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Ruth Cotton is a writer and blogger who lives in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Her latest book, A Fragile Hold: Living with Multiple Sclerosis and other Uncertainties, is a memoir which tells how Ruth’s progressive disability and her husband’s illness led her to a new, more mindful way of living. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, at a time in her life when she needed all her capacities to care for her children and achieve her life goals.
It was not until Ruth’s retirement that that multiple sclerosis exacted its greatest toll, slowly taking her balance and mobility. She continued blogging about the local history of her suburb, with two popular books emerging from her work: Hidden Hamilton: Uncovering stories of Hamilton, NSW and More Hidden Hamilton: Further stories of people, place and community.
As Ruth’s challenges mounted, she needed all the insights she’d gained when writing her first book, Reinventing Success: Find happiness, satisfaction and balance by managing change in your life. It explores how people cope when their lives change unexpectedly, forging new ways of thinking about what success means to them
Ruth has also drawn on her rural childhood, growing up on a sheep and cattle property in the north-west of New South Wales. There, she learned independence, resilience and how to ride a horse from a young age. In a A Fragile Hold, Ruth reveals with warmth and unflinching honesty intimate scenes of daily life with multiple sclerosis.
Reviewed by Maryann Namayi for Readers' Favorite
A Fragile Hold: Living with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Uncertainties by Ruth Cotton is a poignant autobiography reflecting the author’s life and experiences after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruth’s narrative follows a distinctive pattern as she acknowledges the profound impact of the virus on both the world and her personal life, making this story suitable for anyone seeking to understand the human condition in times of uncertainty. Ruth’s journey as a writer began after a three-year hiatus, during which she found solace in small tasks that provided transient satisfaction. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s classic work The Artist’s Way, Ruth immersed herself in the concept of creative writing and developed new techniques to rediscover the joy in her craft.
Ruth Cotton’s ability to navigate crises is remarkable, and her poetry references throughout the book are reflective and engaging. They offer comfort and a sense of belonging in the most challenging circumstances. Ruth also discusses her approach to multitasking and how it has influenced her parenting skills through care and focus. Despite facing numerous difficulties, Ruth maintains a winning attitude that she embraces wholeheartedly. A Fragile Hold provides valuable guidance on overcoming obstacles and persevering in adversity. It celebrates strength, endurance, and resilience, and Ruth deserves credit for sharing her deeply personal experiences with such honesty. I highly recommend it to those seeking to develop a new perspective and cultivate a winning mentality. It’s worth a read.
