Robin Sheppard had always seemed liked a lucky guy! Proud father of two sons: Sam the eldest (the musical/wordy one) and Charlie (the artistic/sporty one). Still good friends with his first wife Georgina and partnered by the effervescent and indomitable Suzanne when his hitherto contented life took a different turn. He had bounded through 50 years of an unfettered existence. A universe largely comprising five star hotels set in manicured gardens, with fine wines and outrageous flower arrangements, separating well-heeled customers in which the `anticipation of need' was paramount. After growing up in Bath he had become an hotelier who delighted in operating some of the very best of Britain's hotels, winning hotel of the year prizes along the way, before founding with some like-minded chums, their own specialist hotel operating group. Ending up in London he presided over an empire of a dozen or so glamorous hotels which featured architecture of the grade one variety, decadent decor, period fixtures in Capability parkland surroundings, and food of the highest standard. His was an untroubled workplace. Taking time out along the way to invent the truly iconic, deep blue, skittle shaped, Ty-Nant mineral water and then a niche adult soft drinks business. He became an entrepreneur without even knowing it and a role model for many a novice hotel student along the way. Then things changed.

Inspired by author Sarah Gray's ability to creatively harness her experience of Motor Neurone Disease, Claret Press sponsored a short story competition. It called for entries that dealt with mental or physical disability in innovative ways. With Sarah, Katie Isbester PhD (editor-in-chief of Claret Press), and Dr James Scott (an orthopedic surgeon) as judges, the competition offered prizes of 250, 150 and 50. Over 70 stories flowed in. The quality was exceptionally high, and the stories were, without exception, moving. The best of a great selection have been collected here. Some stories are hilarious, some heartbreaking. They include sci-fi, romance, satire and memoir. All challenge us to see mental and physical disability through a different lens - one infused with humanity. This beautiful full-colour book includes fifteen original photographs by internationally renowned artist, Tansy Spinks, whose photography can been seen in the Museum of Fine Art in Houston, the National Media Museum in Bradford, and now at the V&A. Net proceeds from the sale of the book go to support the MNDA. We are proud to announce that our fundraiser has raised almost 2000 and counting. FInd Sarah's work here: Surface Tension, Half Life, and Urban Creatures - coming soon.