Monday, September 29, 2014

Well, today started well, with the delivery of my scooter. FREEDOM!! I can't believe I am so happy about getting one. It's not really what you see yourself needing, is it? But, I didn't really consider that in my lifetime, I wouldn't be able to walk. It's a bit crap to be needing one, but if you do need one, it's best to be chuffed with what it will enable you to do. So, later on, I plan to walk the dog. I haven't done that in ages! And I also want to go and buy a sparkly keyring for the keys to my new wheels! WILD!

So, all things considered, I'm chuffed!

But it does throw a bright light on to my house, and how it's limiting me with it bloody steps. I can't just pop out. I need someone to help me….so, not completely independent then…..
MOVE! I hear you say. Yeah that is the only thing to do. At the beginning of the year, we put the house on the market, and sold it. The sale fell through. And this repeated itself THREE TIMES OVER! Apparently, you can no longer get a mortgage on my type of house, due to the mortgage criteria changing. WHAT!!?!! So, to fit the new criteria, we have to remove the external walls, and replace them with brick……no bother if it gets us a sale…but we have to move out whilst it's being done….WITH ALL OUR STUFF….and pay a pretty penny for the privilege….so, in a nutshell, the next 6 months or so look like this…..

..Find somewhere to rent.
..Move everything and everyone out.
..Borrow shit loads of money.
..Get the house bricked.
..Sell the house.
..Buy a house.
..Move in. Breathe again.

It's going to be crazy, but it will be worth it. The cardboard boxes are already piling up. I best get cracking on filling them. Or arguing over them. My youngest girl is also moving out, to live with her sister. So boxes and tape come at a premium in this house at the moment.

I might just make myself a cardboard forte to live in. Let me know when it's all over. And then I might come out to play. ON MY SCOOTER!!! 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Tip for a conversation starter…..TOILETS OF THE WORLD.

It's the weekend and it's started well! First up, I got in and out of the shower by myself! I can't remember the last time I managed this, and it was GLORIOUS!! But after all that excitement I needed a little sleep. Hey ho…but I woke up to visiting friends, that we haven't seen for a year as they have been filling their boots by travelling THE WORLD!! It was fantastic to see them, and hear their stories of worldwide domination…....WELCOME HOME BREWLIA. And big thanks for the contraband Dr Pepper….
Whilst Brewlia was here, the talk turned to toilets of the world. Obviously. I appreciate a good toilet as much as the next desperate person, but now, due to my 'spacka' status, they have a new found rating element,  THEY MUST BE ACCESSIBLE. I'm not sure the holes that you squat over in India, would quite cut it…….

And today, another friend sent me beautiful video of the Cornish coastline where he lives. Anyone that knows me, knows that Cornwall has my heart. Anyway my Japanese friend….ARIGATOU!

Visit over, and family Saturday resumes with plans for a family weekend…..so it's lunch all round, and a sleep for the little man, a burst on the Batman game, writing my words, then out to a pub for pop n crisps.

Oh, but hang on……I've just seen the lunchtime tablets, that I haven't taken yet, but when I do, they'll knock me out. So, I need to rethink the weekend plans……The good man will be like a single parent AGAIN, as I have a slumber party for one. Apparently, I will get used to the tablets, and I can't wait for that to happen. I'm pretty miffed at sleeping my life away…..I don't appreciate missing out.

Tomorrow we have more family visiting, and one day next week we hope to visit my sister, who is home now, recuperating from having her appendix whipped out.

Anyhoo, I suppose what I'm trying to say, is that it is friends and family that shape us. Family is where you came from, for better or worse, and no choice taken……you get what you're given. Friends are all about choice, with a little luck thrown in…..
Well, on both counts, I feel pretty blessed.

You can read my travelling friend's blog here….


http://www.brewliaworldwide.tumblr.com


Monday, September 15, 2014

Am I a heavy awkward box?

We have just had a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. The Good Man, needing help to access a manual handling course, was advised to talk to our local Centre For Independent Living (C.I.L). The person at C.I.L clearly did not get what The Good Man meant, and popped a Care Services Directory in the post. If you were elderly, and considering your care options, I dare say it would be useful. However, it was anything but, for someone like me. All the photos were of care homes, or elderly people. There was a tiny bit of information about manual handling. Not useful enough for us to actually use. Unless I become a heavy box you might meet at work…….

The information we have on manual handling is kind of like half a job……just a list of villages where the courses are run….and that's it. Oh and there's talk of handling objects and materials. NOT PEOPLE. No dates, no times, no contact information. Ugh!
I need to protect The Good Man. Because I need him to be on top form. And he needs to protect himself. I am not large, but christ on a bike, I can be a dead weight sometimes, that's just immovable. So, the search goes on…….There must be something…….we will keep digging.

So, what's about if you are in the middle ground? I'm not a child, and I'm not elderly, so, what? What is there? Believe me, I'd rather chew my own arm off than ask for help. But, needs must and all that. I'm a bit crap, and I need help. Luckily, I am a bit of a terrier, and I didn't let go easily of the idea, THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING! Well, there is something, and blimey, it wasn't offered EVER. The information was well guarded, like I don't know what. Well, anyway, when I finally scaled the wall of this fortress, and I was rewarded with meeting straight forward, helpful people. That treated me like a real person! Joy! (Sing that bit…...in operatic styleeeee.)

As if life isn't shit enough, that when you've been dealt a crappy hand, and have lost your ability to walk, work, drive and be independent, please offer helpful services readily. What happened to me, could happen to any one of you.

And it's lonely.

Monday, September 8, 2014

I can't believe what I am about to write…….

On Saturday we went to Twycross zoo. I rang ahead and asked if it was wheelchair friendly, and I was assured that yes, it was. Well, it was not. I am partly to blame as my question was inadequate. I SHOULD have said that I propel myself, I SHOULD have asked what was the pathway surface made of. I SHOULD have asked if they hired out mobility scooters.

So, I found that,

a, the pathways were loose gravel. This does not help when you are trying to propel yourself. And as The Good Man was pushing The Little Man, his hands were full.
b, they DO hire out scooters, but I wasn't aware of this until the next day.
c, I couldn't access the far side of the park where the elephants were, as I was too bloody knackered.

So, I learnt that,

a, be crystal about what is available to hire/rent people! I didn't see anything advertised. It is on the website, but I had to search for it. Bells and whistles wouldn't go amiss here….
b, I NEED to ask more thorough questions.

So, anyway, I got home thinking the day would have been so much better if I had a scooter. And not just at Twycross. My life would be better. I'd be able to access so much more….

……so, I bought a mobility scooter! I can't believe how desperate I am for it to arrive! It's teal, fits in the boot, and the world will be my oyster again! As long as I don't meet too many stairs or kerbs, that is.

So, that's it… I can't believe I've bought a scooter. I can't believe I'm excited! I can't believe I've waited soooooo long.

Next job….move house…...