Sally's World

I’ve noticed that there is a trend in the e-mails I’m receiving from some of the mums who are following the blogs. That is that many seem to be angry that it is their child who was born with a disability. While I totally understand it, and know it is a perfectly natural reaction to finding out your child has special needs, you cannot allow it to affect your lives.

You have been given the most amazing opportunity. You get to take care of a most precious child, an extra special child. You need to feel blessed and grateful for that. Whilst it is a very different life than many parents and families will experience, it is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling as long as you embrace it wholeheartedly.

So by all means get angry, but direct it at the right people (which definitely is not yourself as some mums feel). My anger is not at having children with disabilities, it is at the system that makes getting my kids what they need so hard. So that anger can be productive, it is the fight and determination that means you will achieve what you need to for yourself and your child.

You cannot let the anger get to you, because it will affect the life you have with your child. If anger is the focus, fun and laughter won’t be, not all the time. And what matters, especially to kids, is fun and laughter. Live life, make it fun, make it count and make sure there are no regrets and ‘should haves’ when you look back.

Of course, you may not see it that same way as I do, not everyone has my views and ways of coping, and I respect that. So please, please feel free to comment and give me your opinion. Also, if I can give you any advice on the practical issues surrounding disability, then you just need to ask, if I can’t help, I bet I know someone who can.

So, word for the day…Gratitude!

Sal xx

Fine al Thoughts http://jtfinefamily.blogspot.com/ is a total sweetheart and has given me this award, I am honoured! I love these awards and the questions, they are such a great way of getting to know one another better.

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post.

Sorted!

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.

Dena http://thoughtsbydena.blogspot.com/has a great attitude, she has had her ups and downs, but has a great attitude, it shines from her blog.

Who says 8 is enough http://bouffard11.blogspot.com/ this is an amazing blog, the love, family values an faith humble me.

An eagles View http://aneaglesview.blogspot.com/ cos I love her attitude to love, life and family.

I have to nominate Trojan http://trojansgallery.blogspot.com/ as I am extremely grateful that he's in my life.

Lisa http://raihndrops.blogspot.com/ who has so many wonderful things to say.

Gotta be JAM http://jamblogging.blogspot.com/ she is a lovely woman who has a great attitude.

Cozyflier over at funk squared http://squarefunk.blogspot.com/ one of all time favourites.

Matters of the heart http://elainecarter24.blogspot.com/ because this is a love filled blog, her wedding posts recently have made me go all soft and gushy, love her attitude and her heart.

RileyScott... http://rileyscottslifeblog.blogspot.com/ I love the way he speaks about his wife, such depth of feeling, I love his comments, he may not always agree with me, but his attitude of gratitude makes him one of my favourite bloggers.

Last but certainly not least, the Westover family blog http://westoverfamily2.blogspot.com/ is one to read, gratitude and love in abundance here!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

Also sorted, as you can see, I'm getting very clever at this now!!!

4.Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.

I'm on it!

5.Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

Being a mum, being in love, seeing miracles, seeing Aaron fight the odds, and show a sense of determination and strenght that taught many people how to live and love with zest, knowing I have had the privalege of sharing time with the people I love.

When a doctor announces you have less than six months with your child, and seven years later you are in the atlantic swimming with wild dolphins, and have spent seven years having amazing fun filled, love filled adventures...how could I NOT be gratuful????

We’ve been getting such a positive reaction from the video and written blogs, that Trojan has had another great idea…he’s on fire at the moment. He’s a one man marketing/advertising/promotions team!

So now we are adding radio blogs into the mix. This means we’ll be able to have more in-depth chats about the issues that the blogs are raising for all of you and hopefully we’ll be able to help more people and give more advice.

We got together yesterday and had a practice run, it was a lot of fun, although I don’t think it actually make much sense. I introduced the show, introduced Trojan and we proceeded to have a chat about everything from amateur dramatics to how Trojans ears pop when he’s on an airplane. That’s if you could make anything out amongst our laughter and the kids playing in the background.

As you know from the video blogs, Trojan is quite expressive with his hands, and the fact that he had his phone in his hand while he was talking only meant I had to practically leap around the room to talk into it. Of course afterwards, he told me it was on loudspeaker and would have picked my voice up anyway, but I’m not all that good at this stuff, so I didn’t know that.

Afterward we listened back to it and laughed even harder, I, apparently say ‘really, yes’ or ‘absolutely’ every ten seconds when someone else is talking…why has no-one ever pointed this out to me and told me how annoying it is? I also realised how fast I talk and how I get louder and louder the more animated I get.

Then we listened to a couple of other pre recorded shows from more experienced broadcasters, and Trojan got quite cross with me because I didn’t introduce him as ‘my fabulous co-host’ like the other broadcaster did. For this I apologise…you are totally fabulous Trojan.

So on Sunday we will be broadcasting our first live radio show at 5pm, you can go to the link on the blog page to listen in. And all joking aside, it is a very serious topic we’ve chosen to talk about a topic inspired by the e-mails we’ve been receiving in reaction to the blogs. It is about how disabled children are viewed by family, the education system, the health system, society and the government. So the title of this show will be “Disabled Children Precious Gift or Extra Burden.” we know its controversial, but we also know its important not to shy away from the issues just in case people find them uncomfortable.

We hope you join us and give us your views, it is important to get lots of people points of views on the issues, not just our own. So we’ll sign in and see where it takes us.

We will be recording another short video blog too, we’ve decided not to choose a subject, and to be spontaneous…oh goody!

See you Sunday

Sal & Trojan xxx

I’ve noticed that there is a trend in the e-mails I’m receiving from some of the mums who are following the blogs. That is that many seem to be angry that it is their child who was born with a disability. While I totally understand it, and know it is a perfectly natural reaction to finding out your child has special needs, you cannot allow it to affect your lives.

You have been given the most amazing opportunity. You get to take care of a most precious child, an extra special child. You need to feel blessed and grateful for that. Whilst it is a very different life than many parents and families will experience, it is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling as long as you embrace it wholeheartedly.

So by all means get angry, but direct it at the right people (which definitely is not yourself as some mums feel). My anger is not at having children with disabilities, it is at the system that makes getting my kids what they need so hard. So that anger can be productive, it is the fight and determination that means you will achieve what you need to for yourself and your child.

You cannot let the anger get to you, because it will affect the life you have with your child. If anger is the focus, fun and laughter won’t be, not all the time. And what matters, especially to kids, is fun and laughter. Live life, make it fun, make it count and make sure there are no regrets and ‘should haves’ when you look back.

Of course, you may not see it that same way as I do, not everyone has my views and ways of coping, and I respect that. So please, please feel free to comment and give me your opinion. Also, if I can give you any advice on the practical issues surrounding disability, then you just need to ask, if I can’t help, I bet I know someone who can.

So, word for the day…Gratitude!

Sal xx