Inspiring dad: Glen Watts had 250 people attend his book launch earlier this month. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Humour helps keep positive spirit alive
BY MICHELLE FENECH
16/12/2008 4:00:00 AM


``EVEN in the darker times in your life the human spirit we all possess prevails''.

These are the inspiring words of Wilton resident Glen Watts who lives with motor neurone disease.


The father of three was 35 when he was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder which he says ``flipped his life on its head''.


Before that he was a police detective for 14 years and became an insurance investigator with NRMA in 2003.


He has written an autobiography The Invisible Thief , which he said documented his life in the police force and his experience with the disease.


``The book details my life predominantly as a NSW Police officer concentrating on the more humorous situations I experienced,'' he said.


``I guess the book attempts to illustrate that even when tragedy struck through disease the humour of my life allowed me the will to fight.''


For Mr Watts the disease began with weakness in his left foot which gradually became worse.


He had never been sick before and ignored the symptom until it began affecting his tennis skills.


Today he is confined to a wheel chair, his left arm is almost powerless, his speech is difficult to understand and the disease has affected his ability to swallow.


Mr Watt's said he was now totally dependent on his wife and carers.


``The disease is degenerative so over time little pieces of my independent life are taken from me,'' he said.


``I think the toughest thing is not being able to do things with my kids.


``I have three, aged nine, six and two, and to slowly take less of a part in their lives devastates me.''


Mr Watts said his book wasn't written to be a best seller or literary masterpiece, but it was something that felt good to do.


``I felt I had a story to tell and I wanted to convey some of the humour and challenges of my life in the hope that it may assist the reader in appreciating how life can be flipped on its head at any moment,'' he said.


``This is something I never really understood until it happened to me.''


Mr Watts said his greatest fear was the impact his illness would have on his children.


``It is a huge fear that my kids will look back at their childhood with sadness, but I know they have great support and love of family and friends,'' he said. ``I hope my book helps other sufferers of motor neurone disease and all diseases to stay positive.


``I would like to thank my wife and three children for their support and patience and a huge thank you to my great mate Sarah Clark who sat with me day after day and typed the book as I dictated when my hands slowed.''



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