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Trojan of Trojans corner videoed a review that inspired me to take the kids to see this film. And I'm glad it did, we all really enjoyed, it, lots of fighting and chase action, some humour, a love interest. What I loved is the fact that it wasn't just one main character, they all had their own Little story, even the baddies....
Definitely worth going to see
Well it turns out, anxiety and stress is a good way to burn calories....I appear to have lost a few pounds....goodness knows how, at the hospital my diet consisted of about sixty cups of sugary vending machine coffee a day, twenty candy bars and a couple of cardboard sandwiches, since we've been home I'm eating more than normal.... but the scales insist I'm five pounds lighter....strange...
I'm trying not to be too pleased, does it seem shallow????
I know you have all heard me talk of my good friend Trojan, well, his mum has started a blog too, it is definitely worth reading, Gloria speaks of uprooting her life in London to live in Spain, she talks lovingly and with humour of her husband, her dogs and her new home...go here to see her new blog.... http://gloriacarringtonferrira.blogspot.com/
My favourite posts are 'the day I met my prince' (I actually barked with laughter and made the kids jump) and the poem 'every time I see your face'... it's simply beautiful.
I've known Gloria for a few years, mainly through conversations with Trojan, and I feel that I know quite alot about her, her strength and how she raised her sons alone, she certainly didn't have an easy life. What I love about her blog is that you get to see a softer side of her, a playful side...
welcome to the world of blogging Gloria.
Thank you so much for your messages to us both, you all warm my heart.
A new day, and Deion's feeling a bit stronger, happy to be home.
I am shattered!
I expected to get into bed and be instantly asleep, seeing as I'm totally exhausted, but instead I spent the night plagued with thoughts of 'what if?'
Is this something you all do too?
What if I hadn't got Deion straight down the doctors?
What if I'd waited?
What if he hadn't been cautious and sent us to the hospital?
What if they've sent him home to soon?
What if, What if, What if........
I know it serves no purpose, its a waste of energy, counter productive, but its been haunting me all night.
At the hospital there was no time, I was next to Deion's bed making sure he had what he needed, stroking his hair away from his head, reassuring him....In my own bed, listening for Deion in the next room, I found it impossible to switch off.
I am grateful beyond imagining that he is okay, I know I could be sitting here saying 'if only...' but I can't quite seem to shake the anxiety.
My emotions seem to be a little close to the surface today.....Sorry!
Goodness, me, sorry for my absence from my own and your blogs this last week, we had a bit of an emergency!
Poor old Deion seems to be going through it at the moment, he complained of a tummy ache last week Thursday, and being the (often criticized) over protective mother that I am, I took him straight to our family doctor, who sent us straight to the hospital to be checked over, they took some bloods, diagnosed appendicitis, admitted him and got him to theatre...the appendix had perforated and leaked, so he was on IV anti-biotics for five days,threw up when they tried to get him eating and couldn't poop....so we didn't get home until today.
We are glad to be home, he is feeling pretty good now, but between the laryngitis, then the swine flu, then the appendicitis, he must be waiting to see what happens next. Amazingly, hes still smiling, what a star.
I need to catch my breath and I'll get back on the blog. I have some posts to catch up on!
Also I think I need a good chiropractor, the fold down bed I slept on (attempted to sleep on) next to Deion's bed for the last week has left me feeling like a ninety year old woman with arthritis!
All in all its been a bit scary and left me feeling a bit shell shocked, I'm doing my usual thing of sticking a smile on it, and getting on with it, but its got me realising once again how fragile life is. And just how terrified I am that something will happen to another one of my children.
Back soon
Sal xxxx
Wow, sometimes its amazing how unappreciated we feel isn't it. For someone who spends about 90% of their time doing stuff for other people, you'd think I'd here the word 'thanks' alot more.
These are incredible, and something I'm looking into for Deion, as you know I hate the thought of him missing out on anything just becasue he's confined to a chair, and one of these will mean we can do more together as a family. Of course, they look totally cool too. I was touched by this families story and how they didn't let disability stop them doing what they loved as a family, wonderful example to set for thier kids too, truly inspirational.
7 years ago life as the Sodens knew it took a turn. Liz and Brad were involved in an accident after their tire blew near Parker, Arizona and the car went flying. Liz broke her back and doctors told her she would never walk again. Prior to that day, Liz had big plans. She was a school bus driver and was working to join the sheriff's department. Now everything was different.
