This past month has been really tough, as well as my rheumatoid getting worse. I have been struggling with chest infection galour. I know im lucky to have some amazing friends around the country and some in the USA that are there for me 100% and would liosten to my issued any time but right now i am just so yerning for someone to go to appointments with and hold my hand, come home and give me a big hug and say "we will fight this together vicky" i know it wont happen which makes me sad i dont want much just someone to be there to share this with the emotional stuff the pain the questions. I have to walk around with this big ass smile on my face and say Yes im fine thank you im vicky you know ...
the truth is im not ok, i had (although not political correct) a breakdown earlier this year and i had to cope and over come this, i sat here crying tears for so many reasons, the pain the hurt, the uncertainty of the last 5 years.
You all forget im 28 years old i want have a boyfriend too .. instead im stuck in this DAM AWFUL wheelchair watching the world go by with a sadness in my eyes but with hope one day soon ill be able to feel that happy glow again.
Remember that people might look and sound ok on the outside .. but the inside isnt so great.
Monday 25 November 2013
Saturday 16 November 2013
Go to the Olympics
London 2012
London won the great sporting show on earth the olympic games!! I can not tell you how excited i was that day!! I wasnt in a wheelchair then but always knew id go to the olympics no matter what!!
But my life changed due to getting rheumatoid arthritis and i sat here worrying and telling my dad i wanted togo to the olympics and he told me to go for it dont let it stop you, he knew how much going meant to me. So i sat on my laptop in 2011 talking to my friend as we requested tickets .. alot of tickets!!! In the hope we would get some and we DID!!! We got tickets for a number of events (my friend also went alone and i went with my brother too). We were both excited. I was so thankful to the Olympics to making sure that the games was accessable for everyone and that included the routes to the sites including the olympic village.
So i went tio London 2012 and i will never forget that experience the thrill of being there, i guess it is a memory that will last a life time and i did it regardless of my wheelchair why because i didnt let it stop me!
London won the great sporting show on earth the olympic games!! I can not tell you how excited i was that day!! I wasnt in a wheelchair then but always knew id go to the olympics no matter what!!
But my life changed due to getting rheumatoid arthritis and i sat here worrying and telling my dad i wanted togo to the olympics and he told me to go for it dont let it stop you, he knew how much going meant to me. So i sat on my laptop in 2011 talking to my friend as we requested tickets .. alot of tickets!!! In the hope we would get some and we DID!!! We got tickets for a number of events (my friend also went alone and i went with my brother too). We were both excited. I was so thankful to the Olympics to making sure that the games was accessable for everyone and that included the routes to the sites including the olympic village.
So i went tio London 2012 and i will never forget that experience the thrill of being there, i guess it is a memory that will last a life time and i did it regardless of my wheelchair why because i didnt let it stop me!
This was my view of the badmington at wembley arena
I love this picture showing the Olympic stadium
My view for a history making hockey match as it went down to penalities!
I am so glad i experienced the Olympics and i have managed to achieve another of my dreams seeing the Olympic Games live and in England too a truely magical experience!
A music festival
V FEST!!!
Now i have started this post with a picture because no words can explain how much i loved this experienced different artists and a lot of laughter. The fun of trains and a bus to the event site but then the push to the stage. Now i have to admit its not idea for a wheelchair user and its tough espically in the heat we was lucky enough to have that day. However we did do it and had a fantastic time.
Music festival - TICK
I would always say give it a go have some fun and i for one will be back one day!!!!
Attend a concert!
A music concert but how will you manage?!
Now ill let you into a secreat here, i was never much into music as i grew up! I mean i listened to music, take that, Busted, Mcfly but i never thought oh i have togo to a concert, and when i needed the wheelchair i thought oh no ive missed my chance but NO!!!
I went to a live concert just before the wheelchair with 2 friends and i LOVED IT and had the bug a few months later i just managed to get to a JLS concert with a friend the stairs were a bit worrying!!
