Ordinary Hopes

I recently wrote about how it felt to be excluded from a Christmas party FOR disabled children. At the time I was so upset about it, partly because I should not have had to ask if it was possible for Adam to attend but also because the answer should never have been “no”. It had taken courage to even ask if… Continue reading Opening my heart…

From a party FOR disabled children??? Christmas is party time! Unless “your disability” cannot be “accommodated”. But I don’t want my son to be “accommodated”. I want him to be welcomed! People are used to the medical model of disability, which suggests that Adam is disabled because his body doesn’t do certain things. That possibly sounds… Continue reading Excluded due to disability…

The other day my son wanted some doughnuts from a nearby supermarket. They make great doughnuts – super light and fluffy, with an icing sugar coating instead of the usual crunchy sugar. We were driving by and I could have stopped but I didn’t. Not because I didn’t care, but because I am always caring. Some… Continue reading Caring…

Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many families. And for many parents of disabled children it is a massive reminder of the things your child is not doing. All those “age appropriate toys” on the shelves sting the heart of the mother who has just purchased toddler toys for her 10 year… Continue reading Homeless Shoebox Appeal

Sometimes I feel beaten down by the constant effort for inclusion. When you have to ask if your child can be included it means that people have already excluded them. Whether that is intentional or not, it hurts. The last week or so has been incredibly difficult. Since the day my son faked illness in… Continue reading Feeling hopeless…

Christmas shopping in the city centre has always been something I looked forward to. As a child it was a big treat to stay up late, go to Truro in the dark and see all the beautiful lights. But I don’t take my son because it isn’t fair to take him. To get a parking… Continue reading Is 900 a big number?

We were excited at the idea of watching Pete’s Dragon at the cinema. We wanted to see the film and it was a bonus that we could see it for free as part of the Into Film Festival. A free cinema trip is a welcome joy for any parent! However, last night Adam started to worry. There are… Continue reading The big faker!

Did you watch Children In Need and shed tears for some of those children? Did you wish that no child had to endure pain? Did you wish you could do something to help a child right now? Some days we can’t make everything better for everyone but I know a child who you can do… Continue reading Helping Harvey.