Baulkham Hills launch for husband’s book about MND, grief and God

It was a book Mike Robinson never intended to write but it’s one that the Baulkham Hills grandfather feels was very much needed.

Mike Robinson has written a book about his wife Bev's battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Photo: David Swift

It was a book Mike Robinson never intended to write but it’s one that the Baulkham Hills grandfather feels was very much needed.

The voice of his late wife Bev Robinson is very much part of the first part of the book called, Our Journey Through The Valley, which is about facing her Motor Neurone Disease.

Mike Robinson with an engagement photograph. Photo: David Swift

Although the book charts her failing health and eventual death its not a book that dwells on sadness.

“It became something I wanted to do,” he said. “It was another way of paying tribute to Bev.”

The couple who met at a church youth group were married for more than 50 years and had three children and five granddaughters. .

His wife, a former nurse, knew how MND would take its toll and when the couple couldn’t manage any more she moved from their unit to the hostel at BaptistCare Aminya in Baulkham Hills.

“In the 12 months she was in high care we were able to bring completion to our relationship. There was nothing left unsaid,” said Mr Robinson

He wrote a blog on his website barnabasnetwork.com to keep friends and family irregularly updated and that became the framework for the book.

It was friends who suggested he should get it published and 600 copies are now hot off the press.

Mr Robinson, who has Parkinson’s disease has written the book from a Christian’s perspective and it includes the verses that were important to the couple and fuelled their faith.

”It doesn’t have to all be negative. You don’t have to be a victim,” he said..

“Grief is a healthy responses to loss.”

He’s hoping next week’s book launch will encourage people going through the grieving process to come along..

“My hope is that people who are impacted with MND will read it,” said Mr Robinson.

Where: FJ Church Hall,

BaptistCare Aminya Centre., 6 Goolgung Ave, Baulkham Hills

When: October 6 at 2pm

RSVP: Jane Cooke on [e-mail] or 8896 3905.