A semblance of normality: An ex- lawyer/ stay at home mum/disabled mums view

To understand me and the changes to mine and my families life you would have to know that pre brain hemorrhage/children I was a solicitor. Before the brain hemorrhage I was a very active mum. I want to blog now because I hate being bored, I want to help other disabled young people - this is not a position you expect to be in in your 30’s (!) and I hope it will be interesting to others. A bit about me: I am 37 year old wife and mummy to a 11 & 9 year old. I was going to go into lots of detail but suffice to say I had a big brain hemorrhage caused by an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) causing a stroke - type 'AVM' into a internet search engine if you are interested. I was born with it and I could have had a bleed at anytime. Mine bled and now I spend all day/every day striving for 'a semblance of normality'... Yes, it was rubbish and yes, I wish it hadn't have happened but it did and there isn't anything I can do about it. I do...

Now I couldn't really decide what to write about after the last post - my mummy ideas didn't seem exciting enough! Whilst this isn't exciting it's absolutely necessary on days out or to kill boredom instead of the dreaded PlayStation (which is my nemesis- the other day my son didn't even say hello to me before asking if he could play….Obviously no!) Have I mentioned how much I hate computers?! I'll do a separate post ranting about the joys of technology to today's parents. My children use computers etc because in this day/age they have too plus when I need an hour or so, they are very useful babysitters (anyone who says they never use it for this reason is lying.) I know screen time is a contentious issue…for my husband - it isn't using it as a babysitter if, as you do, you play with them! However,  to bust boredom or when we go out these are good. There is a different activity in every pencil case so there is still an eleme...

I am not an expert on all things crutches related as I haven't done the 10,000 hours they say make you a expert but with my 3,650+ hours of physio I’m getting there!  Over the years, I have tried lots of different types of crutches with different feet and arm grips - I bet you didn't even know you could get different types but you can.... Forearm v’s underarm, the European preference of an open cuff v's U.K. preference of closed cuff - it's a whole new world!! Given my extensive experience you could be mistaken for thinking I use these regularly . Nope, after 4.5 years of practice the elusive crutches remains a dream- one that I continue to work towards and get better at - but still a dream. I remember thinking when I first got them ‘I can go to the Noodle Bar for my birthday on these’ - that was 4 years ago, I have never been to the Noodle Bar on my crutches and nor would I want too... they do take out! The boring bit - unfortunat...

I could write a book about how to have and use a smart home properly but having a range of amazing gadgets has simply changed my life. I  can make a shopping list, turn lights and the TV on/ off (incredibly useful- although this makes me a ‘mean mummy’ apparently), I have reminders for everything and can use it is a 2 way intercom. I think any disabled or not disabled person  would find this useful and I think everyone should have one. I have this in 5 rooms - I have ‘Alexa’ but any home organising gadget would do but I can only talk about what I have… My top tips: Reminders  You have to be a bit clever with this. My morning routine is organised by Alexa through reminders:  7am it says ‘good morning’  (in a different language alĺ week because I am mental). 7.10am it says ‘Please get dressed,  brush your hair, make your beds, open the curtains and put your bottle in the bathroom’ 7.20am ‘Dressed, hair, bed, curtains and bottle? Please put mum...