Saturday 22 December 2012

Merry Christmas.

Hi All,
I'm sorry I haven't been on here for a while (Iv'e had some emails asking if i'm ok). The truth is that the tablets I take now for pain have made me very sleepy , laid back and also forgetful of things so some days I say "oh I must write that in my blog" then I forget to do it! lol. I even forgot the password to get into blogger.

Lucy and I have been to two totally different Xmas parties one was a skittles evening with my voluntary job, the other was a Xmas quiz night with Lucy's voluntary job. Both were very enjoyable and the food was great on both.
 Lucy and I are going to have our haircut this afternoon and as it is lucy's first hair cut as a lady it will be in her blog. So lets hope that goes ok.

As for my knee that is in hand and hopefully I will see what happens in the new year.

I wish everybody A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Love from Amanda xxx

Tuesday 20 November 2012

WOW !!!!!

Hi All,
I know its been a week without writing anything But there hasn't really been anything going on or interesting to say about until now........

Lucy and I went into town on Sunday to have a look at Taunton Christmas Festival, and while we were looking round the festival, I was given a free shopping bag with lots of magazines and flyers in it. I didn't take much notice about them, I was more interested in the bag. So when I got home I took the stuff out and put it on the side to read at my leisure some other time.

Yesterday I had a good look at the magazines, and they were for a disability charity called compass, they are a local charity who just cover the Somerset area. It is widely given out to doctors surgery's, care homes, anywhere where care is given. While I was reading some fantastic articles I noticed that they were looking for male and female models to show that you can be "disabled but sexy", I thought I might apply, just to see if I would be accepted.

I got an email today saying that they wanted to put me in the magazine for December and that they would like  200 words on my life.
This is the photo I sent.

So thats my news so far will let you know, how things go.

Love Amanda. xxx

Thursday 8 November 2012

Hospital Visit.

Yesterday, I had a visit to the hospital,  to see a consultant about my knee. I was hoping that he would do something or say something about what he was going to do about my knee  but instead I got his registrar, who wasn't very helpful, he looked about 20 and made Lucy and I angry. It seems I'm not going to get a knee replacement but they won't tell me why, he'd  made a good politician because you couldn't get a decent answer from him.  He also lied and said my knee only had slight damage, where  I have evidence of it being worse than he said..  I haven't a clue what is going on. I have now been referred to another surgeon, who might be able to help but I'm not hopeful. All I want to know is why don't they think an operation is appropriate and that four people including a diabetic consultant think that it is appropriate and what on earth can this new consultant surgeon do for my knee, than a knee replacement wouldn't. I must admit that I went away from the hospital nearly in tears thinking that this was all in my head and there was nothing wrong, and maybe the swelling that came up that in night in my knee was my imagination, thats how it got to me. I knew it was stupid but thats how I felt.

So this morning I rang two people, the first one is my  rehab social worker and cry down the phone at her. She calms me down and says I have to wait and see this new surgeon, but when I do I have to ask, would it be possible to have another MRI scan, she thinks its silly that I haven't had one since the arthroscopy operation I got told it could worsen it) as it could've caused nerve damage, and don't worry, they don't give help that they have given me to anyone, they have to be thoroughly assessed by a medical professional (specialist physio in my case), they also get hospital and doctors reports, I have also received today a brand new wheelchair and again, they definitely don't give them out without someone needing them. If the other consultant I saw at Yeovil hospital didn't think that he could help me, then he must know why. I have to ask for a copy of his letter saying why he doesn't think he would be able to help me. I didn't recieve one.

So feeling better I phone Patient Advice Liaison Service, to complain about what the hospital is putting me through, I get through to this lovely lady who listens to my complaint and totally sympathises with me, She said she will find out what exactly is going on and why I shouldn't have a knee replacement. It could be my age as they don't like to do them when I am so young but then again they should tell me this or why not. Again she says it might be a good idea to wait and see this new consultant (hes the best) and he might be able to tell me more, they obviously think something is going on with my knee as they have referred me to him. They don't do that unless they think he could help someone. But she will try to sort something out about there attitude towards Lucy and I and will get back to me within two weeks. She also said that social services and the rehab team do not help anyone, or that I could get their services for something trivial it has to be a major problem especially, as I have now got a blue disabled badge as they are really hard to get.