What didn't change, however, was the Soden's love of outdoors. Liz and Brad, together, have 5 kids and the 7 of them liked to camp. But before Liz was the "do-er," and now she could do nothing. They would sit her down near the campfire and she would watch. She felt useless and it drove her to tears. In 2002 the Sodens were stay in a cabin in the woods, to their surprise a herd of elk came walking through there camp. The kids having never seen an elk before, woke up and rushed outside. Liz got in her power chair and wanted to see the elk too. As she went outside the elk had moved on about 100 yards and you could not see them through the dense trees. As they started walking closer they had to keep stopping to help Liz get her power chair unstuck from the soft dirt surrounding the cabin. By the time Brad and Liz could get through the trees, the elk had gone. It was at that moment Brad felt compelled to act. "I wanted her to have no obstacles," he says, "we look at it as just ‘cause you're disabled doesn't mean you can't have a good time." Brad stepped into his garage to work on a solution that would enable his wife to go where no other wheel chair bound person had gone before. People scoffed, Brad was a plumber and a fireman, how could he come up with a powerful, motorized wheel chair? But somehow Liz knew her husband would do it. Two years later, he did.
i need to ring the Guinness book of world records, the BBC, the queen...i think that today we have achieved a new world record!
Deion was not best pleased when I woke him at 6.30 on a non-school day, but we had an 8.30 appointment. Deion had a fitting for his new soft splint (stops his left wrist becoming to bent over), then went straight into a 9.15 appointment to pick up his new hard splint (wears this a night for same reason) then we went off to the dentist for 10.30 (all good) then off to physio for 11.30 (hard work, new exercises from muscle wastage when he was ill) we had to be at the doctors by 12, then to the nurse by 12.30 for a blood test. then i grabbed him some lunch (worthless no good McDonald's as a bribe) and we had to be at the dietitian for 1.45 (more supplements cos lost weight while oinking with swine flu) off to the hospital for his chest x-ray (still slight chest infection) and then off to the wheelchair clinic by 3pm to be fitted for a new harness. had to be home by 4.30 as the guy was coming to service Deion's hospital bed...
whats that 10? 11? appointments, ridiculous, gotta be a record! none of these places are more than 4 miles from home, yet somehow I've clocked up 70 miles in the car today???
Why you ask?? (me too) it just worked out that way, all we have to do tomorrow is go to the new school to make sure they have the right toilet chair, drop the car in so they can fix the ramp and go grocery shopping....oh, and Deions got friends round for tea...will seem quiet in comparison.
OMG, I have been attacked in the park, I had to run for my life, I was terrified. I was quietly walking through the park having a rare 30 minutes to myself as Deion was joining in his fun day...when I felt someone pinch my bottom. I turned round sharply to see a goose looking at me menacingly...it lurched, I screamed I ran, he ran, I screamed some more, ran some more, it was bloody horrible....
And not one person helped, while I was running wildly, arms flying, screaming at it, and making threats of catching, killing and cooking the f*****g bird if it didn't b****r off (I was trying to scare it with empty threats at this point), not one person attempted to grab it, throw something at it or rescue me.....
Plenty laughed though at my misfortune, by the time the bird given me a couple of sharp pecks on the ankles and lost interest, I thought I was going to have a heart attack, I don't do running....goodness, I need to get down the gym, and possibly buy and air rifle before I venture back in the park.
Good grief!
A friend sent me this, I thought it was sweet, and way too true! I am passing it on to you all to remind you to realise your own worth and the worth of the women in your life....
A woman!
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Why didn't anyone ever share this fairy tale with me when I was growing up?????
THE WORLD'S SHORTEST FAIRY TALE!'
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
The girl said: 'NO!'
And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martinis, ate chocolate, always had a clean house, never had to cook, did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, didn't get fat, traveled more, had many lovers, didn't save money, and had all the hot water to herself.
She went to the theater, never watched sports, never wore friggin' lacy lingerie that went up her ass, had high self esteem, nevercried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants and was pleasant all the time.
The End
Well, I managed it, I actually managed a to come back the moment it was needed.
Now road workers (although I'm sure there are a few exceptions) have always amazed me, the way they bellow their (often depraved) sexual needs at women in the hope that one day one of these women will just be overcome and demand said workman fulfills his needs then and there...it could happen right???
