About Time

It’s time. Time I started blogging again. Time to make time. I just never seem to have a spare minute these days. There is always something that needs doing from the moment I wake up to the moment I call it a night. I guess it is good to keep busy. Sometimes it is nice to be able to sit down and reflect though. I have been craving the opportunity to write. To write down everything before it fades from memory.

2020 is rushing by. The year has been full on to date. Nevertheless, I need to return to 2019 and all of its happenings.

2019
There is never a dull period in life. 2019 sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I decided to have knee surgery in the hope that I could run pain free again. Although I am still not pain free or able to run on the track I am glad that I went for the surgery. I am enjoying running on the soft surface rugby pitch for now and look forward to progressing on to harder surfaces in 2020. I have accepted that my knee will probably never feel completely comfortable. However, I am able to be active and clinging on to the dream of racing once more.

Much of 2019 was spent waiting for a new Guide Dog. As the year was drawing to a close it appeared the waiting game would continue into 2020 then I got the surprise match and learnt Guide Dog number two would be Riley. Calvin officially retired on New Year’s Day. Sadly he had a terrible sickness and tummy bug the last few days of the year. So I wasn’t able to walk the routes I had planned with him for the final time. Despite this, we did the walk to my parents before he was struck down. It is a nice two and a half mile stretch that gave me time to reminisce about our partnership. We had so many adventures together, far too many to write right now. I am just super proud of him for guiding me for over ten years. His laid back, care free attitude enabled me not to be left without my independence. I am lucky that I can keep him with me in his retirement.

And the reason that I can keep him is because my partner moved in. I have reached a point in my life where I have met someone to share my home with. I’m slowly creeping up the grown-up ladder. I appreciate him moving up to Leicester from Reading meaning that I am close to my family and friends as well as being in a familiar environment. Thankfully he was able to transfer his job up to here.

One more significant thing happened in 2019. I got a new job. For many people with a disability finding work is beyond a challenge. I had my many struggles years ago. I never thought I would have two fulfilling roles and two supportive employers. Both of my jobs are 0 hour contracts, which suits my lifestyle. I had a lovely busy year working as an Expert by Experience for Choice Support. In November I started working as an Expert by Experience for Voiceability. Whilst my job title is the same at both places, the work involved is different yet connected. At Choice Support I help the CQC with inspections of health and social care services. At Voiceability I attend care, education and treatment reviews for people who have a learning disability and or autism who are at risk of being admitted to hospital due to challenging behaviour or poor mental health. Both roles are highly rewarding.

2020
A new decade. A new Guide Dog. I started training with Riley on 6 January. More on that in future blog posts. The year is already proving tough. Training with a new Guide Dog was never going to be easy. Calvin and Riley get on well, but boisterous play means Calvin is currently at my parents recovering from a sprained paw!

Before the end of 2020 I would like Calvin in one piece, to be a confident partnership with Riley, running on the track and generally loving life. I have some fun activities lined up. Attending Crufts, the theatre, Euro 2020 football, concerts including my beloved Westlife and two friends weddings.