Comments from Readers
“Life is not a dress rehearsal”
“I have read Hazel’s book and it is a great reminder that life is not a dress rehearsal, something I think is too easy to forget.“
Rebecca Penny, independent financial adviser at Planit Financial
“It was one of the best things that could have happened to me”
“Having worked with people with Motor Neurone Disease for over 30 years, I was given Hazel’s book to read by one of our Neurology Professors. It was one of the best things that could have happened to me. It totally reinvigorated me and made me relook at all the things I do to help people and how I can use the themes from Hazel’s book to make that better.
Hazel is a total inspiration and I have now become an official superfan.“
Tracy Thomas, Service Lead/Nurse Specialist for MND Peninsula Network, Devon
“This book is beautifully structured and deeply moving”
“It is a vividly accurate account of a life changing and limiting illness, marked with love and humour and respect and dignity.”
Eleanor Sharpe, London
“Full of emotion”
“Hazel’s book about her and her husband’s journey is full of emotion, practical advice, information and above all……inspiration.”
Susie Ankrett, West Midlands
“Fantastic book”
“Highlighting how important it is to keep a positive mindset in the most challenging situations”.
Kevin Essery, Walsall
“Your book made me feel less alone”
“My mum has just been diagnosed with MND and reading your book made me feel less alone and that all the emotions I’m feeling are normal.”
Paula
“A very moving and vivid account”
“Hazel Carter has written a very moving and vivid account of the remarkable journey she and her husband Alan Carter made as a couple through the distressing and difficult 18 months from receiving his diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) in November 2017 to the end of Alan’s life in 2019.”
Dame Pamela Shaw, Professor of Neurology
“It is also about deep love and the human spirit, which I found deeply uplifting”
“I have had the pleasure of reading the draft manuscript of Hazel’s book. It is a candid, completely honest and heart-rending account of both what it is like to live with MND but also to be the carer of a loved one.
It doesn’t just deal with the medical issues and practicalities, but also the emotional impact and the effect it has on close relationships and the ripple effect of that. It sets out how it felt to live through something that you can barely imagine and raised my knowledge of the disease, but also raised my already huge respect for carers, who in my opinion, are unsung heroes and should be celebrated.
Although this book is about a devastating disease, it is also about deep love and the human spirit, which I found deeply uplifting. This is what I take away from reading this book – an awareness of MND and the need to help find a solution to it, and that love, and a beautiful human spirit makes the world go round – even in times like this.”
Rachel Hardy, Birmingham
“The book gives a clear understanding of living with and caring for someone with MND”
“It takes you on a heart-wrenching journey and is told through ‘true love’ for one another.
It shows how strength and determination can help someone with MND live the best possible life.
I’ve learnt so much about MND by reading the in-depth daily journal, showing the difficulties experienced, the professional support needed, the physical and emotional effects and much more.
I feel the book could help professionals/carers/friends have a greater insight from first being diagnosed with this cruel disease to ‘End of Life’”
Carol Harvey, Tamworth
“I would highly recommend this heart wrenching book”
“I really couldn’t put the book down and after seeing a friend pass away from this awful disease, it brought back a lot of good and bad memories.
There’s a lot of useful information in the book to help and support others caring for a family member with MND.
I would highly recommend this heart wrenching book – well done Hazel.”
Rachel Goodwin, West Midlands
“I found myself immersed in a world where love and positivity triumphed over the darkest of circumstances”
“Your book is a beautiful way to honour Alan’s life. It will help so many people too. As I turned the pages of this sad yet captivating book, I found myself immersed in a world where love and positivity triumphed over the darkest of circumstances.
The author, Hazel, poured her heart and soul into every word, painting a vivid picture of her unwavering devotion to her beloved husband Alan. Despite knowing that the story would ultimately lead to a sorrowful conclusion, I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages.
Hazel’s ability to infuse even the most heart-wrenching moments with love and positivity was remarkable. Her strength and resilience shone through as she navigated the challenges of Alan’s illness. Through her poignant storytelling, Hazel not only shared their journey but also reminded readers of the power of love and the importance of cherishing every moment.
It was a privilege to witness their bond unfold on each page, as their love transcended pain and adversity. This book served as a poignant reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, love always shines through.”
Louise Bates. Complementary therapist and bestselling author of Letters to Matthew, and A Gift for Grief.
“It provides incredible insight into the daily struggles the disease creates”
“I have been caring for people with MND for a long time. For the first time this book has given me a real understanding of what the disease means for both the patient and their carer.
It provides incredible insight into the daily struggles the disease creates and gives the reader an appreciation of the successes that can be achieved.”
Dr Sarah MacLaran, Medical Director and Consultant, The Myton Hospices, Coventry and Warwickshire
“Everyone should read this book”
“A very touching book. Absolutely full of emotion. Everyone should read this book. You will certainly have a clear view of how taking nothing for granted with your health going forward.
Probably the best book I’ve ever read albeit very, very sad.”
Brian Tinkler, West Midlands
“I am sure it will be appreciated by many”
“I am sure it will be appreciated by many, both professionals involved with the research into and treatment of MND and family and carers of those living with the disease.”
Kathleen Grainger, Wirral.
“Given me real insight”
“Your honesty and openness about your journey together with Alan, once diagnosed with MND, is incredibly brave and generous in being willing to share it with readers like me. There are so many elements I have found enlightening, as well as confirming my belief about what a cruel disease this is.
I really hope to hold onto at least some of the wisdom about your experience in my clinical practice. Your journey has given me a real insight into the challenges of coping with this most wicked of diseases, and I really hope I can remind myself of your situation with the interactions I have with the people with MND and their loved ones I work with.”
