Tag Archives: Patrick Souiljaert

Do you remember the first word(s) you ever said?

Current number of pre-orders: 367
Required pre-orders to have Stairs For Breakfast published: 493

Here’s another extract from my book:

When I was about four, I had a small fish tank and a goldfish in my bedroom. The rectangular tank was on a shelf at the head of my bed. I used to watch the fish when I went to bed. One night, while I was feeling warm and cosy under my duvet, I suddenly felt sorry for my goldfish; there I was in my warm bed and there the fish was in cold water. I though ‘It must be cold.’ So I put my hand in the tank and scooped out the fish – and laid the fish on the right side of my pillow, and pulled up my duvet over it to keep the fish warm! I remember the fish flapping around for a bit before it went to sleep. When I woke up in the morning I learned a lesson about fish!

My family knew I was intelligent before I started to speak at the age of four. One of the very first words I said was “Fire!”

Dad had a cream coloured three door Range Rover. Weirdly it had two fuel tanks – a petrol one and a diesel one. There was a switch down by the gear sticks to determine which fuel you wanted to use, before starting the engine.

One day, while my grandparents were staying and were at home with Clare, I was out with my parents and we were on our way home in the Range Rover (dad was driving, mum was in the passenger seat and I was sitting in the middle of the back seat. Playing on the radio was “Fire” by The Pointer Sisters. All of a sudden and in time with the song I said “Fire”. My parents were very surprised and pleased with me.

From that point on I started to talk regularly.

Please help me to get Stairs For Breakfast published by pre-ordering the book. You can buy it here

Http://stairsforbreakfast.com/buy-now

Exciting news – book publishing update

On Friday I spoke to my libel lawyer Alex Wade (and emailed him my edited manuscript). Alex said it should take one day’s work for him to read my 97,000 word book – andto write a report of recommended changes. However it could take ~Alex a day and half, depending on how many potential issues he finds.

When I first spoke to Stephanie Hale I mentioned that I wanted to get my book checked over by libel lawyer. She advised me that it may not be necessary (as she knows some libel law) and to let her read (and edit) my book first.

I find it comforting that Stephanie has come back with the edited manuscript and advised for it to be checked by a libel lawyer. It’s something I’m not willing to take any chances with.

I’m expecting to receive Alex’s report next week (week commencing 8th Dec). Stephanie/I will then implement Alexs’ recommendations.

Stephanie is optimistic that Stairs For Breakfast will be published by Christmas – and I’ll do my best to do so. However my book is something I’ve worked hard to write and I’m not going to take any unnecessary shortcuts with it – just to get my book out by Christmas.

I’ve mentioned to Stephanie that I would like to get Stairs For Breakfast published by the end of January at the latest.

My initial 267 target of pre-orders been surpassed but it didn’t include the cost of a libel lawyer. To have Stairs For Breakfast published I now need to reach a total of 493 pre-orders. I’m currently up to 364.

Thank you to all of you who have already pre-ordered my book. Without your support I wouldn’t be in the position of soon publishing an amazing book. Please share my website http://stairsforbreakfast.com with your friends and family.

Thank you also to my sister and my dad for sending me some childhood photos. In the above photo I’m aged about 4.

Please can you help me to get Stairs For Breakfast published by pre-ordering one or more copies of the book http://stairsforbreakfast.com/buy-now

Thank you very much.

Do you know which type of person you are?

Over the last 4 years I’ve leant so much about people and human behaviour. When I discovered this profiling technique it was a real eye-opener because it’s so simple and really beneficial to know.

It’s known as the VAKAD technique and has four profile types:

– Visual – visual people
– Auditory – sounds people
– Kinaesthetic – people persons
– Auditory Digital – analytical people

The way to spot what profile(s) a person possess is by listening to the words and types of phrases they say (and write). The following table contains some common words and phrases.

Visual

Auditory

Kinaesthetic

Auditory Digital

That looks great…

My view is…

I see what you’re saying…

Picture the situation…

Watch this…

I like the look of it.

My vision is…

I like the sight of that.

Show me…

That sounds great…Listen, …I hear what you’re saying.I heard that…

It rings a bell

It’s good to hear from you.

I’m listening…

I’m all ears.

That feels great…I feel…My instinct is…It’s comforting that you care about me.

I am very touched

I feel safe with you.

I’m a hands-on person.

I felt emotional…

How do you feel about…

That works well…I think…I understand what you’re saying…It makes sense…

It’s logical

Figure this out…

Prove it

It stacks up…

I can process it.

I’ll put it on the list…

My plan is…

You can pre-order Stairs For Breakfast HERE and NOW

It’s important to visual people how they appear and what clothes they wear.
Kinaesthetic people like human contact (eg hugs) and helping people. They are emotional people, who tend to become teary at the end of a romantic-comedy film.
Auditory Digital people tend to be geeky and they don’t have the best people-skills. They are process-driven people who tend not to be very emotional. Auditory Digital people are the opposite of Kinaesthetics.
Auditory Digital people are dominant people. However the other three profiles can also be dominant people.
A person might possess traits from all four profiles – but they will predominantly fall into one or two of the profiles.

