Come on!

Former engineer keen to help others with multiple sclerosis Wow – it has (once again!) been a while. I do need to get a routine involving this blogging business (which for me, it isn’t by the way (business!)!). So by means of catching-up a bit, I’m going to the time I started my 2 nd (1 st time 2005!) flirt with Coronation Street in about June 2017 for reasons close to me – not a sudden Corrie fan! I received an email asking me if I would be open to be interviewed by the MS Society , being quote, “ a northern bloke with living MS ”. Well, I am that and of course I said yes (didn’t shout “aye!”)! Why? I was told that in about a month’s time, there was going to be an emerging story in a character’s story in a soap with multiple sclerosis , and that my story may help the character’s story develop! A first for me to be interviewed like that – for helpful research, not hammered about a job (of which I’ve had quite a few) – and I enjoyed it. I of course answered with t...

Sleep Blog I recently attended a course about sleep… ‘Sleep in People with a Brain Injury’, presented by Dr David Lee. First off, why? Insomnia; a condition I have that may be linked to my ‘bigger condition’, it may not. MS being the bigger condition that is linked to the err, smaller one. Sleepy yet!!? People with multiple sclerosis often have trouble sleeping soundly, but the problems may not be due to the disease itself. Stress, spasticity in arms or legs, inactivity, or depression that   can  come along with   MS can  interfere with a good night's rest Google’s top answer. I just know I have been a chronic insomniac for over half my life. Yikes. First time I’ve written that! So, the course. It started off – “about sleep” – generally how much people need and that everyone’s needs are different; age is a big factor in this as well! 8 hours? Common ‘requirement’ nonsense, but the average time is 8 and a quarter hours. People can be long or shor...

Diverse electronica This is a self-titled genre by me! Not unique granted, but as is it random, varied, different, weird… I know I love it! Beeps and bops? A branch of Techno. (I don’t like the description IDM. (Intelligent Dance Music)) Yes please. It is not all ‘good’ I know that but then what genres are there that ALL respective music is good? Exactly. As I have said in a previous   music blog, I first discovered these sounds at University, circa 1996. I knew there and then I liked it a lot. A great deal in fact, and still do to this day. What is this genre? Here are some examples of what and who I listen to: •           Autechre •           Boards of Canada •           Aphex Twin •           μ -ziq •           Clark •  ...

Majorca 2017 As of writing this blog – late again; I know – celebrating a small break in the sun on foreign shores, it’s been and gone as holidays do after returning home for a few days! Ok, I saw an offer of a 3-night holiday in Cala Bona , Majorca at a very reasonable cost within my somewhat limited riches, so I put forward my interest to the responsible travel agent. Yes, it (the deal) was for 2 people, but at the cost I had to enquire having not been away since April 2015 (2 years). The ball was set in motion. As I had seen the fantastic offer on Facebook initially and knowing that the agent ( Leanne ) was known and recommended by my sister Sharon, I did a/the/that tagging thing just for some thoughts… Ideally in my mind (selfish?!) it would have been a perfect break for myself and my better half Sara, who works in a school, so holidays said no to that, but as it was an offer for 2, the booking went ahead anyway! What I did not expect was for Sharon to vest intere...

Conductive Education Me, on ‘consultation’ day. First thoughts. What? Why? Well having MS for my sins, I do try to keep as best I can really using what services are available locally and after returning to the North East some moons ago, I was made aware of the amazing Benmar House ( Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund ) in Morpeth. They offer a range of amazing services. I practice Pilates there when I can and love it! During this exercise I have met some great people and was advised to start Conductive Education that I did not act upon. Until now! After attending the conductive education open day at the Percy Hedley centre in Newcastle in March, I was largely none-the-wiser of what it is in truth. It was busy and all whom I met were great people with pretty inspiring outlooks. So, I booked for my first personal consultation with Eszther – the conductor. What took place? I went as if ready for the gym which was probably a bit over the top, but was hardly...

MS Art Blog! I said in previous medical blog that the next one will be completely different, so I am confident it is. Hope so anyway! Here’s the thing. I used to be an engineer – hate to use the past tense – but hey, life’s route doesn’t always go to plan. I know why and how mine has changed ( MS , if you didn’t/don’t know), but that is that. Life without challenge is boring, right? Sometimes! Anyway! What am I on about? I have quoted engineering and with that there are certain design fundamentals to learn and to know about without doubt. There are no required ART elements, or there wasn’t in my 4 years at Uni! Fantastic if you are a naturally gifted with artistic skills within you; I am not. I  have recently started to attend an ART class at Benmar House, Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief ! Foreign language (art) to me? A Bit! However! Can but try. So, I began on Thursday 02/02/17. First ever Art Group! I found it very different, but actually reall...