Then the wheelchair came and i thought hmm what now? But guess what, i found the disabled line, niow if you look in my mobile youll fine, Wembley disabled, O2 disabled, LG Disabled, Phones 4 u arena disabled! These numbers have become essential to my concert days, they offer wheelchair accessable places to sit and watch a concert, and its a lot of fun!
Now ill let you into a secreat here, i was never much into music as i grew up! I mean i listened to music, take that, Busted, Mcfly but i never thought oh i have togo to a concert, and when i needed the wheelchair i thought oh no ive missed my chance but NO!!!
I went to a live concert just before the wheelchair with 2 friends and i LOVED IT and had the bug a few months later i just managed to get to a JLS concert with a friend the stairs were a bit worrying!!
Then the wheelchair came and i thought hmm what now? But guess what, i found the disabled line, niow if you look in my mobile youll fine, Wembley disabled, O2 disabled, LG Disabled, Phones 4 u arena disabled! These numbers have become essential to my concert days, they offer wheelchair accessable places to sit and watch a concert, and its a lot of fun!
This is from Manchester seeing JLS :)
Seeing Olly Murs at the O2 London
Back at Manchester for Olly Murs
Here i am at the O2 at a different area
Wembley stadium to see robbie williams Summer 2013
Take That at Wembley stadium my first concert in a wheelchair!
So as you can see i have been to various locations to see different artists and i really enjoy it. My message dont let the wheelchair stop you from seeing your favourite artists i certainly dont :) xx
Fly Alone
Flying alone - no way!!
My first flight was back in 2003 from Birmingham to Majorca and i wasnt overly keen but accepted that it was something i had todo to enjoy holidays as i have a travel bug. Life kind of took over at this and i didnt use my passport again until 2012!!!
Now ive flown a number of times with other people by my side so you have that comfort.
I wanted to visit my friend Jo at her home in France and going on the Eurostar wasnt an opition and im no good at sea (but thats another story!!) so i had to fly!!
The build up was full of worry and panic would i be ok what about the airport alone!! But at 3am one June morning i took the plunge and made me way to Birmingham airport with my brother, i did have luggage!! Off i went to the terminal checked in and it was time to say goodbye to my brother, i felt really anxious, i actually wanted to take him with me at this point!
I was led through security by an assistant and then left at departures for my gate to be called! I was talking to the guy who was waiting for my gate to be called i was feeling more and more anxious but kept talking LOL
Now it was time to get on the plane, using an ambi i was on the plane seatbelt on, chatted to the airhostess and then it occured to me "OMG IM ON THE PLANE" no turning back now!! You have to remember im in a wheelchair so i need help from people and i was on this plane alone! I counted to 10 as we took off then spelt my name and a friends twice then we was at altertude and i was happy taking pictures and i fell asleep.
My first flight was back in 2003 from Birmingham to Majorca and i wasnt overly keen but accepted that it was something i had todo to enjoy holidays as i have a travel bug. Life kind of took over at this and i didnt use my passport again until 2012!!!
Now ive flown a number of times with other people by my side so you have that comfort.
I wanted to visit my friend Jo at her home in France and going on the Eurostar wasnt an opition and im no good at sea (but thats another story!!) so i had to fly!!
The build up was full of worry and panic would i be ok what about the airport alone!! But at 3am one June morning i took the plunge and made me way to Birmingham airport with my brother, i did have luggage!! Off i went to the terminal checked in and it was time to say goodbye to my brother, i felt really anxious, i actually wanted to take him with me at this point!
I was led through security by an assistant and then left at departures for my gate to be called! I was talking to the guy who was waiting for my gate to be called i was feeling more and more anxious but kept talking LOL
Now it was time to get on the plane, using an ambi i was on the plane seatbelt on, chatted to the airhostess and then it occured to me "OMG IM ON THE PLANE" no turning back now!! You have to remember im in a wheelchair so i need help from people and i was on this plane alone! I counted to 10 as we took off then spelt my name and a friends twice then we was at altertude and i was happy taking pictures and i fell asleep.