You might be wondering what the point is of profiling people like this. Why is it important and useful?

Well, two people of the same profile (Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic) will get on well with each other. Apart from Auditory Digital (AD) people. Two ADs will clash – because two dominant people do not get on well with each other.

It is fairly rare for someone to be both a Kinaesthetic and an Auditory Digital person (because they are opposed profiles). However I am someone who’s both a Kinaesthetic and an AD person (albeit much more of a Kinaesthetic person).

Have you pre-ordered your copy of Stairs For Breakfast yet? You can do it HERE

Have you ever felt the fear – and done it anyway?

Last week was an incredible week. One of the highlights was Wednesday evening, when I gave a talk to 19 people.

The talk was scheduled to take place in a bar/restaurant but when I arrived there, it was shut! It wasn’t a problem because I did the talk in the upstairs bit in the pub opposite.

I was feeling slightly nervous beforehand, but interestingly once I started, I found myself in the present moment – and in my element!

My ‘off the top of my head’ talk was excellent. I spoke for 75 minutes and the audience asked a fair few questions and were particularly interested in my journey over the last 4 years, I was confident and enjoyed it. My flatmate John came along, we bounced off each other a bit – and afterwards he said I was amazing.

The pub manager took a few photos. You can see from this one how captivated everyone was with what I was saying.

For as long as I can remember I have always felt the fear and done it anyway. The good thing about doing so is that it makes you feel great afterwards.

Every day, I believe in dong something which scares me slightly – because it widens my boundaries and helps me grow.

Please pre-order Stairs For Breakfast NOW http://stairsforbreakfast.com/buy-now because it’s a great read and it will inspire you.

I would like to make a difference in the world.

Thank you
Patrick

BREAKING NEWS: I’ve smashed my initial target of 267 pre-orders…

…and have currently sold 361 copies of Stairs For Breakfast.

New Target number of pre-orders: 1,000

I’ve now updated my THANK YOU page – are you on it? Thank you so much for making my book become a reality.

Paul Ribbons has bought 50 copies of my book. In doing so, he has now set me a new challenge of reaching 1,000 pre-orders.

If it wasn’t for Paul I wouldn’t have written a book. He is the person who initially inspired me to write Stairs For Breakfast. Thank you Paul Ribbons.

Another piece of big news is I have received the edited manuscript of my book from Stephanie Hale. However, as I thought, she has advised for it to be checked over by a libel lawyer. It is a vital step and I’m waiting to hear back from Stephanie on how much it will cost (it’ll be around £1K).

After my epic week of networking and public speaking (more on that to come), I’m now back at home and will be blogging more content for your delectation.

Going out every day last week involved a colossal amount of energy (walking and climbing stairs). Just standing and speaking to people is hard work because I use so much energy standing up, I haven’t got much energy left to say anything. My legs still ache!

Here I am after my 75 minute talk on Wednesday.

If you haven’t pre-ordered Stairs For Breakfast yet, try it, you will like it!

I will be extremely grateful if you buy my book because I need to pay for a libel lawyer now! You can pre-order here http://stairsforbreakfast.com/buy-now

Have you ever taken your dog to the dentist?

Here’s an extract from my book from 1979, when I was 6 years old:

One Sunday evening while he was still a puppy, Zebedee was chewing a bone (trying to get the marrow from the inside of it), when he started yelping. He had somehow got the bone completely wedged between his teeth.

Briard (French Sheep dog)

With it being Sunday evening and no vet nearby, dad carried Zebedee over to Luke’s house (our next door neighbour dentist). My dad, Clare [my sister] and Luke (not forgetting Zebedee) then drove to Luke’s practice. Picture this scene – eight year old Clare sitting in the dentist chair, holding Zebedee in her arms, dad holding the dog’s mouth open, while Luke used some of his instruments to extract the bone from in between his teeth!

Thank you very much if you have already pre-ordered my book. I’ve now sold 206 copies and have updated my THANK YOU page.

To publish Stairs For Breakfast I still need at least another 61 pre-orders. Thank you for purchasing my book. I look forward to sharing it with you.

How worms taught me a bit of maths

Here’s another extract from Stairs For Breakfast

Before moving to Belgium in 1976, dad was working in London and we lived in Bromley. I must have been about two when I developed a fascination with worms! I used to crawl around the back garden and knew there was a part of it where there were some worms. I would pick a worm up, with my left hand, have a close look at it and hold the other end of the worm with my right hand – and then I would pull it apart. I would then put the worm(s) back on the ground and was fascinated watching the two halves wiggle around and the fact that they were still alive. I would then pick one of the halves up again and pull it apart, It was a disgusting habit and my first lesson in multiplication!

