David Ditchfield - Shine on: The Remarkable Story of How I Fell Under a Speeding Train, Journeyed to the Afterlife, and the Astonishing Proof I Brought Back with Me

Thank you for purchasing Shine On. Our sincere hope is that you derived as much from reading this story as I had in living the life of it. If you have a few moments, it would be great if you could add your review of the book at your favorite online site for feedback. Also, if you would like to connect with events I have coming in the near future, please visit the Shine On website for news on upcoming works and performances.

www.shineonthestory.com

Best wishes,

David

David was born in Blackpool. He left school with only one qualification and then did a course learning how to draw letters for adverts, not a great career choice for someone with profound dyslexia. After being sacked from his one and only proper job, he played guitar in various punk and pop bands and co-wrote a pop song with Kevin Rowlands. Eventually, he drifted away from playing in bands and things went on a downward spiral and he ended up surviving as a manual laborer, his life empty and directionless. His near-death experience (NDE) changed everything and inspired him to reach a level of musical and artistic creativity that he had never achieved before, born out of a desire to reassure everyone that there is nothing to fear after death. Since his NDE, he has completed over 30 paintings and has been commissioned by two classical ensembles to compose a further symphony and rhapsody, both of which have now been premiered at sell-out performances. He is currently working on a new symphony entitled, I wasnt Expecting This, and lives, paints and composes in a converted riverside mill near Cambridge, UK.

You can see some of Davids NDE-inspired paintings and hear excerpts from his music at: www.shineonthestory.com

And follow him on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/david_ditchfield/

J.S. Jones is a published academic after receiving a PhD from the University of Stirling. Having completed a number of creative writing courses to co-author Shine On, J.S. Jones is now working on a debut fiction novel, the first in a planned series and thoroughly enjoying the process.

Many people have helped in the Shine On journey, and deserve acknowledgement and thanks for this. First, Margaret and Derek Ditchfield and Alan Jones (with Joyce always there in the background). Then Janet and Charlie (and the boys), who played such a key role in this story. Special mention must also go to Ian, whose generous help and brotherly support enabled The Divine Light symphony to make it to its premiere performance, Ruadhri Cushnan for making the recording happen and Chris Hiscock, Julian Merson, Felicity Wrenwood, Gillian Atherton and the sublime Chamber Orchestra of St. Ives for performing it so beautifully on the night.

Also, grateful thanks go to the wonderful Joy and Irene, whose strength, wisdom and insights fill every page of this book. Also, Richard and Jane Waters, whose generous and unconditional loan of their attic space allowed the NDE paintings to happen.

For the writing, Vera and Jack Sylvesters loving legacy meant that there was a laptop to type this book on and Alan generously provided the log cabin in which to type it.

Additional people to thank include the wonderful Joy and Kenny Foubister, all the amazing healers at the St. Ives Spiritualist Church and the outstanding team at Addenbrookes Hospital, especially consultant surgeon Mr. Ian Grant, Sarah Asbury, the Occupational Therapist and all the courageous and dedicated nurses who work there.

Finally, thanks go to Stella Webster for being the very first person to read Shine On and suggest that it was good enough to get published, D.J. Kermode for her invaluable feedback on the first draft, and last but not least, the lovely Lisa Smartt and the wonderful Dr. Raymond A. Moody, whose enthusiasm and encouragement made all the difference.

J.S. Jones: As part of the medical team treating David at Addenbrookes Hospital, did you notice anything unusual or different about David compared to other trauma patients?

Sarah Asbury: Yes, I did. There was something very, very significant about David, he was very different from the other patients right from the start. It was about a month into the treatment period after his accident when he told me about his near-death experience, and the more time I spent with David, the more I realized this is what he experienced. This is the reality of what he experienced, and I had 100% respect for it. I know full well that what he experienced was what he experienced. At no point did I ever doubt or question his account. His art, his music, it just speaks volumes in itself. Experiences like Davids have made me think that death is not so frightening; there is good stuff there. I havent come across any other patient that reported such an experience. It has certainly enriched his life and made him live his life in such a positive way.

J.S. Jones: As Davids sister, did he seem different to you after his near-death experience?

Janet: The near-death experience and everything that went with that became more apparent after he was discharged from hospital. Then, he was very talkative about it all, researching different things, talking about it an awful lot. Id say he was consumed by it, he really was, he was really bright from it all, so uplifted. It had a major positive effect on him, and I am sure it helped him through those hard days when he was recovering from his injuries. It has clearly changed his life forever, hugely. If you can imagine from how dark his life was before the accident, then his life-threatening, rare shocking accident, then to Davids whole brightness from his near-death experience when he came home. It was really bonkers, it honestly was.

J.S. Jones: What do you both think about Davids near-death experience? Do you believe it really happened?

Margaret: When he told us, he was so full of it. I do believe it was something mystical. His face was very alight when he told us. There was something about his face that was very bright. He changed a lot after his experience, and he was so anxious to do the painting of it. I remember he even tried to get the nurses to help him draw it. He was very determined that he wanted to get it down on paper, that was how he was.

Derek: The near-death experience was such a meaningful thing to David, it was a spiritual adventure. He changed a lot after it. Especially spiritually, there was a definite change there. Despite the terrible accident, his mind seemed quite content and calm afterwards, accepting everything that had happened to him.

J.S. Jones: Were you surprised at your sons sudden ability to compose classical music after his near-death experience?

Margaret: I was taken aback; I was shocked when he composed his symphony. When we went to the premiere, the symphony was so very moving. His ability to compose classical music has grown since. We both feel he has done so well because he had no training in how to write this type of music at all, no training in how to put it down.

J.S. Jones: Has Davids experience changed your views about lifeafter death?

Derek: Its definitely made my faith more secure about what could happen in the afterlife.

Margaret: I feel the same. They dont talk about the afterlife in the church service. Its surprising how people, really religious people, dont always believe there is anything. That is strange really, because that is what Easter is all about, and that is when it does come to the fore, when people start thinking about things like that. At church, its not really discussed at all. But if there is life after death, where do we go? It must be to some other place, like the one David went to. Thats a lovely thought to hold on to.