Square Dog Black Peg

Monday was Maggie's birthday, the sun was shining so we embarked on an adventure. We caught the bus to Huddersfield unaccompanied.   First of all we called at a supermarket for a drink from the kiosk. It's quite a contrast how unhelpful 'busy' people can be. There must have been fifty people stood around pretending not to notice as I unsuccessfully tried to reach a drink from the chiller cabinet. This is much different to my local store, where some of staff instantly know what I want without me asking. Maybe it's a sales policy as in the past I have bought drinks when I didn't actually want them! Then we called at the bank, the cashier recognised us and remembered that Maggie had once accidentally bitten through my cash card whilst picking it up from the floor.   Following that we made our way to Greenhead Park where we enjoyed a stroll and Maggie had a dip in the pond!! Luckily for her the smelly pooch was already booked in to have a full groom...

My usual Friday lunch is at my local pub, it makes it much easier now that I've got to know the staff. So they are used to me throwing coffee and chips around, this week I was joined by Judith's Uncle Peter. He usually looks after us with food and goodies, this week was no different and we had a supply consisting of meat pies, sausages, vanilla slices, maltesers and Easter surprises. After lunch I met Judith and we hurried to our MPs office, we are asking for her help regarding issues concerning my NHS budget.  They are trying to withdraw thier financial support, I think they are willing to let me lay in bed all day watching Jeremy Kyle. This makes me recall a time a few years ago. Whilst I was in bed watching TV,  I had refused to allow Harry his latest begging request. He put Jeremy Kyle on my TV and carefully placed the remote control out of my reach!

Since I left hospital in April 2012, I have been having weekly physiotherapy. Initially this was also provided by the NHS, but they withdrew their services. We did fight this and succeeded for a while but it just wasn't worth it anymore, their decision was inevitable. I enjoy physio, I suppose it's the nearest that I can get to releasing my frustrations. In the past I could channel my energy through football, or more recently long distance running. Now I have too much time on my hands, time that I need though. I don't usually cope very well when  I'm rushed now. I've named these my 'Frank Spencer moments', obviously I'm not old not enough to remember him the first time around but my 'much' older sister would 'tape' them and we would watch them together. (Poetic license applied!) So after five years my bank balance needs a rest, I've been forced to make a painful decision. I am regretfully taking 'a rest' while my bank...

This week at square peg was a learning curve for me. Thinking that my side kick had the activity box. We were forced to wing it as we didn't have an agenda in place. (Rumour has it, a white haired man was seen putting a square shaped article INTO my garage) Learning  from my mistake,  I really put in a lot of effort for April's events. This time I was over cautious and managed to book two events in one day!

So there I was lying and wondering what to write about, nothing,  I had very little to write about, it's official, I'm boring! Should I comment on the documentary that I've just watched on TV? No that was boring too! Anyway I could only remember that it was about illegal drugs. I passed all memory tests during my lengthy stay in hospital. Each time was a close call though, I would just manage to convince the therapists (and myself!) that my memory was poor before the stroke, so it's remained unchanged. This was true, it was. I'm not sure if stroke is the cause or if it's just a case of 'use it, or lose it'? I certainly believe that my memory is worse though, but I wouldn't then, my body was broken and I didn't want anyone to think my mind was too! (Even me) Anyway, back on topic. I was about to call it a call it a day, when I recalled that I had not read my emails. Normally this would not bother me, I currently have around 300 unread but ...

People who know me will see the irony with this title! A couple of months ago, I was quite keen on taking some kind of computer course. Unfortunately the course that I chose could not run as there wasn't enough participants! I them became aware of the gadget club and the owner Dean. My hypnotherapist was also encouraging me to write a 'blog', hopefully this will inspire others and of course it helps me. Dean from the gadget club helped me and this blog was born! A while later I was introduced to Dave from the Huddersfield Town Disabled Supporters Club. Before long I was being 'voluntered' to help increase their membership with the help social media. The help that I felt that I needed was frustrating me, so one day I just got on with it, amazing myself by creating a group on Facebook. I'm pretty pleased with the results, check them out and judge for yourself. (constructive feedback is accepted!)

