Overcoming Adversity Launch

Last month, you may remember me taking part in Nick Wilford's Overcoming Adversity bloghop, a bloghop where participates wrote a small piece - either fictional or real life - about overcoming adversity. Nick then compiled the entries into an anthology, the proceeds of which are going towards the college fund of his stepson Andrew, who has cerebral palsy. 

Well, the anthology is now live, so you can all check it out! 

Blurb: A collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces - real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent. 

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination. 

Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help. 

The cover was designed by D.R. Cartwright (DRC) from a concept by Ella Wilson - two awesomely creative ladies!

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Smashwords | Goodreads

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Editor Bio: Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction. When not writing he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated specialist college built in Scotland. Visit him at http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/.

Overcoming Adversity blogfest

Today, I'm taking part in Nick Wilford's Overcoming Adversity blogfest. Nick's step-son Andrew suffers from cerebral palsy, and higher education options are limited for him in their home country of Scotland. To offer Andrew the best education, Nick and his family have decided to send Andrew to school in England, but the fees are expensive. So, Nick has come up with the idea of creating an anthology with short stories - fictional or personal - about  Overcoming Adversity; the proceeds of which will go towards Andrew's college fund. 

The Rules:

• Sign up on the linky list below
• Please keep your entry to 500 words
• Please post on either Monday 4th or Tuesday 5th February
• I'd better say, keep it family-friendly! I'm sure it will be anyway.

Here's my entry:

I Wasn’t Going to Let Him Down.

“Beans on toasts again, Mum,” Bobbie said, his stomach rumbling in protest.

“I’m sorry, love, money’s tight right now,” I said, making sure he had two slices of toast and most of the beans, despite my hunger pains. “Tomorrow will be better.”

It was a promise I intended to keep, as I watched my five-year-old son gobble down his breakfast. Since his dad had left, things had been tough. Finding work when you were a single mum was never easy, but I was determined to do my best. 

After a quick wash, and a glass of milk – finishing the last in the carton, I didn’t mind not having any with my morning coffee so Bobbie wouldn’t go to school hungry – we dashed out of the house in a blur of gloves, hats and autumn leaves. 

When Bobbie was safely in the teacher’s care, I headed into town, hell bent on finding a job today.  I trawled the high street, going into every café and shop asking if they needed extra staff. With every rejection, my spirit didn’t dampen. When I thought about giving up, I just remembered Bobbie’s eager face, and how he’d absolutely believed me when I said tomorrow would be better.

I wasn’t going to let him down.

Even when three o’clock was nearing, and it was almost time for me to collect Bobbie from school, I didn’t give up.  So what if nowhere in town was currently hiring? Somewhere would be.

That’s when I spotted the sign in the butcher’s shop window: ‘Help Wanted’.

I asked the guy behind the meat counter what the job entailed. The thought of lifting heavy deliveries, or cleaning up meat trimmings didn’t put me off. It was good honest work that paid well. I’d give it my all.

“I can start tomorrow,” I said. “There’s just one thing … can I get an advance. I wouldn’t normally ask, but I’ve got no money, and my son needs feeding.”

Mr. Lloyd smiled kindly. “I remember what it was like having kids. I won’t be able to give you an advance, but I can probably help you out with some groceries. You’ll have to make it up to me by coming in an hour early tomorrow though.”

“Sure, anything you want. Thank you so much.”

I walked to the school to collect Bobbie with a spring in my step. I’d done it; I’d got a job and something for dinner tonight. Bobbie chatted all the way home about what he’d done that day. It wasn’t until we reached the flat that his stomach rumbled. 

“What’s for tea Mum?” Bobbie asked, pulling off his coat and gloves as we clambered in through the front door. “Not beans on toast again, please?”

“Oh god no,” I said, barely containing my grin. “How do you fancy, burgers and chips with all the trimmings and a strawberry milkshake.”

Bobbie squealed in delight, and threw his arms around my neck.

 


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Please check out all the other entries, links to which can be found on Nick's blog.

On an unrelated note, there's still a week left to enter my One Year Blogaversary £15 Amazon Voucher Giveaway.

Nick Wilford's Overcoming Adversity blogfest

Today on my usual reading of fellow writers' blogs, I came across Nick Wilford's latest post. Nick is a great guy, who though I don't know very well, is always friendly, supportive and encouraging. 

In Nick's post, he was talking about his stepson Andrew's struggle with finding a collage that caters to his cerebral palsy, and how in his home country of Scotland, their only option for college for Andrew is a place that hasn't got resources that would really help him grow and develop. That's led them to look further afield, into England, but as the college system isn't free like it is in Scotland, that brings a whole new set of problems. 

For the full details behind Nick and Andrew's story, you can read Nick's full post here. 

Goodness knows raising kids is hard enough. Sometimes I have trouble raising my two boys. My own stepbrother, Robert, has Autism and even though his mom and my dad have only been together for a couple of years, I've seen first hand the hardships they've faced.

This is why I'm signing up for Nick's Overcoming Adversity blogfest - the aim of which is for participants to write a 500 word piece (fiction, personal experience or poem) about Overcoming Adversity, which Nick will then turn into an Anthology, the proceeds of which are going to Andrew's college fun. But not only that, I wanted to take the time to spread the word about this blogfest, and Nick's campaign. Over on Nick's blog, there's also a petition you can sign to get the Scottish Government to build a specialist further education college in Scotland and a donate button if you'd like to contribute to Andrew's college fun. 

I think this is a great cause, and one that everyone should at least read up on.