At least I have  loads of people helping me now and feel better for phoning up and talking to some people about it. So just waiting to see this surgeon and see what he has to say, its just my luck that I happen to need the NHS help when as I got told once by a GP that they are "bankrupt".

Oh well, that's my update, take care.
Amanda. xxxxx




Monday 5 November 2012

This Week !

Hi, I'm sorry I haven't written anything for last  week, I have had a nasty cold and felt rotten so didn't really feel like writing anything.

So I'll just do a quick catch up on what happened last week. I'm now registered disabled, for which statements and letters from various medical personnel involved in my care had been sent to a government department and they have decided that I am now registered disabled but due to me not being able to work I have to go through a face to face assessment  with ATOS (these are the people who  do the  assessment, the paperwork is sent off and then someone in a job centre decides if I'm entitled to sick benefit), which was meant to take place last week, was cancelled by someone phoning up and saying that the person who was going to do the assessment was off sick and that they would send me an new appointment. I wasn't happy as Lucy was finishing early to be with me, so I had to phone her and let her know that ATOS had cancelled. I got an appointment in the next two days which was in the morning which wasn't convenient to me, as again Lucy was to take me so we needed a afternoon appointment, so if need be, she could finish an hour earlier at work. So I had to phone this free number so I could "beg" that they could give me an afternoon appointment. Luckily enough I got a really nice operator who "managed" to get me an afternoon appointment for the next day.

Then I got an appointment through to see the orthopaedic consultant or his registrar, it is for this Wednesday the 7th November and again Lucy is taking me, this time though, instead of not having any advice I have been given some advice on what to say to the doctor, so we will just have to see what happens and whether I get what I want, (a full knee replacement). If they start to argue then again I have been given some advice on what to do next as well.

Take care and I will update on Thursday to let everyone know what happened at the hospital.

Amanda
xxxx

 P.S. Lucy has now got my cold so I feel really sorry for her.  As you can see by the photo I have put up. (sorry lucy couldn't resist it :).

Monday 22 October 2012

Blue Disabled Badge

Hi All, Just been given some good news. After the post had arrived this morning, I decided to phone my local council, to see if they had any news on my blue disabled badge that I appealed for. As I hadn't heard anything from them for two weeks and when I appealed they said it would be a week for them to contact me again..

I got through to a lovely man who put me on hold while he went and found out what was happening. He came back on the phone with a surprised voice saying that a letter had been sent out last week saying that............. I was successful with my appeal and I have been granted a blue disabled badge.

He said he didn't know what happened to the original letter but that he would send another one out straight away today for me and sorry I had to wait so long.

So I will wait and see what I have to do next.

Lets just say I am over the moon and hope now there is light at the end of a very long tunnel which I am travelling at the moment.

Love
Amanda.  xxxx



Friday 19 October 2012

Hospital Appointments.

This week I have had to attend two hospital appointments, both which were booked last year so they were just check ups really.

First Appointment.

The first one was a visit to a cardiologist on Monday. (I have a thickening of the heart valve), We arrived at the cardiology dept and I was struck how clean it was. At reception I was given a number and told to wait for my number to be called, this bit makes it very impersonal and I don't know why it is done like that.
My number was called so Lucy and I went in the cubicle, I knew the routine as I had to have a ECG, before I saw the doctor. The health care assistant was lovely and both Lucy and I had a lovely chat to her. The ECG was done so we were asked to go back to the waiting room. Within a couple of minutes my name was called this time and I wasn't a number anymore. My blood pressure was taken and it was a bit high and again we got asked to go back to the waiting room, Within minutes my name was called again and we went into see the doctor.

My cardiologist is lovely and I think he was shocked how my mobility has gone down hill. Last time I saw him I was walking and took the bus etc...
After moaning to him why I was like this and how fed up I was (I felt sorry for him it wasn't his fault), he told me some good news that my heart condition hadn't got any worse. He wished me luck in getting what I wanted and as we left the hospital , we knew that he couldn't help my plight but at least he was sympathetic.

 Second Appointment.

