Walk of Life

"What I've told everyone is that you've put into words what I have longed to say. Your book is a beacon that lights the way for all who encounter this unforgiving disease. You write in an unsentimental way what we as parents face day to day." So wrote a reader of the biography 'Walk of Life'. The book is a story of courage, of humour and of caring. But overall it is a celebration.

'Walk of Life' tells the story of a young boy, Chris Barratt, affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but just getting on with life. It tells the story of how a disability can be overcome and it tells of fun and laughter, although there are a few tears.

Chris was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy just before his fifth birthday and by the age of 8½ he was confined to a wheelchair. The book relates how a young person adapts to what is a dreadful condition, but throughout Chris never really complained about the situation, he just got on with life. Enjoying his friends, his computer, travelling and life in general. He became a confidant to many people and sought to protect and guide, even those older than him. Chris was never short of an opinion and on several occasions was invited to express his views. He was, as more than one person said, "remarkable"; he touched the hearts of everyone he met.

'Walk of Life' also gives an insight into caring for a young person with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, although it does not pretend to have all the answers. The book talks about Chris's friends and how they gave love and support as life unfolded, during the highs and lows. 'Walk of Life' describes the importance of the people and organisations that helped Chris, organisations like Hope House Children's Hospice at Oswestry. Hope House and the people there were very important to Chris, he loved the atmosphere and the independence it gave him (especially being away from Mum and Dad), one of Chris's best friends is a children's nurse who works there. The proceeds from the sale of the book are going to Hope House; Chris would have been so pleased about that.

Almost 250 copies of the book have already been sold and the reaction to it has been excellent. Readers have used phrases such as "compelling", "well written" and "lovely story", with going as far as to say that 'Walk of Life' was "one of the best biographies I've read".

About 200,000 young people in the UK are affected by muscular dystrophy. There are about 20 distinguishable forms of MD, a genetic condition. Duchenne is the most common and the most severe of the condition and affects one male in 3,000. There is no cure or treatment for these conditions which result in slow but progressive muscle wastage leading to increasing weakness and disability.

Hope House is dedicated to serving the needs of families with children who are terminally ill or life limited. Staffed by specially trained nurses and fully qualified staff Hope House seeks to provide a fun environment, a home from home. Hope House makes no charge to families although running costs are £1.5 million per annum.

Mike Barratt

Mike and his wife, Annette, live in Chester, where he works as an IT Systems Manager in the finance industry. Walk of Life is Mike's first book and is a tribute to his son Chris. Mike began writing the book shortly after Chris passed away.

During the days and weeks after Chris died our house was full of people, mainly Chris's friends and acquaintances - they all wanted to talk about him and many of those stories were amusing. Mike wanted to capture them as a memory and most evenings would write down the anecdotes. Sometime later people wanted to read them for themselves and so the seeds of 'Walk of Life' where sown.

The book took nearly 12 months to write, for Mike it was an emotional roller coaster, but it has been well worth it.

Mike is in the process of writing a series of short stories for children and hopes to get the collection published in the near future.