It started out as a simple blog to let Julie Elliott’s friends know about her condition in hospital after she suffered a devastating stroke.
But over the last five years, Julie’s dedicated fiance James Campbell has kept the blog up-to-date with progress of her recovery after their lives were turned upside down.
Now James’ online memoir has been transformed into an e-book to help raise money to help Julie’s rehabilitation.
Julie was just 32 when she suffered a devastating stroke just three weeks before she planned to walk down the aisle.
Julie, now 37, was at a fly-ball event in Doncaster, in June 2008, when she suddenly felt something “snap” inside her head.
She spent months in hospital and had to endure a life-threatening operation to insert a clip on the neck of an aneurysm inside her head.
Since the operation the determined duo, who live in Calverley, Leeds, have started fundraising to help pay for aids that will fit to Julie’s leg and arm to aid her recovery.
James, now 38, said: “It started on the day the stroke hit Julie.
“I came out of hospital and my phone never stopped ringing.
“I got back to Leeds and didn’t stop talking on the phone until 1am, and for two days I was just in overdrive.
“Some friends came to visit Julie and said there were messages on dog forums that Julie used to post on so I read them.
“The outpouring of love for her on there was just amazing so the blog started as an email to our friends, family and clients.
“It took my mind off what was happening.
“Being a bloke, talking about emotions isn’t the easiest of things, but writing them down was easier.”
The couple’s friends then suggested they should make the blog into an e-book.
They decided that cash raised from the book would go towards helping Julie’s rehabilitation.
James added: “It’s nice to look back at certain chapters and Julie is doing really well.
“She’s come on an awful lot and wants to wear high heels again.”
For more information about where to purchase Holding On For Dear Life visit: www.facebook.com/juliesupdate
To buy the book on iTunes visit: http://goo.gl/lm0iL or from Amazon visit http://goo.gl/JXHcM
Comments