Here i am on a Monarch flight to Nice in June 2013 all by my self I DID IT! Despite my fear and the wheelchair!
This is my favourite shot from the plane as we are heading for Nice airport.
So my message is if you PLAN and get the right help and the right airline you can fly too. Believe me i had a fear of flying im now cured and looking forward to my next trip to the sun with my brother :)
Believe in yourself no matter what your disability you can achieve xx
Go To A Football match
Go to a football match
Id been to football games many times before i was diagnoised with rheumatoid arthrtitis and once diagnoised and subsquently ending up in a wheelchair i believed that id never get back to a live game again .. how very wrong!
I support a power house in football Manchester United and my local club Birmingham City. I contacted Manchester United who told me about the facilities for disabled supporters, it was a relief, i could go back to football!!
So as you can see ive been on one away day, id like to go to more to experience the facilties at other clubs first hand and then at Old Trafford at a champions league game. I am looking forward to two up coming premier league games again Everton and Newcastle.
Dont let mobility become a barrier to attend football it can be over come!
Id been to football games many times before i was diagnoised with rheumatoid arthrtitis and once diagnoised and subsquently ending up in a wheelchair i believed that id never get back to a live game again .. how very wrong!
I support a power house in football Manchester United and my local club Birmingham City. I contacted Manchester United who told me about the facilities for disabled supporters, it was a relief, i could go back to football!!
So above you can see me looking rather please with myself and wrapped up warm! This was the 2011 charity sheild Manchester United V Manchester City at Wembley Arena, London.
Above you can see me looking tired at a night game at Old Trafford in October 2013. Manchester United v Bayer
Dont let mobility become a barrier to attend football it can be over come!
Wednesday 13 November 2013
50 big ones - The challenge begins
So after sitting here ive completed the 50 ... with a little help from my friends who i asked for ideas!!! Ill give a small explanation on each one.
Throw a party for rheumatoid - This may sound a bit strange to people but its changed my life and its lead to some depressing days so i want to change it from a negative to a positive, lets celebrate what rheumatoid gave me, friendships, courage, strentgth.
Go in a racing car - Yeah i know im a girl right! i want to show that regardless of disability i can still do things like others and a bit of extream sport is always fun ... bring it on i say!!!
Visit Nou Camp (Barcelona) - Im mad about football and a lot of stadiums in europe arent wheelchairt friendly but ill visit and darn ill get in!!!
Visit Bernaeu (real madrid) - one of my favourite football players play here and i want to visit again accessability will be tough but ill do it.
Complete the 96 - I am a huge football fan (you may have noticed) and this will be a chllenge as an able bodied person i did some of the clubs but with the wheelchair there are many obsticals but i will achieve it.
Visit Rome - This will be a challange because of flying, accessablity and finding my way around the city.
Visit Venice - This will be a challange because of flying, accessablity and finding my way around the city.
Visit Australia - This is a life long dream and with rheumatoid and my heart condition i question is it possible but i am going to make this happen one day i dream of the opera house!
Go to a Cricket Game - I lover cricket but its not the easyest thing to get to but i shall, fight for the few wheelchair seats avilable.
Go to Aintree - Id love to see horse racing to show that even though not the best enviroment for a wheelchair anything is possible.
Visit the Eifle Tower - An iconic landmark in Europe and i have been to france and no the difficulites that will be encoutered but i shall overcome these.
Go to silverstone - I have spoken to another wheelchair user about this and they found it difficult as actually seeing the race wasnt the best, but ill go exoperience then tell them how they can improve the experience.
Finish my family tree - A personal one this one but one id like to achieve for future generations.
Meet my second cousins in Canada - Another personal one, flight time, weather and accessability all obsticals but im determind.
New York shopping - A very girlie one for not a typical girlie girl, i have no idea on the challenges ill face but itll be fun finding out.
