Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Dale Hansen has experienced enough in his life to fill a book or two — and that is exactly what he has done.
Although Hansen has had success with his two books “Journey Through the Old Testament” and “One Week at a Time 52 Week Devotional” writing has been a new hobby that he has started rather recently.
Hansen, who stopped by the Book Market store in Crest Hill to sign two of his books, has had a rocky bill of health throughout his entire life.
Hansen has been writing for three years, and the motivation and drive behind his words are from the trials and tribulations him and his family has experienced.
“Both of the books that I wrote are Bible devotions,” Hansen said. “Because I have Parkinson’s, they’re about how to live and deal with the disease.”
Parkinson’s Disease, which is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, has symptoms that start gradually, and sometimes start with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand.
Other significant signs that are common are more significant uncontrollable tremors, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
Not only has Dale experienced a plethora amount of health issues over the years, but his wife has dealt with issues as well.
“We’ve had infertility when we were first married, a number of different cancer issues through the years, kidney stones, Parkinson’s and that’s why I really wanted to start this a few years ago,” Hansen said. “
While being married more than 40 years, Hansen said there was one group in particular that sparked his interest.
With many different ideas and experiences that Hansen and his family went through, a group called WriteOn in Joliet was the starting point for his career as an author.
“They basically just encouraged people to bring stuff in so people can read it and enjoy it,” Hansen said. “Being retired, it’s been really good being able to do that and let people read and hopefully appreciate a lot of the verses.”
Being a devout follower of God, Hansen said that the book “One Week at a Time 52 Week Devotional” could make people become more knowledgeable on how God uses the writers and people of the Bible to challenge everyone moving forward.
For his other book, “Journey Through the Old Testament”, Hansen wants to get the message across that the book teaches readers lessons through the people of the Bible.
“I enjoy getting calls and emails from people about the books that have a positive response because it means that God’s got me on the right path that I should be on,” Hansen said. “I’m not going to be the best seller of anything like that, but I believe I’m doing the right thing here and people are responding to me in a good way.”