I’m so pleased to announce that my book is now published – a compilation of over two years of blog posts, edited and proofed down into one handy format. I’ve had an amazing amount of help along the way, not least from:
‘If Bridget Jones had MS, this would be her diary.‘ – The MS Society.
‘The value of the Stumbling in Flats blog … it opens so many avenues of support and understanding, not only to the sufferer, but to the family, the friends … so that they will understand what it’s like to walk through treacle.’ – Janis H. Winehouse.
‘Social media is an increasingly important way for people affected by MS to get support, information and inspiration. Barbara’s writing offers all of this plus a winning sense of humour – a vital ingredient in living well with MS.‘ – The MS Trust.
A very special thank you to Janis Winehouse who kindly wrote the foreword and to Paul Eustice, a supremely patient publisher who held my hand through the entire process (our hundreds of emails and phone calls bear testament to this).
The project has taken months of selecting, editing and proofing, and re-reading my entire blog from start to finish over fifty times has been a unique form of therapy. I’ve also re-read every single comment from you guys, on the blog and on Twitter, and am so grateful for all your support throughout the good times and especially the bad. You’ve been with me every step of the way.
With that in mind, the book is in memory of the one person who couldn’t be there, my dad:
My book is now available to buy in any country in which there is an Amazon – here’s the quick links for UK and America:
So, a huge thank you to everyone who has helped shape my experience of coming to terms with MS. Here’s to the next two years!
Congratulations on having your book published! I will be ordering it today! I discovered your blog whilst in that horrible limbo land of waiting to be diagnosed. I laughed, cried and ranted whilst reading your posts through being diagnosed with RRMS and the horrible year that followed. I have 3 teenage boys who all drive me nuts, but keep me sane at the same time! Thank you so much for helping through the tough days and congratulations again on being published. Best Wishes, Lucinda X
Hi Lucinda!
Thank you so much and thank you for your lovely comment! So glad to hear you’re through the hideous Limboland.
Teenagers, eh?? Mine has been putting me through the mill recently, lol. Who said they were easier than toddlers?
Bx
MANY CONGRATULATIONS XX
Thanks Jenny!
And thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog – we must meet up when I come back to Glasgow 🙂
X
Mine are 16, 14 and 13, they’ve had a tough time dealing with me and my MS crap but once they discovered I can still cook, pick up dirty socks and empty the dishwasher myself they’ve been grand! Jamie has his formal on Fri night, I’m not allowed to fuss and take photos, or ask his date anything, just pay for tickets, suit, corsage(!) chocs for her mum, taxi them there and pick them up after, all in silence, preferably “not wearing that dodgy red coat”. Thanks again for helping me keep some sense of humour! Lucinda.
Oh my, that’s a lot of Teenagers!!!
You’ve just reminded my that his prom is only a couple of months away, gah. But you’re right, mine has adjusted well to MS (after a while!) as I still do all the usual things, maybe just a bit slower, lol.
X
What an amazing world, I read your post and within seconds your book is on my kindle. Now I have to decide what goes best with tea and a book, I will enjoy you with a scone with clotted cream 🙂
Oh wow! The wonders of the super-information-highway as I still call it, much to The Teenager’s consternation.
I adore scones, so have one for me, as I suffer through my Paleo diet, meh 🙂
X
Now where did I put my credit card……?
Bless! You sound just like me, lol.
x
Hello Barbara, I have ordered your book !!!!! Congratulations on reaching your goal. I know your book will inspire, provoke, bring laughter and tears to all ….. Keep your dreams alive !!!!
Thanks Peter!
Lovely thing to say. It’s been an amazing journey!
X
Congrats to you! I can’t wait to read it! #15yearswithMSandstillgoibgstrong:)
Thanks Kimberly!
x
p.s. loving your hashtag!
Hi Stumbling – Congratulations! Have bought the book and am so looking forward to reading it. I only came accross your blog last year (was diagnosed in 2008) and its been an inspiration – best online blog I have come across. Keep up the good work much love and admiration Val
Hi there!
Thank you so much for buying and reading, am beyond chuffed! Everyone has been so lovely 🙂
X
Congratulations! That’s a lot of hard work!
I asked my younger teenager if he didn’t want to be seen with me because I was using a stick or because I was his mum – because you’re my mum, he said very firmly!
