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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Emma Grimshaw

'It felt like the world had colour for the first time' - Depressed man turns author after becoming a dad

When Rob McCauley was handed his baby in the delivery suite he said it felt like the world had colour for the first time.

The salesman had previously being living off benefits, depressed and angry at the world after being physically and emotionally abused as a child.

But the Stockwood man turned his life around after he became a dad and has now penned his first book.

Before I Forget offers advice to children as they go through their lives and develop into adults.

From what to do if you're bullied, low in confidence, depressed or even suicidal, Rob provides moving and honest advice to the reader.

Every page is signed off with 'love dad' and Rob hopes his two children will be able to keep the book and refer back to it throughout their lives.

"I had some very dark times growing up," said Rob.

"As a child and young adult I was physically and emotionally abused. That left me broken- low in confidence, depressed and angry at the world.

"When I was a young adult I drank a lot and took a lot of drugs.

"My hand was hovering over the self-destruct bottom - I was running away from my childhood.

"When I had Freya it felt like the world had colour for the first time.

"Before I could barely look after myself and suddenly I had this gorgeous little princess who was relying on me."

After working on the book for two years, Rob has already sold-out of his first batch of 100 copies which he self-published.

His book has been selling across the world including in Australia and America.

He has now ordered a second batch and already has a long waiting list for copies.

"I realised because of my life experience there was a lot I've learnt that I could pass on." said Rob.

"I hope parents will buy it for their kids and give it to them at the appropriate time.

"It's something people can refer back to throughout their lives."

What does the book say?

Here are a few examples of pages featured in the book

To order a book, click here.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, check back on Bristol Live's homepage

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