Today was a pretty typical day. Seb went to school and tag rugby afterwards. Nothing particularly stood out. He did the “sign” at drop off. One boy asked him if it was true that he had been to Stamford Bridge this weekend – checking with […]
The Label – A Story for Families
Just sharing a link to my new book, which is due to launch soon and available for pre-order. It is only a little book, published by Ivy Press, but I hope sincerely that it will help new parents dealing with a recent diagnosis to see […]
A World Without Down’s? Express Article
In the build up to Sally Philips wonderful and thought provoking documentary that asked “A World without Down’s syndrome” and explored the ethics and implications of the introduction of new non invasive testing for Down’s syndrome, I was asked to write a piece for The […]
So much to learn….from Seb
We have just returned from our summer holiday. It has been a lovely break for us all, no schedules to follow, days of simple pleasures – swimming, reading, playing cards, chatting, eating and relaxing. Whilst we undoubtedly were able to relax a lot, lot more […]
SURVIVING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS (when you have a child with additional needs)
I have to say, despite my initial dread and anxiety of the 6 long weeks stretching out ahead of us, we are enjoying our summer holidays. As usual, at the end of the term I stood in the playground listening to everyone’s exciting plans with […]
STOP BOTTLE SHAMING – Less Stressed Is Best….
I was reminded this week of a post I wrote 3 years ago when my daughter was born and I thought it might be useful to add to my blog. Here goes: I’ve been meaning to write this piece now for years. 4 years to […]
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
A few years ago, a headline run by The Independent completely took me aback. It made my heart stop and I felt confused. The paper ran with “M&S to feature disabled boy Seb White in their TV Ad” Disabled?? DISABLED boy?? Whaaat? The headline made […]
PROUDEST MUM ON EARTH…
I have officially burst. Here is the examiner’s report on Seb’s reading at the Midsomerset Festival. “Thank you so much for sharing your reading with us today. What a clever boy! We could hear every word and you are to be congratulated on your performance. […]
WHAT A DAY! MIND BLOWN….
A few weeks ago we had a letter home from school about the Midsomerset festival. It is a speech, drama, music and singing festival open to all schools in the local area. There are set syllabuses for each category and age. As I so often […]
The only book I ever needed to read…..
Forget the leaflets and the text books. My goodness, how I wish someone had been able to give me THIS to read the day we were given Seb’s diagnosis!!!! This is the ONE and only thing I needed to read about in those early days. […]
A beam of light…
The last few posts I have written and shared have been somewhat hopeless. I have been feeling an anxiety I have never known before. Defeatist too. The testing has hit us all – not the testing itself, when you really think about it it’s no […]
More than a feeling….
My heart is broken right now. We’ve known about the #NIPT testing for ages and my life hasn’t changed at all. I still have my own family unit that I wouldn’t change for anything, the world is still turning and it doesn’t actually affect me […]
Force of Nature 