Another really important match at the John Smiths  Stadium this week. I felt that Huddersfield were on their way to reaching my goal of 4 points from these two home matches. Having got a point last week, I felt that Town really needed to win this week. The weather was icy cold, especially for a 'spring' day and my toes still haven't thawed out yet! Town played badly, even the normally lively crowd seemed quiet. After slumping to a 0-2  defeat, I went home, put on my rose tinted glasses and re-planned the Terriers Premier League survival route!

Having attend the Yorkshire Disability Awards I was amazed at the achievements of my rivals. It really was a honour that we were actually nominated for awards in the categories of coach of the year - Tony Eustace, volunteer of the year - myself and organisation of the year - square pegs. Rumour is we actually came second?! If only they were giving silver medals!

This weekend was crufts at Birmingham NEC. I was very much looking for to collecting money and promoting the fantastic charity Dogs For Good. I love the attention that Maggie gets, it's probably a good job that i'm not allowed to enter Maggie. I'm sure that she would melt the judges heart, it just wouldn't be fair on the other pooches! I was considering going for two nights, but in the end I was persuaded that it would be too busy and intense for Maggie. This meant that I could watch the six pointer at the John Smiths Stadium, Huddersfield v Swansea. This game was spoiled after 10 minutes, a Swansea player made a reckless tackle and got himself sent off. The rest of the match was like a training drill, attack v defence. I can't remember seeing such a one sided match but sadly Huddersfield came very close but they just couldn't make the net bulge! Perhaps I shared their frustration, as I had a massive meltdown when the children wouldn't do as they were ...

A trip into Huddersfield is not normally a great achievement, but on this occasion as we drove. I tucked into a chicken Tikka wrap  (don't worry, jude was driving! Despite the sun shining she was benefitting from a SNOW day?) I remembered a previous time when I was extremely proud of myself..... Looking back on it now it seems so simple and it almost seems as though its someone else? An inspiring woman that I really admire is Kate Allatt, Kate has become a great friend. She has made a remarkable recovery after suffering a similar stroke to myself (google Kate and check her books!) To help my recovery Kate suggested that I write a diary, which she posted on-line from the charity that she created 'fighting strokes'. I have found this entry from the 10th July 2013. A major new development was drinking through a straw. You may have seen the picture but if you haven't here it is. I tried 2 weeks ago but failed and had to result a cup! That was progre...

Hopefully this blog will bring me up to date at last. Like the rest of Britain, I'm not so great in this weather. While many are enjoying the snow, my vulnerability shows it's ugly head and makes me completely housebound. As I watch the family (even the dog) preparing for a snow day, I frustratingly watch wishing my wheelchair had snow chains fitted. So there I am, going stir crazy. Well at least I've chance to catch up with my blog!

Monday I had hypnotherapy, before suffering my stroke I was perhaps a little sceptical about such methods. However now I have no doubt that it's effective, maybe it's the 'placebo effect' but I am certain that my voice has improved as has the strength in my legs! Whis week, rather than have me pretending to be a chicken. We discussed a speaking action plan , which I need to develop. (Attached) With some help I got dressed appropriately for the icy weather, and again with Maggie for company, we again caught the bus to Huddersfield. This time it was just some jobs at the bank (not a bank job, that's something quite different!) and a little shop for lunch box snacks. It can be difficult trying to shop but there is usually a kind stranger who will help me reach items on shelves in difficult positions, however I often leave a trail of destruction behind me. I just have to ignore the ignorant ones, who treat me as if I'm mad or have something contagious!

So I now find myself a week behind and I have a few blog's that I need to post; Last Saturday with Maggie for company, we set off to see my sister who lives in Carlilse. This was quite an adventure for me, I usually rely on someone taking / collecting me from the station. My usual chauffeurs were not available, so we made our own way into Huddersfield by bus. The whole day went relatively event free, we usually cause a bit of chaos between us. I suppose the nearest we came was a couple of times at the bus station; The first was on our outward journey, we were very early so called at Gregg's. The lovely smells of meat must have been sending Maggie crazy. Food is usually Maggie's 'achilles heal', but she was magnificent. She must have worked those puppy dog eyes on the shop assistant though because she passed me a complimentary sausage roll for my dog! You may know that as an assistance dog, Maggie does not 'intentionally' consume any human food, she onl...