you would like to add to this list please let me know.

Muldoon daughter battles with illness

By MICHELLE LOTTER - North Shore Times | Tuesday, 25 September 2007

SOLDIERING ON: Barbara Williams is not letting motor neurone disease get the better of her.

The last thing on Barbara Williams' mind when she started an exciting new job in Sydney was her health.

So when she started slurring her speech, found it hard to swallow food and developed a slightly husky voice, the research manager had no idea it was motor neurone disease.

Almost three years after being diagnosed with the degenerative debilitating condition, the daughter of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon and Dame Thea, has released a book about her experience.

Her medical background as a nurse has helped her explain her condition in her book Losing My Voice! Living with Motor Neurone Disease.

"Even the ordinary everyday things that we all take for granted are difficult," the Birkenhead resident says.

"I've stopped wearing eye makeup because the mascara runs when I cry. Similarly lipstick doesn't last long because I'm continually biting my lips in a constant battle to control excess saliva."

Mrs Williams says as the condition weakens her muscles, it can cause her to laugh and cry more.

She also has a special feeding tube through the wall of the stomach, because she can only swallow a few sips of liquid at a time.

Sir Robert once said that from the age of four Barbara wanted to be a nurse.

She continued nursing until taking on the position of clinical research associate with a major pharmaceutical company in Sydney.

Now unable to speak, Mrs Williams has reluctantly returned home.

Her managerial role required her to travel around Australia and New Zealand, which became difficult. She now works from home in Birkenhead.

Her busy Sydney-based life meant she had little time to pick up on small symptoms of the disease including increasing cramps in her legs, toes and chest, a dry cough and the need to yawn at inappropriate times throughout the day.

She says one of the most frustrating things about her condition is not being able to say thank you when a kind stranger lends a helping hand.

"I feel awful. There are so many times in the course of a day that you want to say thanks. In the supermarket or shop, to taxi drivers, when someone holds the door open, etcetera."

Mrs Williams is launching her book, Losing My Voice, in Birkenhead on October 1.

I have just published my story: Losing My Voice! Living with motor neurone disease. See www.losingmyvoice.com and http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=28759 

My story covers the time from when I was diagnosed with ALS in late 2004 while living and working in Sydney Australia and the next two and a half years when I travelled extensively for work and holidays while slowly losing my voice and my ability to eat.

My book is unique in describing, from a health professional’s perspective (I’m a nurse and clinical research associate), my daily life whilst dealing with the progressively disabling bulbar symptoms of ALS but still having good mobility. Other books I know of are written by or about people whose symptoms started in arms or legs. Feedback is that it’s “riveting” and a “can’t put down” story.

Losing My Voice can be purchased on line www.losingmyvoice.com 

Feedback: I bought your book this morning because I am going to Rarotonga for a few days and I thought it would be a good opportunity to read it. I started it and couldn't put it down and I've finished it. It is such an eloquent description of the effects of MND and your incredible determination. I had no idea you could write so beautifully.

http://robertmnd.blogspot.com/ on the entry for Friday, October 19, 2007

To anyone wanting a good read there is a book called ‘Losing my voice’ written by a woman named Barbara Williams (elder daughter of the late Sir Robert Muldoon) who has ALS/MND. I am about halfway through it and find it very well done. Her story gives an insight into the everyday problems of someone with this disease and how they as an individual deal with it. I admire her spirit. Go for it Barbara.....

Down Under’s ‘Tuesday’s with Morrie’

Barbara Williams

Walking Through the Valley - Dealing with the Prospects of Death with Bulbar A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Every person’s journey through life has seasons of challenge and times of great change. But knowing what scripture says about the true reality of our existence provides us with joy, strength and faith to go through the struggle and rise above it. Read how a man with great faith journeys through a seemingly hopeless situation with peace for the day and great hope for the future. It is not an easy journey, but one well worth the eternal reward. Whatever your situation, you will be challenged and encouraged.

For Ordering Information 

Reverend Howard C. Lund, dipTheo, BEd,MEd was a pastor, teacher, principal, and writer. He has used his gifts in administration for the cause of Christ, seeing wonderful things accomplished. In August 2004 he was diagnosed with Bulbar A.L.S.and has gone through life-changing events. Still he stayed faithful to his faithful God. Rev. Howard Clifford Lund went home to be with his Lord in the early morning hours of December 9, 2005. His wife was able to witness his peaceful passing in their home. Born October 12, 1946 his years of this life were spent impacting others with the good news of Jesus Christ, preparing them for the life to come. He was a pastor for 15 years as well as being the principal of Rosebrier, Foothills Christian Academy, Leduc Christian Academy, Millwoods Christian School and Prairie Jr./Sr. High School. He is survived by his wife of 38 years – Ann, four children - Jacqueline (and Dan) Vandermeer, Trevor (and Karen) Lund, Shawn (and Shirley) Lund, Janine Lund, and eight grandchildren. Look for his second book to be published soon.

Documentary

A documentary has been produced called "The Man Who Learned How to Fall" about Phillip Simmons a Person with ALS.  The documentary comes highly recommended by my good friend Marie in PEI who has seen it.  For more information check out this site www.themanwholearnedtofall.com .

Poems

Mervin Vindevoghel, whose poems have been featured on my web site, now has a book of poems.  The price is $10.00, with proceeds going to the ALS Society.  If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact Merv by email or telephone.  His email address is vindy@sasktel.net , his telephone number is (306) 543-8204.

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." Arthur Ashe

“I Believe”

Louise Brown has recorded a CD of spiritual songs entitled “I Believe”, and it includes such favourites as “Climb Every Mountain”, “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Ave Maria”.  If you would like to order the CD (or cassette), please phone Tom Brown at 306-761-2605.  The price is $15.00

"A happy person is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future." Albert Einstein

ALS JEWELERY

    I am still doing my sterling silver casting of jewellery although I will be concentrating more on my own creations.  I will likely still do some of the ALS line occasionally so if you are interested in it just contact me.  The waiting time for it will be longer now however as I will no longer keep as much on hand.

HOW IT IS DONE

LEFT CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE, BACK ON BROWSER TO RETURN

"Persistence is to the character of person as carbon is to steel." Napoleon Hill

Basic Information Series - $3 per booklet

This series of booklets, created in 1990, provides an introduction to various topics faced by people with ALS, their families, and their caregivers. Titles in the series include:

•  An Overview for People with ALS

•  Eating, Drinking, and Swallowing Strategies

•  Communication Strategies

•  Breathing Strategies

•  Coping with Grief - Strategies for People Living with ALS

•  "How Can I Help?" - A Guide for Family and Friends

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela

Making Sense Out of the Senseless - The McFeat Family ALS Journey - $15

This is the story of the 20 month journey of the McFeat family which ended with the deathof Forrest McFeat. They have attempted to outline the physical and emotional family and individual journeys as completely as possible. They hope the story will be helpful to everyone, especially patients and their families, the medical profession, researchers, and government departments.
 

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another." John Dewey

Someone You Know Has ALS, by Lois Clark - $5

A simple way to help children understand and cope with ALS.

"Never look for excuses. Instead of surrending to failure, find a way to succeed." Dr. Ben Carson

 

 

MGM