MS sufferer finds new life in writing

A west Aucklander with multiple sclerosis has published the first in a trilogy of environmental thrillers.

Gary Stephenson, 58, says he initially began writing to keep his mind active after he stopped working.

The London-born writer was diagnosed with MS in 2005 after he noticed signs such as numbness in his feet.

A neurologist confirmed MS and Stephenson found he went downhill fast, experiencing cognitive fatigue and heat intolerance.

He also found depression setting in as he struggled to adjust to his new life.

‘‘All of a sudden I [couldn’t] manage to keep two or three things going at one time, [when] I used to manage 25 different things and keep everything in the air.’’

Unable to continue working, the former supply chain manager sold his powerboat business in 2011.

Having written four chapters of a novel in his early 20s and found it enjoyable, he decided to give writing another go.

He initially tried to rework the draft but then decided to start afresh.

‘‘The book sort of gained a life of its own - it sort of takes over.

‘‘You’d be sitting having a cup of tea because you’re tired, and all of a sudden you’ll see the next scene playing out in your mind.’’

The series follows the adventures of a businessmancome-philanthropist who travels the world trying to reverse extinc- tion rates and prevent rainforest destruction.

The first book in the series The Pacific Affair took nine months to write and was picked up by Lang Book Publishing in 2015.

Stephenson is now working on a 120 page screenplay adaptation.

He says writing life fits well with MS - if he’s too tired to write, he can still think over the storyline or do some research.

Along with the strong support of his wife Davina, Stephenson finds comfort in his two rabbits, Castle and Becket.

The main character Charles Langham also has MS, to show readers ‘‘there’s life after MS’’.

‘‘Your life changes and you can still do what you used to do, it just takes you longer.’’

The Pacific Affair is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Fishpond and MS Auckland.

PHOTO: AMY BAKER/FAIRFAX NZ Novelist Gary Stephenson of Massey with one of his rabbits, Becket. He’s now adapting the first book of the series for the screen.