For Immediate Release

Author Approaches Death like Retirement
His “Mortality Manifesto” advocates embracing mortality for a fuller life

Guelph, ON (July 4, 2005) -- In her landmark book, On Death and Dying, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross discussed lessons learned by interviewing and working with over 200 dying patients in the late 1960s. Through this experience, she identified five stages that most dying people go through: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Now author Patrick Mathieu explores the possibility of a sixth stage through his new book, “What’s YOUR Expiry Date? Embrace Your Mortality, Live with Vitality” (ISBN 0-9738064-0-0 $14.95 at Amazon.com). That stage is the Power of Mortality – a place where you can experience tremendous power. In fact, Mathieu advocates that you approach the certainty of your death as diligently as you would the possibility of your retirement. People often set up retirement savings plans even though retirement may be 40 or 50 years away. Why? Because they know that if they live long enough, they’ll retire and they’ll need to be financially ready for that possibility.

“Acceptance of mortality is the same concept”, explains Mathieu. “From a solid foundation of acceptance you can move towards your dreams instead of waiting until it’s too late – nothing needs to be left unsaid or undone.”

Mathieu’s own story lays the foundation for his exploration of these stages. He was born with Congenital Heart Disease – specifically he has a hole in his heart. Perhaps not so unusual until you look at the illustration of that hole in the book – an MRI revealed it is 1.4 inches by 1.3 inches! Nonetheless, Mathieu had a normal childhood until the age of 18 when he was sent to a new cardiologist. That is when he was told more than half of his life was over – they hoped he would live to the age of 30!

Mathieu converted the numeral of his 30th birthday and had it tattooed on his shoulder to serve as a daily reminder to live each day with vitality. He lived past that “middle age” and is now 35, a husband and father.

The book winds up with “The Mortality Manifesto”. After Mathieu has given the reader an expiry date (no, we’re not going to tell you when that is!), he walks you through a process to create a pledge that is a daily commitment to living your life on purpose. Visit www.whatsyourexpirydate.com.

To interview Patrick Mathieu, or request a copy of What’s YOUR Expiry Date? for review contact:
Heather Unwin, Publicist
E-mail: heather.unwin@mathieu.com
Phone: 1-519-763-6245