The Foundation Years

Dear Diary,

Its been a long time in the coming. I have finally got my fourth book out. ""The Foundation Years" . After so many years of anxiety, waiting and so much change since the last book that was published back in 2016. 

But it's now January 2026 and "The Foundation Years " has been out for 2 weeks.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe the last one was published way back in 2016. 

So much has happened in those ten years—so much anxiety, so much waiting, and changes I never could have predicted.

Between the lockdowns and the moves, there were times when life didn’t feel safe. We had to leave the "original" home behind to find a place where we could all just be.

For a long time, I was just "planning" and waiting for the time to be right. I was carrying decades of what was never said, spending time and money on masks that just didn’t fit.

But sitting here today, I realize the "growth" I was waiting for was happening inside all along.

My home is finally clean and secure. We are safe and sound. And while I’m seeing the changes in my body as I get older, I’m finding that mentally, I’m getting so much bolder. 

The noise from what others once made is finally beginning to fade. I can join my past to my future and finally be who I want to be.

"The Foundation Years" is out. The weight is lifted. And now, I’m ready to start writing the next chapter.

Love 

🌙✨

AFew Months!

It's been a few months since I moved into my final home. I had given myself a bit of time to recover from the amount of stress, uncertainty and energy that I have used over the last 14 months with all the moves.

Having multiple conditions and moving is probably more stressful than just moving. Which is stressful in itself.

There are many things which I never thought about growing up with the main condition cerebral palsy which I spotted in my 1st move. But never thought of it until moving into the final home.

Here are some tips to make the transition smoother:

Involve the person with cerebral palsy in the planning process as much as possible. This will help them feel more in control and invested in the new home.

List any accessibility needs to be addressed in the new home.

This could include wider doorways, bathroom grab bars, or a lower kitchen counter.

Start unpacking and setting up the new home one room at a time.

This will help to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Familiarise the person with cerebral palsy with the layout of the new home.

This will help them feel more comfortable and independent.

Be patient and allow plenty of time for the person with cerebral palsy to adjust to the new home.

Some tips can be done during settling into a new home. The biggest one I discovered in the last home as I got used to the layout of the place.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user, there was one major thing I was suffering in the first month and that is to use my home helper trolley that I have for transferring from one room to another. So that I could adjust to the different surfaces of certain rooms and areas.

My kitchen, hall and bathrooms are laid with lino

and the living room and bedrooms are carpeted.

I'm still struggling a little bit three months on but I'm getting better. I know that it's ok and I know that I will get used to the house and area. I still walk gingerly around some places as I don't go out as much as I did before.

A new place

A lot has happened since. But here I am.

A different place. Older and wiser than before. New things are coming slow and steady. Other things keep dropping off. I have learnt a lot over the last few years. Knowing that life has always a way of doing things to change your plans no matter what you want. It's ok though. Learning is what life is all about. In some ways life has been harder but in others it hasn't.

You think life is going one way then it shows you a different route. Sometimes they lead to a completely different place and sometimes it might just be a loop or bump in the road that either speeds things up or slows it down.

What's next ? Who knows. All that can be done by me is being done and the rest is out of my jurisdiction. The wait can be a problem but the best thing is to channel energy into other things. I'm trying my best to do that very thing. Yet there are so many distractions. Some are welcome, others are not.

What is left to do? A bit of clearing out. Not much though! Everything I had asked for is coming even though there have been difficulties. Some have been huge and others small. They all have challenged me most definitely. 

One of the things I have struggled with is patience. There's a saying ”patience is a virtue” and I know that it's one I wish I had. Especially when it's to do with things that are out of my control. Have you ever had those types of feelings? I know I have!

How do I deal with those feelings? That depends on what I'm wanting to be done by others. I know people probably think I should be doing everything. I can't however. It doesn't mean I don't want to. Just physically I can't.

You see, I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. I used to do almost everything possible as a child and young adult. The older I have gotten, the less I have been able to do. There are many people who are like this. Not just me. 

Frustration is forever changing because things I could do a year ago. Now I either struggle with it or can't do it anymore. And things change. And as a person either accept the change or become more maudlin and then depressed. It's never easy to accept things about yourself as a teen or young adult. And if something happens while getting older. 

