About the Author
I was born on 9th June 1964 at Dudley Road Hospital to Sudarshan Kaur Abrol and Avtar Singh Abrol. I was a beautiful baby. At the age of fifteen months I was struck down by cerebral palsy. This left me partially paralysed down my left side. I have no use of my left arm and I walk with a limp. This has not deprived me of anything in life because I have achieved a great deal. Firstly, I attended a special school, getting nowhere, then going to a private school where I achieved my O’Levels and became independent, doing things for myself. Afterwards, I went to a local college where I got my A ‘Levels. I learned to drive which increased my independence tremendously. Getting married and moving away to live in Germany for three years meant I had to adapt to a new life style but circumstances caused me to move back to England where I gave birth to my son. My husband joined us and we bought a restaurant in Worcester. After three months of getting the restaurant, he walked out of our lives. For him, it was just a marriage of convenience. After a great struggle, I decided to sell the restaurant and moved back to Birmingham. My son went to the local school while I went back to college and completed a degree in Media, Culture and Society and Sociology at The University of Birmingham. At present, I am working with South and City College Birmingham as a Learning Resources Facilitator.
Other Works
A Distinguished Ghanaian Ahuma Bosco Ocansey by Gurinder Abrol is a biography of a successful, hardworking, and dedicated man. He is a man with a great personality who wants to help others improve and succeed. Many are drawn to him because of his good personality and as such, he has earned the respect of others. “Daddy Bosco” Ocansey, as he is widely known in Ghana, has won countless fans through his news and entertainment programmes on national radio. As Director of Communications and Special Projects for the Musicians’ Union, he devotes much of his time to helping young, talented people to improve their skills and get into broadcasting. He is also a representative of the Rastafari Council of Ghana. This is his story. (Published 19th February 2020)
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A Distinguished Ghanaian Ahuma Bosco Ocansey by Gurinder Abrol is a biography of a successful, hardworking, and dedicated man. He is a man with a great personality who wants to help others improve and succeed. Many are drawn to him because of his good personality and as such, he has earned the respect of others. Who is this man? His name is Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, popularly known as Daddy Bosco. Bosco was born on January 1963 to a Ghanaian Roman Catholic family in Accra, West Africa. Bosco had fun as a child and enjoyed memorable moments. He also enjoyed the tender affection and loving discipline of his parents. Despite his busy schedule and responsibilities, Bosco’s father spent quality time with his only son. He also helped his son to develop a love for knowledge. This helped Bosco in later years. He was always open to learning and trying his hand at new things as he moved from one radio station to another. I loved how the author arranged this book. He mentioned what Bosco did in the past, what he is doing now, and what he plans to do in the future. Instead of arranging the book chronologically, the author arranged the narrative based on Bosco’s varied interests. This made the book quite interesting. I also love how the author concluded each chapter and prepares readers for what will be discussed in the next chapter. For instance, the author ended chapter 2 by explaining why Bosco decided to leave the SOZ Squad Band in 1999 to work with a radio station. Then the next chapter relates Bosco’s experiences while working with different radio stations in Ghana. What I love most about this book is that it contains numerous moral lessons. One of these is that when a man is skillful at what he does, he will stand before nobles. Bosco’s industriousness and professionalism brought him in contact with great personalities. Also, readers can learn that there is more joy in giving than there is in receiving. The heading of each of the chapters is uniquely designed. The star under each heading reminds me of Bosco’s origin as it keeps bringing to mind the star on Ghana’s flag. The different maps contained in the book are quite helpful. I was able to follow along as Bosco traveled to different places. Also, the picture of Ghanaian musical instruments taught me about Ghanaian music culture.
Thorny Life 2nd Edition. It is memoir. In this version there is a Part 2 which talks about the struggles that have shattered Gurinder’s life and now has left her wheelchair bound for the rest of her life. Inspiring book of a disabled Asian lady living in the United Kingdom. Gurinder was encouraged to lead an independent life with the social norms. (Published 27th September 2021)
Pacific Book Review
Gurinder Abrol was a beautiful, healthy baby girl for only a few, short months. As an infant, she suffered from a severe allergic reaction and was consequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy. As an Asian woman living with a disability, she constantly contends with subliminal prejudice from her community. Yet her “Thorny Life,” which this author names her memoir, has not all been struggle and strife. Gurinder’s story is proof that, as she states it, “Disability does not preclude a life well lived.”
At the tender age of fifteen months, Gurinder Abrol receives a bug bite on the site of a recent smallpox vaccine. Her ensuing allergic reaction is so severe, she develops cerebral palsy. Before she is two years of age, this little girl is struck a devastating blow. Yet, thorns may grow alongside flowers and blooming is exactly what this author has done with her thorny life. Gurinder writes about her father’s internal conflict being an immigrant in a foreign country and how his relationship with her suffers. Rather than holding onto her grief, Gurinder’s generous spirit forgives and attempts to understand her father. When Gurinder’s husband abandons her and their young son, Gurinder goes to college and begins a new career and new life. To begin a new career in middle age takes bravery under the most stable circumstances. To begin a new career after your life has been pulled out from under your feet takes, in the words of Gurinder, “indomitable spirit.”
Then, as life sometimes does, just as Gurinder carves a space for herself as a single mom and career woman, tragedy strikes her again. She is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just after her fiftieth birthday. Genuine frustration ensues as Gurinder seeks treatment within a medical system which attempts and fails to treat her disease many times and succeeds far too infrequently. For anyone suffering from chronic illness, Gurinder’s story is a familiar one. Life is sometimes unkind to the kindest people among us.
Thorny Life (2nd Edition) is a story of immense courage and perseverance, and an inspiration to anyone who has been struck down by an unfair world. Because of her disability she has achieved a great deal in her life. The author’s novel is a quick and easy read. Her story is outstanding in its success because of its tragedy. Gurinder reminds us that positive change requires only perseverance and time. Readers in search of a shot of courage will find it within the pages of Thorny Life.
