£5.00
145 in stock
By Fiona Whelpton
ORIGINAL NOVEL AVAILABLE IN BOTH PAPERBACK AND E-BOOK
ISBN: 978-1-905610-48-8
First Published: 2004
This Edition: 2007
Pages: 184
Key Themes: conversion syndrome disorder, anxiety, abuse, activism, Christianity
“After reading The Cycle Path I came away with a better understanding of the issues sufferers face and of the opportunities.” – Sir Nigel Crisp, Former NHS Chief Executive
“Fiona Whelpton is a gifted and wonderfully talented writer. Her piece ‘The Cycle Path’ tugs at your heart and begs you to ask the question; do we have to be different? ‘The Cycle Path’, through its words, music and staging has done something so special – telling the story of those of us living with dysfunction and disability and through it all a message of hope.” – Jamie Glaser, Author and Internationally Renowned Musician.
Description
This is the stage musical script of ‘The Cycle Path’ previously released by Chipmunka as a paperback in 2004. The musical is expected to make its stage debut in 2007.
‘The Cycle Path’ is the remarkable story of a woman who suffers from and overcomes Conversion Syndrome Disorder (CSD), a rare, crippling and extremely frightening condition which causes physical paralysis bought on by anxiety. This real life story describes how Fiona experienced domestic abuse, family problems and how she managed somehow to overcome all this not knowing for years what her illness was. She is now a successful journalist and activist. The Cycle Path is an admirable story of hope and empowerment and is essential reading for all health workers and sufferers of similar conditions – particularly as CSD is so unknown and widely misunderstood.
About the Author
Fiona Whelpton was born in London in 1957 and now lives in Nottingham. As a youngster Fiona wanted to become a professional musician, but she couldn’t because it caused her too much stress – something that her condition dictates she must avoid. Instead she became interested in writing and read English Literature and Media at Nottingham Trent University. She is an accomplished poet having had an anthology of sketch work and poetry called ‘Patchwork Windows’ published with the Lost Artists group. In 2004 Fiona received the Snowden award for journalism which will allow her to pursue her dream of being a top journalist; she is currently working on getting this musical performed on stage.
Book Extract
THE KITCHEN, THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
FIONA: Why can’t I find my tablets? Daniel didn’t come back until really late, as normal. I never saw him, but he woke me up playing his music full-blast.
(TELEPHONE RINGS SHE GOES TO ANSWER IT) Mum –
MRS WHELPTON: Are we going shopping today?
FIONA: Yes.
Mrs. Whelpton: Make sure you and Matthew are ready early, and I’ll be over to fetch him.
FIONA: Thanks Mum. (PUTS PHONE DOWN BUT SHE THEN BEGINS TO STRUGGLE WITH HER WALKING.)
FIONA: I don’t think I’ll be able to go out today, better try though. Maybe if I walk through the pain, I’ll be able to carry on moving …… but right now, I don’t know that I’ll even be able to manage the stairs. If only I could find my painkillers. There’s absolutely no sign of Daniel. Well if next try to get ready.
EXITS.
THEME SONG AS WE TRAVEL ON LIFE’S JOURNEY.
AS WE TRAVEL ON LIFE’S JOURNEY
IT TAKES US DOWN A PATH
OF RICH EXPERIENCES, THAT MOULD USAND MAKE US INTO THE PERSON THAT WE BECOME
AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY.
THE CYCLES MOVE FORWARD COMPLETING
LIFE’S CYCLE.
SO WE REACH OUR GOAL AND HOLD ONTO
THE JOURNEY OF LIFE’S RICH PROMISES.
FIONA’S KITCHEN.. FIONA COMES BACK WITH MATTHEW, REALLY STRUGGLING AS SHE TRIES TO GET HIS COAT ON,
FIONA: Come on, Matthew, Granny will be here in a minute.
MATTHEW (yelling) I don’t want to go out.
FIONA: You’ll enjoy seeing Grin. Come on. She’ll be here in a minute.
MATTHEW; NO!!! (STAMPS FEET.)
FIONA; Matthew – I really don’t want to have to smack you – put your coat on.