There is always the question “why me?” The question should actually be “why not me?” Or “what can I learn from the situation I'm in?” those questions are a better way. 

Because there's always something you can learn. Sometimes you may not be the one who needs to learn something but you are the one who is there to teach someone else something.  

Someone said that if you don't learn something the first time around then you are given multiple challenges until you learn what is required. 

The two things that I have learnt in my life so far is acceptance and understanding.  There are a few more things that I need to learn successfully. Such as listening, patience and the ability to stop worrying about things that are out of my control. Those things are not easy to do. I'm trying though. 

What do I want for the rest of my life? I went through a phase of doing things that are not really me. They gave me a new set of skills which is great. I know that those skills are going to be useful, however I'm not ready to use them properly yet. I know I will just not now. But I am excited to be doing what I'm doing. Especially as this is something I love doing but have not felt quite good enough to do it again because of my disability and other life situations that I had no control over. 

What is it that I can do for now?  Obviously I need to do physio and gentle exercises but what can I do?

Well there's been a few things that have changed since the beginning of this. There has been a massive change in the sense of two different moves. One was a temporary move because where I had been was not really good for me. The other. 

The other was the final. I'm finally settling into the new house but there's a few things that need to be done. And once they're done I'll feel more confident in the house. The other big change is the area of where I'm living.

It's a quaint village that has old buildings but the pavement is not really good enough for someone who is an ambulatory wheelchair user, or someone who is wheelchair bound. I need to go around on my scooter and get to know the area. However at the moment I'm stuck using a scooter which is totally not my type. Even if the colour is my favourite. Which means I'm stuck indoors until mine is repaired.

Luckily there's still some things that need to be done. Before having people around.

Moving forward with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Living with cerebral palsy can present challenges, but with the right mindset and support, it is possible to move forward and live a fulfilling life.

One of the first steps in moving forward with cerebral palsy is to develop a positive mindset. This means focusing on what you can do, rather than what you can’t. It’s important to remember that everyone has limitations, and that having cerebral palsy does not define who you are as a person. By focusing on your strengths and abilities, you can build self-confidence and a sense of purpose.

For me this is the blog and ability to talk about my conditions. Both cerebral palsy and endometriosis. From a personal point of view. In order to educate others.

Another important step is to build a support network. This can include family, friends, healthcare providers, and community organisations. By connecting with others who understand your challenges and can offer support and encouragement, you can build resilience and overcome obstacles. I was always taught "there's no such word as can't"

Physical therapy and assistive devices can also be helpful in managing the symptoms of cerebral palsy. Physical therapy can help improve mobility and muscle strength, while assistive devices such as braces, walkers, and wheelchairs can help with mobility and daily living activities. It’s important to work with healthcare providers to find the right treatment plan for your individual needs.

Education and employment opportunities can also play a key role in moving forward with cerebral palsy. There is a lot more to do in this section as it's not always considered as an adult condition.

Pursuing education and career goals can provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment, while also improving financial stability. It’s important to advocate for yourself and seek out opportunities that align with your interests and abilities.

Finally, it’s important to practise self-care and prioritise your physical and mental health. This can include getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, staying active, and seeking out mental health support if needed. By taking care of yourself, you can better manage the challenges of cerebral palsy and live a full and meaningful life.

This is why at times I don't post. As I feel mentally drained because my CP has caused problems either the night before or days before. And more often than not endometriosis has also interfered

In conclusion, living with cerebral palsy can present challenges, but with the right mindset and support, it is possible to move forward and live a fulfilling life. By focusing on your strengths, building a support network, accessing appropriate treatment and assistive devices, pursuing education and career goals, and prioritising self-care, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your full potential.

For me this is having a fantastic family of my own and my blog here, podcast and books which you can get from Amazon.

As I have said I'm in a bit of a stable place at the moment so I will be pivoting slightly on the blog back towards things I like and do as I had been through different things all mentioned here in previous posts. What have I got planned for now regarding the blog? You will have to find out by reading more.

In Limbo! Waiting for the future

It can be difficult to feel like you are in limbo, not knowing what the future holds. However, try to focus on the present moment and what you can do to make your current situation the best it can be. Remind yourself of the things that bring you joy. And use this time to work on personal growth. The future will come when it is ready and you can use this time to prepare for it.