The second appointment was the biggy, this doctor I knew could help me he is my diabetic consultant, I have know this  doctor for ten years and when something has gone wrong with my health he has always taken control and got me the help I need.
Lucy and I got to hospital early and decided to go for a drink in the hospital cafe and once she got me settled, she went to help a woman also in a wheelchair  to get settled as well. Once Lucy got the drinks for us and she had sat down I heard the woman that Lucy had helped tell the man who was with her," that a lady had helped her to get into the table", the man looked at Lucy and nodded and said "ok". Lucy had passed in their eyes.
When we had finished the drink we made our way to the clinic, this is where we find that our hospital isn't made for wheelchairs, twice we had to ask a woman in an electric wheelchair to move while I went in to get my blood pressure (blood pressure was high again) done and weight measured.

I was then called in to see the consultant, I think he knew what was going on, but he let me have my say and listened sympathetically to what I said. Then Lucy had her say about what she thought and that how  I am with my mobility was causing my health and diabetic care to go down hill. Everybody in the room including a junior doctor agreed and my consultant said he would have a word with who ever was going to deal with me, I have to find out who it is and phone the diabetic consultants secretary . The consultant came up to our expectations and we are both glad that we got him involved. Our new GP didn't think he would but I know him well and both Lucy and I knew he would help.

So that's the hospital appointments done and I have been treated with dignity, sympathy  and absolute care, so why can't the orthopaedic department treat me the same.

Take care

Amanda.


Tuesday 16 October 2012

Writer's Block.

Well what can I say, I have writer's block this morning, can't think of anything to put.
 I went to the cardiologist yesterday with Lucy and everything is fine with my heart, the condition hasn't changed and I'm no worse and I see him again in two years.

Just the diabetic specialist to see on Thursday and thats my checks done.
I will tell more on Friday.

Keep safe.
Amanda.


Tuesday 9 October 2012

The Telephone.

Isn't the telephone a wonderful invention!.
I spent mostly all morning on it yesterday, luckily enough it didn't cost me a penny.

Call One.

The first call was a free number to change an appointment I had for a health assessment. I have to take this to check that I can still get a sickness benefit that I am on at the moment. I phoned up last week to change the appointment that they had sent me and got told that they had no late appointments. However if I called back next week (Lucy is taking me so we have to have the late appointment as she works.)
then they should have some.
So that is what I do, the call is answered by a man who must've taken pity on me as I told him that my partner works and I need a late appointment as she has to bring me. He put me on hold and then came back and said "I can only give you this one appointment, 30 October 16.00 hrs, is that ok". I said that is fine thank you. I could've kissed him. As I got told later that day that late appointments are a very rare thing to get. So that was the first thing sorted.

Call Two.

The second call, was from my voluntary work,  they called me and it was pre-arranged, so I was ready for them. This call took half an hour, I was given some good news and also told that I was going to have a newbie with me on my shift this Saturday night. To say that is a bit of an honor and I accepted it quite willingly.

Call Three.

The third call was again pre-arranged and this was from the GP. This call was important as I had to tell her that I have got the Council involved in my care and update her on what they had done for me.
She seemed surprised at how I had gone downhill with my mobility and said that she would write to my consultant at Musgrove Hospital. This is going to be a surprise to him as he discharged me and sent me to Yoevil Hospital to see a consultant who couldn't help me and was rather abrupt as well.
Lucy has an appointment with the same GP tomorrow (Wednesday) and I'm going with her, so the GP can see that I am now in a wheelchair, though the GP's appointment is for Lucy and it is her time to see the doc. I have got an appointment booked to see the GP properly though in a couple of weeks.
The support team are coming tomorrow ( Wednesday) with a specialist physio to see me, they think he might be able to help but we shall have to see, I've seen loads of physio's and last one I saw just sent me to hydrotherapy because he didn't know what else to do with me.

So that's it for now, just one thought comes to me though, how on earth did people cope without the telephone?

Chat soon.

Mandy.
xxxx

Friday 5 October 2012

Three Go On Holiday To Cornwall.

Hi everyone, I've finally finished writing up about our holiday in Cornwall, be warned though it is a long blog but I do hope you enjoy reading it.

Saturday.

Saturday started off well, Lucy and I went and had a healthy breakfast and then went to some shops to get  a couple of things.

