THE BIG AWKWARD CHAT: SEX, RAPE, & SEXUAL ABUSE

trigger warning: this post contains discussion of topics that may be upsetting to some readers

Even just writing the title of this post has me feeling awkward, embarrassed, anxious and doubtful that I should write such a post!

But why?

People talk about having children.

People talk about getting married.

People definitely talk about sex.

And people are starting to talk about rape and sexual abuse.

So is it that, because someone/I experiences those last two things it is made more difficult to discuss – or even mention – the rest?

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY DOLLY (MY CAT)!!!

As I have done the past three years, I wanted to write a special post for Dolly’s Third Birthday. On her First Birthday I wrote about my top twelve moments from the first twelve months of her life. On her Second Birthday I blogged about the past twenty four months with Dolly and some of my favourite memories.

Note: I also blogged about the day I got Dolly; and you can read that here

To mark her Third Birthday I’d like to tell you all my three favourite things about Dolly…

1.       “She’s a trooper!”

A good few months ago now, Dolly became poorly. She was wrongly diagnosed twice (first with a urine infection, and second with Cystitis) and eventually after lots of antibiotics and medications, I took her to the local emergency vets ready to demand that she have tests if they tried to send me home. The entire time, Dolly was still Dolly. Just quieter. Subdued. She plodded on though. It turned that out that she had blood clots in her bladder. She had a barrage of tests, scans, and medication but she pulled through and came out the other end! I worried that she’d become aggressive after hearing that the staff had to sedate her for any interaction with her because she’d been so vicious.

AD | CYGNET NATIONAL SERVICE USER AWARDS | NOMINATIONS OPEN SOON!! | AD

I’m delighted to be able announce to you guys that for the 2018 National Service User Awards (NSUA); I’ll be taking on the role as Head of Social Media!

It’s a brand new role for this year’s NSUA and is a mark of their popularity in that they now need extra support in their publicity and communications (specifically in terms of social media) because they seem to become inundated with calls, emails, messages to the Facebook page, and to the Twitter account… But it’s thank you to all you lovely readers that they’ve chosen me for the job! That they’ve picked me for the position. Because if I’m NOT Disordered weren’t so popular then it would be of no benefit to them.

Initially, I was upset to hear that I wasn’t being given the log in details for the specially created accounts; although, at the same time, I understand the risk in allowing someone else access to an organisations’s social media. And now we’ve talked about it; it’s actually a compliment; they think I can do more good through I’m NOT Disordered and my own social media with its extended; and kind-of-huge(!) audience, readers, and followers.

I’m also now delighted to tell you all that on MONDAY 16^TH OCTOBER, the nomination categories for the National Service User Awards 2018, were announced to be…

·         Community Social and Vocational Initiatives

·         Breaking Down Barriers: Tackling Stigma

·         Health and Wellbeing Initiative

·         Outstanding Service User Involvement Award (team or individual)

And also the usual – ever popular – Service User Choice Award which will be voted for during the event!!

!!!NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY 8^TH DECEMBER 2017

AND

INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE A NOMINATION WILL BE HERE SOON!!!

24 HOURS WITH... AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN; DAVE CHAWNER | Ad

Date: Friday 6th October  

Good morning!

What time did you wake up? 

5am!

Why did you wake up at that time? 

I’ve just got a new job presenting a breakfast show on radio. It’s great, and so much fun...but it’s bloomin’ early!

Did you have a dream? 

Yup, but I can’t remember it

Do you think today will be 'good' or 'bad' day? (use your own definition of these words to answer the question) 

Definitely good - it’s a Friday! Being grumpy on a Friday is a bit scowling at a kitten - it’s impossible

What are the first three things you do after waking up? 

Press snooze on my alarm. Sleep. Press snooze again

Do you eat breakfast? If yes, what did you have? 

Porridge

BOOK REVIEW PART ONE: LINES FROM AN UNFINISHED LOVE SONG BY GAIL CURRY | Ad

Note: this is part one of a two part book review! There are also two other blog posts about this book in the run-up to its launch event; that you can read here & here

When I was offered the opportunity to work alongside an author in the midst of launching the book; I was really excited, having never done a piece of work like this. I, myself, have always wanted to write a book so I was keen to be so close to the journey and process of publishing Lines From An Unfinished Love Song.

On receiving my pre-published copy of the book, my very first impressions as I slipped it from the envelope were of how good the size, and width of the book felt in my hands. Perfect!