Still Learning

I went to see 70s show Mamma Mia 
It was really good
I wasn't really in the mood for it at the start but then they started doing songs from Grease! which was awesome! By the second act I was into it but still teetering on the edge of not really being 'there'. 


The people in front of me didn't help. 
This wasn't their fault at all but I realise how easy it is to slip into negativity.
I could see them chatting and probably passing snide comments - those were the negative thoughts I was believing none of which were probably true.

The actors on stage performed as ABBA next and I knew most of the songs. Thrown by the people in front of me, I didn't join in with many.

I soon got a grip on myself though, everyone was there to enjoy themselves and if that meant singing very loudly and badly so be it!

That is always a hard lesson to learn when people put you off, that you do have a right to happiness, a right to enjoy yourself and just because others aren't feeling it doesn'tmean you have to stay on the outside too. 

Steph

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What Do I Need?

Last Monday I had a big sort out. And I got to thinking

'I don't really need mementos to remember things by.'

I know they happened and that's good enough for me.

I met Carrie Hope Fletcher but didn't get a picture (something I have to remedy someday) but actualy I don't need one.

Sure it'd be nice to have but I'd much rather the time we spent chatting rather than posing.

I don't require things to make me remember all of the fantastic things in my life. Yes they are great reminders but not necessary.

These things have helped shape who I am.

All memories are stepping stones in the right direction...

If you have ever met a celeb without a camera or are just inspired by this post please let me know in the comment section below

Steph

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I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. No excuse really but I've been crazy busy!

I was feeling misplaced last Thursday.

Everyone else seems to have going right for them.

But then I remembered that I only get to see the surface.

What people allow me to see of them.

I don't know their role in life.

And, of course no one has life figured out, everyone's living from day to day because that's all you can do.

Who knows what the future will bring?

Steph

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How To: Take The Plunge

I was asked to w4ite a How-To on this by a vehicle good friend who I hope finds this beneficial (even if it is a year or two late!)

I was in sixth form when I fell for this boy. T, as he was known to my friends and I, that way we could talk about him even if he was sitting right next to me (as he was at one stage [heart in mouth moment!])

Another person who knew about the situation saw something that I had intended to write in his leavers book (I never got the chance in the end). It was some drivel about how he could never be wanting the same thing as me and this person stopped me in my tracks and said 'How do you know?'

That's the key question I ask myself when faced with a situation such as this. I do not know what is going on in another person's mind!

If you don't say anything the other person might be feeling the way you are, so as I always say, if you don't ask you don't get.

Don't be afraid to voice your feelings because hopefully the other person will be big enough to either say if they feel it too, or if they don't give you some space to move on.

People will always be around. So don't picture a silent room when you do your big reveal.

Sometimes it's hard t know the answer here, as you wouldn't know unless you tried, but try making a Pros and Cons list and if the Cons list reads: It's too hard and that is all, it really is worth a shot. You've got to have faith in yourself!

Again, if you don't ask you don't get and how do you know?

General thoughts

We all need help sometimes and so that is why I set up a YouTube account. I don't mind how many people actually
watch my channel - just knowing its there is enough. And knowing that hopefully it can help the people it can is rewarding enough for me. Bu5 if it does help I would love to get comments to let me know.

'Unlearn Disability'

Have you seen the new Ford car adverts? I found their new campaign about unlearning stuff fascinating - ’let go of what you know' is the tagline and I thought it'd be an interesting topic to blog about.

I want people to 'unlearn disabilities'.

We are not all the same, yet we often get tarnished with the same brush. We -like everyone else - are individual - unique.

Am I disabled? Yes
Can I do anything about that? No but I can make the very best of what I am - like anybody else.
Do I have a speech impediment? Yes
Do I have fine motor skills problems? Yes
Can I walk? No
Do I let any of this stop me? No

I do what I can for myself and am not afraid to ask for help with things I can't do.

The disability I have doesn't define who I am - it is a factor in my life that I have to deal with, but that's very different from letting it control me.

Like anyone else, certain things make me anxious. For me, because of my speech, I was afraid to answer the phone at work in case someone didn't understand me. And the usual anxiety that I wouldn't know them added to that meant I wouldn't answer the phone at work!

But when I did take my first call and it was absolutely fine - I felt brilliant. I did it, the fear was worse than the reality.

This is the same for everyone. People - including those of us considered disabled - all have issues to deal with. Some may be visible - like me in my wheelchair - but many, many others are not visible. People still have their personal issues to deal with.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you recognise your own strengths and weaknesses and have the courage to deal with them.

Let's start looking at the ability of everyone and what they are ABLE to do, rather than what they need some help with.

Steph

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How To Handle Valentine's Without Anyone

I know the feeling. Everyone has someone except me.

But at the end of the day, it is only one day.

As I was saying to someone I'm helping at the moment, at least it's not a year!

Not everyone does have someone, but they're not about to publicise it when they don't. Those lucky enough to have someone, are wrapped up in their bubble of happiness on days like these.

Remember to look at things objectively and know that it's not just you.

Steph

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