We then went back home to wash and hoover the car, (Lucy washed the car and I hoovered as I can do this sitting down), Susan timed it well to arrive, just as lucy and I had finished, as she had a cup of tea, we finished packing.
Then we were off to Cornwall for our weeks holiday.
We arrived at the holiday destination which was called Hangar Manor, I must admit I was a little bit nervous how they would treat us as it is a family orientated place and having two T girls turn up with a cripple was a bit different for them.
I need not have worried, the receptionist didn't bat an eyelid and we were given loads of paperwork to take away with us to our cottage. The cottage was great and was very clean, everything that was needed was there. So we settled down for the night and looked forward to Sunday.

Sunday.

After a fantastic breakfast cooked by Lucy, we made our way to St Austell indoor market world, we were looking forward to this and all of us were in a calm mood as we set off. Apart from getting lost and nearly ending up at the Eden Project the journey went well.
We entered the car park and got a parking space easily and then the nightmare began the place was packed and Lucy had to take over pushing me as some stupid people got in the way and one bloke got his heels clipped by my wheelchair foot pads. We manged to look at some stalls but found most of the stuff very expensive.  We spent about an hour looking round but didn't buy anything and left a bit disappointed.

We then went into the town of St Austell and I found it a nice relaxed place after the girls had found a Costa coffee shop had a coffee and me a hot chocolate we explored the place a bit the weather wasn't great and I was happy that I had brought my waterproofs with me. After looking looking round the shopping centre we found this lovely painted mural on a wall and took some photo's of it.
Getting wet but we had to take some photo's of this mural. With Susan

With Lucy
After the photo's we decided to make our way back to the cottage and settle down for the evening.

Monday.

We had all had had a normal breakfast and were going to Truro this morning, again the weather wasn't very nice again, so we quickly found a parking space in the shopping centre. We had a bit of fun in Marks and Spencers, we couldn't find the toilets and spent about ten minutes looking for them only to find that they were right next to the lift where we had started from. The girls decided that they  had to have their coffee fix, so we found the cafe and poor Lucy then had to wait for about 20 minutes to get it. After they had their coffee we then went to explore. Truro wasn't very wheelchair friendly but we all managed to have a good time. The only problem I had was when I was wheeling myself round a shop one of the push rims that I use to propel the chair broke and from then on Lucy or Susan had to push me round the shops. When we got back to the cottage the girls managed to fix it temporally until I could get one when we got back home.
Three girls having fun in Truro.
I've made a new friend.

Tuesday.

We were going to Newquay today so started off early. I'm not going to go into detail about it as we just had a look round and took some photo's. What I will say though is I don't think we will be going back there soon and I will definitely not be using the disabled toilets again enough said.

After Newquay we all wanted to have a look at a place called Healys Cornish Cyder Farm, we had found some literature about it in the cottage and it appealed to us especially the promise of a cream tea. So off we went and found the place. It wasn't wheelchair friendly due to it having cobbles everywhere which made it a very bumpy ride for me. The cream tea was calling though so Lucy pushed me up a ramp to the cafe and we settled down to have our treat.

The cream tea was to our liking and the homemade strawberry jam was lovely But their was one thing that spoilt it! birds were flying around inside and one bird decided to empty its bowels near Lucy so after that we decided to finish the cream tea and leave the cafe. To say that I had some food hygiene concerns after was right but none of us came down with anything so least said the better.

After the cafe we wandered round the farm, when we entered they said we could have a tour if we paid but we said we would walk round ourselves. The cobbles got quite bad for me so Lucy asked if I wanted to get out of the wheelchair and see a cart horse that was in stable so I hobbled around and said hello. The horse looked tired and at first I thought it was a stuffed one, until it moved and made me jump. Some photo's were taken, I hobbled back to the wheelchair and Lucy tipped me up on the back wheels to get me round the rest of the farm.

The farm had a shop so that was the next call, Lucy and Susan bought some cider and elderflower wine and after that we left and went back to the cottage and settled down for the night.
Getting a cuddle in Newquay

Say cheese !!!!!

Lucy demolishing a scone.

Patting a tired horse.

Wednesday.

This was a very strange day, the girls thought it would be a very good idea if they got some photo's on a beach somewhere But the weather was really bad it was raining and very windy and when we got to the beach I decided that I wasn't going to get out of the car and that I would let the two mad things go and have the pleasure of going out in the elements.
I could see what was going on and by the end of the photo session I was in hysterics, the two of them looked so funny being blown about and getting soaked and trying to smile. When they got back to the car I couldn't speak and tears were pouring from my eyes it took me at least ten minutes to calm down and I had tummy ache because I was laughing so much, needless to say I got no sympathy. I still chuckle now thinking about  it.

