[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” bottom_divider_arrangement=”above_content” locked=”off”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Gothic A1|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false”]<\/p>\n

Hold On, Let Go:
<\/strong>Facing ALS with Courage and Hope<\/h2>\n

by Nadine Sands<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2efea” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”37px|14px|160px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|14px|20px||false|false” top_divider_style=”wave” top_divider_height_tablet=”” top_divider_height_phone=”50px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”80px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” border_style_all=”none” border_color_top=”#2A3F75″ border_width_top_tablet=”1px” border_width_top_phone=”1px” border_width_top_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”100px||40px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.influencepublishing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hold-on-let-go.jpeg” title_text=”hold-on-let-go-2″ show_bottom_space=”off” align=”right” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ src__hover_enabled=”on|hover” src__hover=”https:\/\/www.influencepublishing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hold-on-let-go-2.jpeg”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”80px||80px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”100px||40px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”34px” header_3_line_height=”1.4em” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-10px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

About the Book<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Gothic A1||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin=”-5px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

A couple holds on to faith, hope and love as they learn to let go.<\/p>\n

This \u2018stay positive in difficult times\u2019 story is about a man with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease) and his wife who writes about their inspiring journey in her blog called\u00a0ALS With Courage.\u00a0Nadine Sands reflects on her husband\u2019s strength and determination, on their hope and faith in God, and the sorrow and joy of learning to let go.<\/p>\n

\u201cMike has let go of working, walking, talking, eating, moving and slowly he lets go of breathing. And I am letting go of him\u2026With each loss we gain; by losing so much, we have more than we could imagine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Follow Nadine as she learns to savour every moment, to give thanks in all circumstances, and to cherish the love.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur love would never have known these depths had Mike been taken away suddenly. Instead we were given three to five years to rejoice, pray and give thanks together everyday\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIn her book, Nadine pulls back the veil of her family\u2019s experience with ALS, enough to give us a taste of\u00a0the emotions, the practical challenges, the needed support, and necessary encouragement that are required\u00a0to navigate these treacherous waters. This book offers lessons in both how to handle life with purpose and\u00a0enjoyment, as well as lessons for facing an impending death with grace and dignity. Be prepared to have\u00a0your eyes opened and your heart touched.\u201d
\u2014 Dr. Tom Blackaby, Author, International Speaker, Blackaby Ministries International<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs athletes we talk about making every minute count and never giving up. Nadine and Mike, along with\u00a0their family, are true inspirations with their approach and attitude towards life. With ALS recently\u00a0impacting one of my loved ones, I find Nadine and Mike\u2019s commitment to hope, faith, and love\u00a0incredibly uplifting and moving.\u201d
\u2014 Carla MacLeod, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Canadian National Women\u2019s Hockey Team<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIn my position as the Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC, I am motivated every day by the\u00a0courage of the people we serve. Nadine and Mike are an amazing couple who are an inspiration to\u00a0everyone they meet. ALS cannot take away the incredible love they have for each other.\u201d
\u2014 Wendy Toyer, Executive Director, ALS Society of BC<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Hold-Let-Go-Facing-Courage\/dp\/0995334609\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hold+on%2C+let%27s+go&qid=1614986637&sr=8-1″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”BUY THE BOOK” button_alignment=”left” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#B32025″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_color=”#B32025″ button_border_radius=”100px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_font=”Gothic A1|600|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding=”23px|55px|21px|55px|false|true” locked=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#046937″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_border_color__hover=”#046937″ button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” button_letter_spacing__hover=”1px”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#f2efea” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”29px|14px|4px|||” top_divider_style=”wave” top_divider_flip=”horizontal” top_divider_height_tablet=”” top_divider_height_phone=”50px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”60px||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” scroll_vertical_motion_enable=”on” scroll_vertical_motion=”0|50|50|100|0.5|0|0.5″ scroll_vertical_motion_tablet=”0|50|50|100|0|0|0″ scroll_vertical_motion_phone=”0|50|50|100|0|0|0″ scroll_vertical_motion_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”34px” header_3_line_height=”1.4em” max_width=”700px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”30px|||68px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-10px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Gothic A1||||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_font=”|600|||on||||” link_text_color=”#000000″ link_letter_spacing=”1px” custom_margin=”-5px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n

Nadine Sands\u00a0has spent many years working as a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer and has also raised three children along with her husband Michael. Before Michael\u2019s diagnosis with ALS (otherwise known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease), Nadine and her husband were an active couple who enjoyed various sports, as well as hiking and biking. Nadine was also actively involved in her family\u2019s charity, Project Wellness. When it was discovered that Michael had ALS, a terminal illness, Nadine became his full-time, primary caregiver. She started a blog about their journey as a couple called\u00a0ALS With Courage.\u00a0She is passionate about sharing her and her husband\u2019s inspirational story and raising awareness about ALS.<\/p>\n

Michael Sands\u00a0was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. He moved to BC in 1985 at the age of 23 and joined the army. Soon after, he moved to Maple Ridge, BC, and met the love of his life, Nadine. Mike and Nadine got married and five years later had their third child to complete their family. During those years, Mike went back to school to become a nurse. He was working two jobs as a registered nurse, specializing in Psychiatric Nursing, when in 2011 he was diagnosed with ALS. Nadine is Mike\u2019s primary caregiver and the two reside with Nadine\u2019s sister and family in their ground level basement suite. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, including his five year old granddaughter, Leah.<\/p>\n

