Training for the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge is well underway and going well. I try to go out 2-3 times a week and am gradually building up the distance. At home, I've got a certain little person keeping me on the move and I think she'd quite like to give the 5k a go herself - if crawling was allowed...
Just over 3 months ago Amelia had heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Just look her now. This video is her little thank you to those at GOSH for helping her get to where she is today. Please sponsor me so that more children can go on to lead a better life and do wonderful things. x
Sunday 31 July 2011
Monday 25 July 2011
Happy Holidays!
The schools have broken up for summer and we're all hoping the sun may make an appearance. Whether it's a vacation or 'staycation' for you this year, in the true holiday style, there may be an ice cream to be had!
Before you do go chasing after Mr Whippy, I've got a quick favour to ask. Perhaps you could sacrife one, maybe even two, ice creams this summer and instead donate that money to Great Ormond Street Hospital by sponsoring me to do the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge. You might not think a few pounds will make much of a difference, but added to everybody else's few pounds it will really add up! Just look at what your money could go towards...
Before you do go chasing after Mr Whippy, I've got a quick favour to ask. Perhaps you could sacrife one, maybe even two, ice creams this summer and instead donate that money to Great Ormond Street Hospital by sponsoring me to do the Adidas Women's 5K Challenge. You might not think a few pounds will make much of a difference, but added to everybody else's few pounds it will really add up! Just look at what your money could go towards...
£10 - could contribute to the building cost for the new Heart and Lung centre or could buy a large tin of paint to help decorate the walls and ceilings of a new ward
£20 - could buy four special neonatal masks, small and delicate enough to fit a new born baby's face
£35 - could help towards the cost of an operating microscope for one of the surgical theatres
£50 - could pay for five nights up keep of a patient accommodation room
£100 - could buy four toys specially adapted for the children to help with their rehabilitation
£500 - a respiration monitor to track a child's breathing
What better motivation is there to give up the ice cream? You can lose pounds in more ways than one! Not only will you look fabulous in your summer wardrobe, you'll also be helping to save children's lives. Go for it, click here!
Thursday 21 July 2011
The Map of My Life
One dark, cold November evening I found myself looking in the mirror and not recognising the person looking back. I looked old! The sleepless nights, breastfeeding (drink LOTS of water Mummies or you shrivel up) and the stress and worry that comes with having a baby (plus a little bit extra in our case) was taking its toll... on my face!
A quick plea to Father Christmas ensured that I could start the New Year without looking like the life had been sucked out of my face, but rather look youthful, fresh and radiant! (I believe what it says on the box).
Today I still have a little buffet of 'anti-aging' creams on the dressing table that I like to indulge in, but when I look at Amelia and her prominent scar on her chest I have to stop and think; why do we hide these wrinkles, lines and blemishes? Each one tells a story. The little round scar form chicken pox... the scars on my eyebrows when I misjudged doors as a child... the lines of worry when we found out Amelia had a heart condition and then a few more when she was in hospital... the lines of all the happy days, both before and since Amelia... So many lines of happiness that far out number the rest. Yet we all do it, cover them, disguise them, any way we can. We try to cover up the map!
I am sometimes sad that Amelia's map has started so young. My little baby, born so perfectly on the outside, was not quite perfect on the inside. She needed a little bit of repair work and now has a souvenir to prove it! As I come to terms with it though, I look at her scar and feel proud that she has overcome such a big hurdle and hope that she continues through life with this determination and strength. I hope she is proud of her scar and doesn't try to hide it away (although that could be awkward when she's older, considering it's position, and I'm not so sure her Daddy would be too thrilled)!
The next time you're covering up your map - and it's ok, I'm still covering up mine! - have a little think. What does it say about you and your life? Good times, bad times, they are all there and make us who we are. xxx
A quick plea to Father Christmas ensured that I could start the New Year without looking like the life had been sucked out of my face, but rather look youthful, fresh and radiant! (I believe what it says on the box).
Today I still have a little buffet of 'anti-aging' creams on the dressing table that I like to indulge in, but when I look at Amelia and her prominent scar on her chest I have to stop and think; why do we hide these wrinkles, lines and blemishes? Each one tells a story. The little round scar form chicken pox... the scars on my eyebrows when I misjudged doors as a child... the lines of worry when we found out Amelia had a heart condition and then a few more when she was in hospital... the lines of all the happy days, both before and since Amelia... So many lines of happiness that far out number the rest. Yet we all do it, cover them, disguise them, any way we can. We try to cover up the map!
I am sometimes sad that Amelia's map has started so young. My little baby, born so perfectly on the outside, was not quite perfect on the inside. She needed a little bit of repair work and now has a souvenir to prove it! As I come to terms with it though, I look at her scar and feel proud that she has overcome such a big hurdle and hope that she continues through life with this determination and strength. I hope she is proud of her scar and doesn't try to hide it away (although that could be awkward when she's older, considering it's position, and I'm not so sure her Daddy would be too thrilled)!
The next time you're covering up your map - and it's ok, I'm still covering up mine! - have a little think. What does it say about you and your life? Good times, bad times, they are all there and make us who we are. xxx
Our maps.
To help other children, like Amelia, so that they can be fixed, click here
Monday 11 July 2011
Every cloud...
Do you find yourself making a wish when you blow out those birthday candles? Or at Christmas pulling the turkey wish bone? I do. Always have. When I was little I'd be wishing for those material possessions that I thought I really couldn't live without but as I got older I started to wish for the things I didn't have control over. Health, happiness, etc...