After that it was decided to go to Wadebridge  apart from Lucy shouting at a couple who wouldn't move for us and being nearly knocked over by a red van that was going too fast round a corner when we were crossing a road there is not much more to tell. Because it was still too early to go back to the cottage we went to Bodmin and had a walk round then went back to the cottage for the night.
Bodmin after the rain

Three cold girls

Thursday.

We went to Lands end today all I can say is what ripoff, If you want a picture of you and the sign you have to pay a large amount of money just for one picture. I have never been stared at or glared at as much in this place and I think the girls got some looks as well. we took a few photo's and I think, no I can say definitely some were taken of us. So we decided to leave. On the way back to the cottage Lucy went into a local shop and apparently the bloke on the counter didn't know how to take Lucy.

That night it was decided that we would go out for a meal at the Italian restaurant that was in the holiday park where we were at. Apart from some of the staff staring through the glass door at us all went well and we enjoyed our pizza's. Lucy and Susan ordered starters but I didn't and I was glad I decided this as the pizza was large and it nearly beat me.

After the meal we retired to the cottage as we had planned to go to Plymouth for the last day of the holiday.
Lands End

Friday.

Plymouth was a very bad nightmare, I will not go into details but Lucy had an argument and other things happened if you want to know more then go on to Lucy's website enough said.

Updates On The Home Front.

Since getting back home a lot has happened I have had handrails put in for help on the stairs, a bed rail to help me get out of bed, an aid to help me get off the toilet. I have my own support worker who has applied for me to get Disability Living Allowance, appealed on my behalf for a blue badge (which was refused because I didn't have her support).
 She has also put me on the waiting list for a new wheelchair. I got a call from her today (Friday) to tell me she has got something to help me get in and out of the bath and she is bringing a specialist physio with her when she visits me next Wednesday, she has also asked the GP to give me a ring next Monday so I can get her up to date with whats been happening and how my mobility has gone down hill and what Somerset care has done for me so far.
I am so shocked on what help I have received and what help that I can get in the future that I tell her everytime she rings to see if I am ok "THANK YOU".

Well that's all for now thanks for reading this massive blog.

Chat Soon.

Mandy.



Tuesday 18 September 2012

I've Been Assessed !

Today (Tuesday) I had two lovely visitor's they were from our borough council, I asked the council  for help last week as my mobility has gone down hill a lot since moving to Taunton.

So they came up the stairs introducing themselves and asked me loads of questions, about my medical problems, what I wanted them to help me with etc..
They looked in the bathroom and could immediately see what the problems were (a low toilet and deep bath) and told me that yep they could help me definitely in that room.
We then went into the bedroom where I explained about  Lucy because of all the makeup and accessories inc wigs on a stand that were on the side table and on top of a bookshelf,( they thought it great and said I must be having loads of fun doing girly things). I could get assistance here as well with a rail put on the bed so I could get support when getting out of bed.Then came the biggy, the stairs they would have to get permission from the landlord to help me with this problem, they thought another stair rail could be put up But as I said to them this was a bit of a Grey area because our house is privately rented and permission would have to be sought as it meant something being put up and made permanent. So I left it in their hands and would see what happens. Everything was fine downstairs and I needed no help there.

So I was then given a support care plan. This is how the care team are going to support me, here are the basics: I'm going to get aids for the bath and toilet, chair raisers and bed rail and hopefully a second stair rail. I'm going to get a visit from a social services care team, in regards to benefits I could claim including a new wheelchair, they even said maybe a electric one ( but that is very doubtful and I'm not counting on that at all). though I was warned I might have to wait three to four months for a visit as there is a waiting list But once I get on the list then the sooner they can sort me out the better.
. I'm going to get the next visit from the support team on the 1st October after my holiday  because by then again hopefully all the aids I need and been assessed for will have arrived and they can give me more advice and what to do next.
I feel a lot happier now and as I was told by my volunteer group you never know what help you can get unless you ask for it.
So if you are reading this and need help with mobility, benefits or just someone to talk to never be afraid to ask for help you might be surprised what help is out there.

