PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 10TH, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUTHOR GIVES BACK TO CLASSMATES SON 28 YEARS LATER;
INSPIRES CHILDREN TO SMILE AND DREAM
Author Jacquelyn Dienst of HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN ROSE ADVENTURE SERIES has a lot to be Thankful for and is giving back this holiday season. She is scheduled to appear live on Talkstoryradio.us on November 17th, 2015 at 3:30 Eastern and 1:30 PM Central.. Callers can ask questions live, by dialing 929 477 3592 during the broadcast. Interview by Julia Widdop.
The dream is becoming a successful author. This hard working, single mother of 3's perils have included the death of her mother in 2009, traveling with a carniva, homelessness, surviving abuse and divorce.. The author is pledging $2.50 cents of every book of the series to her classmates sons charity, Samuels Smile.
The first book, HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN ROSE:BOOK ONE, THE LEGEND. , sells on Amazon.com. A note, the paperback is under Dienst, the E-Book under Brennan. Please visit her sites here; www.huntforthegoldenrose.blogspot.com there are links to her website,facebook page and @hunt4goldenrose on Twitter. The book is about a hunt for a Native American artifact called the Golden Rose, taking place through the US in 1864. There is a tie to a girl of the future and a library.
Brennan is her mother's maiden name, in honor of her late mother and grandfather, both whom have passed.
“Grandpa always told me “Those who have an extraordinary life, are not to keep it to themselves, but to share their story, in order to bring hope and inspire others.” The author said. “ I hope to inspire
children to beat the odds and never let your situation get in the way of bettering oneself. That's why I'm choosing to give back to Samuels Smile. Samuel and his cause is an inspiration to me.” Her own children also help by creating characters with mom.
GIVING BACK
Jacquelyn Dienst is no stranger to giving back. Before her extensive volunteer work, She joined against drugs in an organization called SASA, or Students Against Substance Abuse, in Junior High. It was there, that she met classmate Marty Bell.
“He was nice to me throughout Jr. High and High School. laughs Dienst, "He was a good friend to a shy girl from up North, teased for her Boston accent.” The two lost touch after graduation, with Bell going into the Navy and Dienst moving up North.
Through the magic of Facebook, the two friends reunited by joining their class reunion page, a mere 27 years later. Bell had served time in the Navy, now married and settled in Glasgow, Scotland. Dienst had been married and divorced, making a living as an photographer until the economic crash that hit Florida hard in 2008.
Marty and Sharon Bell’s second son. Samuel, was born in Glasgow on September 25, 1998, with Total Intestinal Hirschsprung's Disease, which means he is unable to eat or drink. His condition was so rare, doctors gave him three months to live because of the Total Parental Nutrition Line to his heart, which he would be on eighteen hours day, seven days a week.
Amazingly, Samuel survived over sixty surgeries, spending a great majority of his life in Yorkhill Hospital, and has recently celebrated his seventeenth birthday. He is the oldest surviving person in the UK with his condition.
“God has put me here for a reason,” Samuel has repeatedly stated.
Samuel has never let his condition stop him. In 2002, at the age of four, The GMTV crew covered his first day of school. It's been a whirlwind since: Samuel has won: Women’S OWN CHILD OF COURAGE AWARD, in 2003; THE DAILY RECORDS FIRST SCOTLANDS LITTLE HERO AWARD, in 2004; ACTOR OF THE YEAR. in 2010,which the judges did not know of his condition and under his own merit; THE PRINCESS DIANA COURAGEOUS CITIZENS AWARD. in 2012, OUTSTANDING PUPIL AWARD. In 2014..Samuel works at the DAILY RECORD, a local newspaper, writing sports and other articles twice a week. This talented young man, who loves Elvis, also plays guitar and sings, has been to places like Graceland, WESTMINSTER ABBEY, meeting everyone from Simon Cowell, the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and even the Queen of England herself.
Most recently, Samuel, whose one wish would be to spend a day with Elvis, has been invited by Rob Kingsley, famous Elvis impersonator, to see his show, and sing “THE WONDER OF YOU” , on stage, which is Samuel's favorite song, and his mom says is about him. The show will be on February 4th, 2016 at the Kings Theater in Scotland. You can buy tickets for the show at on Samuels website. Dienst is attempting to have a fund raiser in Las Vegas, Elvis style,, in honor of Samuels 18th birthday in 2016.
CHALLENGES
In 2006, Samuel became severely ill and nearly died. After beinvg told he had no chance, Miraculously, Samuels liver and blood began to heal.
On January 31st, 2007, the Bells were blessed with a daughter, Savannah Rose.
“She was absolutely beautiful, “ said Samuel. “Mom always dressed her in pink. Only pink.”
Savanah had Down's Syndrome and the same condition as Samuel, but not as severe. It was a horrible shock when she passed suddenly at ten weeks from cot death. The Bells were blessed with a third son, Michah, on October 27th, 2008, who is perfectly healthy.
Samuel has made sure her memory lives on by adding a pink heart for her over the i in the word smile on his otherwise blue and white logo.
“Sharon and I couldn't be prouder,” Marty says of his son.
Samuels Smile
Samuel, on his 16th birthday, created Samuels Smile.
“It's something I’ve dreamed of for years,” Samuel says of the charity that bears his trademark. “Now it's time for me to make other kids smile."
Not only does Samuel visit with many children in the hospital, and recently brought twenty -three families to Blairsdrummond Safari Park. Special guests included Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from FROZEN, The children, known as the SMILERS, played games and sang their hearts out with a FROZEN. sing-a-long.
Samuel's older brother, Martin, and friend dressed as Spiderman and Batman with collection cans around the park.
“Thier smiles and faces were priceless,” Samuel states. “It was a fantastic day of tears and laughter.”
Other fund raisers, including a 5K walk, and a Masquerade Ball, raised around £ 1,600.
Samuels website, and contact information, www.samuels-smile.co.uk Readers can also follow Samuels smile on Facebook and Twitter.
Samuel has applied to the Office of The Scottish Charity Regulator, and is working with the lawyers to obtain their 501c status.Samuel wants to spread that winning smile of his around the world.
CONTACT : JACQUELYN DIENST 407 724 3066 OR huntforthegoldenrose@yahoo.com
