Just finished the book this morning and wanted to tell you what a great job you had done crafting Paul and Ju's story. It is a beautiful read, definately Paul's story but sensitively handled and for me I think you captured the real crux of the story Paul wanted tocommunicate - love what you have and be humbled and grateful for the opportunities presented to you every day. I felt like I was there with them - especially in the second half of the book. For someone already interested in alternative approaches to medicine and well-being this aspect of the book was a joy....its nice to know thereare many more like minded people out there and a surprising number of practicioners.I am taking it to Bookclub on Friday and will be thorougly recommending it.
Michelle Baird
I would have to say in all honesty, this is one of the best books I have ever read!
A wonderfully fascinating and truly inspiring book that taught me a lot about commitment, love, supportand alternative therapies.
I originally thought the book was going to be really sad all the way through, but it was very enlighteningand energising in all sorts of ways.
I think everyone should have a copy on their bookshelf!!
Well done to all who were involved in this treasured story
Arna Burgess
It normally takes me about 6mths for me to read a book. I read Blackie's book in 2 days. It was an incredible emotional and inspiring read as I knew it would be. It made me realise how little I really knew about what you and Blackies went through everyday since his diagnosis. It also reminded me of the power of the human spirit. It's opened my eyes in so many ways and I just wanted to thank you both for that
Kelly
Just a quick note to say what a wonderful book you have produced.Paul would be incredibly proud of everything and everyone who contributed to the book-you, his children, his family, your family, his carers, his incredible circle of friends and people he never really knew but all made an impact in some way.
As I read it, I thought I could relate parts of it to people I know but overall it was a unique story portraying a very special person in a light he richly deserved. I know I will read it again, probably more than once and each time I finish it I will be a better person than when I started.
Kevin
Paul's book arrived last week. I read it in a day. In between music, swimming lessons and general mum activities. Couldn't put it down. Very raw, very real, and very good. Crikey Ju, what an inspiration all of you are.
Michelle
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
What You Wish For - Paul Blacklow & Rebecca Hayter
The book is still available now selling at a discounted price.
You can order it online NZ for the reduced price of $10 plus postage and packaging, price varies depending on destination or alternatively email wishfor@xtra.co.nz for an order form if you wish to send a cheque.
You can order it online NZ for the reduced price of $10 plus postage and packaging, price varies depending on destination or alternatively email wishfor@xtra.co.nz for an order form if you wish to send a cheque.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Book Launches
Book Launches were held in Auckland and Christchurch during November.
Top Rebecca Hayter and Dallas Seymour
Middle: Maureen Rose, Todd Blackadder
Bottom: John Blacklow, Julianne Blacklow, Margie Blacklow, Rebecca
Books can be purchased from:
- Integrated Health - 149 Barrington St, Christchurch.
- St Bedes College, Christchurch.
You can Purchase the book online using paypal. It is now only $10 plus postage and packaging. See above this screen for more information
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Official Blurb
Life was going well for Paul Blacklow. He was newly married, working with some of New Zealand’s top sportsmen as a sports massage therapist and training to run a half-marathon. But after he continued to falter through the training sessions, Paul was diagnosed in 2002 with motor neurone disease. The doctors told him he would lose all mobility and die within five years.
Paul, the quintessential Kiwi bloke, refused to back down to illness and turned to alternative therapies. What You Wish For is Paul's account of what he learned through living with MND, and combines the insights of the therapists who accompanied him and his family on an exploration of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. With his wife Julianne, he had two children, born in 2004 and 2006, but died of MND in 2007, aged 35.
What You Wish For is an accessible guide for people diagnosed with terminal illness, and a moving story of determination, humour and love to inspire anyone seeking the answers to some of life’s big questions.
Paul, the quintessential Kiwi bloke, refused to back down to illness and turned to alternative therapies. What You Wish For is Paul's account of what he learned through living with MND, and combines the insights of the therapists who accompanied him and his family on an exploration of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. With his wife Julianne, he had two children, born in 2004 and 2006, but died of MND in 2007, aged 35.
What You Wish For is an accessible guide for people diagnosed with terminal illness, and a moving story of determination, humour and love to inspire anyone seeking the answers to some of life’s big questions.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A word from the publisher
What You Wish For came to us as a manuscript in April, after Rebecca had worked for months to turn Paul’s experience with MND into a touching and edifying story. We three group members working on this book were all instantly taken by it; the dignity with which it was told and each person who was a part of Paul’s journey. In the past few months we have edited the manuscript, designed the internals and contracted a designer for the cover, and last week we laid out all of the text – What You Wish For is starting to take shape and to feel real. It is looking fantastic and we hope it be an adequate tribute not only to Rebecca’s writing, but to Paul’s incredible story.
Pieta Pemberton
Publishing Student
Whitireia Publishing
Pieta Pemberton
Publishing Student
Whitireia Publishing
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Completion of What You Wish For
I never met Paul Blacklow in the physical sense and more than a year had passed since his death when I answered an advertisement to work on his book. I believed I had much to offer: I was an experienced editor and journalist and, having nursed my father through terminal illness, I knew what an inspiring, enriching and loving experience it can be.
But as I began working through Paul’s chapters, transcribing his voice tapes and interviewing members of his family, friends and therapists, I came to see that the book had plenty to offer me.
When Paul contracted MND, he was a Kiwi bloke with a close bunch of mates, mad about sport and intent on building his career to support his family. The man who had won Player of the Year with nearly every rugby club for which he ever played faced the disease head-on. He opened his mind and soul to every possible strategy and gathered around him a team of therapists, family and friends to make them happen.