Thank you very much to everyone for buying my book. I’m now 88 pre-orders from having Stairs For Breakfast published. http://stairsforbreakfast.com

I’m going to a few networking events next week so have made and ordered this double-sided flyer.

The cover of my book is sorted!

The first draft of my book cover should be through in a week or two. (I’m a poet and I didn’t know it!)

Thank you very much to the people who have pre-ordered my book recently. (My thank you page will be updated shortly). I now have 168 pre-orders – and am 99 away from reaching my required target for having the book published. Http://stairsforbreakfast.com

It’s been a busy couple of days getting all of the bits needed for the book cover.

Thank you to my friend Roy Stannard who has helped me with the back cover summary (and also my biog and a testimony for inside the book). When I first met Roy in 1996 I said “I want to work behind the scenes in radio”. He knew I was serious and we’ve been friends ever since.

Glenn Armstrong texted me “When someone tells me they can’t do something I tell them Patrick’s story and share his ability to overcome whatever is put in front of him. He is an inspiration. Patrick I am proud to be your friend”

Glenn has helped and inspired me so much, without me asking. This is just one of the ways he has helped me with my book.

Glenn – I’m proud to be your friend – and feel humble to be one of your many mentees.

Paul Ribbons has given me the following quote “Patrick consulted me while writing this book. This book is a must for anyone. It’s honest, funny and inspirational. It humbles me just thinking about the effort it must have taken”

Paul has taught me a lot and he’s also kind of like a dad to me. I don’t speak to Paul very often – but I know he’s there if I need advice

I have been through a few emotionally painful experiences in life – and I’ve overcome them all.

When I was writing the book, there was only one chapter which I found painful – because it was something I hadn’t overcome yet – and consequently had been beating myself up about for 20 years.

When I writing said chapter, I phoned Paul twice in one week. it was only after talking to Paul – and writing about it – that I overcome it.

I know I’ve written a great book which will help and inspire many people.

Speaking to Stephanie Hale today, we set the sale price of my (published) book at £15.99.

It means you now have the opportunity to grab yourself a bargain! You can pre-order Stairs For Breakfast for only £15 (which includes postage and packing).

Please help me to publish the book by pre-ordering one or more copies NOW

Everyone loves the title of my book – Stairs For Breakfast is a winner!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION about my book

Thank you to the people who have already pre-ordered Stairs For Breakfast. You are all on my THANK YOU page. I’m blown away by the number of book sales I have so far – and with the people who are helping me reach the required target for my book to be published.

Your pre-orders have enabled me to pay 50% of this invoice. I feel it’s a tremendous achievement.

Stephanie Hale confirmed yesterday that the editing process of my book began last week – and I should receive the edited manuscript in 3-4 weeks.

This means, in order to pay the remaining 50% of the invoice – and to cover the cost of having the pre-ordered books printed and posted to you – I now have 3-4 weeks to sell at last another 109 pre-orders.

You can pre-order Stairs For Breakfast now http://stairsforbreakfast.com

Once I receive the edited manuscript I’ll need to approve the changes – however I don’t envisage it taking a long time to do. I aim to get my book out to you by Christmas.

This is a great article in my local paper this week

I had an excellent day on Saturday at Glenn Armstrong’s Mastermind. I spoke in front of 35 people and it went really well. I’m already prepping my next presentation – it promises to be an awesome evening!

Why not pre-order Stairs For Breakfast as Christmas gifts for your friends and family?!

Thank you for helping me getting Stairs For Breakfast published.
Patrick

It’s all coming together now

For the first time in so many years I am happy and at piece with myself. I get how to meditate now and it’s really helping me.

Thank you to all of you who help and inspire me so much – including my friend Roy Stannard, who has helped me with this

– Testimonials for inside or back cover
– Brief author bio
– Blurb for back cover and Amazon

This is the kind of book you should read when you think you have had a bad day. Patrick Souiljaert was deprived of oxygen for the first 4 minutes of his life and consequently denied the gift of easy movement and speech for the remainder of it. It means that this brutally frank autobiography of a Cerebral Palsy sufferer who needs crutches for walking and eats stairs for breakfast when he falls, should be a depressing experience for the reader. It isn’t. Patrick’s sense of humour and love of his fellow human beings shines through. His recall is amazing, his perception stunning. You, the reader, will share what it is likely to have a profoundly life-limiting condition, of what it is like to be an articulate, highly intelligent person inside a disabled body, of what it is like to have people patronise you when your IQ is several notches above those patronising you. You will laugh, you will cry and you will never feel sorry for yourself again.

You can pre-order Stairs For Breakfast NOW (scroll up – on the right)

Number of pre-orders needed to publish the book 267
Number of pre-orders so far 138

I’m over 50% of the way there! Thank you those of you who have already pre-ordered. Everyone is important.

Stairs For Breakfast by Patrick Suiljaert

A truly inspirational autobiography about overcoming adversity and achieving anything you want in life. A humorous and “MUST READ” book.