It began with a tremor that visited so briefly and has not yet returned. The taste of my third cup of coffee was beginning to go stale at the back of my throat, reminding me both that my children were waiting and, of course, to fetch a mint on my way out.  Before the keyboard …

“Did you get the license plate, Honey?”…”Of what?”…”The semi that hit me!”

Thank you to all the women in my life that demonstrate; wisdom, courage, strength, love and beauty on many levels.

The appointment that could not be put off any longer. Flaming ball of hope? or ginger mopped head in hands?

A fortunate cancellation

The birth of a lab rat.

A pre-dbs visit to the Neuropsychologist…

Sometimes it seems safer to switch the torch off!

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Ann Radmacher

Post Diagnosis

I shared this sad but important message with some beautiful year 11 and 12 students today. I’ve put this together for us parents…

Sitting patiently, waiting. No real desire to engage in conversation – despite the familiar, friendly faces spattered around the hall. A youthful energy on an occasion usually more suited to a much older crowd. A portrait on the wall. An impressive portrait, a surfer, radiant smile, Hollywood looks. An empty lecturn. It could be the …

It appears the sliding of wires through my fleshy grey matter has adjusted my ability to control my impulses. Depending on your perspective I am more fun, confident, decisive and brave; or rash, childish, impatient and reckless. Internally, I’m still just me – though in a continual tug of war between anxiety and determination; shame …

Thousands of screaming fans, overjoyed with my simple presence – it was not. But visiting my now former school to be farewelled by the students I cared for these last five years, was as close as I’ll get (or ever want to get!) to the rockstar experience.   Children have a great knack of saying …

A magical, slightly gross process is whirring away deep within the microscopic cosmos of my brain. Over the past past twelve months, tiny strands of protein have thankfully been wrapping themselves around the alien, metallic intruders that expertly navigated their way on a mission to blast electricity into the sub thalamic nucleus just millimetres from …

Wow. One year on from life-changing DBS surgery and life has certainly changed. I am currently all charged up with my electrodes pumping a constant supply of dopamine producing current to my Basal Ganglia:-  Which controls movement but also  cognition, motivation, learning and other functions. As such the life of this ‘up and coming, progressive …

Tough, but absolutely worth it!

“Risin’ Up, back on the street did my time, took my chances” – Survivor

Sunday Mail feature after going the distance with L-Dopa challenge.