MICHAEL SAUNDERS - FROM BARBED WIRE TO MOORLAND

MICHAEL SAUNDERS - FROM BARBED WIRE TO MOORLAND

Proceeds from the sale of books will go to Médecins Sans Frontières.

How to Order

HARDBACK  £14.50  & UK postage £3

SOFTBACK £9.50  & UK postage £3

By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.

By Email memoirclub@msn.com   OR MOBILE 0755 2086888

Bank transfer details    Lynn Davidson      Barclays

20 83 69        83948145  please insert SAUNDERS as bank reference

AUTHOR

Michael Saunders has led a full and varied life, dominated by roles as a medical neurologist and an Anglian priest. His journey is both challenging and at times painful as he discusses his personal battle with a slow progressive form of muscular dystrophy leaving him as a full time wheel-chair user.

The author shares his life story and reflects on a time of transition in medicine and the practice of Christianity. He is open about his struggles with mental health and the movement from an exclusivist conservative evangelical version of Christianity to religious pluralism. This book emphasises the importance of intellectual honesty in any journey of self-discovery.

Michael is a retired consultant neurologist and Church of England priest. He spent many years in both roles simultaneously and has worked predominately in North East England and North Yorkshire. He spent a short time as a medical missionary in South India before returning to the UK through ill health. He is married to a retired psychiatrist and has four adult children and lives in the Yorkshire Dales.

AUTHORS WIFE, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

This book is the story of a life starting on the South Coast of England just before World War Two and nearing completion in a historic small market town in North Yorkshire, at the foot of beautiful moorland, in the 21^st century. The period represents a time of transition for the three most important things that have fashioned me. These are religion, medicine and a progressive muscle disease that has resulted in disabilities. I describe my religious and spiritual journey to ordination as an Anglican priest and subsequent ministry, life as a medical neurologist, and the diagnosis and progression of a form of muscular dystrophy.

The practice of formal Christianity has declined in the West. All-embracing dogmatic frameworks no longer impact on the majority of people. Advances in science challenge forms of religion that do not adapt to new knowledge. Young people have difficulty connecting with the established Church in the United Kingdom that is unable to embrace issues related to human sexual orientation and gender identity and at the same time unable to deal effectively with institutional sexual abuse. Increased global awareness has unveiled the challenge that other great faiths bring to Christian exclusivism. Instead of a move towards Christian liberalism, there seems to be a retreat into conservative Christianity during my lifetime. Large ‘successful’ churches may appear to suggest a general flourishing in churchgoing, but this is illusory. We live in a secular state. I describe my struggles with dogmatic Christianity, leading to a more open faith. I conclude that the majority of people who describe themselves as Christians are not within the walls of Christendom in the country I inhabit.

The practice of medicine has changed dramatically due to scientific progress. Many diseases are now treatable, and life expectancy has increased globally, but unequally. The advent of new imaging techniques and laboratory advances makes disease diagnosis more straightforward and accurate. Discoveries in genetics have enabled better classification of groups of disorders and novel treatment options. The development of vaccines has reduced the impact of some infectious diseases and eradicated smallpox. Yet, other new infections have occurred, including AIDS and the Covid pandemic. The discovery of antibiotics has reduced the mortality and morbidity of bacterial infections, although antibiotic resistance has emerged as a challenge to their effective use.

Society takes a more enlightened attitude towards people with impairments and disabilities. Advances in equipment design and development have reduced handicap, and there are more accessible buildings. Legislation has enhanced progress.

Unfortunately, aids for people like myself, with muscular dystrophy and other neurological diseases may be expensive and unavailable through the National Health Service. Self-funding or charitable donations fill the void in service provision.

My family has been my inspiration. I pay tribute to their love and support through good times and bad. They may not share my opinions all the time, but we have discussed and argued in a way that only families can. Although my days have been happy, privileged and fulfilling, there have been periods of difficulty and sadness. Although it is tempting to omit such episodes, they are part of me. There is no point in recalling a sequence of events without reflection, but I have tried to place any sorrows in perspective. I have seen enough poverty and suffering in this world to realise that I have lived a good life, full of interest and meaning. 

REVIEWS

I read Michael’s earlier book from Certainty to Mystery because initially I was particularly intrigued by the title. It then became very clear that this was the Michael that I had known in the late 1950s early 60s. I renewed contact with Michael mainly because I identified with his faith journey. We had both been part of a lively Baptist youth group in Hove which we are both very grateful for but now for different reasons our personal journeys have taken us from a faith that was certain, sure and clear cut to one which is happy to embrace mystery and uncertainty.

I have just read Michael’s autobiography from Barbed Wire to Moorland which is remarkable in the detailed memories that Michael has of both his early life until the present time . The early influence of family school and church life are clearly recorded and thoughtfully analysed. Michael is now in his mid 80s, but his memories are clear and detailed and he recalls clearly the influences that have been powerful for him over the years.

Michael from early days has struggled with significant health issues and with his mental health. This in no way has distracted from a long and distinguished career as a neurologist and latterly as a Church of England priest. In fact it seems to me it has enriched him. I was fascinated to read about his experience of working in India and how that was a pivotal period for rethinking so much about his evangelical understanding of Christianity.

I am full of admiration that he continues to think and write despite increased disability because of his progressive muscular dystrophy. As we go through life, we have the opportunity to learn from all our different experiences if we’re willing to allow them to teach and change us - this is exactly what Michael has done and I’m grateful for his latest book and warmly recommend it.

Sue Saville