Today is one filled with mixed emotions, concerns and thoughts. Today, 18th January 2015 is the last working day for my guide dog Vicky. We have been working together as a qualified team since 18th November 2009, and it has been an amazing 5
03
Sep 2016
So….. Today, this happened !!
It’s almost 11.00 o’clock, 12 hours after this crazy day started. The climbing arena was nothing like I had ever seen before and no matter how much I had researched and looked at photo after photo I was not prepared for the quarry that I
02
Sep 2016
Maybe I Should have said something before…..
Well, this is something new……. I am sat in the passenger seat of my friends car doing 70+ MPH on the M6 Motorway travelling on my way to Edinburgh; while typing this blog. My iPad is tethered to my phone for 4G and my voiceover
19
May 2017
I have a question for you
it is time for me to ask for you to help me. If I were to write a book, giving in sight into my life and how I have got myself in and out of many a situation. Would you read it? I am talking
23
Oct 2014
Sticks & Stones may break my bones, but names will stay with me
People tell me to ignore the rude comments, the horrible comments, the meanness of others. Most of the time I can do this, pass off their comments and words…. They are people who don’t know me, people I don’t care about and will most probably never see again. THANKFULLY!
Every once in a while someone who I do care about, someone who I thought cared about me, says something. A few words that have real hurt and pain behind them, words that make me question myself, question my ability to be a better person, question why I do try as hard as I do just to live the way I do.
These are people that I thought loved me, people who have seen the changes I have gone through, the struggles I have had…..
Yet they have short memories, they question me about MY DISABILITY, the genuineness of it.
People who don’t ‘Believe’ it can be that bad! Because if it were as bad as I am telling them, then how do I manage to go to the gym? How do I manage to look after my children? How do I still read? Write? Swim? Cycle?
And how can I sit back while they struggle to earn a wage that barely covers the bills and just expect hard working tax payers to foot the bill for me ‘NOT WANTING TO DO ANYTHING’
….. ADDITION …..
I just want to stand on my chair in a crowded place and scream, ” I DO WANT TO DO THINGS, I want to be able to SEE”
I also have some ‘usable’ vision, which I use as much as I can, bu if I over do things then I pay, I struggle with bad headaches, exhaustion, yet an inability to close my eyes for sleep as they get very dry. So I limit myself. As I am sure I have said before, I take full advantage of technology, my phone, computer and free-view box for my tv talks to me.
I use my ‘sight’ to enjoy time with my childen, to help with homework, to cook nice meals, to shop for myself, to stay independant. I use my time when the children are at school to volunteer, to help others, to give back for all the help and support that I have been given.
I oringinally published this post when I was in a dark place, things are still pretty grey at the moment, but re-reading it, I have realised that I do not need to justify how I spend my time, I do not need to justify why I recieve disability benefits. I would much rather not ‘need’ this support. Because as any person with a disability or illness that limits their capabilities will tell you, we/they would much rather be fit, healthy an have no disability…. Even if that meant working a 60 hour week.
21
Oct 2014
An open letter to Richard Branson
OPEN LETTER
Sir. Richard Branson,
Founder of The Virgin Group.
I am writing this open letter to make you and everyone else aware of the service that I have received. A service that was far beyond my own expectations and as such has enabled me to feel confident and less anxious about a journey I will soon be taking.
My name is Theresa, I have a severe sight impairment and as such travel with my partner in crime, my guide dog Vicky. It is her (Vicky) that has enabled me to become a strong-willed, independent and adventurous young woman in the five years that she has been walking by my side. We travel everywhere together, she is my sight, my strength and my beautiful girl.
At the beginning of November, I will be travelling to Manchester, with Vicky by my side. I am looking forward to this exciting adventure. It is a real break for me, I have spent my time exploring online what to do and where to go. The hotel is booked, as is the train.
And this is the reason for my letter.
I booked my ticket online on the virgin website, I was impressed that when reserving my seat I could choose the direction I sat in, whether I sat at a table or in an airline style seat and even, probably the most important thing for a four and half hour journey, I could request to be seated with a power socket! (the little things that make for a more enjoyable journey)
All the relevant boxes were ticked, times chosen and seats reserved. The confirmation email came through and I was very happy.
A friend then asked in a joke “Will Vicky be able to find the correct carriage and seat?” Good point, no she can’t! It was something that hadn’t even crossed my mind. Although I often book my tickets in advance, I have never reserved my seat when travelling alone. I knew that there is assistance for disabled passengers, so back online I went. On the virgin website was the details for passenger assist. Which considering it was a Sunday lunchtime, I was surprised to find that the telephone number to discuss my needs was open.
I gave it a ring, and spoke with a very nice man, who talked me through the help he could offer. I explained that I would be travelling with my guide dog, so needed no assistance around the station, but just a bit of help to find my reserved seat on the train.
It was then that he asked for my booking details, so that he could cancel my reserved seats. I will admit for about 10 seconds (which felt much longer) I panicked. He explained he was doing this, so that he would reserve a more appropriate seat, along with reserving a seat for my guide dog. I told him that I couldn’t afford a seat for her, as she wold sit at my feet under my seat.