Read more about Nadine and Mike on Nadine\u2019s\u00a0ALS with Courage blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

https:\/\/nadinesands.com<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ALSWithCourage\/” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#3b5998″ follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nadinesands\/” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ea2c59″ follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”linkedin” url=”http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nadine-sands-34890ab0\/%20″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#007bb6″ follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]linkedin[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”40px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.influencepublishing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Nadine-Sands.jpeg” title_text=”Nadine-Sands” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb title=”Interview with Nadine Sands” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”30px” body_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false”]<\/p>\n

This is your second book that you have published with Influence Publishing. What was your first and how did that impact you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first book is called\u00a0Hold On, Let Go \u2013 Facing ALS With Courage and Hope.\u00a0My late husband Mike and I agreed, if we could help even just a few people with our story, it would be well worth the hard work \u2013 the blood, sweat and tears of writing a book. I knew nothing about publishing and spent a lot of time researching it and praying about it. I was feeling rather lost.<\/p>\n

One day a Facebook friend posted a picture of her signing with Influence Publishing. I went to the Influence website to check them out and knew immediately, they were right for me. I took one of Julie\u2019s Inspire a Book workshops and learned a lot. Throughout the publishing process, I received all the help, guidance and encouragement I needed. Mike passed away the day my final typist edits were due and the support and love I received from the Influence team was huge.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_toggle title=”Show More” open_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” closed_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_icon_font_size=”on” module_class=”et-readmore-toggle” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” title_font_size=”20px” closed_title_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” closed_title_font_size=”20px” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-direction: column;||align-items: flex-end;||||||” custom_css_toggle_title=”order:2;||padding: 0px 20px 0px 0px !important;” custom_css_toggle_content=”order: 1;||padding: 0px;” border_width_all=”0px”]<\/p>\n

What influenced you to publish a second book?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It felt like a no-brainer to me. The story wasn\u2019t over. Our stories are never over really, until we breath our last breath and even then they often live on. I wanted people to know what happened next. It\u2019s an incredibly intimate story of grief, healing, faith, hope and love. It continues where my first book left off, but I wrote it so it stands on it\u2019s own. You don\u2019t have to read my first book to understand this one. Just read the introduction and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n

Was it easier the second time around? What was easier, what was harder? Did anything surprise you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I wrote my first book during Mike\u2019s last eight months of life. That had its challenges of course, physically and emotionally. But I had a dead line and I didn\u2019t with this book. A deadline for me is better. I kind of set my own dead line. I thought Christmas is always a good time and if not Christmas, then the 5th anniversary of Mike\u2019s passing, which is January 5, 2020. Writing this book had its huge challenges; I cried a million tears. There is one chapter in particular that, at a certain point, I just said I can\u2019t read this anymore.<\/p>\n

Can you tell us something about your newest book \u2013 title and in your own words what it\u2019s about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My new book is called\u00a0High and Wide \u2013 When Grief and Love Collide.\u00a0The title just came to me. It\u2019s inspired by a bible verse \u2013 Ephesians 3:18 \u2013 which says, \u201cAnd may you have the power to understand, as all God\u2019s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.\u201d This is how I\u2019d describe how my book looks in my head: I am me\u2013the size of me. The grief I write about is like the earth\u2013the size of the world. And the love is like the universe\u2013immeasurable, vast beyond comprehension. It\u2019s higher and wider than the sky, bigger than the stars and so on.<\/p>\n

In words, it\u2019s the four year journey of grief and healing proceeding the passing of Mike. I share about the wonder of prayer and comfort I experienced during the ongoing grieving process, while embracing God\u2019s continual plan for my life\u2014which, to my surprise, included opening my heart and allowing the love of another man inside. For me, the journey of grief and love is a never-ending and ever-expanding one.<\/p>\n

What led you to write this newest book? What are your hopes for it? Who are you hoping to inspire?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My continued grief and love journey led me to write this book. My hope for it is that the reader will find some comfort and hope in it that will help them in their own journey. I\u2019m hoping to inspire anyone who has loved and lost, and anyone who has ever felt unloved and lost. (That\u2019s how I word it at the end of my intro)<\/p>\n

What would you like your reader know about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a wife for a second time and feel extremely blessed to have found true love twice. I\u2019m a super proud mom, step-mom and a grandma. I\u2019m a daughter of an eighty-one year young missionary man who still drills wells in Malawi, Africa. I\u2019m vice president of his charitable organization, Project Wellness. I\u2019m the little sister to an exceptional woman who is also my best friend (I\u2019m very close with her, her husband and children). I volunteer with my dogs where my sister works at a long term care home. Since the dogs and I started, we have developed very soft hearts for men and woman with dementia. I work as an education assistant and a fitness instructor. I felt called into writing when Mike was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. I started my blog then, ALS With Courage, and continue to blog at\u00a0www.nadinesands.com.<\/p>\n

Anything else you\u2019d like to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would like to say a huge thank you to Greg at Influence Publishing for doing such an excellent job of typesetting my book (both books), for his help and guidance with all the<\/p>\n

details and for his incredible patience with me\u00a0along the way. A huge thank you also goes to Julie for her professional advice and direction throughout the publishing process and for her\u00a0amazing encouragement and support. And to Marilyn and Julie, who helped me with my Amazon Bestseller campaign. They were with me, providing advice and support, leading up to and all day of my book launch day. They helped me reach my goal of Amazon Best Seller for the second time and I\u2019m extremely grateful!<\/p>\n

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