So today as I walked past three men working on the roadside, I got yelled at...now he could have been my dream man, it was hard to tell with the sun glinting off of his bald red head, and the sweat running through his bulky hairy shoulders and back, he may have had a good physique under that rug like body, may have had a good package even, but it was hidden in the overhang of his belly...yep, and his turn of phrase was exquisite!
"NICE TITS," he yelled.
"THANKS, THEY'RE ALMOST AS BIG AS YOURS," I yelled back.
"SUCK MY DICK," he said (he was probably embarrassed as his co-workers were laughing at him)
"ARE YOU'RE SURE YOU'VE GOT ONE, YOU CAN'T HAVE SEEN IT FOR YEARS UNDER THAT GUT OF YOURS," I smiled back.
Well anyway, I managed a comeback instead of just putting my head down and walking on...
And here's the worst bit...I actually felt a Little guilty for this male chauvinist pig, how low must his self esteem be to yell at women like that, it must be hard to look in the mirror every morning to see the body of a woolly mammoth and the head of a ten pin bowling ball...poor guy!
To further celebrate Deions recovery, and as the kids have all now broken up for the summer I took him and a friend to see Transformers 2...it was pretty good, I was prepared to be throughly bored, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, they got quite alot of humour in there, some action, a fair bit of cussing (always a bonus) of course any film with this guy in is worth a second look LOL!!!
And this guys a good "actor" too!
I hope you are all impressed with the new background. I'd like to be able to take the credit, but I won't, mainly because it would be a big fib.
My good good friend Trojan of Trojan's Corner did it for me.
Trojan's a star, and I hardly had to hint at all, I made one comment about liking something on his blog, and it was done, on mine the same day. Then he updated the background for me with one of my favourite flowers....
Most men (especially my darling husband) needs to be hinted to death, nothing less subtle than a sledge hammer over the head will do it. Birthdays and Anniversaries have to be mentioned on the hour every hour weeks in advance, and its still hit and miss if he remembers...
But mention something to Trojan and he takes it on board...a man that pays attention (not a myth after all ladies).
This is why Trojan introduced me to blogging, video blogs, and promoting the charity together. And also how we ended up salsa partners.
So Trojan thank you for your ideas, support, friendship and enthusiasm.
I bet he's blushing now lol!!!!
Yes the man who put up this sign has been battered to death with a nine iron and is buried somewhere on the golf course!!!
Recently, I have been asked for advice, and am at a loss what to think and say. I try to be very careful when giving advice, seeing it from both sides and being very clear about it only being one persons opinion.
Does a bully have to realise they are a bully to actually be a bully?
If someone feels intimidated, not of physical violence, but emotionally, anger even, then is it a fact that they are being bullied, or is it possible they just feels bullied.
I don't know if this is making sense actually, but if someone has to adjust their behaviour, for fear of how another person will react, are theybullied?
If the would be bully shows no outward signs that they are behaving in an intimidating manner, even perhaps doesn't think they are...is it still bullying?
This person certainly likes to be in control, certainly can be selfish, but is it a character trait, or a bullying trait???
What would you say if a friend asked you?????
This is excellent, the kids (especially Deion) were crying with laughter!
This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade.. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband.. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:
"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty.. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Easyjet," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Easyjet" exclaimed the hairdresser. " That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place.. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome .
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Easyjet's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say ?"
He said: "Who f***** up your hair?"
And my mum used to moan about me wearing pointed shoes or stilettos!!!
These pictures are enough to put you off painful shoes for life, we all think we suffer painful feet for the sake of great shoes, but up until about 80 years ago, women in china suffered far more, they make us look like amateurs, there are believed to be some remote areas in China that practiced this tradition far more recently!!!
"For over a thousand years, tiny feet were symbols of feminine beauty, elegance, and sexuality in China. In order to achieve the goal of tiny three-inch "lotus feet" (the lotus was a kind of flower), most young Chinese girls had their feet bound tightly with strips of cloth to prevent growth. Once the process was completed, the deformed feet were placed into beautiful, embroidered lotus shoes, tiny pointed slippers that were made especially for bound feet. Though no one knows exactly when foot binding began, the practice dates back at least to 900 C.E. and continued in remote areas well into the twentieth century."
OUCH OUCH OUCH!!!!
Look at that grin! Deion loved this, at a day at a local museum we learned about animals and how they protect themselves in nature...of course, he was a leopard!
You would think that having a wheelchair ramp from my front door to my gate would give people a clue that a wheelchair will in fact be coming down that ramp. You would also think that most people would realise that it would be fairly hard for someone in a wheelchair to dodge a big pile of dog poo at the bottom of said ramp...NO?????
