Not my usual genre of reading, but as I am a Kate fan I thought I would have a read. To say it is 'un-putdownable for me would be a lie. However, it was an interesting read, and knowing some of her story through her documentary on her husband ensured some of the book was very familiar. Kate Garraway shares the raw and emotional story of the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on her family - and how they are finding strength in hope. Kate has written a heart tugging story that touched so many lives, and still continues to touch to this day. It is an honest account of the turmoil she went through during that eventful period in March 2020 and still continues to go through each and every day with her husband Derek.

Kate Garraway |The Works The Power of Hope By Kate Garraway |The Works

The book explained how he got ill, they weren’t sure it was Covid and then he progressively deteriorated. In a matter of a few days he was in a coma on a ventilator fighting for his life, then onto an ecmo it was touch & go if he would survive, and Kate tried her utmost to stay positive, whilst trying to be a good Mum. In this intimate book, Kate shares her deeply personal story. As well as recounting how the illness took hold of their lives, she writes about how she is coping with the uncertainty of their future, how she's supporting her children through this traumatic time, how she has found strength in community and how she strives to hold on to hope even at the darkest of times. Covid-19 has affected everyone across the country in so many ways and Kate hopes that by revealing her own personal experience, it will give comfort to others. By sharing the lessons she has learnt along the way, it will help us all begin to try to re-build our lives. Firstly, they come across as a very loving couple/family, with Derek being the core part of this. He sounded like a very charismatic, northerner who enjoyed his life to the full with a very witty mind of intrigue. Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out" What is sad, is that even though he pulled through the Covid he has been left with considerable disabilities, including a minimal state of consciousness and he hasn’t pulled through (well only in small snippets). That in itself is worse than the Covid as it’s prolonged, and doctors aren’t sure how long it will last.Reading about Derek's life before he became ill and how the virus has overrun his mind and body is very sad. The family have somehow remained strong through this challenging time, an inspiration to us all.

The Strength of Love: Embracing an Uncertain Future with

Having followed the very sad story of this family I was interested to read 'The Power of Hope'. It was an insightful read, as we continue to live through this Pandemic. Such an inspirational woman, never giving up on her beloved husband & his fight for survival after contracting long Covid.

Given Derek's serious circumstances I found the openness encouraging, reasuring & helpful but most importantly not overwhelming. I gave this a 5 stars or 10/10. I borrowed a copy of this book by Kate Garraway from BorrowBox the digital lending side of the local Library. I couldn't give it any less. Thankyou Kate for reminding me that I am truly blessed & have an abundance of things to be grateful for especially through the tough times. Kate finished 2019 on Cloud 9, after the success of I’m A Celeb of that year. In January 2020, as the first cases of Covid were breaking, Kate (like probably the rest of us) dismissed it… In this VERY emotional account of the past year, Kate talks about the highs and lows. And how the power of Hope and people helped her, be there for their children. She recounts the story of Derek proposing to her, and when she found out she was expecting Darcy (their first child).

The Power Of Hope by Kate Garraway | Waterstones The Power Of Hope by Kate Garraway | Waterstones

I found this a very insightful look into the life that Kate Garraway, her husband Derek Draper and their two children found themselves in following him having contracted Covid-19 and how it has impacted on them. I found at times in the writing that Kate was able to relate some of the humour that she was able to find in the little things that have helped her to deal with this life changing event on Derek. As someone who has had multiple covid infections. This hit deep. Its incredibly positive & upbeat tone kept me reading well into the hours of the morning. Very honest, raw & at times humorous and moving read. It definitely put things into perspective for me & pointed out the importance of clinging to the silverlinings when there's no other option. Words can simply not express how I feel after reading this book. My hat goes off to Kate & my heart goes out to her.I watched the documentary recently, and was intrigued to hear further of how much her and her family have suffered. I honestly felt like I was on the journey with them and was lost for words at multiple points in the book, whenever there was a tiny bit of hope in Derek’s progress I felt so positive, even though I knew the updates from his current state. Despite the subject matter and the fear of what was happening to her husband during that period of time, Kate has managed to tell the story with true candour and honesty in the most difficult period of her and her children’s life.

The Power of Hope by Kate Garraway | Goodreads The Power of Hope by Kate Garraway | Goodreads

I did not want to put the book down as I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I loved reading about who supported her through the tough times and how everyone came together for Kate and her family. And when I finished the book I just felt like I wanted a ‘now’ update. I really like Kate Garraway and am glad that I listened to, rather than read, her tell her story of their family's struggle through covid and the devastating effects it has had on her husband, Derek. In this intimate book, Kate shares her deeply personal story. As well as recounting how the illness took hold of their lives, she writes about how she is coping with the uncertainty of their future and how she strives to hold on to hope even at the darkest of times. Despite the sad content this book is very inspiring and makes us realise the destruction that COVID has caused. Kate's book movingly shares her experience of the Covid pandemic which affected her dear husband, Derek, so profoundly. Kate is a very likeable person, but also incredibly strong, empathetic and caring. She shares her belief in the power of hope at this time in her life as she tirelessly advocated for Derek and cared for her children while also conveying the mood of the nation in the UK at those points in the pandemic.I think Kate shows, that trying to stay positive will help Derek to improve. It must be heartbreaking for her and her family to adapt to Derek ‘being the new norm’. I felt she has stoically dealt with this situation, and is learning a new norm. I do not think she has come across as self pitying, why me?, but even though she must feel broken at times her love for him & her children pushes her forward. Her writing and indeed her performance of the book is beautiful. I love memoirs read by the author as I feel you gain so much more from the experience. In this case she recounts little moments like those she had shared with her daughter and you can feel the love and humour resonating through. Kate's deep and enduring love for Derek resounds throughout the book. It is a sad but touching book and a tribute to the man that she adores. Kate's tenacity and compassion are inspirational. This is such a heartbreaking read. If you want a good cry, this is the book to make you have the said cry. Since publication, Derek (Kate’s husband) has come home, but he was the longest surviving patient of Covid. This is a book that I can thoroughly recommend to others, it is definitely an eye opener in more ways than one. Kate had and still has 'Hope' that all will be right for Derek and that he will make the best recovery that he can, as he continues on what is going to be an extremely long and hard journey into the future. Heartbreaking and heartwrenching. Was in awe from beginning to end. Most of this was so hard to listen to, and you will cry like a baby, again and again. What a family! What a human being! Kate Garraway should be a Dame. I wish this family wellness, hopes fulfilled and prayers answered.