Thankfully he quickly confirmed that the seat reservation would not cost me anything, it was ‘standard proceedure’ for anyone travelling with an assistance dog, so that it would allow her space on the floor to stretch out and enjoy her journey too.
So, the call handler changed my seats, he even explained to me where on the train I would be, where I could download a seating plan for carriages.
He explained to me where to go at the station for my assistance, he even put me on hold briefly while he confirmed this with Southampton Central Station as my train was departing at 05.48 which is before the ticket office opens.
He confirmed all the details with me verbally before sending me an email. He spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with me, which is why I am unable to tell you his name.
The service I received from the Passenger Assist booking line and the additional thought of allocating floor space for my guide dog has gone a very long way to easing my anxiety about making such a big trip by myself.
So for this, I want to say Thank You.
Yours Sincerely
Theresa Osborne-Bell
(20th October 2014)
21
Oct 2014
Its been a long time
Hello All,
It has been a while, it has been a busy time, it has been a sad time, but it has also been a happy time. It has been a time of challanges, both personal through choice and personal through others makings. This is my blog for me to write down not only the good stuff, but also the different, the difficult and the emotional.
I had shyed away from putting it all down before, but its time to use this blog for the reason it was designed. To allow me to put myself out there…. Some posts (propably most actually) will be written with humour and quirks of my days as a VIP, but some may also be a personal and emotional view into my life, afterall, life can’t always be humour and giggles.
I will publicise my funny tales through my facebook and twitter accounts, the others will be published on my blog, but left for you to find.
So keep popping back and feel free to have a good look around.
As always your comments are very welcome, feel free to be honest, this blog is all me and honest, it is my opinions. as such the opinions are true to me, this does not mean that they may be true to you and that is all good. Feel free to challange my opinions.
Your thoughts and comments will be read, considered and as long as they contain no inapporpriateness or abuse, they will be published on for all to see and add to.
Thank you for reading.
xxT
21
Sep 2014
One Gherkin wasn’t enough
WE DID IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Wednesday 17th September, me and Simon faced our challenge of climbing the height of The Gherkin. We set out to climb the 180m between us. We felt that this was a realistic challenge to conquer.
How wrong we were……
The climb equalled 90m each, on a stretch of wall we both knew well. The climb was for endurance, rather than climb technique. After all, Simon faced a bigger challenge than me. He had to climb blindfolded. I have only ever climbed blind, so I didn’t have that additional element to deal with.
We got 120-odd meters into the climb when we both agreed that it wasn’t enough. We then made to interesting if not slightly bonkers decision to continue climbing, until we had both individually climber 180m.
I say bonkers decision, as we both felt the adrenaline going at that point…. The very same adrenalin that began to wear off at around 300m. Redbull, Kendal Mint Cake and Dextrose Tablets saw us through the last 60m….. Along with a VERY large amount of finger tape !!!!!
It was an amazing adventure. One that has left a few scars and bruises, but one that has spurred us both on to do something even bigger and even better.
So, having doubled the climb height, we are still pushing forward to ask those who wish to support us to show their support. The Just Giving page is still up and active. As is the ability to send a text donation from your phone.
www.justgiving.com/gherkinblindclimb
OR
TEXT BGCC70 £10 to 70070
07
Sep 2014
Its almost time to climb a Gherkin
Having started rock climbing earlier this year, I have found a real passion for it. I am always after a challenge though, so thought to myself “Why not bring the two together?” So, I decided that my challange for 2014 would raise money and awareness for Open Sight, a Hampshire based charity that has helped me so much within my sight loss journey, that I want to give something back.
So, a climbing challange it was to be. Simon too needed to agree as I can’t climb alone. He has on occasions climbed wearing a blindfold, so that he can understand how I climb, so he agreed that any challange we took on, he would ‘equal the score’ by wearing a blindfold. He has many many years of climbing with challanging himself to reach a higher grade, he agreed that he too needed the challange, so he suggested the blindfold.
The type of challange was decided, the who was involved was decided. Now to decide the distance…..
Something BIG. Something ICONIC. Something even those with no sight could understand its SCALE.
IT HAD TO BE A SKYSCRAPER !!
The Shard in London was suggested, but at 310m (or there abouts) it was too big. A buiding that comes in at just under half its size came in as a suggestion. The Gherkin, named as such for its fully glazed exterior and dome shaped top resembling that of the pickled vegetable.
It measures 180m or 510ft in old money. As the building is completely glazed it isn’t physically possible to ACTUALLY climb it. So, between me and Simon, we will climb the equivalent distance of it at Calshot Climbing wall.
Me with my limited vision and Simon wearing his blindfold.
I think he is beginning to regret that decision, as he is probably now facing a larger challenge than me!
So, now for the ‘over to you’ part of this post.
This is a personal challenge for both me and Simon, but in doing this we wish to raise money and awareness for a great charity Open Sight…. We can do the climb (I hope) but we can’t raise the money without your help.
Please support us via our Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/gherkinblindclimb or click the button below.
