Live While You Can: A Memoir of Faith, Hope and the Power of Acceptance

Fr Tony Coote was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease at 53 and confined to a wheelchair. He drew on his faith and belief in life to find light, hope, and acceptance, and wrote his memoir, "Live While You Can," to share his message of hope, strength, and unwavering faith. He passed away on August 28, 2019, but his memoir and message continue to inspire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: Hachette Books Ireland

Fr Tony Coote was just fifty-three years old in February 2018 when he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. Just a few short months later, he found himself confined to a wheelchair. But rather than succumbing to the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him in the days after his diagnosis, he drew on his powerful faith and unwavering belief in life and found a way to light, hope, and acceptance. From growing up in Fairview, to serving in the dioceses in Ballymun and later Mount Merrion and Kilmacud, and his charity work while in UCD, Fr. Tony takes us on the journey of his life and shows us how, through this devastating illness, he came to know the true meaning and nature of God's love.

Sadly, Tony passed away on the 28th of August 2019, but his memoir and his message of hope, strength, and unwavering faith live on.

"Live While You Can" is an inspiring, life-affirming account of finding joy in dark times and living every day in the now.

Fr. Tony's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of faith to overcome adversity. Despite the physical limitations imposed on him by Motor Neuron Disease, he refused to let his illness define him. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to deepen his faith and connect with others on a deeper level.

Through his memoir, Fr. Tony shares his struggles, his joys, and his deepest fears. He talks about the moments of despair and the moments of hope that kept him going. He also shares the incredible support he received from his family, friends, and the community at large.

One of the most powerful aspects of "Live While You Can" is Fr. Tony's unwavering belief in the power of God's love. Despite the pain and suffering he experienced, he never lost sight of the fact that God was with him every step of the way. He found comfort in his faith and used it to inspire others to find hope and meaning in their own lives.

Fr. Tony's message of hope and acceptance is a timely one, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we navigate through these uncertain times, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. But Fr. Tony's story reminds us that we have the power to choose how we respond to adversity. We can choose to live in hope and gratitude, or we can choose to dwell in fear and despair.

"Live While You Can" is a powerful reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment we have. It is a call to action to live our lives to the fullest, to embrace the challenges that come our way, and to find joy in the simplest of things.

In conclusion, "Live While You Can" is an inspiring, life-affirming account of finding joy in dark times and living every day in the now. Fr. Tony's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of faith to overcome adversity. His message of hope and acceptance is a timely one that reminds us that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment we have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is facing difficult times or looking for a source of inspiration and hope.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 218 x 128 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529396263