People never cease to amaze me in their inconsideration of others...
I do not want to be clearing up someone elses mess at six thrity in the morning. they better pray I don't find out who it is, otherwise they will be finding it on their doorstep!
And if I catch them in the act, I shall be rubbing their nose in it (thats the done thing isn't it?) and I mean the owner, not the dog!!!!
Maya Angelou is someone I have always admired, her wisdom has led me many times, her poetry is nothing short of inspirational. Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.'
Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'
'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'
'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'
'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'
'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'
'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back..'
'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'
'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'
'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'
(hear hear!!!)
'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
This has to be the cutest breast cancer ad I've ever seen.
Thanks Maureen at islandroar (http://www.islandroar.com/) for this award
The Rules
-Each blogger to whom the award is given must post these requests.
-Each blogger to whom the award is given must list 10 random things about themselves and pass the award on to other recipients.
-The award recipients then need to do the same.
-Don't forget to leave a comment telling the recipient about the award.
okay, you're getting to know me pretty well now, so I'll try ans find some stuff you don't know!!!
1. I was a vegetarian from the age of 11 to 16 (animal rights stuff)
2. I was a late developer, and didn't need a bra until I was almost 18 (more info than you needed lol)
3. I broke my thumb dancing to grease lightening (I was about 13)
4. I am allergic to bananas (seriously)
5. And latex (feel free to insert your own jokes about it being the reason for having so many kids, have heard them all before!!!)
6. I can't ride a bike, I could when I was a child...so that saying about never forgetting how to....crap!!!
7. I really want to have a go at driving really really fast round a race track! Preferably in a Bugatti Vyron.
8. I have a crush on Tom Selleck!(sad, but I can't help it)
9. My favourite all time book is The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
10. I spend about 70% of my time terrified about what the future holds for my kids, especially Deion! (Sorry a serious one slipped in there)
I'd like to pass this on to Tom at Babbles and Life stories , RileyScott at The world through my eyes......and Devin at What I think
IDIOT SIGHTING 1:
We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two..
We haven't used Sears repair since.
IDIOT SIGHTING 2:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'you gave me too much money.'
I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back. She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but we could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change..
Do not confuse the clerks at McDonald's.
IDIOT SIGHTING 3:
I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!' I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'
From Kingman , KS .
IDIOT SIGHTING 4:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
From Kansas City
IDIOT SIGHTING 5:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'
Happened in Birmingham, Ala.
IDIOT SIGHTING 6:
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'
She was a probation officer in Wichita, KS
IDIOT SIGHTING 7:
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker.She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing.'Our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.
This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.
IDIOT SIGHTING 8:
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.
A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.
IDIOT SIGHTING 9:
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'
This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS
STAY ALERT!
They walk among us... and they VOTE and they REPRODUCE
We just saw this on the news, very mixed emotions in this house, angry at the treatment (sadly not surprised) and relief someone cares enough to highlight it...
Please watch, it is a real eye opener...
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29813913001?bctid=29831867001
A Five News exclusive investigation reveals the shocking reality of life in a wheelchair. Our secret filming revealed the shops, taxis and stations that simply don't offer disabled people the access they need.
24-year-old Jamie Robertson loves going to clubs and pubs. He also has cerebral palsy which means getting access to those everyday things can be difficult.
He went undercover to show just how hard doing the most simple of things can be for disabled people.
Jane Dougall has this special report.
Just Something I found moving and inspirational to me! Hope you think so too!
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending
the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained,
or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried
much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television
and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical,
wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment
growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said,
'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more
'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.l
ook at it and really see it . live it and never give it back.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. 
Thanks Jam, JAM's Own Reality you are an angel, I love this one!
Rules for this award are simple.
Pass it on to five bloggers who leave "Super" comments on your blog.
The rules are simple, but passing it on to only five bloggers is hard. Because I LOVE each and every comment I get.
Check these "Super" blog commenters out...
Randi Troxell @ Beauty Be Good
Dragon @ Mysterious Creature
J.J. in L.A. @ The World According To J...
RileyScott @ The world through my eyes...
Linda @ http://lindagoossen-grandmaspage.blogspot.com/
I came across this, I found it unbearable, imagine being faced with such a decision, it made me appreciate the fact that we have a national Health service in Britain, it may not be even close to perfect, but no family in the UK has to worry about being able to afford care in this way.
