Residents at Cofton Park Manor have been gaining inspiration from a local author who has overcome a painful illness.
Ruth Wood, the author of ‘In my Dreams, I’m Dancing’, is a regular visitor to Cofton Park Manor, where she runs invigorating ‘Singing for Health’ sessions.
Her new book tells the story of her battle with neurological condition Transverse Myelitis, which is an inflammation of both sides of a section of the spinal cord.
The illness saw Ruth spend 12 months in a wheelchair.
Ruth said:
“I like to think that I can share some of my learning and share some of the ways I dealt with illness.
“When you become ill, one of the biggest issues is how we deal with it mentally, how we cope and how we adjust our lives.
“I hope that by sharing the obstacles I faced and how I have learned to deal with life differently, can provide some help to others.”
Ruth, who still lives with TM, has dedicated the book to Dr Cheetham, who was her doctor when Ruth was diagnosed. Dr Cheetham is also the son of fellow resident Ann Cheetham.
By incredible coincidence, Ruth whose late mother used to live at the home, and Dr Cheetham did not know that they both had relatives living at Cofton Park Manor. It was quite a surprise when they crossed paths in the Bistro last year while Ruth was running her ‘Singing for Health’ sessions.
Ruth has now kindly agreed to read chapters of her book to residents during regular meetings, telling her story with optimism and humour.
Cofton Park Manor Community Relations Lead Wendy Sibley said:
“Everyone loves the way Ruth tells her story, all true and with so much humour.
“In fact, residents have asked her to come back for more reading sessions. Thank you to Ruth!”
Ruth’s book is in very good company at Cofton Park Manor, which also houses books by Ruth’s late mother Valerie Walland, also a published author.
