Gurinder Abrol
Author
Get ready to embark on a heartfelt and captivating journey through the pages of my life.
In this deeply personal autobiography, you’ll get to know the real me—my passions, experiences, and the moments that shaped the woman I am today. From childhood dreams to global adventures, my story is filled with colour, curiosity, and courage.
My hobbies reflect my love for history and culture: I collect stamps—including First Day Covers—coins, and dolls from all around the world. I also have a treasured collection of decorative plates from the many countries I’ve had the joy of visiting.
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One of the most exciting chapters of my life was spent behind the microphone. For over seven years, I was actively involved with a local radio station that ran live broadcasts for a full month. I hosted my very own show, Asian Spice, where I shared beautiful Indian music—curating each playlist from my personal library and even the public library. As a solo DJ, I handled the desk and ran the two-hour live show myself. It was challenging, exhilarating, and incredibly fulfilling.
My love for radio extended to volunteering at the hospital radio station, and I was privileged to gain international experience during a four-week placement in Ghana through Birmingham University. That opportunity not only deepened my passion for broadcasting but also led to meaningful friendships that I still cherish today. I’ve visited Ghana three times since then—it holds a special place in my heart.
I’m an avid reader who finds joy in all kinds of literature—biographies, romantic novels, war stories, and any book that captures my imagination. I also have a great love for travel. My journeys have taken me across the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Greek Islands, Italy, New York, Florida, Euro Disney, Dubai, India, Ghana, and more. I consider myself a truly well-travelled soul.
Through these pages, I invite you to walk beside me—to laugh, reflect, and maybe even be inspired to celebrate the unique adventure that is your own life.
Upcoming Book
Thorny Life (2nd Edition)
I was born on 9th June 1964 at Dudley Road Hospital to Surdarshan 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 walk with a limp on the left side. This has not deprived me of anything in life because I have achieved a great deal.
First 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 wallked out of our lives. For him, it was just a marriage of convenience.
After a great struggle, I decided to sell the restaurant and move back to Birmingham. My son went to a local school while I went back to college and completed a degree in Media Studies at University of Birmingham.
Other Books
A Distinguished Ghanaian:
Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, His Life and Works
“A Distinguished Ghanaian Ahuma Bosco Ocansey His Life and Works,” is a biography of well known Ghanaian.
“ Daddy Bosco,” as he widely known in Ghana. He has won many awards through out his life. He is self-taught. He has successes and hard work in his bones and has great respect from everyone.
He has worked in many fields of the Media Industry- firstly, playing and sing in a music band, working in different radio stations. He has presented his own music shows with lot of loyal follows around Ghana. Eventually, becoming Director of Communications and Special Projects for Musicians’Union and even now devotes much of his time helping up and coming young talent into the Music Bus. He is also a representative of the Rastafari Council of Ghana.
Thorny Life
I am a disabled Asian woman living in England. There are still a lot of prejudices towards disabled people especially among the Asian community to this very day.
They think disability is a disease which they can catch. Asian people look at you, think you have no brains and feel pity for you. They also feel sorry for you. But, I am human like anybody else. This is my story.
Radio Interview
Thorny Life, 2nd Ed. by Gurinder Abrol
Radio Interview with Benji Cole from CBS Radio
“I am strong-willed and determined in whatever I do in my life. I have achieved a great deal in spite of being disabled most of my life. I am independent and do things to the best of my ability. I have, at times, asked for help if needed. I have learned to look after myself and to drive at the age of eighteen. Though it took me longer to learn than others, I passed the first time. I drive an adapted car, which is automatic and has a few adjustments. I travel around easily. On the 2nd March 1990, I gave birth to my son, and this was a great joy for me and my family. I single handedly brought him up— albeit with the support of my Mum. I was determined to make something of myself after my husband left us; so, I went to University where I got a BA in “Media, Culture and Society and Sociology.” I worked and supported myself.
My parents emigrated to the United Kingdom in the 1960s. My Dad came over in 1962. In other words, he left his homeland as his parents didn’t want him to get married. They were very strict with him, and so, he escaped and moved away for good. He worked very long hours as a postman. My Mum joined him in the summer of 1963. Straight away, she had an interview for a teaching post, and she got a job in September of that year. The following June, I was born. I was their only child. Things were very difficult in those times for both my parents. My Dad worked eighteen hours a day as a postman and at the weekends at the Birmingham markets. Therefore, Mum was left to look after me, as well as maintaining a job and taking care of the house. It put a great strain on the family, culturally and financially, especially being in a foreign land.”
Thorny Life (2nd Edition)
by Gurinder Abrol
Diamond Media Press Co.
book review by Allison Walker
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.
