Adventures of Pom

No. I am struggling.  My mental health is negative and I am not coping well.  This is a difficult problem to confess because I have spent a lot of time trying to ensure that my blog puts a positive spin on living with a disability however the reality is that it is impossible to stay positive all the time. Reality can often make life difficult and present seemingly insurmountable objects directly in front of us.  Case in point: an insurmountable object (sorry random guy), see below my photo from March 2023. My view of the stage from the wheelchair space at the New Theatre in Oxford, sometimes the objects in the way are literal not just figurative: (After complaining, the New Theatre have refunded my tickets and have pledged to build spaces down the front of their auditorium. Let's just hope that their pledge is more reliable than one from Amber Heard..!) My gradually degenerating physical condition is the biggest obstacle. It effects everything in my life an...

I wrote this as a guest article for Ataxia UK volunteer magazine, however due to my own weird personal circumstances at the time, I requested that they did not use it and it has been sitting in my files ever since. Upon rereading it I actually quite like it and I have decided to publish it on my blog, I hope you like it too and perhaps it will raise a little bit of awareness. Being born in the 80's meant that being misdiagnosed was common due to lack of genome testing and specialist knowledge. I went through several incorrect diagnosis' before I was given the correct one at age 7. Friedreich's Ataxia (FA). Having FA means that every day is a constant battle between my brain and my physical body.  My brain is a motivated, energetic geek who just wants a good life.  My body is a tired, weak, depressed stoner with constant brain fog. My personal war between brain and body has been waging for just over 42 years and I am pleased to say that despite it getting increasingly diff...