Through it all, he kept his feet on the ground, metaphorically speaking. Paul faced life, rather than death, and in doing so he found some simple answers to life’s big questions. It’s about the balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; about the uninterrupted flow of energy through the body and universe; it’s about making choices. It’s about love.
Paul was diagnosed with MND within months of getting married. He and his wife Julianne had two children – the second conceived while Paul was on a ventilator. Paul raised money for his treatment, set up a support group, wrote most of this book and finally, peacefully, accepted death. That’s the physical story.
Then there is the mental story as Paul transferred his determination on the sports field to his treatment room at home; the emotional story, as this tough Kiwi bloke regularly shed tears and released past unhappiness; and the spiritual story, as he questioned his Catholic upbringing and identified his awareness of God.
Paul wrote What You Wish For to help other people who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and it certainly has plenty to sustain them and their caregivers throughout their journey. However, he underestimated its value to people who are physically well but sense that something is missing in their lives.
Thanks to my involvement with this book, I know where to start looking.
Rebecca Hayter
Rebecca Hayter grew up in Takaka and is based in Auckland. She has 16 years’ experience in magazine journalism, including 10 years as editor of Boating New Zealand magazine –a role for which she was awarded New Zealand’s MPA Editor of the Year in 2006. She has written two books, both biographies published by HarperCollins: Endless Summer and Oceans Alone.
But as I began working through Paul’s chapters, transcribing his voice tapes and interviewing members of his family, friends and therapists, I came to see that the book had plenty to offer me.
When Paul contracted MND, he was a Kiwi bloke with a close bunch of mates, mad about sport and intent on building his career to support his family. The man who had won Player of the Year with nearly every rugby club for which he ever played faced the disease head-on. He opened his mind and soul to every possible strategy and gathered around him a team of therapists, family and friends to make them happen.
Through it all, he kept his feet on the ground, metaphorically speaking. Paul faced life, rather than death, and in doing so he found some simple answers to life’s big questions. It’s about the balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; about the uninterrupted flow of energy through the body and universe; it’s about making choices. It’s about love.
Paul was diagnosed with MND within months of getting married. He and his wife Julianne had two children – the second conceived while Paul was on a ventilator. Paul raised money for his treatment, set up a support group, wrote most of this book and finally, peacefully, accepted death. That’s the physical story.
Then there is the mental story as Paul transferred his determination on the sports field to his treatment room at home; the emotional story, as this tough Kiwi bloke regularly shed tears and released past unhappiness; and the spiritual story, as he questioned his Catholic upbringing and identified his awareness of God.
Paul wrote What You Wish For to help other people who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and it certainly has plenty to sustain them and their caregivers throughout their journey. However, he underestimated its value to people who are physically well but sense that something is missing in their lives.
Thanks to my involvement with this book, I know where to start looking.
Rebecca Hayter
Rebecca Hayter grew up in Takaka and is based in Auckland. She has 16 years’ experience in magazine journalism, including 10 years as editor of Boating New Zealand magazine –a role for which she was awarded New Zealand’s MPA Editor of the Year in 2006. She has written two books, both biographies published by HarperCollins: Endless Summer and Oceans Alone.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Comments about the book
This is a profound, touching and honest account of terminal illness. It will answer questions for many as Paul finds peace in the knowledge that there is no cure, and for him, death will come earlier than planned. Paul and his wife Julianne have done a brave thing in inviting readers into their private world of grief, anger, joy and adaptation. Tracy Neal, Nelson Journalist
Pauls book shows how each of our lives can be unexpectedly and suddenly changed and the extent to which we can all become open to ideas and experiences which we may never have previously entertained.Pauls desire to learn and experience from such a wide range of therapies is a lesson for us all in determination, courageousness and remaining open minded.
Pauls book shows how each of our lives can be unexpectedly and suddenly changed and the extent to which we can all become open to ideas and experiences which we may never have previously entertained.Pauls desire to learn and experience from such a wide range of therapies is a lesson for us all in determination, courageousness and remaining open minded.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Alternative Therapies
The aims of Pauls book are to tell his story and introduce the reader to a variety of alternative therapies that Paul utilised to help him live a high quality of life. Here is a list of some of the therapies covered:
Nutrition and Supplements
Meditation, Visualisation, Mind Control
Acupuncture
Chinese Herbs
Chi Gong
Massage
Stretching
Kinesiology
Energy Therapies
Intuitive Therapies
Chiropractic Neurology
Spiritual Councelling
Emotional Freedom Technique
Hypnotherapy
Nutrition and Supplements
Meditation, Visualisation, Mind Control
Acupuncture
Chinese Herbs
Chi Gong
Massage
Stretching
Kinesiology
Energy Therapies
Intuitive Therapies
Chiropractic Neurology
Spiritual Councelling
Emotional Freedom Technique
Hypnotherapy
Monday, February 23, 2009
What You Wish For - By Paul Blacklow & Rebecca Hayter
Since Paul has passed from Motor Neuron Disease Rebecca has been completing the writing and editing Pauls book. Pauls hope was that the published book will raise awareness of the disease and help those with a terminal disease live a quality life.
The Book, ALS, MSD and Paul
Hi Everyone,
Since Paul has passed from Motor Neuron Disease we have been editing and getting his book published so we can raise awareness of the disease and his life.
We have started this blog to give more information about:
Paul's Life
Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Stay tuned for more - and I will let you know when the book is ready!
Regards,
Julianne Blacklow
Since Paul has passed from Motor Neuron Disease we have been editing and getting his book published so we can raise awareness of the disease and his life.
We have started this blog to give more information about:
Paul's Life
Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Stay tuned for more - and I will let you know when the book is ready!
Regards,
Julianne Blacklow
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