MATTHEW: No. I WON’T. (STARTS SCREAMING)
(KNOCKING ON THE WALL)
FIONA: That’s the neighbour. Now see what you’ve done. You’re nothing but a spoiled brat.
(LOUD KNOCK ON THE DOOR) That’s Granny. (GOES TO OPEN THE DOOR. MRS WHELPTON STANDING OUTSIDE.
MRS WHELPTON: Aren’t you ready yet? I gave you plenty of warning. You could at least be ready on time.
FIONA: I haven’t been able to get Matthew to do a single thing he’s been told this morning. I can’t walk properly this morning, either. Just take him. I’ve had enough.
MRS WHELPTON: What about the shopping?
FIONA: I don’t think I can walk.
MRS WHELPTON: There are wheelchairs in there. We’ll just have to use one of theirs. Get your walking sticks, and we’ll be off.
ALL EXIT.
CHORUS OF WHEELCHAIR USERS AND SIGNERS ONSTAGE.
WHEELCHAIR USERS…..SOME CAN STAND UP , SOME SIT DOWN. THOSE STANDING UP USING WALKING STICKS LIKE A FRED ASTAIRE STYLE CANE.
TAP DANCE.
SONG: WE DON’T HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT.
DO WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT,
DIFFERENT FROM THE NORM?
DO WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT
TO BE ABLE TO WEATHER THE STORM?
WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT,
BEFORE THEY HEAR WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY?
WHAT’S WRONG WITH “DIFFERENT”?
WHAT’S “DIFFERENT”, ANYWAY?
I DON’T NEED TO BE ASHAMED
BECAUSE MY WALKING GETS IN THE WAY.
MY LEGS AND ARMS DON’T WORK THE SAME,
THE SAME AS YOU, AND ME
BUT EVEN IF THEY DON’T WORK RIGHT,
IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU
CAN’T BEAR THE SIGHT
OR STOPS US STANDING UP TO FIGHT.
WE ARE JUST THE SAME AS YOU AND ME,
BUT “DIFFERENT” BUT YOU JUST NEED TO SEE,
BEYOND THE DIFFERENCE IS REALITY,
DREAMING OF WHAT I WANT TO BE,
AND WHAT I HOPE YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SEE.
FIONA’S FRONT DOOR. MRS WHELPTON, FIONA AND MATTHEW STANDING OUTSIDE WITH SHOPPING BAGS ON THE FLOOR..
FIONA: I’ll get my keys. (FUMBLES AROUND, DROPS THEM ON THE FLOOR, STRUGGLES TO BEND DOWN TO PICK THEM UP.TRIES TO PUT THEM IN THE LOCK, BUT CAN’T) I can’t unlock the door. Daniel must have locked it with his keys. (SHOUTING AND KNOCKING) Daniel, can you hear me? (No response.)
We’ll have to go to the phone box.
MRS WHELPTON: I’ll go. I think it will be easier if you and Matthew wait here.
EXITS. RETURNS SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.
MRS WHELPTON: I spoke to Daniel’s Dad. He did come back to the flat. Daniel’s Dad’s coming over, he says we’ll have to go and spend the night at my place – we have no choice. (Picks up shopping) How will he be able to get in?
ALL EXIT.
NARRATOR( ONSTAGE) When Daniel’s father eventually managed to get into the flat, with the help of the police, who had to break the door down, they found that he had taken an overdose of Fiona’s medication, and was unconscious, so he had to go to the hospital for a stomach pump, and stay there for a few days.
He also told Fiona that he wasn’t coping – that he might have to move out altogether, but they decided to give things another chance. There was always another chance, and another, and another and another…………
It took Fiona a very long time to realize that she wasn’t doing herself or her family any favours by giving him so many chances, sometimes it’s like flogging a dead horse. But eventually Daniel made that choice for her. He disappeared with Matthew. She would never be able to trust him again, ever, and neither could her son, not only that, but it would make life so difficult for Matthew that he might find it impossible to ever trust adults again.
Also Available
‘The Musical Paintbox’ by Fiona Whelpton
Paperback / e-Book
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