Holidays funnel my life. They distil my stresses and strains into a finite experience. They polarise the difference between being a mum to each of my boys. Every parent knows that once you have children, holidays are never the same again. Relaxing breaks riddled with lie-ins, evenings out and lazy pub lunches become a fond and [...]
A while ago, the news showed the Pope participating in a Drive-by. It didn't involve gun shots or a high-speed getaway but rather a prayer, a kiss and a blessing. Along a road the Pope was expected to be travelling, the family of a young woman set up posters requesting he stop and pray. Click here to watch the highly charged 30-second video [...]
Last week, I was lying on a Thomas the Tank engine blanket in my garden soaking up some sun. We had spent part of the morning watching my eldest son in his sports day. If I'm honest it's never a good day for me. My competitive nature struggles to see my boy strive to participate in [...]
I like a good hero. Someone to admire and aspire to be like. I'm not so big on the pants over trousers thing but I guess if needs must. Last weekend I went to see Music is Magic at the Cliffs Pavilion. It was an extraordinary evening of music and singing. With the curtain down everyone packed [...]
For me becoming a parent has involved changes, insights and rewards. Here's my A-Z of Parenting a son living with complex disabilities and life-limiting epilepsy. A is for Adaptations including changing routine, adapting clothing, moving to a bungalow or adjusting my dreams; one thing is true, I had to adapt. B Body building Arnold Schwarzenegger watch out! My [...]
Shame is a powerful emotion and I rarely allow it to sneak onto my palette of feelings but today I'm ashamed to be an England football supporter. All the media hype around our early World Cup exit leaves me ashamed that as a country we don't support our team. It seems we are more interested in the [...]
In parenting workshops I often consider how I have needed to learn the secrets of living beyond blame when my life was suddenly defined by the consequences of a decision I made. My Story Years ago, I woke in the middle of the night with a niggling sense of uncertainty. Unable to settle I slunk out [...]
If you could send myself a letter ten years ago what would I say? Early last week, Tim turned over a metal bin lid, threw on some wood and lit a fire. Our eldest son had decided to shout for an hour before going to sleep, so when we finally got to sit in our garden with the [...]
I've been thinking about positive communication and good things to say to parents of a child with a disability. (By saying I mean communication in general terms rather than simply words.) Stranger passing in the street Hello saying hello is a nice thing to do. Smile you can't go wrong with a smile. Open the door [...]
Here's my Top 10 Disability Clanger or what NOT to say to the parent of a child with disabilities. They include some of the pitfalls to avoid and advice for making situations less awkward. It's a minefield and I'm as hopeless as the next person, frequently putting my size six's in my mouth. Few people are deliberately [...]
