Monthly Magical Moments
January 2025
Sometime in the not too distant past, every month I would reflect on the magical moments I had witnessed that month, but then life…
Recently I had a lovely comment on one of those previous reflections and I realised that I had stopped looking for those moments – and yet, despite the intensity of the last two years, I am aware that they are there, and so, I have decided that Monthly Magical Moments should make a return…
Monthly Magical Moments – January 2025
1. Advocating - In the middle of last year, I was asked if I would join other carers in representing parent carers / family carers of young people with disabilities on various committees and boards that advocate for improvements to the systems of support that we have to navigate when trying to ensure that our children and young people can have access to the life they wish to lead. It has been such an honour to join these other parents who are campaigning so hard for better support, and to meet with the staff at the Local Authority who are working hard to try to implement those changes. I can’t deny that our Local Authority, as with many others up and down the country, hasn’t failed children and young people in the past – Ofsted and CQC reports are testimony to that – but there are many people on both sides who are trying to change that. This month I have attended meetings and started to get to grips with all the information coming in. I am hoping that I can be a small cog in the wheel that turns to mean that children and young people with disabilities can feel supported to be ambitious about their futures.
2. Friendship – Towards the end of last year and the beginning of this, Andre and I have tried to reconnect with old friends, meeting up for lunch, and just generally trying to make a space in our lives where we can chat and catch up with those we don’t see very often.
Cerys and I have also spent time with our close friends Luke and Emma. We always have such a wonderful time when we meet up, and this friendship is one of those where you feel like you have known someone forever because when you met you just clicked and understood one another. This time we went for a meal post New Year. We met at 1 pm and left at 5.30 pm – yes, it is one of those sorts of friendships where you never run out of something to talk about! Sustaining friendships can be difficult when there are extra demands on life but this friendship is so precious it is so worth it.
3. Nathan – the end of January saw Nathan’s birthday. Anyone who knows Nathan knows that he’s not really interested in his birthday (and he prefers the giving of Christmas, not the receiving) so he would say that it’s no big deal. But for me, as his mum, it’s a really big deal that the baby we weren’t sure I would be able to conceive, born 6 weeks premature, who had cardiac surgery at 10 days old, is now 29 years old! Along the way he has had further surgeries, and found his way through the health, education and social care systems that haven’t always felt like they were on his side… that they haven’t always been interested in wanting him to achieve. His status as a full-time wheelchair user does not define him – what defines him is his determination to get his degree, and his further determination to work at educating student professionals going to work in those systems to ensure they recognise the rights of those with disabilities, and to help the students to understand how they can best support those who need some extra help to ensure that they can live their best life. I am so proud of him and the man he is becoming.
4. Cerys – Since leaving college I have seen Cerys blossom – she has been working hard on her course that is teaching her all about business, and how to develop her business – Cerys’ Creative Corner. The Samee project is specifically designed to support disabled young people into self-employment. ‘Persuading’ the Local Authority that Cerys should be funded to take this course is one of the best things we ever did for her. I’m proud that she advocated for herself, and I’m proud of how she has applied herself to the course – she has learnt more since starting in September than she learnt in three years at college! Her mentor, Linda, is amazing and really understands how to help Cerys to learn best. The run up to Christmas was so busy and successful. I also have to pay tribute to Cerys’ wonderful care team who support her in so many different ways. Cerys is currently living her best life and it is so fantastic to see!
5. SmallStack – Finally, I am so honoured to have had one of my posts nominated to be a SmallStack featured post. The post chosen ‘A Day in MY life’ was one of those posts that you put out there but wonder if it will resonate with anyone. It is such a thrill for me that person’s name felt it told the story of that day well enough to want to highlight it. Thank you, thank you for highlighting the post and to anyone who has read it.
So now it’s over to you – what were your magical moments in January?