Hiya!
That’s brilliant! I get the same here too. After a long time adjusting to MS, I’m just back to being plain old embarrassing mum who still says ‘totes’ a lot 🙂
X
Please consider advertising at http://www.msstation.org and/or
being interviewed about your book!
We’re an all inclusive social media platform for MS and other chronic illnesses!
Just checked out your blog; am loving your merchandise!
Would be fab to be interviewed 🙂 The Teenager tells me he is also available for interviews, lol.
X
Well done dudette!I’ll be buying it xxx
Thanks Shandy! You’re a star 🙂
X
Hi I’m fairly newly diagnosed with primary progressive ms (finally in late Oct 2014) and finding my way around all the info and blogs out there. It’s all been a bit of a shock and it’s all whole new world! I just received a link on Facebook and here I am. I’ve already downloaded the book on my kindle, after a quick browse through your recent blogs and I can’t wait to start reading your book 🙂 ps, so sorry to hear about your little cat, although we have dogs, I can fully understand the feelings of loss when one leaves you 🙁 Take care x
Hi there,
Thank you so much!
So sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, can take a long while to come to terms with everything. Like you said, it’s definitely a whole new world! But, I really hope you come to find out just how friendly us peeps with MS are! There’s a lot of support out there 🙂
Still have a lump in my throat when I think about Dora. Just feels so wrong that such a vibrant cat is no longer here. So glad she didn’t suffer though.
X
Hello Lynn, welcome to the MS Family. We are here to help and support you! Remember to fill your days with laughter and positive forward moving actions. You live with MS but MS will not tell you how you should live !!!!
Very true Peter! I was just saying to my mum last night that the support I’ve had from other people with MS over the years is what has kept me going!
X
Thank you Peter! Wise words I’ll definitely take on board. I’m certainly finding out that there’s lots of help and a whole community out there offering loads of support. It’s heart-warming 🙂
So true!
X
Your MS Family will never judge or criticize you!!!! We truly understand each others MS issues where everyone else is left in the dark … That’s why we are the ones who carry the torch for each other !!!!
Strength in numbers!!
X
Received my book today! Love the cover design. I normally only read books on kindle but this one deserved a paper copy! Amazing that you have turned this awful diagnosis into such a positive achievement. You are an inspiration! x
Wow! That’s really kind of you, thank you!
I took the picture myself – took me ages to decide which of my flat shoes to photograph, lol 🙂
Hope you enjoy reading!!
X
Just purchased, cannot put it down, thanks xx
Thanks Tricia!!
So glad you’re enjoying 🙂
x
Im jealous, reading everyones posts that they have received your book Im still waiting to receive my copy…. We should start the stumbling in flats book club I know your book will be the best seller on all national book list !!!! Congrats Barbara
Aw, thanks Peter!
Just so great to hear that people are enjoying reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it – even through the bad times!
Hope you get your copy soon 🙂
X
It’s always so encouraging to see one of us (MSers) do something cool like this. Thank you for putting the time & energy into it. I look forward to reading Stumbling In Flats. (Purchasing kindle edition now.)
Thank you! It’s been a wonderful process, and good to get all the whirling thoughts out of my over-loaded brain 🙂
Hope you enjoy reading!
X
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
I’m one of the many to whom you gave your time to respond supportively so thankyou so much for that…and in case my name rings a bell, after a two year diagnostic journey, a clear VEP has kicked me out of limboland into the strange world of Functional Neurological Disorder. So much of your experiences still resonate with mine.
Condolences on the loss of your cat. I know how that feels, too. ♡
Hello again!!
Thank you! So good to hear from you. I’m glad you finally got a diagnosis, often a relief after the awful waiting room of limboland. At least we know what we’re up against!
Yup, was so sad when Dora died. Not a day goes by I don’t think about her 🙁
Hope you’re doing well?
X
Thanks, I’m finding ways to manage it, thanks to my CFS/ME group and our OT who is worth her weight in gold! I’ve even started going to the gym for 30 minutes a week. All the best to you and The towering Teenager 😉
So chuffed for you! Wish I had the gumption to get up and go to the gym – very jealous!
The Teenager is currently bouncing off the walls as he’s off to New York tomorrow. I’m not quite so happy as I have to take him to school for 3am. Gah.
x