I distinctly remember when pregnant with Amelia pulling the turkey wishbone and making that wish all Mummies-to-be make; that my baby arrives safe and healthy. For the vast majority, that wish comes true. Anyone who saw the recent BBC series of 'Inside the Human Body' will know how miraculous this is, as timing is crucial. But what happens when the wish doesn't come true? You've done everything you should during your pregnancy; taken vitamins, eaten healthily, exercised, not smoked or drunk alcohol... the model pregnant women, but your baby is born with a problem? What then? If anyone is reading this who is going through, or has been through similar, I hope this helps.
Firstly, it's not your fault. It was such a difficult thing to come to terms with when we discovered Amelia had a heart condition. The devastation and disappointment that comes with being told there is something wrong with your baby is awful. You have to question, did I do something wrong? In Amelia's case it all came down to a blip in her genetic make-up. From the moment of conception there was a tiny bit missing on her 22nd chromosome and there was nothing that could change that.
Secondly, it makes no difference what you read/don't read. I never read the section at the back of the pregnancy books that talked about the unexpected because I didn't want to 'jinx' it. On reflection, I still don't think I needed to read it. Why build yourself up to a range of different scenarios? But either way, it makes no difference. Like I said, Amelia was destined to be a certain way from the day dot.
Thirdly, you can cope with this. Hormones are an absolute nightmare at the beginning which really doesn't help. But talking to the wonderful doctors and nurses at both our local hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital is a great comfort. They are with you all the way. So to was our local doctor's surgery. We were never made to feel like a nuisance when we were worried about a cold Amelia had. Their doors were always open or just a phone call away. The NHS have personally given us a wonderful service.
Lastly, when you get through the worst days of your life you are rewarded with seeing your baby with a new zest for life. Amelia is coming on leaps and bounds. She's still behind her peers but she's catching up. I think I perhaps appreciate each little bit of progress she makes that little bit more because it's been so long coming. I can't wait to be run off my feet, needing eyes in the back of my head and an extra pair of hands! I've had it too easy so far!
... My cloud doesn't have a silver lining. Mine is bright, shiny gold and I wouldn't have it any other way. xxx
I distinctly remember when pregnant with Amelia pulling the turkey wishbone and making that wish all Mummies-to-be make; that my baby arrives safe and healthy. For the vast majority, that wish comes true. Anyone who saw the recent BBC series of 'Inside the Human Body' will know how miraculous this is, as timing is crucial. But what happens when the wish doesn't come true? You've done everything you should during your pregnancy; taken vitamins, eaten healthily, exercised, not smoked or drunk alcohol... the model pregnant women, but your baby is born with a problem? What then? If anyone is reading this who is going through, or has been through similar, I hope this helps.
Firstly, it's not your fault. It was such a difficult thing to come to terms with when we discovered Amelia had a heart condition. The devastation and disappointment that comes with being told there is something wrong with your baby is awful. You have to question, did I do something wrong? In Amelia's case it all came down to a blip in her genetic make-up. From the moment of conception there was a tiny bit missing on her 22nd chromosome and there was nothing that could change that.
Secondly, it makes no difference what you read/don't read. I never read the section at the back of the pregnancy books that talked about the unexpected because I didn't want to 'jinx' it. On reflection, I still don't think I needed to read it. Why build yourself up to a range of different scenarios? But either way, it makes no difference. Like I said, Amelia was destined to be a certain way from the day dot.
Thirdly, you can cope with this. Hormones are an absolute nightmare at the beginning which really doesn't help. But talking to the wonderful doctors and nurses at both our local hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital is a great comfort. They are with you all the way. So to was our local doctor's surgery. We were never made to feel like a nuisance when we were worried about a cold Amelia had. Their doors were always open or just a phone call away. The NHS have personally given us a wonderful service.
Lastly, when you get through the worst days of your life you are rewarded with seeing your baby with a new zest for life. Amelia is coming on leaps and bounds. She's still behind her peers but she's catching up. I think I perhaps appreciate each little bit of progress she makes that little bit more because it's been so long coming. I can't wait to be run off my feet, needing eyes in the back of my head and an extra pair of hands! I've had it too easy so far!
... My cloud doesn't have a silver lining. Mine is bright, shiny gold and I wouldn't have it any other way. xxx
Monday 4 July 2011
Keeping the magic alive
The 'magic wands' post was a real success in terms of promoting my blog and getting donations to my Just Giving page. My initial target of £200 has been reached and I'm hopeful that the amount will continue to go up.
It got me thinking. How could I represent all this 'magic' that people were donating? To not only show my gratitude but to also show tangibly how individual donations build up to create something big.
I came up with this:
This wand will have all the names and messages attached from those who have donated. If you want to feature on the wand click here to donate. The plan is that I will carry the wand with me when I do the Adidas Women's 5km Challenge on 11th September, so you'll all be with me! Who knows, it may even give me a little boost if I start to flag!
Before I end, if you're reading this thinking "Why does she keep going on about magic and magic wands?" It's not because I have a secret desire to be Tinkerbell or Harry Potter. No. Let me just remind of Great Ormond Street Hospital's slogan...
It got me thinking. How could I represent all this 'magic' that people were donating? To not only show my gratitude but to also show tangibly how individual donations build up to create something big.
I came up with this:
This wand will have all the names and messages attached from those who have donated. If you want to feature on the wand click here to donate. The plan is that I will carry the wand with me when I do the Adidas Women's 5km Challenge on 11th September, so you'll all be with me! Who knows, it may even give me a little boost if I start to flag!
Before I end, if you're reading this thinking "Why does she keep going on about magic and magic wands?" It's not because I have a secret desire to be Tinkerbell or Harry Potter. No. Let me just remind of Great Ormond Street Hospital's slogan...
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