What does that mean?

It means exactly that! This may mean learning new skills, self development in any way. Sorting out the business you're in, getting the house in order for the next move or anything else that is needed.

For me!

This has meant having the house partially packed up. I kind of hate this situation. However, I am ready for whatever happens next in the sense of the house move because I am waiting for other people to do what they need to do in order to make my next step. That stage will be exciting. ☺️

What have I been doing?

I have been reading all types of books, catching up on TV shows that I have wanted to see and seeing friends. While waiting I have also dealt with some of my medical issues that I do talk about in posts. So that includes the main issue cerebral palsy, endometriosis, general anxiety disorder and clinical depression.

What now?

All I can do right now is wait until I get told what is next. It is frustrating but it is a good way to learn something like patience. And that is something that I have been doing since this has begun.and I will be seeing friends, reading, watching TV series I've not seen and wanted to as well. 

What's next?

Until I know when I am moving I will be working on my self development. This will be regarding my worth, use, patience and more.

So until then that is what is happening with my life with cerebral palsy and endometriosis. And that's ok for me!

Until the next post!

I hope you will read some of my posts and stick around for the next one.

A longer wait than I thought!

Why am I writing now?

The reason I am writing now is because there is a longer waiting period than I had thought or had hoped for. I wanted to explain why I haven't written for such a long time.

What has been happening?

I had thought we would have moved by now but that isn't the case. The local council has very limited housing and because the needs I have the number of homes are reduced even further. This has made things very stressful. I know that it's the right decision even though the timing is off in my opinion.

What's the plan?

For the next 6 - 8 weeks it is a waiting game. The reason is because of where we are now. Most of our stuff is packed up in boxes ready to go. We were to be leaving in late November. However, that did not happen. Then we had thought that maybe mid December like the previous one a couple of years ago but that's not happening either! Now we are not sure when exactly or where. Yet it will be within the next 6-8 weeks. This means that we are where we are for the holiday season. 

Feelings about it!

There's so many different types of feelings going on within me and the family as a whole. The feelings include the following.

• Anger
• Frustration 
• Worry
• Annoyance
• Acception 
• Excitement
• Happiness

All of these feelings are felt all at once and individually. Throughout the day and sometimes at night. Meaning that I find it difficult to get to sleep.  

All of these feelings are normal, I know. Yet they can really disrupt me.

Why?

This is because they turn my attention to them rather than what I want to do, which is either writing, recording my radio show or spending time with the rest of the family.

The meantime!

During this time I won't be writing much if at all during this time as boxes are everywhere and making me unstable. So I am just sitting, watching TV, reading, listening to podcasts, audiobooks as well as slowly getting ready for the move. And doing lots of self development stuff as the cerebral palsy has many secondary problems. Some of them are mental health issues and others are physical problems that have occurred over time. These include for me the following:

1. General anxiety disorder.
2. Clinical depression.
3. Panic attacks.
4. Bone damage.
5. Arthritis.
6. Post impairment syndrome.
7. Bone disfigurement.

Some of these have been life long and some of them have been arriving the older I get. These include:

• Bone disfigurement
• Arthritis 
• Post impairment syndrome.

What does this mean?

For me this has meant that with the stress of everything regarding the move has meant that my moods and physical ability has been restricted as I have either been trying to help pack up again or felt so awful that I have not been able to do anything.

What's next?

So while I am staying relatively quiet except on Instagram @sweetestmoonuk where you can find me daily.

More of the same craziness - with moving again!

 Things are a bit difficult at the minute. I'm writing this because of how things are. I'm thinking things through slowly. I've struggled with what's going on recently. We've got a date to move. And It's made it harder to think straight about anything.

We are doing the best we can at the moment as a family, but we're not doing brilliantly. I've wanted to write. I haven't bothered because I've not felt like it. Doing it by audio is the only way I think I'm going to be able to do it for a while and just everything through to make my blog post for now. 