Amanda. xxx


Tuesday 11 September 2012

I'm Getting Some Help!!!

Hi,
I was busy yesterday (Monday). Things have become slightly worse with my mobility, I'm having trouble getting off the loo and really struggle with the bath, so I thought enough is enough, I've got to get some help to manage these problems. Also my wheelchair isn't very good and could break any minute . So the first thing I did was contact my charity co ordinator of my voluntary work by email, to see if  she could give me some idea's to who I could contact about my problems.

She emailed me back saying that the local Council offices would be the first ones to contact so I did. I phoned them up and spoke to lovely lady who took my medical details and asked what exactly I was finding hard to do. She was sympathetic to my problems and said the best thing to do was that they could send  someone to assess me to see exactly what was needed and what help I could get from them, the only problem was that there was a big waiting list and I probably wouldn't be seen for a month. After finishing talking to her she also put me through to another department to see if I could get a blue disabled badge, they weren't sure if I could get one because I haven't claimed or get Disability Living Allowance but another lovely lady said it wouldn't hurt to try and I might get it. The claim would have to go to an independent occupational therapist who would look at my  medical problems, then they decide whether the council should allow me to have the badge or not.

I got a shock this morning (Tuesday) I  had a phone call this morning it was from the council, they wanted to come and see me next Tuesday to assess and give me all the help I need, I was put down as urgent so someone must've taken pity on me. The people that are coming to see me next Tuesday are nothing to do with the disabled blue badge that I have applied for. This visit is to help me get independent at home.

So we shall see what happens next week and of course I will tell all what happens on here.

Take care and I'll chat soon.




Sunday 9 September 2012

A Day Out !

Yesterday (Saturday) was a lovely day, Lucy and I had decided to have a day out in Weston Super Mare.

When we started off in the morning it was foggy and the rain started to drizzle, it was also foggy on the motorway and some drivers didn't have there lights on,  so it was a very careful journey to Weston.
We parked up in the sovereign shopping centre multistory car park and when Lucy was closing the car boot door she after getting me in the wheelchair she accidentally banged my head with the boot door. I was good to say the least after this happened, I just yowled and held my head instead of screaming the place down as usual!!!!. My head must be getting used to being bashed as it happened before in a Morrisons carpark a few months ago and then I did howl and scream and let Lucy know what she had accidentally done.

Once we got out of the carpark we went into a cafe to have a coffee, hot chocolate and also (which I think I deserved) a cake. We then wandered round Weston, money was tight due to saving up for our holiday which is two weeks away.
We had fish and chips on the pier for lunch and then we decided to make our way home.

I had a voluntary shift that night so I just chilled out and relaxed after I had dinner.




Enjoying the sun at Weston.

On the pier at Weston

Making a new friend.


Friday 7 September 2012

Hydrotherapy And A Meeting With Age UK,.

This week seems to have gone so quickly, on Monday I had my training for my voluntary work, I'm
 really enjoying it and it has opened my eyes to a lot of things.

Hydrotherapy. 

 

I also had my first treatment of hydrotherapy on wednesday, this was a new experience and I was hopeful it was going to help me. I'd already changed into my swimming costume at home to save time, so after my name was called by a really friendly nursing assistant, I was led to the hydrotherapy pool. I was asked to give  my crutches to the assistant and was given a walking frame instead. It was for safety reasons, I was then asked to go up a ramp and then down into the pool to meet my new physiotherapist who was going to help me with this miracle cure.

She examined my knee in the water and then I was told, "Hhhhmmm this therapy might work for you! I would like you to try this treatment for four weeks, BUT  if you feel that it isn't working then I advise you to go back to your GP". To say I was gutted to hear this news is an understatement but me being an optimist I thought to myself  I'm going to give it a chance!. So I was given some exercises to do with flippers on and by the end of the half hour I was given, I was in pain. I staggered out of the pool and got changed I was met by the assistant who told me that I was to take it easy for the next couple of days as I would be sore and was given a new appointment for next Thursday 13 September.

I was delayed getting out of the hospital, as the air ambulance was taking off and was told to stay inside the hospital door by a porter, who told me, " that because of the updraught that is caused by the helicopter taking off, they have to stop the traffic coming into the hospital, this includes ambulances". He then had to close the automatic doors and the helicopter took off with no difficulties and after a cheerful goodbye from the porter I was allowed out and went to meet dad who was picking me up. I had my lunch and then got ready for an important meeting from another voluntary organisation, that I was going to get involved in.

