Biography

Travelling with Cardboard Paul

This story is a journey of love, laughter, tears and friendship whilst keeping promises and moving forward.

In May 2016, Paul was deteriorating, the melanoma cancer had taken over his body and conversations of the future were discussed. Paul had asked Michelle what she would do when he was gone and Michelle promised Paul that she would travel to all their favourite destinations as they had planned.

Michelle explained to Paul that she would get a life-size cardboard cut-out, pack him in her suitcase and take him out and take photos together at all the famous landmarks.

Paul laughed and said, ‘You’re not really going to do that, are you?’

Michelle said, ‘Yes, I promise I will.’

This promise became a reality when in May 2017, twelve months after Paul’s death, Michelle booked a nine-week tour around the USA and Europe from August to October 2017. She originally booked tickets to see Paul McCartney in New York and it snowballed from there.

On her journey she met many people curious about the cardboard cut-out; touching complete strangers with her story and along the way discovering her true self, changing her life forever.

Join Michelle on her journey carrying a 5 feet 9 inches cardboard cut-out of her beloved late husband, Paul, travelling through USA and Europe, visiting famous landmarks, creating memories and discovering herself whilst meeting some amazing people.

This story is a journey of love, laughter, tears and friendship whilst keeping promises and moving forward.

In May 2016, Paul was deteriorating, the melanoma cancer had taken over his body and conversations of the future were discussed. Paul had asked Michelle what she would do when he was gone and Michelle promised Paul that she would travel to all their favourite destinations as they had planned.

Michelle explained to Paul that she would get a life-size cardboard cut-out, pack him in her suitcase and take him out and take photos together at all the famous landmarks.

Paul laughed and said, ‘You’re not really going to do that, are you?’

Michelle said, ‘Yes, I promise I will.’

This promise became a reality when in May 2017, twelve months after Paul’s death, Michelle booked a nine-week tour around the USA and Europe from August to October 2017. She originally booked tickets to see Paul McCartney in New York and it snowballed from there.

On her journey she met many people curious about the cardboard cut-out; touching complete strangers with her story and along the way discovering her true self, changing her life forever.

Join Michelle on her journey carrying a 5 feet 9 inches cardboard cut-out of her beloved late husband, Paul, travelling through USA and Europe, visiting famous landmarks, creating memories and discovering herself whilst meeting some amazing people.

Book of Inspirtion

Into remission from overwhelming fatigue

Since being diagnosed with post viral syndrome in 1994, Frank has remained moderately to severely affected by this illness. In recent years, he was struggling with a relapse and was experiencing a slow deterioration in his health.

Things changed dramatically in September 2019 when he had a stroke. In a remarkable turn of events, he defied medical expectations and a seemingly miraculous return to robust health resulted.

CFS is a debilitating illness that not only affects the patient, but also family and friends. Therefore, Frank’s son Nick has included his thoughts on what it is like to live with a father who has this invisible chronic illness.

This book is the result of over two decades of personal experiences and research into chronic fatigue/pain disorders. These are a range of controversial illnesses commonly referred to as: post viral syndrome (PVS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Since being diagnosed with post viral syndrome in 1994, Frank has remained moderately to severely affected by this illness. In recent years, he was struggling with a relapse and was experiencing a slow deterioration in his health.

Things changed dramatically in September 2019 when he had a stroke. In a remarkable turn of events, he defied medical expectations and a seemingly miraculous return to robust health resulted.

CFS is a debilitating illness that not only affects the patient, but also family and friends. Therefore, Frank’s son Nick has included his thoughts on what it is like to live with a father who has this invisible chronic illness.

This book is the result of over two decades of personal experiences and research into chronic fatigue/pain disorders. These are a range of controversial illnesses commonly referred to as: post viral syndrome (PVS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Two heads in two Decades

“Dr Wize said, ‘When I was a young man, a long time ago…              ’ He laughed, trying to lighten the subject. ‘I was given the best advice a man could receive, and I am going to pass it on to you.’”

Arthur is a young man in West Heidelberg with a drive to get more out of life. He loves cars, motorbikes… and girls. But it isn’t until he meets Doctor Wize that he truly understands the complicated rule   to relationships.

This book is a reflection on the highs and lows of life, tied together with a punchy, distinctive voice that will keep your eyes glued to the page as Arthur dissects his past.

With a quintessential, home-grown feel of Australia in the 1960s, Two Heads in Two Decades follows Art’s journey as he navigates family, friendships, love and sex. With the help of his brother, Al, and the advice of Doctor Wize, Arthur sets out to find the strength to overcome the challenges that life throws at him – and hopes that this book will help you do the same.

“Dr Wize said, ‘When I was a young man, a long time ago…              ’ He laughed, trying to lighten the subject. ‘I was given the best advice a man could receive, and I am going to pass it on to you.’”

Arthur is a young man in West Heidelberg with a drive to get more out of life. He loves cars, motorbikes… and girls. But it isn’t until he meets Doctor Wize that he truly understands the complicated rule   to relationships.

This book is a reflection on the highs and lows of life, tied together with a punchy, distinctive voice that will keep your eyes glued to the page as Arthur dissects his past.

With a quintessential, home-grown feel of Australia in the 1960s, Two Heads in Two Decades follows Art’s journey as he navigates family, friendships, love and sex. With the help of his brother, Al, and the advice of Doctor Wize, Arthur sets out to find the strength to overcome the challenges that life throws at him – and hopes that this book will help you do the same.

The Itinerant Way

It was in January 1988 when it all began. I had decided to adopt an itinerant lifestyle, via fruit-picking throughout the three eastern states of Australia. Over the next twenty years, I would persevere with this largely unconventional lifestyle: a lifestyle that would also take me beyond the Australian shores, from time to time.

This is the first book of a two book series. I hope to have the second book finalised and ready for publishing by early-2021. In the early 1990s, I began to jot down handwritten notes as I constantly travelled within eastern Australia and abroad (Europe and New Zealand, in particular). Originally, I tackled both literary projects as autobiographical accounts. However, I soon realised that a different approach was required: a fictional-based one. 

Although, most of the content of this book is largely fictional, everything is based on actual events and real people. Yes, I’ve let the imagination run wild at times, but the scope of the literary experience (or journey) was to be, mostly, an enjoyable one.

It was in January 1988 when it all began. I had decided to adopt an itinerant lifestyle, via fruit-picking throughout the three eastern states of Australia. Over the next twenty years, I would persevere with this largely unconventional lifestyle: a lifestyle that would also take me beyond the Australian shores, from time to time.

This is the first book of a two book series. I hope to have the second book finalised and ready for publishing by early-2021. In the early 1990s, I began to jot down handwritten notes as I constantly travelled within eastern Australia and abroad (Europe and New Zealand, in particular). Originally, I tackled both literary projects as autobiographical accounts. However, I soon realised that a different approach was required: a fictional-based one. 

Although, most of the content of this book is largely fictional, everything is based on actual events and real people. Yes, I’ve let the imagination run wild at times, but the scope of the literary experience (or journey) was to be, mostly, an enjoyable one.