Air Training Corps

This year the Air Training Corps celebrates its 70th anniversary,  The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a fantastic organisation.

When I joined the ATC I lacked self confidence and found it hard to make friends.  They taught me self respect and how to mix with other people.

I also learnt to do things that I wouldn't of staying at home watching TV.  Because I have co-ordination problems due to my NF I found it harder to do some of thing activities that we did.  The Squadron I was part of understood this and had patience with me,  I found it hard to learn to march in time with other people but finally mastered it. 

The ATC accepts all people of the right age Regardless of your abilities.  You get the chance to do things that are pretty amazing such as going flying, shooting, camping and learning to work as a team.  Not all teenagers are "thugs" some try to enjoy themselves by doing things like the ATC.

I managed to pass all my exams I took and managed to become a Staff Cadet.  I also got to the rank of Sargent.  When I was to old to be a cadet at the age of 20 I became a member of staff at the same unit.  Unfortunately work commitments took over and I couldn't commit any more.   The ATC will always hold great memories for me and I think anyone of age in the UK who gets the chance to join one of the squadrons should take the chance. 

Disability

There are many types of disability.  Just because a person doesnt look disabled doesnt mean that they are not. For some people every day is a struggle.  They have to work twice as hard just doing basic things compared to other people.

I know people with all different types of disability.  Some have mental health problems which are not visable. Some have had severe learning difficulties since they were at school.  They are still human and have feelings.

It seems children don't seem to care if a person is disabled.  They just want to get to know the person.  With the condition I have it causes me to have tumors on my skin.  A friends 6 year old child asked me "why are you so spotty?"  I replied it was because I was born that way.  She just said oh ok then and carried on playing. 

If as adults we were more accepting of others then our children would see that we are all different.  Learning to accept a person even though they are different to ourselves would make this world a better place.

Epilepsy

As I mentioned in a previous post I now have Epilepsy.  I have put some information below about the condtion.

Epilepsy affects the brain and causes repeated seizures, also known as fits.

Epilepsy affects around 456,000 people in the UK. This means that about 1 in 130 people has epilepsy. Epilepsy usually begins during childhood, although it can start at any age.

Seizures

The cells in the brain, known as neurons, communicate with each other with electrical impulses. During a seizure, the electrical impulses are disrupted, which can cause the brain and body to behave strangely.

The severity of the seizures can differ from person to person. Some people simply experience a ‘trance-like’ state for a few seconds or minutes, while others lose consciousness and have convulsions (uncontrollable shaking of the body).

Types of epilepsy

There are three main types of epilepsy:

•Symptomatic epilepsy - the symptoms of epilepsy are due to damage or disruption to the brain.

•Cryptogenic epilepsy - while no evidence of damage to the brain can be found, other symptoms, such as learning difficulties, suggest that damage to the brain has occurred.

•Idiopathic epilepsy - no obvious cause for epilepsy can be found.

See Epilepsy - causes for more information about the different types of epilepsy.

Outlook

Epilepsy is a long-term condition and, for most people, the outlook is very good. Symptoms can usually be controlled using medicines known as anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

It can take some time to find the right type and correct dose of AED before your seizures can be controlled.

With a clear understanding of your epilepsy and good management of your seizures, the risk of SUDEP can be minimised.

I had another seziure at the weekend whilst I was in my local shop.  My medication has been increased and I will be monitored on that to see how I get on.

Truck Drivers Prayer

Dear God above, bless this truck I drive and help me keep someone alive. Be my mortal sight this day on streets where little children play. Bless my helper fast asleep, when the night is long and deep. Keep my cargo safe and sound through the hours big an...d round. Make my judgement sound as steel, and be my hands upon the wheel. Bless the traveler going past, and teach him not to go so fast. Give me strength for every trip, so I may care for what they ship. Make me mindful every mile, that life is just a little while. Amen

Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude is German for happiness at the misfortune of others. It seems some people find it funny when other people are unhappy. If you try and educate other people about things you have to deal with they find it amusing.

These people are not worth the effort of letting you get upset by them. If you show them that their comments don't bother you, it will hopefully make them get bored and move on to someone else.

They need to grow up and realise that the world does not revolve around them and other people have feelings as well. They must have very lonely life's if they get pleasure from other people being upset.

The person who is being victimised by the other person is the better person. They should not respond to the snide remarks and let the other person show themselves for what they are. The bully obviously has nothing better to do in their life than upset others.

Why let these bullies think they are big or clever when most of the time they do not have the full facts of the situation and know the truth.

Loros

Loros is another fantastic Charity.

My step father Mick had been seriously ill since Christmas. At first we thought he just had a bug. The doctor gave him some antibiotics but they didn't help. He went to see the doctor again and he sent him for some tests they found out he had cancer.

He started his treatment. He then had further tests they told him he would only have about 4 months to live. They were going to keep giving him medication to help keep him comfortable. After a few weeks they did more tests and found he had even less time than expected.

He was moved from the hospital straight to Loros. Loros treated him with great dignity and respect. They made his last few days although he was in a lot of pain comfortable. Nothing was to much trouble for the staff there and they even made up a room for my mum to stay in. Loros (the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering) is a hospices that relies solely on charity donations. They make no profit from anyone who stays their or their families. If you can afford to donate some money whatever you can spare then please do so to the following address.

The Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice Groby Road Leicester LE3 9QE

Miss me, but let me go

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free

Miss me a little - but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me - but let me go For this is a journey that we must all take And each must go alone It's all a part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home

When you are lonely, and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me - but let me go

Mick will be missed by all that knew him. It was a 5 days before his 65th birthday so he never got to retire. I know he will be watching over all of us and protecting us like he did when he was alive.

New Update

They finally have decided to give me my higher rate of DLA back. As I mentioned in my last post I am now epileptic. This spurned me to reapply again for the higher rates.

This time they agree that I am not safe to work. It has taken them long enough. But it also proves that if I did work full time it would make me ill. This in turn would cost the government more.