Bake a cake - The most simplist of ones but one that would mean the most, i had a passion for cooking so much so i went to catering college, but with the rheumatoid kicking my hands into funny shapes its become near impossible but with my new wheelchair friendsly kitchen im going to give it another try and it will most likely bring the biggest smile to my face :)
Write a book - now this is in progress life with multiple conditions maybe ill include the "vickys 50" challenge :)
Go to the darts - Another big passion of mine, id love to go to the worlds in december, again so little wheelchair seating means they sell out so quick, im ready for you PDC!!!
Go to a health farm - Another girlie thing to do for a sport mad girl!! The point of this is to show that people in wheelchairs can experience everything others can we can experience everything everyone else can we may have to adapt and change things a bit but thats half the fun!
Visit the shopping centre's in the UK - A bit like the stadiums one i use to love shopping pre-ra and i hope this challenge will rekindle my love of shopping!
Visit a stately home - This one is to prove we can visit where we can with a little reseach again we can have to adapt things!
*Go to a football match - Ive done this challenge but when i was confined to the wheelchair i always believed id never go to another game again but i do go when i get tickets (a major moan of mine). I shall do a blog post about this with pictures :)
*Fly Alone - I did this in June 2013 something i never thought would be possible in a wheelchair because of flight companies being stubbon about flying alone. As above a blog and picture to be provided.
*Attend a concert - Now this is another thing i didnt think id do once in the wheelchair but i go to quite a lot these days!
*Go to a music festival - Now this was a challenge but with the help of my friend Katy i achieved it and we had a lot of fun, blog and pics to follow
Visit Cornwall - The only county in the UK ive never visit most likely because its the furtherest away!!!
Go to a European football Match - Yes im crazy so many obsticals, so little wheelchair access out there in europe (two mian clubs dont even have wheelchair seats avilable to buy!) but ill work it out
Attend an England Match - I have never been to an England match i want this to change .. Wembleyyyyyyyyy!!!
Participate in a half marathon - this will involve a few friends .. some training .. determination and a bit of laugher whos got there running shoes and pushing hands ready?!!
Play disabled sport - Id like to try as many sports as possible for the disabled to show other wheelchair users whats out there, have a go and get involved in sport!!
Go to Wimbledon - Im a major tennis fan, you should have seen me hit the ball .. over the fence lol be good to see it done by the pros again, ticketing!!
Hovercraft racing - lets get some adrenalin pumping!!!! lets do it
Attend a rugby game - Somethibg ive yet todo, i expect to have ticking issues england or worcester warriors for me .. although im open to a union game with a northern friend!!!
*Go to the Olympics - This was a major big life time thing for me and i acheieved in 2012 at London in my wheelchair and it was amazing .. blog and pics to follow
Visit Portugal - I just wish to visit im curious of the facilities in portugal!!
Raise money for charity - id like todo this because of all the help ive recieved a long the way from heart and rheumatoid and grief charities in the past 5 years
visit Beligum - i want to try the chocolate ive been told it can be difficukt for wheelchair users, im up the challenge are you?
Afternoon Tea in London - Just to prove us wheelchair folk can do anything we want!!! (even with an eating dosorder abd dislike of hot drinks!!)
Photo shoot - strange one right? no i wanna show you can be sexy in a wheelchair and you look at the person not just the wheelchair!!
Narrow boat day - just to prove ill try anything once im not sure how it will work in a wheelchair though!!
Ryder Cup - I love watching the golf and id love to see it live, could be an experience the greens and avoding flying balls in a wheelchair!!
Go sailing - Yes ill try anything once to prove my point i can do anything you can do!!!
Horse riding - I did it before rheumatoid and eager to do it again with the wheelchair .. is it possible .. to be continued ....
Helicopter ride - Suggested by my friend Mark .. i didnt mention he'd be joining me .. good one mate!!!
White water rafting - Suggested by my friend Victoria .. i hear wales has a centre ... should be fun!!! adenaline will be racing!!!
Play Golf - Suggested by my friend Sue at disabled golf .. i can not wait to meet you and have a go :)
fashion show - just because im in a wheelchair and have arthritis doesnt mean i crnt wear fun clothes like everyone else!