Kristine Gavrel-McKeague and her husband, Adrian, recently faced surrendering custody of their severely disabled newborn daughter and making her a ward of the state to make sure she received the medical care she needed to live.
The Ottawa family's tragic case is one of 24 complaints Ontario Ombudsman André Marin highlighted yesterday in the release of his annual report.
Fifteen months ago, Penelope came into this world not breathing. She was revived 14 minutes after birth but now has severe cerebral palsy because of a lack of oxygen to her brain.
The McKeague family is unable to pay for the 24-hour care their daughter needs. At one point last August, they had to put Penelope in the temporary custody of a children's aid society. She remained there until April 17.
To read more... http://www.thestar.com/article/655624
Being the mum of a disabled child can be an isolating and lonely existence at times, throw in a bit of swine flu, and it becomes quite stiffling, hermit like. Jordan has it too now. We only leave the house to go to the hospital, and, along with no sleep, it is taking its toll... I thought life was a little mad before...how little I knew!
In trying to keep the kids spirits up, my own are sacrificed, this isn't self pity, after all, I don't even have the bloody virus, but it is exhaustion!
When things in your life seem, Almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
He had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar.. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life..
The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life..
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
Important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness.
Playwith your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time
To clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
I'm filling in this form, I urge everyone with a story to tell to do the same, raise awareness and end some of the crap our kids have to deal with!!!
Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) is a three year campaign to get rights and justice for disabled children and their families. We want to raise awareness about:
1) the fact that lots of families with disabled children are still not getting the right support they need to lead ordinary lives
2) some of the specific issues facing families at the moment
3) how those issues can be overcome if the right support is available
Having examples of all these things in the media – with real stories from real families – is a very powerful way to put pressure on government to make change happen and improve the situation for disabled children and their families.
www.edcm.org.uk/edcm_media_form.doc
Hi Everyone, I apologize for my absence from both mine and your blogs of late. Deion is mostly over the swine flu, but has been left with a nasty chest infection, so its been a bit back and forth from the hospital for x-rays and medication and such like. The hospital is like something out of a sci-fi/outbreak film, with cordoned off areas and everyone walking around in masks...
I just want to thank everyone for your get well wishes and e-mails to check up on Deion. Hopefully we'll all be back to normal soon.
Right it is 5.15 am, I'm going to try and get some sleep while Deion is settled.
Night night! xxxxx
I have been honored with another award...thanks so much Joanie (Joanie's Random Ramblings)
The Rules....
1. List 7 things that make me awe-summm!
2. Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that I love
3. Tag those bloggers to let them know they are now Queens too (and link back to the Queen who tagged you)
I'm awesome because....
1. I Don't hold grudges.
2. I do at least one thing every day to help someone less fortunate than myself.
3. I give the best hugs!
4. I throw myself into anything I do 1000%.
5. I am great in a crisis!
6. I can stay awake for 72 hours straight and still function (ish) I..just proved this over the last week!
7. I bake the richest, most scrummy, chocolate cake!
seven blogs I love are:
Funk Squared
Thoughts by Dena
Bloggin' It From the 'Burbs
Savvy Suzi
JAM's Own Reality
The Gentle Giant
Transcript of a Significant Life
After the touching memorial for Michael Jackson yesterday, there are many associated stories about him and his works for many charities, this story talks about how he planed to have disabled children involved in his London concerts in order to raise awareness and promote equality and love through his music.
I hope other singers, musicians and celebrities step in and do the same, it would honor his memory and be a great legacy. We need this to stop people looking upon disability as something negative and to be kept out of the spot light.
http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-dies-had-plans-to.html
I’ve officially been awake for 72 hours, I past the tired, the irritable, the clumsy and the zombie like state and into manic mode….
I sponged Deion down, got him settled and estimated I had about five minutes before he needed me again.
