The hypothesis that radical change can be brought about by ‘illness’, is expressed in this article. Wendy Tuohy exposed this idea through interviewing two people who had experienced life-changing illnesses. One of these two people, Ian Gawler was diagnosed with cancer and eventually had one of his legs amputated. After enduring these illnesses, both of them revamped their lives and now lead more fulfilling, satisfying lives. ‘It usually takes a large shock to prompt people to change their behaviour.’ ‘They are almost glad they had the illness, because it actually helped them make changes in their lives.’ We are told how Ian

Gawler, a decathlete diagnosed with cancer given a few weeks to live, has a leg amputated, starts on a biodynamic diet and lives. His account is emotive and colloquial and involve the responder in their reactions to change. The tear out section on the side is also used to summarise the main ideas of that section and emphasises the impact of change.

Wendy Tuohy’s article Time for a Change outlines that change is brought about through radical events and certain ‘personality traits’. These act as deterrents or trigger factors to implementing change in oneself. She also discusses change as viewed by modern society, change as a marketable commodity leading to commercialism and quick fixes offered by the many self-help books and motivational seminars and workshops. All her ideas are reinforced by using a variety of techniques such as expert opinions, the use of graphic personal accounts of real life situations, hypothetical situations and quotations. The use of these ideas and techniques help support the argument and shape the understanding and meaning of change in self.

‘Personality traits’ are key instruments in a person’s ability to implement ‘change’. Mannix had, through an earlier expe

Some topics in this essay:
Wendy Tuohy, Richard Roberts, Ian Gawler, Wendy Tuohy’s, ABC Citymission, ‘personality traits’, change self, Life Nov, wendy tuohy, radical change, change life, , ‘personality traits’ act, understanding meaning change, change marketable, contributing factors, people change, factors change, contributing factors change, change marketable commodity, real change,