Cocktail making - A fun girlie activity might be difficult with my arthratic hands oh well ill just get covered in alcohol least ill have had fun!!!
Trend on twitter - #vickydidit ... on completion of the 50!!!
Admin - * means ive completed it the reason its on this list is because there things I never thought id do because of the wheelchair and so i felt they deserved there place!!
Right now the good bit - friends family fellow blog writers and readers to want to get involved why not help out and enjoy the 50 challenges with me ... lets do this (oviously not everything but some i need a little help like the half marathon!!!)
Lots of hugs & Love V xxxx
Throw a party for rheumatoid - This may sound a bit strange to people but its changed my life and its lead to some depressing days so i want to change it from a negative to a positive, lets celebrate what rheumatoid gave me, friendships, courage, strentgth.
Go in a racing car - Yeah i know im a girl right! i want to show that regardless of disability i can still do things like others and a bit of extream sport is always fun ... bring it on i say!!!
Visit Nou Camp (Barcelona) - Im mad about football and a lot of stadiums in europe arent wheelchairt friendly but ill visit and darn ill get in!!!
Visit Bernaeu (real madrid) - one of my favourite football players play here and i want to visit again accessability will be tough but ill do it.
Complete the 96 - I am a huge football fan (you may have noticed) and this will be a chllenge as an able bodied person i did some of the clubs but with the wheelchair there are many obsticals but i will achieve it.
Visit Rome - This will be a challange because of flying, accessablity and finding my way around the city.
Visit Venice - This will be a challange because of flying, accessablity and finding my way around the city.
Visit Australia - This is a life long dream and with rheumatoid and my heart condition i question is it possible but i am going to make this happen one day i dream of the opera house!
Go to a Cricket Game - I lover cricket but its not the easyest thing to get to but i shall, fight for the few wheelchair seats avilable.
Go to Aintree - Id love to see horse racing to show that even though not the best enviroment for a wheelchair anything is possible.
Visit the Eifle Tower - An iconic landmark in Europe and i have been to france and no the difficulites that will be encoutered but i shall overcome these.
Go to silverstone - I have spoken to another wheelchair user about this and they found it difficult as actually seeing the race wasnt the best, but ill go exoperience then tell them how they can improve the experience.
Finish my family tree - A personal one this one but one id like to achieve for future generations.
Meet my second cousins in Canada - Another personal one, flight time, weather and accessability all obsticals but im determind.
New York shopping - A very girlie one for not a typical girlie girl, i have no idea on the challenges ill face but itll be fun finding out.
Bake a cake - The most simplist of ones but one that would mean the most, i had a passion for cooking so much so i went to catering college, but with the rheumatoid kicking my hands into funny shapes its become near impossible but with my new wheelchair friendsly kitchen im going to give it another try and it will most likely bring the biggest smile to my face :)
Write a book - now this is in progress life with multiple conditions maybe ill include the "vickys 50" challenge :)
Go to the darts - Another big passion of mine, id love to go to the worlds in december, again so little wheelchair seating means they sell out so quick, im ready for you PDC!!!
Go to a health farm - Another girlie thing to do for a sport mad girl!! The point of this is to show that people in wheelchairs can experience everything others can we can experience everything everyone else can we may have to adapt and change things a bit but thats half the fun!
Visit the shopping centre's in the UK - A bit like the stadiums one i use to love shopping pre-ra and i hope this challenge will rekindle my love of shopping!
Visit a stately home - This one is to prove we can visit where we can with a little reseach again we can have to adapt things!
*Go to a football match - Ive done this challenge but when i was confined to the wheelchair i always believed id never go to another game again but i do go when i get tickets (a major moan of mine). I shall do a blog post about this with pictures :)
*Fly Alone - I did this in June 2013 something i never thought would be possible in a wheelchair because of flight companies being stubbon about flying alone. As above a blog and picture to be provided.
*Attend a concert - Now this is another thing i didnt think id do once in the wheelchair but i go to quite a lot these days!