Thorny Life (2nd Edition)
by Gurinder Abrol
Diamond Media Press Co.
book review by Gabriella Harrison
Gurinder Abrol provides valuable insight about cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis in her memoir, Thorny Life (2nd Edition). In this memoir, she shares what it’s like to be an Asian woman with a disability and how to some, that means having a contagious disease. However, there is enough evidence in this book that life doesn’t end with a medical diagnosis as she details her wins amidst the constant battles with her health. Also, the importance of a determined mind is highlighted.
This book is divided into two parts. Part One, deals with her early life spent in the United Kingdom, India, and Germany. It was during her first visit to India that she experienced an allergic reaction to an insect bite and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at fifteen months old. This section also offers a glimpse into her teenage years in boarding school, in which she essentially had to learn independence, as her parents were extremely busy with work. She also expresses the excitement she felt going to Germany to meet her soon-to-be husband and becoming a newlywed, albeit short-lived. Eventually, she welcomes a baby boy who she cherishes. Gurinder’s determination spurs her to earn a degree from the University of Birmingham and switch career paths while raising her son as a single mom with the help of her mom after her husband walked out on them.
Part Two focuses on her health challenges and their drastic impact on her life. Here, she expresses how dangerous poor communication and lack of sensitivity can be in the health sector. For example, she was initially given the wrong prescriptions, which proved unhelpful to her condition and didn’t alert her to the seriousness of what she had to face medically early enough.
In this book, Gurinder gives an open account of her life by adequately conveying her emotions and reactions through her expressive writing style. Her creativity and perseverance are reflected in the pages of this concise book, and one can’t help but admire and be inspired by the courageous life she has lived, even with all the limitations thrown in her path. Her eagerness to always try new things and live an active life was simply fascinating. She didn’t let her condition or what the doctors were saying stop her from living. She travelled to foreign lands to seek knowledge and grow in her chosen career path, and she maintained a friendly demeaner and constantly mentioned the new people she was able to befriend. This definitely wouldn’t have been possible if she allowed herself to feel inferior or sulk. Her active involvement in sports and various forms of exercise was also nice to read. There are also some really lovely pictures in the book, which help bring her story to life. Another beautiful addition is her poetry.
This book would suit anyone who enjoys memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies. Also, anyone interested in reading about an overcomer and how life doesn’t have to end with a medical diagnosis will find this book insightful. Anyone wondering about cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis and what it means to live with them will find this book a valuable resource on the subject. People living with chronic illnesses can also draw inspiration from this book.
Overall, this is an insightful and inspiring memoir that serves as a reminder to treat people with kindness because everyone is facing battles in varying degrees.
A Distinguished Ghanaian:
Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, His Life and Works
by Gurinder Abrol
Independently Published
book review by Pretty Nicholas
Did you have any special childhood memories? I think Ahuma Bosco Ocansey had wonderful parents and a lucky personality. He was born in Accra, West Africa, in January 1963, into a Ghanaian Roman Catholic family. With two of his sisters being older and two younger than him, Ahuma, the family’s fourth child, was considered to be “piggy in the middle.”
The parents of Ahuma were head teachers who worked at Roman Catholic schools. Ahuma Bosco Ocansey gained a great deal of knowledge during his formative years, which aided him in discovering his calling and career path. Learning Taekwondo was a life-changing experience that deserves to be remembered. In addition, at Burma Camp Primary School, he picked up the flute. He was raised in La, a seaside community with coconut palms, but he was unable to climb any of them. Instead, he was successful in scaling mango, guava, and pawpaw trees. How did he succeed despite being a Rastafarian in the music business? What other activity did he think was noteworthy?
This book gave me access to a lot of lessons. I acquired a wealth of knowledge regarding good parenting. Bosco’s parents were successful in instilling many values in their offspring. The idea that the kids’ attitudes toward reading were influenced fascinated me. I have the opportunity to learn more about music and everything it encompasses. I really like how the book describes how to participate in various sports activities. I won’t forget to mention that this book did a good job of expressing family love. Regardless of the field, you must strive for perfection in whatever you do, as demonstrated by the Bosco character.
The book “A Distinguished Ghanaian Ahuma Bosco Ocansey” by Gurinder Abrol is remarkable in every way. With a well-structured plot, the character of Bosco was perfectly introduced and developed. The book is structured into interesting segments that are by no means monotonous. This book is detailed and interesting. For easy comprehension and deeper understanding, it also includes illustrations. While reading this book, I found neither grammatical nor typographical errors. As a result, this book was exceptionally well-edited. I won’t forget to mention that Bosco’s life is a model that should be imitated.
I cherished having such a great book to read. Nothing broke up my reading flow. Therefore, I was unable to identify any drawbacks to this book. I had a profound reaction to the narrative, and I have no regrets about reading it. I will rate this book five out of five stars as a result of the aforementioned reason. I will suggest this book to anyone who aspires to be a superb musician. I’ll also recommend it to anyone who requests additional information about responsible parenting.
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