I’m beginning to hate absolutes when we all deserve a chance to tell another story about ourselves. For example ‘she has MS’ only defines one part of a multi-faceted, diverse histories person. Maybe we should think about expecting more from someone and not getting out a one covers everything stamp.

A few evenings ago I was watching the sky, hoping for some inspiration. A flock of crows were filling the clouds, but then I spotted a smaller group of swallows flying above them in a smaller, tighter circle. It made me think of friendship and the way people can surround you and lift you up…

(I’m so aware of people battling worse circumstances than me, I need to emphasize that from the outset. I can only speak from my own experience, that, I hope, is a given.)

Earlier I experienced above and beyond kindness. Do you ever see that one good experience can often open your eyes to more? If I think hard about it, there was at least one thing that happened before I’d even left the house. It is so easy to let negative events cloud your judgement about what…

With firsts. After depressing myself with photos of a more able, heel-wearing version of me, I made a firm decision to focus on the person I am right now. I started by reminding myself that in my current state, I would not have been cared for and spoiled by the amazing two women who took…

I know it’s hard, but sometimes you have to go over the things you used to know, that you haven’t been able to do for some time. Take heart and trust it will come back again.

And turn it into a good something. Our little niece reminded me that sometimes, when there are no toys, games can still happen. She was running round the house laughing at nothing (that I could see) and was having a grand time when there were no amusements about. How are you when your hands are…

Are not always when you’re winning. I have been watching some of the Olympics, but the moments that have stuck with me have been when someone has not achieved the time they expected or things have gone wrong for them. I found myself empathising with the tears cried by a runner who expected to win…

And stand up tall. Watching the amazing swimmer Léon Marchand two evenings ago, I was amazed by the way his supporters timed their shouts with his breathing. Every time his head rose up they shouted ‘Léon!’. So we aren’t Olympian swimmers but just think about the number of people who root for you every day.…

No matter how deep the valley or dark the night, hold on tight. I’ve been looking out my window today and watching the birds landing and sitting still as the dark clouds gather and threaten rain. I was wondering- what do you do in times of crisis?