One man’s struggle to climb out of the depths of incapacity is described in I Miss Me, a new book by William Boulton of Lousana.
In 2007, Boulton was diagnosed with relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis. He experienced two bouts with unusually severe symptoms — one resulted in him losing capacity through most of his body.
Boulton writes about being unable to walk, talk, taste, see, feel and hear.
“Life for me was very bleak ... I was going down hill. Every day I would wake up with something worse,” recalled the 29-year-old.
Before these symptoms set in, he had been a healthy 21-year-old who was helping his parents work their farm. Suddenly, he had to keep his eyes closed because his double vision would make him nauseous. He had lost feeling in his legs. The only flavour he could taste was salt, and his communication was reduced to the words yes, no, “wa” (for water) and “ba” for bathroom.
It was an alarming and depressing descent. “I was trapped like a prisoner in my own body,” Boulton recalled.
At his lowest point, the Central Albertan remembers making a promise to whatever spiritual forces were at work in the universe, that if he could get better he would try to inspire others.
Boulton ended up making a surprising rebound. Although he still has MS, he has recovered his functions and, besides suffering one, less serious, relapse earlier this year, has been in stable health. He’s now planning to launch a technology business with partners.
He said he decided to write about his worst moments as a way of helping other people overcome challenges in their lives. Even though recalling some episodes for his self-published book over an 18-month period was difficult, Boulton believes it was worth it to pass on a message of hope.
His 364-page memoir is available for $31.50 from his website www.iwantmyexplosive.com, or at the Delburne Service Credit Union or the Lacombe Library.
Boulton will also do book signings on Monday at the Enora library, Dec. 11 at the Lacombe library, and Dec. 20 at the Delburne Service Credit Union. All of the events are from 1 to 4 p.m.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com