 

Age UK.

 

This was a meeting that I knew would be fun, the manager sounded lovely on the phone and really wanted to meet me, she said she would be bringing someone else as she was training up a new manager and that her companion would be looking after me when she had left the association.
They arrived and the first thing both of them did was give me a hug, this surprised me and I was a little taken back and both of them started to giggle and said "welcome to age UK "!. They then sat down and the trainee manager did the talking, she told me what the work would be,( I explained what I would be doing in my last blog). I said that I knew what it would entitle and I was looking forward to starting with them and she said that age UK were really looking forward to me starting with them as well.

So it was decided that I start to volunteer with them in October after my holiday because by then my ID card would be ready, she said that taxi fares would be met by age uk, so I shouldn't worry about anything concerning travel. They then gave me another hug and said goodbye and I would hear from them soon.



That's all my news for this week Lucy and I are going out for the day tomorrow (Saturday) and it's not in town, so I'll update my blog to let you know where and what happened on Sunday. As for today (Friday) to say that I am sore is not the word I can hardly walk but if it does me some good then it must be worth it, shouldn't it ???????
Take care
Mandy.
xxxxxx




Wednesday 29 August 2012

Voluntary Work News.

Hi All,
I hope you had a nice weekend, I got a phone call this afternoon from a voluntary Association called AgeUK.
 I applied six weeks ago for a voluntary position,with the association but when someone came to see me to have a chat about the job, I found that I wouldn't be able to do it, due to having to chaperone people to hospital and doctors and solicitors. This I wouldn't be able to do due to my knee.
The lady went away and I was left a little bit sad  but before she left she took my details for a CRB (criminal records bureau) check just in case anything else came up that they think I would be right for and they would get in touch if something came up. The check came back with me being cleared of everything last week.

Well that phone call which I didn't expect to happen, happened today. The manager of a project called " age UK togetherness", phoned me and said "that they would really like me to join them". I was a bit taken back a bit because she sounded so eager, so I asked her what the project was, and she said that they get loads of phone calls from residential and nursing homes with residents who were worried about things, this could be financial, family, social worries or just wanted a chat to someone who wasn't involved in their care and just to talk about how they are getting on in a care home.

The manager explained to me that because of my career in care and my experience they thought that I would be a great asset to them.  I did explain to her that" I had no transport of my own and my mobility was bad", she replied that's was fine they knew all that, and that  and not to worry it would all be sorted and transport would be provided by taxi's paid by them.

I made arrangements for her to come and see me for a chat and for my photo to be taken for my ID card on next Thursday 6 September. So we shall have to see what happens, but it does sound interesting and won't get in the way of my other voluntary job.
 I have been so busy and happy since we have moved to Taunton and learnt such a lot, met loads of new people and made loads of new friends and by the sounds of it there's more to come.



Take care everyone and I'll chat soon.
Amanda.
xxxx

Friday 24 August 2012

Bank Holiday !

Hello there,
There has been no rush or stress this week I had my training for my voluntary work on monday, I have had an appointment sent to me for my hydrotherapy treatment which is the 6th of September, so not to long to wait.
Lucy and I are going to have a quiet bank holiday this weekend, we are just going out on Sunday for a look round the shops and maybe get a few things but then come back home.




Have a lovely bank holiday weekend everyone, I'll chat soon.

Mandy.
xxx

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Happy And Content.

My life seems to have settled down quite nicely at the moment.
 The physio has said that he wants me to go in for hydrotherapy,( this gets me doing exercises in water) at the hospital, he said he doesn't know what else to do with me, so I should  give it a go. So just to help him out, (I felt quite sorry for him), I said I'd  give it a try so I'm just waiting to hear when they want me to attend for the treatment.

I got a hundred percent on both assessment's on my course, which has four elements to it, so I'm half way there. When I have finished the course, I then get a computer office qualification which I have been told companies look for in prospective employees, . The employment officer is really happy with me and said she enjoys my visits to her as I'm getting on really well.
 I had a lovely email off a company this morning which said that they read my C.V. which I had sent them with very much interest but due to the amount of people wanting the job I applied for, which they told me was 150. I was unlucky this time But they are expanding and if I was still looking for work in two months time then they would get in touch with me straight away. I wrote them an email back thanking them and that they could get in contact with me anytime. So there might be some hope on the job front hopefully in a couple of months.