Because of the way, the way messes are at the moment, with getting ready for the move. Which is possibly at the end of November.  I'm looking to get things ready but it's not brilliant. I felt so low with my cerebral palsy and frustrated because I couldn't do things. Which has contributed to my moods and lack of energy to think or even things I love.

Other people are not being as helpful as they could be. So yes, it could be better. It's difficult to do anything else because of the way things are. I want to make things easily doable for me at the moment. Things like having to think about how I'm writing everything through. 

Hopefully, when things are confirmed, I'll be able to do more writing for my blog. So as I have said, I'm using Instagram, having fun with that and trying to be positive. I am waiting for what's out of my control because of the changes with cerebral palsy, along with the things that are going on for the move.

Whoops it's been a while!

It's been a while since I wrote and did anything. Lots of things have been happening around me mentally and physically. I haven't been able to focus.

Lots of things are still going on at the moment. I’m going to have to keep this an explanatory blog post and audio. Because of the way things are at the moment.

I don't know how much longer they will be with all this going on, but I am doing little things through Instagram. You can catch me there. Also the occasional tweet. Those are the two programs that I use the most. You can always get me o

there.

It's been a bit difficult at the moment. I am trying to decide what's most important. I do want to do what I've been doing since 2015. A lot of things have sort of thrown a spanner in the works. And my plans haven't been able to be put into place because of what was going on.

2I'm in the middle of doing one thing that needs to be done right after Christmas time.

We just have to wait and see what happens next and then I want to move forward. Half this year has been rather tangential. I think. It will be for the rest of the year. Though I will tweet, Instagram, and Facebook as much as I can. Things have gotten out of my control. I can't do what I want to do right now. So is frustrating.

My health also hasn't been particularly brilliant, so that has needed to come into play and is more important than anything else.

I've been advertising, the things I've been doing very to a game again. Mainly so you can catch me there. As I said but you're gonna see a lot more of me writing next year.

Please excuse the yawn. It's been rather hot recently, I will get back to you soon.

xxx

Moving on

 Right Now

I'm writing this because I haven't had much to say recently. I changed provider for the blog and life has got in the way.  Using some of the older posts and certainly cerebral palsy has played a lot in my life. And it will for the rest of it. 

Many people think that it is some kind of disease that is contagious. It is not possible to catch brain damage. I talk about it in Life with Diplegic Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Although my case is fairly mild there are so many different aspects of my life that it dictates long term decisions. Not just the short term ones.

For a long time, I have been trying to support myself and my family while doing things that others are doing.

This includes network marketing and multi-level marketing. While living in a place that we have outgrown as a family. I have personally been struggling to cope while living in it. So my health mentally and physically has suffered badly. I decided that I should go back to what I love which is blogging and writing.

What's Next. 

At the moment, we are in a sort of limbo, while we find somewhere that is more suitable for the whole family. And we can't wait for the actual move and start moving on to the future more positive than it has been. 

While We Wait

So while we house hunt I have learned a new hobby and loving it so far as well as learning how to use a new system for my blog. Which is a good thing as I want to educate people.

Have there been any changes? That has meant that you have had to make big changes to your life? 

I'd so love to hear what they are. 

Love and Peace 

Xxx

So Much freedom

 

I can't wait to put out more book reviews. It is so freeing.

Since focusing more on my blog I have been able to focus on more books that are for pleasure.

So although my last review was a self-help book in the post I really enjoyed it. 

I chose the book because there were both aspects of education and pleasure. I think books should be for pleasure but also for learning. I know that when I was at school studying for my GCSEs I hated reading.

I was only reading books that were for my exams and nothing for pleasure.

Again I felt like that while reading business books when I was working in Multi-Level-Marketing or Network Sales.

I know that they were important to read to help me grow as a business owner but I prefer to read for pleasure.

Right now I am in the process of reading a new book to review which will be out soon. Unlike the last book, the book I am reading at the moment is for pleasure.

I like a lot of different genres such as crime, mystery, biography, history and many more. And I love reading different authors and new ones although I have my favourite writers. These include Terry Pratchett, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, just to name a few.

I would love to know who your favourite authors are and see if there is someone I haven’t read yet. Tell me what your favourite book is? And I will see if it is something that I have not read. Then maybe I can read it.

Let me know what you like

Love and Peace

Xxx