***************************************************
    The Great Gordino Newsletter - Issue 304 - Fri 18th Mar 2005
    ***************************************************

    Please visit my election website - donations gratefully received!
    VoteGordonBryan.com

    Hi There,

    Ooh, did I ever have a jolt of inspiration this week, coming via a
    documentary I saw.
    I admit I watch a bucket load of television, but this was TV at its'
    finest.

    The documentary featured a woman called Jane Tomlinson.
    Having previously recovered from breast cancer, Jane was told
    that it had returned, and was now so far in her bones that no
    more could be done for her, and she was given 7 months to live.
    That was 4 years ago.

    Knowing that she was terminally ill, she took up running, mainly
    to try and extend the time she had left with her family.
    As one event led to another, she realised that she coud raise
    money for cancer charities, and with her husband, they set the
    target of £1 million.

    The program covered her attempts to complete the Ironman
    Triathlon in Florida last November.
    Now an Olympic event, the triathlon is a mind-blowing event.
    It starts with a 2 mile swim, followed by over 100 miles on a
    bike, then running a full marathon.

    Before I've called it an event for freaks, because why anyone
    would want to attempt it is beyond me.

    Of course it's not beyond me at all, people do it because it's a
    personal challenge.
    Over 2,000 people lined up to start the Florida event, so that's
    2,000 impressive stories right off the bat, but only one of them
    was terminally ill.

    In fact, the previous week Jane had been in hospital with so
    much pain that she couldn't walk, and was doubtful she would
    take part.

    Take part she did though, and 15 hours after starting, she
    crossed the finish line, and the hairs on the back of my neck
    were on end.

    A fantastic inspiration.
    Paula Radcliffe, the marathon world record holder, cites Jane
    Tomlinson as her most inspiring sportswoman, and it's no
    surprise.

    A real down to earth Northerner, with a sense of humour to
    match.
    She laughs that she doesn't have to worry about the leaking tap
    in the kitchen, because she won't be around when it's a real
    problem.

    At the end of the program, she said that having terminal cancer
    was not positive, not positive at all, but she had tried to make
    the best of what life she had left.

    You can't say fairer than that can you, and incidentally, her
    appeal has now passed through that £1 million mark.

    She is the first to admit that before the cancer, she was a
    normal workng wife and mother, but look at what she's achieved
    in adversity!

    Ok, that's it for today, have a good weekend, and here's a
    thought - do you lead a life of postive action?

    'Til Monday,
    Health and Happiness,
    Gordon
    email me at gordon@gordonbryan.com - you'll have to copy and paste
    thanks to the idiot online spammers!



    
    Get my book here!


    

    Main Archive Page                 Newsletter Home Page