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Despite having a speech impediment as a result of having Cerebral Palsy, I love talking! Much to the annoyance of my hubby, I’ll talk to anyone, anywhere! Give me a smile and I’ll start chatting as hubby roles his eyes once again! Yes, I worry constantly that people won’t understand what I’m saying. But IContinue reading Why I love to talk . . . despite my speech impediment

Following the complaint I made to Sandwell Council about my Blue Badge Application, a few days ago I received a response. My main complaint had been them requesting a copy of my full PIP Award which I argue had been a breach of my privacy. Due to the nature of the mobility element of myContinue reading Blue Badge Application: Apology from Sandwell Council

Following my last blog post, today I received a phone call from Sandwell Council. They apologised for how long the application for my Blue Badge had taken but in relation to requesting all of my PIP information, they said they were only following Department of Transport procedure.  I dispute this for two reasons. Firstly, whenContinue reading Update on Blue Badge Application Process

Back in October, I started the process of reapplying for my Blue Badge – for those that might not know, this allows disabled people to park in disabled spaces, often making shopping trips and appointments much easier. My previous badge expired during lockdown and I delayed renewing it because we weren’t really going anywhere. BeforeContinue reading Inaccessibility of Blue Badge Application

Just before half-term, I visited my son’s school to do some assemblies for them about disability. I was apprehensive about for two reasons.  Firstly, I hadn’t done any public speaking since well before the pandemic and I was out of practice. I always get nervous but I was really worried about making myself understood andContinue reading Diary of a Disabled Mum: Disability Assembly at Jack’s School

Some of you may have read my previous blog about my experience whilst visiting the  Breast Clinic a few months ago. I lodged a complaint about how I was treated and almost two months on, I’ve just received a response and I must state clearly – I feel fobbed off and let down. My firstContinue reading Hospital response to my complaint: I ain’t happy

My last blog outlined an incident during a recent hospital appointment when a consultant inferred that I couldn’t look after my own children. It upset and angered me in equal measures but it unfortunately isn’t the first time that I’ve been undermined as a disabled parent – again by a healthcare professional. Over the summer,Continue reading Diary of a Disabled Mum: Disabled People aren’t expected to be parents – Why?

A few weeks ago, I unfortunately had to pay a visit to the Breast Clinic though thankfully, everything turned out to be fine.  Which is more than can be said for my actual experience whilst there. Due to Covid, hubby and I had agreed that he would wait in the car and that should IContinue reading Diary of a Disabled Mum: Undermined by Healthcare Professionals

I feel I should first of all apologise for the silence that descended upon my blog over the past 18 months. Like everyone else, our lives were unexpectedly turned upside by Covid and instead of returning to work as planned, I took on homeschooling duties whilst Hubby worked on a home contract and we lookedContinue reading New Beginnings

Claire Farndale is a Test Analyst for Northumbria University.  She’s also a wife and a mum – here’s her story of living with Cerebral Palsy: So all my life I have had varying levels of discrimination because of my disability whether it be being picked last to be on someone’s team (because you are slow,Continue reading Guest Blog: Claire Farndale – No such word as ‘can’t!