Author: RogerMerriman

6 years after doing that, and 2 years after having the battery of various assessments and rehabilitation, which was started by Headway south west London who got me back into the system as I wasn’t happy or coping well with the changes and loss of who I had been, ie version 1 and 2.

There is a Grieving Cycle idea essentially is grieving for who where and the loss there in of that. Today I was back at the Wolfson though not the same one, I still having two Wolfson units is confusing! To see a Neuropsychologist which originally had been the point of the assessments and then rehabilitation, but at this point both had given me closure, and in I am much happier in my skin now, and have reached acceptance, don’t get me wrong I do still find the fact that I run out of spoons and crash so end up with forced duvet days, or that I randomly don’t recognise or possibly remember people and so on.

So today was a good day, and it’s always ego boosting to be reminded how far and well I’ve done!

Rather a shock to the system, much more so for Sa, as Peeps (larger right cat) died late autumn, and Army (smaller left cat) has died today, had booked a vet but she died overnight she did like to do things her way!

She was born as a farm cat, and had a touch of the wild about her I always felt, where as Peeps her son was born here and was a big softy really!

One of my aims this year is to be more social able, it’s easy to let things slide quite apart from adult stuff of work and what not, due to my injury I have to be careful with fatigue so that I don’t crash cognitive or thinking of traveling to see folks literally.

And talking of that, last weekend I traveled down to stay with Chloë stopping to have a explore around Stonehenge and other henges which was cool, had a lovely social time with the Mann’s and next day en mass went to Ham Wall to see Starling murmurations, which was fantastic.

But at the car park, a unknown woman came up, who apparently knew me! I didn’t recognise her which isn’t uncommon, but it was Sabby and Woody who are friends I’ve lost contact with, I still didn’t recognise them though I do remember them. And lovely to chat even if briefly!

As the clock changes and the light draws in, the dark exasperates my fatigue levels since I have to work that much harder due to knocked vestibular both not falling or navigating though crowds. Which hasn’t made me love Christmas any more!

Though just to be well odd I do like night rides, though I do have big lights so seeing isn’t a problem! And oddly the bike seems not to stress my balance systems as much as walking, which while I know the reasons is still amuses me!

Went to the National Archives to see if I could flesh it out a bit, love to find the claimed link to Ireland but presumably if it’s there (which is likely) is pre most of the census.

At the 1911 census we have John (Claude’s dad) known as Jack living in london with his parents Richard and Annie. Richard was a retired Bass Dresser. 67/54 years old

His two brothers Richard and William who where Science demonstrator/Laboratory assistant 27 and 19 years old for these brothers.

John at 20 was an Architect Clerk where Claude got his inspiration?

And his Aunt Harriet 54 who was a Fancy paper stainer!

Jumping back to the 1861 census the photo above, family are still in London, limehouse, and Richard 18 is a Bass Dresser, his brother Henry 16 is some sort of labourer, his sisters Mary Ann 13, Martha 10, Elizabeth 10, Emma 8, Harriet 6 (future with fancy paper!) and James at 6

Head of the family! John 46 is a police constable, married to Mary, like a lot of families reuse names! Which does get confusing!

Week off so I’ve managed to chase up some loose end, firstly I was supposed to see a Neuropsychologist after the Wolfson rehab few years back I think just a assessment.

And managed to get a Flu jab since I don’t cope with colds etc as well as I used to.

I’ve always loved history and today to take our minds of a fairly unpleasant medical stuff tomorrow for Sa.

Hampton Court has The Alter cloth that was made out of Queen Elizabeth’s dress.

It’s amazing both in terms of history and the quality even in its fairly ragged state.

On a somewhat less beautiful though fascinating bit of history is on my commute, the Parkway dual carriageway build after the war, had been intended as one of the many motorway ring ways that had been planned only one was built that being the M25, but the unbuilt and frankly improbable stuff I find fascinating.

It’s also is a handy cycle route!

I’ve been with Mencap for 10 years now, I’m on care home No7 now! Some trying times and lots of good times actually.

And quite variety of folks from very disabled folks to work holidays to Egypt scuba diving and everything in between.

And of course they or at the very least the Manager at the time was very good when I managed to do this! 

I attempted well to do lots of stuff that I shouldn’t of, and work where good in refusing and telling me to apply for phased return to work, and being very careful with me when I returned. It took me months to return to full hrs and even then I dropped back as I couldn’t cope with it.

As to the future not sure really!

Just come back from visiting Linda and Dave in France, lovely too see both, even if Linda was convalescing, we may have rather indulged the remaining chicken! I blame Sara!

Did discover that I’m not totally immune to sea sickness was very rough crossing! Though was very mild, still able to drink etc, and not nauseous. Sa and Dad was ok though Mum wasn’t, I probably/definitely shouldn’t of lay down in the cabin but I needed enough Spoons to drive home, I did well I though over the holiday with spoons, though have paid for it over the last few days.

So to rest I have been doing exercise! Which in fairness is very easy on cognitive! On Monday inspired by one of the local bike cafes, which is offering a free cap if you ride from one to another, took it as a excuse to take it places I either don’t go to or tend to rush past! Had great time though did end being a long day so I slept most of the next day!

The other thing I’ve been doing is exploring Home Park which is a part of Bushy Park that has been cut off by Hampton Court, it’s in many way much quieter though has a Golf Club, does have some interesting bits in bobs including this very old Oak tree!

And I’ve managed to get out on the big beast both before the holiday on my Birthday and yesterday, it’s a fantastic machine.

This weekend was Ride London so on the Sunday when most of rides are on, both sportive and race and thus lots of closed road, so went with a fellow club member on a ride down the towpath before heading back to the club HQ ie a pub en route to watch the sportive riders, and fellow club and shout encouragement! Before heading to watch the Pros set off in Bushy park.

Was great fun but as ever as a Spoonie I’ve paid for it today!