Seeing as I have been in the same clothes for about 36 hours I ran up the stairs, shedding clothes as I went, I jumped in the shower, no time for a full body scrub, just wash the most important bits, grabbed a towel as I ran into the bedroom, no time for proper drying, lotions and creams, just pulled on some underwear…oops, wrong way round, never mind, grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt, pulled them on as I ran back to the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste on my toothbrush frantically scrubbed my teeth as I located my hairbrush underneath a pile of discarded bedding, caught sight of myself in the mirror. Screamed like a girl…I look like the wild woman of Borneo! Dragged a brush through my birds nest of hair, threw the brush down, ran into the bathroom, spat and rinsed, leapt down the stairs in 2 bounds, back to Deion….still settled. Result! Ran into the kitchen grabbed some bread, threw some butter on it and stuffed it in my mouth as I made a coffee…Deion still settled, a record….so I thought I’d give you an update…
Deion’s temperature is staying around a hundred now, which is much better, he has stopped being sick (brilliant for the poor little guy) he is sipping drinks, but hasn’t really eaten, I’m massaging his achy limbs, sponging his head and keeping him amused as much as possible, and that’s about all I can do, he has a cosy bed on the sofa, he’s dosing now and then, still smiling at our teasing, a trooper.
No time for spell checking…I’m needed xxxx
Deion had a fidgety night to say the least, I spent half the night cooling him down, and the other half warming him up, his temperature was up and down like a Yo Yo. he went through four sets of bedding and five pairs of pyjamas and I have given up with trying to stay clean or dry myself!
Its lovely to see him laugh still, after yesterdays post we had a couple of other suggestions, like, playing this little piggy with his toes (thanks J.J) a few sayings like 'in the pink' and 'when pigs fly' (thanks Pam) or 'theres snowt wrong with you' from a friend up north...too funny.
All good, so keep coming with any suggestions, he's loving it! and as we know, laughter is the best medicine...well, along with tami-flu, antivirals, anti-biotics and pareceteomol. Not to mention mums undivided attention...oops, gotta go, I'm needed!
Poor old Deion seems to be having more than his fare share at the moment. He's been ill over the weekend, today the doctor confirmed he has Swine flu.
I am run ragged, knackered, I need a shower, some clean clothes and a hairbrush, its a good job I'm too tired to see straight, the sight of myself in a mirror may push me over the edge.
In my house, we don't really do sympathy, we do affectionate teasing so we are all doing our best to keep Deion cheered up and smiling.
This involves:
a) Frantically oinking and squeeling at him at regular intervals and asking if he can understand us,
b) Frequently checking for a curly tail,
c) Intermitently showing him pictures of Miss Piggy and asking him if he fancies her yet.
d) Asking if he needs help if holding his drink is hard with trotters.
e) Whenever he farts, asking if he can smell bacon.
Strange as it seems to all you functional families out there...but this is what he needs.
I'll blog when I can, in between the symptoms (believe me, you DON'T need details)
sal xxxx
Of course Deion made this Chameleon poke his tongue out at me!
The Giraffe was pretty cute!
He made the colours flash and change.
He still got to be competetive and beat me in a race!
Good shot!
Giant remote contol...great!
A Big thumbs up for this exibition!
Deion goes to Perrymount school, they had the kids writing poetry, each line the first of a school letter. This was too excellent not to share.
Playing with my friends
Even in a wheelchair
Running walking,
Really doesn't matter
You are just like me
Me, I'm just like you
Only difference is I'M FASTER!!
Unity through disability
No different from my friends
Thats what my school teaches me.
Made me laugh and cry at the same time...and its so much better than his last poem, which was
"Beans, beans good for the heart, the more you eat, the more you fart!!!!!"
Whats the point of having wheelchair accessible trains when so many of the stations have so many steps you can't take a wheelchair anyway!!!
How can it be, in this day and age, that an 11 year old child has to have his mum take him on a school trip, because the train station isn't accessbile...
INCLUSION at its best...
Thanks Missy Is It Just Me? for this award, I am touched. Now Missy's list was pretty good, so I'll try not to be dull...the rules...list seven things about me, and seven of my favourite blogs...
1. After years of yoga, I still have the ability to but my legs behind my head.
2. I once jumped off a pier without realising the tide had gone out.
3. I love daring sports, I've done 2 bungee jumps, a cliff dive, a 600ft abseil, paraglided and can ride a scrambling bike!
4. I don't mind spiders or snakes but hate...HATE..garden worms uuurghhh!!!!
5. I can read really really fast, I can finish a 300 page book in about an hour.
6. I wanted to have at least 10 children. My husband didn't he wanted 13 (not kidding, but hey, if you have 10, what would 3 more matter)
7. I once went to a halloween party dressed as dracula, got drunk and fell in my own coffin.
I have lots of favourites, but here are seven
Trojan's Corner
Mysterious Creature
An Eagles View
Little Toes and Cheerios
It's a Fine Life
Who Says 8 is Enough? (main family blog)
Made with Love
