 I am a reporter with Carlton Television based in Nottingham in England. I don't know if I would be qualified to join your webring and certainly would not want to intrude, but I feel I have a CFS story that would be of interest to your members. I've written a book called Shattered – A Champion’s Fight Against A Mystery Illness and tells the story of Peter Marshall, England’s highest ever ranked squash player. Jill Moss, of the England Association of Young People with ME, had this to say about the book: ‘Shattered is a real inspiration to anyone having, or living with CFS/ME. It is proof that, with careful management, and immense patience, recovery is possible.' Peter was number two in the world when he was struck down by chronic fatigue syndrome. He lost the best period of his career when he was forced out of the game for four years. Showing incredible spirit, he overcame all the odds to force his way back in the world top ten and regain his British National Crown last year. But it’s more than just a book about sport. It’s a book about a great athlete’s refusal to give into apparently overwhelming odds. As the Sunday Times newspaper points out: ‘You don’t have to be a top sportsman or a squash fan to appreciate Marshall’s story. It stands as an example of hope and determination to similar sufferers in any walk of life.’ CFS/ME sufferers have had to endure a lot of prejudice and cynicism over the years with nonsense about yuppie flu and so on. Peter encountered some of this ignorance himself. Very few positive stories about the illness have received much publicity and it’s time to redress the balance. No one who reads this story could doubt the debilitating nature of the illness. Thankfully, as Peter demonstrated with his British championship win, it is possible to rebuild your life. Peter Marshall has a genuinely inspiring story to tell and it’s important that as many people as possible get to hear about it. Would you be able to help us by giving the book a mention in your webring. I’ve enclosed a picture of the book cover and a full press release including quotes from the many positive reviews the book has received. The press release has been written so that it can be pasted directly on to your site or, of course, you may wish to edit it. If there’s anything else you wish to know then I would be only too pleased to help. If you can give the book some coverage I would be grateful if you could include a link to my website, Nick Kehoe, which gives people the chance to read full reviews by papers like the Sunday Times and the Sunday Express, and extracts from the book. I hope you don’t mind me contacting you out of the blue but I believe this really is a story worth telling and I want to get it across to as many people as possible. If you feel that this story would enable me to join the ring then please let me know, although I am anxious not to intrude or offend anyone. Thanks you very much for your time. It would be a great help if you could send me a quick email to let me know if you can give the book any coverage. I look forward to hearing from you. Nick Kehoe, Co-author of Shattered  Press Release ME sufferer becomes British Champion 'Shattered' is a real inspiration to anyone having, or living with CFS/ME. It is proof that, with careful management, and immense patience, a full recovery is possible. Association of Young People with ME One of the world's greatest athletes has described how he fought against chronic fatigue syndrome for more than six years before returning to regain his title as British champion. Peter Marshall is England's highest ever-ranked squash player. In 1994 he was number two in the world and closing in on the legendary Jansher Khan. Suddenly his life was blown apart by chronic fatigue syndrome. For four traumatic years he was out in the wilderness, as he fought to recover from this crippling disease. Eventually he faced an agonising decision: accept that his career was over and take quarter of a million pounds compensation from his insurers, or risk an uncertain comeback attempt. If he played just one professional match, he would forfeit the money. He chose to play! Now Marshall has published his autobiography to widespread acclaim. It's called, Shattered - A Champion's Fight Against A Mystery Illness. Shattered tells Marshall's story, from the elation of victories over stars like Jahingir Khan to the despair of fearing he would never play again. It examines chronic fatigue syndrome and offers one man's battle as a beacon of hope to other sufferers. Marshall made a fairy-tale return. In 2000 - against incredible odds, he became British National Champion and rocketed back into the international top ten. Shattered celebrates the triumph of the human spirit: an inspiring, gripping true story told through the eyes of one of the world's top sportsmen. It has received universal acclaim in the British press. This is what the reviewers had to say. You don't have to be a top sportsman or a squash fan to appreciate Marshall's story. It stands as an example of hope and determination to similar sufferers in any walk of life. The Sunday Times 'A sad, funny and always absorbing autobiography. Shattered is a book about life. And a very good one at that.' The Sunday Express 'Shattered' is a real inspiration to anyone having, or living with CFS/ME. It is proof that, with careful management, and immense patience, a full recovery is possible. Association of Young People with ME. Our book of the week. The Independent. 'An Inspiring read.' The Glasgow Herald 'But fight back he did, and in doing so he has become a symbol of hope for the other 600,000 people in the UK who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.' Daily Express 'A fascinating read.' Squash Now 'One of the greatest untold sports stories of the past ten years.' Leicester Mercury. Shattered was written with Carlton Television journalist Nick Kehoe. It's published by Mainstream at £14.99 and is available from all good bookshops or through Internet sites such as Amazon. To read full reviews and extracts from the book visit Nick Kehoe  
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