nina retires

 

 

 

 

 

Nina retired yesterday. She's been a support worker for our son and his friend for fifteen years, part of  a fantastic team that have helped these two men achieve independent living despite their disabilities.

Throughout her time with them she has been an indomitable bundle of energy, always thinking up new ways to enhance their lives. We remember the holidays, the fishing trips, the visits to the health-club, but most of all we remember the love she has shared in abundance.

Happy retirement, Nina - you're a true star!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reunited

It's been seven long months since we've seen Hannah, our youngest daughter, and April her lovely fiancee.

On Saturday we took them to visit Ben, our son. Ben is learning disabled and it meant so much to him to see them both. We went for a socially distanced walk round the park and left Ben with some Aston Villa face-masks and some Skittles. 

a walk in the park

isolation

This was the first time we've seen our son for over three months. It was a socially distanced two-lap dog walk around the park near where he lives.

Ben is learning disabled. He's thirty four, but his mental age is around five. That doesn't stop him being a loving, responsible member of his community. We paid him a surprise visit on Saturday now the restrictions have been eased and he was so pleased  to show us his face-mask!

We've avoided almost all contact with family members during lock-down. One of them is particularly vulnerable and is being shielded. We so miss their hugs and cuddles. What's made it worse is seeing others flagrantly flouting the lock-down rules. However, if we can help our children, our grand-children and our community remain safe it will all be worth it in the end.

aston villa 1 v 6 manchester city

It's difficult to say much about the football.

Sheik Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan has invested well over £1.3 billion in Manchester City since he took over ownership in 2018. Undoubtedly, his funding has helped create one of the most gifted football teams in history and Sergio Aguero's hat-trick on Sunday is richly deserved. However, with that level of financial clout it hardly seems a level-playing field.

For me the real story of the game is not the football but my son's reaction to a complete evisceration of his beloved Villa. I'm so proud of the young man.

Ben is learning disabled. He's nearly thirty four but with a mental age probably around five or six. Come half-time we're four goals down with the Villa goal serving as little more than target practice for a rampant City. I see Ben's shoulders begin to shake and tears of frustration start to form in his eyes as we make our way up the steps to the concourse.

A bottle of Zero coke and a generous portion of chips later he's beginning to calm down. 'Time to go, do you think, Ben?' He nods. 'Yes, dad'. He could have chosen to cry and bawl but no - he's putting on his brave face. We'll be back again at Villa Park soon and he'll be cheering with the best. My son, my hero.

 

  

You don't have to be ...

Do you know what?

You don't have to be rich to be happy. You don't have to be clever or handsome or a particular colour or a particular orientation.  Or live in a special place or have a special job.

All you need to do is to be you.

Here's our son celebrating his 28th birthday. He's learning disabled, but that has never stopped him enjoying life to the full. He is not limited by his disability, nor is he defined by it. He is just who he is and we're all very proud of him.