The training for my voluntary work is very intense but it does make me think of things differently and I have become more confident in making friends. This morning (tuesday), for example I was taking my short walk to the shop and back with my crutches, when two taxi's pipped me and two cars pipped me as well a few moments after, I know it was me they were saying hi to because I was the only one on the path at that time But now I'm thinking who were they????.


Here are some more photo's from Lucy and I's trip to Sophie's.

It will soon be time for us to go on holiday for a week, which I am really looking forward to.

Oh well that's all for now I can't think of anything else to tell you at the moment.
Take care and I'll chat soon.
Amanda.

Sunday 19 August 2012

Sophies Photo's

What A sweet Couple.
Hi everyone,
I know that you have been patiently waiting for some new photo's so here they are enjoy and thank you Juliette for being a fantastic host and photographer.

hair swept back
 This is a fun pic "Isn't Love Great" !!!!!!!

Stairway to heaven.

New look.

New look 2.

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty 2.

Innocent Look.

Wild Girl.

Wild Girl 2.

Innocent and Nice.

GGGGGGRRRRRRRR.
I have plenty more to show you.
Will update blog next tuesday. Take care and I'll chat soon.
Amanda.

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Jobs and Courses.

Hello there everyone, I thought I would tell you how things are and what I've been up to.
 My training for my voluntary work is going well and I'm really enjoying it, I'm making lots of new friends and learning a lot as well. I'm coming back home with books and papers so that I can study at home and feel I'm really getting somewhere and where I want to be at the moment.

As for the IT course, that has gone on OK, as you know I sent off the first assessment last month, unfortunately it hasn't been marked yet and I was getting a little bit worried, so I phoned the college to find out what is happening. I got told "that its holidays and the tutor won't be able to mark my stuff until the holidays are over". What was the point of saying to me I had to put the first assessment in within the month then?.  Oh well I just wont rush sending the second and third parts back.

I have applied for about ten jobs these past two weeks, and have been really shocked at some of the things some of these firms expect a prospective employee to do. One job I  went in for  wanted you to fill in a questionnaire that contained two hundred multiple choice questions, I gave up after a hundred, due to the fact that I realised that  looking at one question, I would have to move furniture about and of course I can't do that.
Another job that I went in for I had to decipher a phone text, I laughed at this one due to the fact that I had to look up some of the text on the computer, as I'd never heard of some of the text language.
There was one easy application though, I applied for a receptionist at a chiropractors yesterday, no questionnaires or tests, I just had to send my C.V, they got back to me saying that they were going to be doing interviews next Tuesday and they would get back to me this Friday, to tell me whether or not they want me to come in for an interview. So shall have to see what happens there. I wish all applications for employment were that easy.

This Saturday Lucy and I are going to sophies dressing service for makeovers and photo's. I am really looking forward to this and Juliette always makes it a fun day. Last time we went I didn't get involved due to my bad knee, but this time I am so watch this space to see some of the photo's of our fun day out.
My knee is slightly better since the steroid injection than it has been, but I know that this will not last and I am already getting  slight twinges in it if I do too much on it. So I shall wait and see what happens and if the pain comes back with a vengeance then it's back to the doctor.
Getting cuddly.

Flower girl.

Keep safe and I'll chat soon.



Tuesday 7 August 2012

Very Busy Week

Hi all, Sorry I haven't been around this week, I have been really busy as is well described in this blog http://susan-watersfield.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/at-crossroads.html .
 I have also been training for my voluntary work and still have more training to go.
 I will be going to see my employment officer next monday, so it will be nice to tell her how I have been getting on.
Also next week I see the physio, to see if he can help me with my knee now that I have had an injection in it.

Me enjoying an icecream
Well thats it for this week, hopefully I will have loads of news to tell you next week. Keep safe and I'll chat soon.

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Tired Tonight.

Hi everyone, I've just finished a training session at my voluntary job and i'm really tired been there all day from 9.30am to 4.00pm this afternoon. So I'll update another day and tell you all whats been happening.
Take care and chat soon.