*Go to a music festival - Now this was a challenge but with the help of my friend Katy i achieved it and we had a lot of fun, blog and pics to follow
Visit Cornwall - The only county in the UK ive never visit most likely because its the furtherest away!!!
Go to a European football Match - Yes im crazy so many obsticals, so little wheelchair access out there in europe (two mian clubs dont even have wheelchair seats avilable to buy!) but ill work it out
Attend an England Match - I have never been to an England match i want this to change .. Wembleyyyyyyyyy!!!
Participate in a half marathon - this will involve a few friends .. some training .. determination and a bit of laugher whos got there running shoes and pushing hands ready?!!
Play disabled sport - Id like to try as many sports as possible for the disabled to show other wheelchair users whats out there, have a go and get involved in sport!!
Go to Wimbledon - Im a major tennis fan, you should have seen me hit the ball .. over the fence lol be good to see it done by the pros again, ticketing!!
Hovercraft racing - lets get some adrenalin pumping!!!! lets do it
Attend a rugby game - Somethibg ive yet todo, i expect to have ticking issues england or worcester warriors for me .. although im open to a union game with a northern friend!!!
*Go to the Olympics - This was a major big life time thing for me and i acheieved in 2012 at London in my wheelchair and it was amazing .. blog and pics to follow
Visit Portugal - I just wish to visit im curious of the facilities in portugal!!
Raise money for charity - id like todo this because of all the help ive recieved a long the way from heart and rheumatoid and grief charities in the past 5 years
visit Beligum - i want to try the chocolate ive been told it can be difficukt for wheelchair users, im up the challenge are you?
Afternoon Tea in London - Just to prove us wheelchair folk can do anything we want!!! (even with an eating dosorder abd dislike of hot drinks!!)
Photo shoot - strange one right? no i wanna show you can be sexy in a wheelchair and you look at the person not just the wheelchair!!
Narrow boat day - just to prove ill try anything once im not sure how it will work in a wheelchair though!!
Ryder Cup - I love watching the golf and id love to see it live, could be an experience the greens and avoding flying balls in a wheelchair!!
Go sailing - Yes ill try anything once to prove my point i can do anything you can do!!!
Horse riding - I did it before rheumatoid and eager to do it again with the wheelchair .. is it possible .. to be continued ....
Helicopter ride - Suggested by my friend Mark .. i didnt mention he'd be joining me .. good one mate!!!
White water rafting - Suggested by my friend Victoria .. i hear wales has a centre ... should be fun!!! adenaline will be racing!!!
Play Golf - Suggested by my friend Sue at disabled golf .. i can not wait to meet you and have a go :)
fashion show - just because im in a wheelchair and have arthritis doesnt mean i crnt wear fun clothes like everyone else!
Cocktail making - A fun girlie activity might be difficult with my arthratic hands oh well ill just get covered in alcohol least ill have had fun!!!
Trend on twitter - #vickydidit ... on completion of the 50!!!
Admin - * means ive completed it the reason its on this list is because there things I never thought id do because of the wheelchair and so i felt they deserved there place!!
Right now the good bit - friends family fellow blog writers and readers to want to get involved why not help out and enjoy the 50 challenges with me ... lets do this (oviously not everything but some i need a little help like the half marathon!!!)
Lots of hugs & Love V xxxx
50 big ones!
So i was sat here last night and i thought what can i do to help build awareness that people in wheelchairs can still have fun and do things they enjoy. What did i come up with a list of 50 things that will show that disabled people can still do despite there disability its a fun list and some personal things. Admitadly there is some of the list that ive already achieved that i will include but ill also write about that experience. I should maybe do a personal one too but its kind of combined so will be fun filled. Im not going to say im going todo it all in a year because with a disability you never know what tomorrow will bring.
The last few weeks have been tough on a personal level and i think thats whats lead to this lead. I shall write up my list later on as im 10 short at the moment!I hope that i can achieve them all and people will take positivity from this adventure but also enjoy the journey.
v xx
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