Caroline Mathias, Highly specialised Occupational Therapist, Neurological Rehabilitation Service, Hamsphire Hospitals Foundation Trust.
“The love you had for each other to the end shone through”
“It’s an incredible story, from which I have learnt so much about this dreadful disease, How you remained sane throughout, and looking after your mother as well, is beyond words.
I am in total awe of your and Alan’s story – incredibly sad, but the love you had for each other to the end shone through.“
Maureen Watson, Warwickshire
“I just can’t put it down”
“I must admit that I was finding it very difficult to start reading it. I have finally started and now just can’t put it down. It’s brilliant.“
Maureen Watson, Warwickshire
“I feel it enables me to have greater empathy as well better informed clinical practice.“
“As a health care professional I deal with patients and their families who are living with a palliative diagnosis/condition. I get a snapshot of how life must feel for those living with palliative conditions but never an in-depth insight. I therefore value accounts like you have written as I feel it enables me to have greater empathy as well better informed clinical practice.”
Julie Sadler, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Primary Care
“It was compelling to read”
“The book actually helped me acknowledge what I have been going through for the last 5 years.”
Anonymous, West Midlands.
“An honest and detailed love story”
“This is not a pity memoir – it’s an honest and detailed love story, on how one couple did their best to enjoy life, before time ran out.”
Darren King, Tamworth
“The start draws you in”
“I’ve just started reading it….. the start draws you in, so I’m looking forward, with some emotion, to the whole thing.”
Simon Ellis, London
“You are helping so many people”
“Browsing through the book I can see what a full and loving life you had with Alan. You are helping so many people in sharing your precious memories (hard ones and happy ones). Such a brave lady in so many ways. I am looking forward to reading it. Some parts I’m sure will be difficult to read.”
Joy Thornley, Lancashire
“This book manages to do the impossible – it is very easily read whilst also being highly informative”
“It is in the form of a diary so can be put down and picked up easily, but the information contained therein is invaluable to anyone involved in the care of someone with a terminal illness.
So often, health professionals only get to see things from their own perspective or skill set.
This book provides the full holistic, warts and all, across-the-board, viewpoint so is crucial for both carers and medical professionals alike.
Uniquely, it is written by the wife of someone with MND, who maintained a comprehensive diary through her husband’s diagnosis, treatment, care, and decline.”
Richard Todd, Birmingham
“The book will be an eye opener to family and friends as well as informative to the medical and caring profession”
“I was unaware of this disease until it affected the lives of my friends Alan and Hazel.
Hazel has lovingly and eloquently compiled this book to navigate us through a journey of experiences that greatly affected her life and eventually deprived Alan of his life. The book will be an eye opener to family and friends as well as informative to the medical and caring profession.
10/10 Hazel for compiling an honest and frank account of your’s and Alan’s experience with this Mean Nasty Disease.”
Julie Turney, Worcestershire
“The book will be an eye opener to family and friends as well as informative to the medical and caring profession”
“Just finished your book. Oh my days, it was absolutely incredible. Where you got your strength from to deal with all this is beyond me. Whist reading about you getting up numerous times in the night I could actually feel your fatigue.
The love you shared with Alan was so incredibly special. His wedding ring ending up in your bed but the chain remaining intact blew my mind. You are an absolutely amazing woman!”
Jayne Clayton, Yorkshire
“I am in awe of the sheer bravery, grace and determination shown”
“I was absolutely blown away as soon as I received Hazel’s beautiful book. The attention to detail in the packaging of it was exquisite – an awful lot of thought had gone into getting it ‘just right’. Once I began reading I was totally drawn in! I could quite easily have pulled an all nighter to devour this beautifully powerful book in just one sitting. Instead, I chose to take my time by absorbing this heartbreaking story piece by piece.
I am in awe of the sheer bravery, grace and determination shown by both Alan and Hazel. Alan, in the way he faced this cruel disease. Hazel, in the way she pulled it out of the bag, when inside she must have been crumbling away. True love like this is seldom found – it shone brightly out of each and every single page. Alan and Hazel’s friends and family were simply outstanding in their level of support and kindness – a testament to how this wonderful couple showed up in the world.
The way Alan and Hazel squeezed every ounce out of their limited life is to be commended. Hazel must have been at the point of collapse many times, due to the enormous heavy weight that had been so cruelly placed upon her shoulders. This book is a page turner for sure – you read on with curiosity, compassion and the utmost of respect. At the point of reading of Alan’s passing I actually gasped out loud.
This is by far the most impactful book I have ever read – it shows human resilience at it’s finest. I thank Hazel for me being given the absolute privilege in stepping into both her and Alan’s life during the most torturous time. Alan’s great strength was second to none – that great strength was mirrored by his gloriously loyal and courageous wife Hazel. A remarkable book that will stay with you for a very long time.”
Jayne Clayton, Yorkshire
“So many thoughts have raced through my head”
“I have finished reading your courageous book and it leaves me in awe. So many thoughts have raced through my head reading it.
I relate to so much of what you have said and done and the thoughts, feelings and the emotional roller coaster ride.”
Tony Mountford, Birmingham
“I couldn’t put it down”
“The book is amazing – written from the heart definitely, but it told your journey as it was.
From shock to getting on with it … and to it then being a way of life! I couldn’t put it down! Thank you for writing it.”
Joy, West Midlands
“It’s brilliant”
“I must admit that I was finding it very difficult to start reading it. I have finally started and now just can’t put it down. It’s brilliant.”
Maureen Watson, Warwickshire
“I have stroked it, smelled it, held it close”
“I am sure that your book will raise the funds and awareness that you are hoping for.”
Lynda Ridgard, Birmingham
“Touching and inspirational”
“This book is both touching and inspirational.”
Rod Rodwell, Solihull
