Additional Needs

It Ain’t All Bad

Posted by Carolyn Voisey on 2nd November 2020 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

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There is something just glorious about Autumn. September, with its mistiness has given way to a very wet October here in Staffordshire.

It’s the kind of weather the Dude loves to go out in, with his rain hood down on his wheelchair obviously, where he can smile at everyone else getting drenched! Cold, grey days are perfect for cuddling up on the sofa with a film on, or for building a reading den in the sitting room using sofa cushions, blankets and anything else we can find.

These are the days made for stories, for splashing about in puddles and for enjoying being together. The trees around where we live are all in the process of putting on their final show before winter sets in, and even on the grimmest of mornings they are a stunning sight.

Covid has been all-consuming since March… strange to think that only a year ago we hadn’t even heard of it.

After spending 6 months doing everything possible to keep Sam protected and safe from the virus, it was devastating to then have him hospitalised with something else entirely. For us, the 6 months of lockdown was precious although extraordinarily difficult. Getting to spend so much time with our little boy was the greatest gift imaginable – although we were indeed counting down the days to his return to school, that sort of went by the wayside thanks to his existing health issues.

We’re optimistic that he may make it back in time for the Christmas parties?! By that point I suspect we’ll have gone totally, completely barking mad and will be exhausted beyond measure… but I wouldn’t have it any other way because it means our wonderful boy is still here.

But before then, we have Halloween to look forward to. While we don’t celebrate it as such, Sam adores the fun of pumpkin carving, baking, having his little pumpkin and ghost lights up and a tradition in our family; the watching of the film, Hocus Pocus. It is a great joy to me that my son shares my love of this wonderfully kooky film, much to his Dad’s despair!

If covid has taught us anything it should be that time together is the most precious of all commodities.

After a year which saw a new nephew born in the family, when we came closer than we’ve ever been before to losing our precious boy, I definitely want to work a bit less and to enjoy my time a whole lot more. Now, anyone for a pumpkin spiced latte?!