Hello all, thought I would write a blog about the ups and downs of my life this year, problem is where to begin, should I start with the happy or sad.
Well I suppose holidays are a good start, I had a few of them this year, the first in York when I was ill and I am still suffering the effects of this every time I laugh or cough, I had trips to Canary Isles, Caribbean, which I have very mixed thoughts about especially after the event, not sure if trip to Plymouth should be classed as a holiday as it was so short lived and the outcome was not happy, so memorable for all the wrong reasons. I nearly went to London for xmas, but that did not work out. But the highlight was my two weeks in Almeria with Bridget and Karen, who took me to lots of places I had never been to before, that were not full of drunken Brits. But beautiful scenery and lots of café con leche and UNO, They were great company and just what I needed at that time, to remind me there are some good people out there who are genuine
My caravan went early this year, I shall miss it for the peace quiet and beautiful scenery, at times this year it would of helped to of had as a retreat from the ups and downs of life during this time. The problem was the site fees and not having sufficient income to pay these it was eating into my savings, my then partner had no interest in sharing the costs and it was as always after the event that a friend said he would have been willing to share the costs if he could of shared the use, what a shame he did not come forward earlier. The best I can say was that I had wanted to own one for many years, so this had been achieved, now all I need is to start doing and winning the Lotto and all would be solved
The fact I have become closer to my half sister is a lovely thing and even better because now we are planning a holiday together in the new year, the fact it’s a cruise to Norway, which has been on my wish list for many years makes it so much better, it has helped that my friend Mykle has been advising me on how to achieve it and enjoy the process as well as the holiday. I originally was going to go in the winter to see the Northern Lights, but when it was explained that there was very little daylight at that time of the year and it was very cold, decided instead to wait a while longer for better weather. Hopefully early 2019 everything will be sorted out.
Another friend of mine wishes to go but has fears of seasickness, I am hoping that he can overcome this and enjoy the adventures I am sure we will all have. For all sorts of reasons I personally decided some years ago that I wanted to do things on my wish list whilst I am able, because there is nothing worse than regret about what I might of done in life when no longer able to.
My hearing as many know has got worse I feel over the last twelve months, it prevents me from listening to my favourite music, but also to easily restricts me from, joining in conversation and chat to others in the way I have in life. Recently I decided the group I had met with for many years was no longer viable because of the struggle trying to hear others, so have decided that its better now to meet in smaller groups in a quieter environment, the big issue there is, where do such places exist and the background noise is not to intrusive
I am doing lip reading and have met some nice people through this group, but must admit I feel my skills are still rubbish. I volunteered to do something to give back to the deaf organization but so far, I do not seem to of made any real contribution, maybe I don’t fit their profile. On the other hand a tiny charity seems to appreciate my knowledge and skills and the first client, I am hoping will benefit from our work on his behalf. Working with him and the two advocates has opened my eyes to the difficulties faced in day to day living of those profoundly deaf, when coping with NHS health and social services. Also how many of us are becoming hard of hearing but with very poor support generally whether its hospitals shops my GP surgery or any other resource that I use.
This is crazy because often for some quite small investment by organizations it would be so much easier for people such as myself to be better able to communicate in society. A simple portable loop would make communicating so much easier at all sorts of places for many of us, instead of the time wasted constantly asking staff to repeat themselves and save the person with the hearing impairment further stress. For some reason hearing issues are not a high priority in most peoples thoughts, so I am now considering finding some way to improve the services to people who have hearing issues, even if in a small way.
In terms of health this year has not been to bad, by the hard work done by physio and osteopath, plus the pain relief consultant, there have been no extreme episodes this year enabling me to have a little better health. The one thing I have not truly addressed is that of losing at least a stone in weight and to exercise more. A friend has tried to interest me in joining in organised walks he is involved in, but I have explained that due to hearing issues walking in what seems to be isolation with a group of people is not an attractive offer and I might as well use a treadmill in the warmth of a gym.
It was very sad my relationship broke down in the way it did this year, but I now know it was for the best. The problem with something like that is that it affects other things in life and I personally will be much more wary of other people who may come into my life in the future, which is a shame really
I have a new neighbour, sadly Joyce who lived there has had to go into care and these days she does not know who I am, but the new person so far seems pleasant, when chatting to my osteopath he explained that I need a walk in shower or wet room what a shame he did not tell me that before the renovations two years ago, not sure I want to go through all the upset again.
This year I have celebrated the first birthday of my second great grandchild and only this month the third birthday of the first born from the other grand daughter, doesent time fly, speaking of flying this year I have not been over as often, partly due to problems with finding good accommodation, but also my poor hearing and mobility are not as good as they were, plus the family are so busy these days, maybe some time in the new year I will get to see them all again.
We hear on the TV about social isolation of elderly people, I make an effort to get out and do things but these days find it takes a greater toll of me, even mixing with others, but fortunately I have a circle of friends who I can visit or chat to on the phone. More recently I have been visiting another neighbour who has health issues and we share a love of reading and good company, his computer skills are not that good, so I have been assisting him with those and other technology in the home. What a shame our families do not have the patience to help us to understand how new equipment works, so we miss out often
A friend of mine who has Parkinsons disease, has been an inspiration to me, in that he has done so much despite all his health issues, including this year to publish a book about his life with the condition, if you want a good read its called “ My Life With Parkinson’s” the author Ray Wegrzyn, I am actually mentioned in the book, fame at last.
The lady who I am assisting with advocacy, is another person who has her own complex health issues but despite these, finds the time to help so many others who have an hearing impairment, she takes no money for this work, I just wish I could find a way to help her raise much needed funds to employ more people to work with her, as her present colleague, is talking about giving up the role and there is at present nobody else to replace her.
Well I am not sure at present there is much more to say, at least the new year is starting with a positive, in that I will be spending time with my sister and going away, I am planning more trips, not sure where yet and hopefully I will find somewhere that I can mix more often in the community
