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
22
Apr 2013
St George’s Day sewing marathon
So, tomorrow is St George’s Day and at 2.40 this afternoon my daughters school sent out a text message to say that any Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies etc are free to wear their uniforms instead of school uniform… With full badges! This created 2 panics…. 1)
17
May 2013
Another ending
My condition is such that it often alters very little over time, so on a daily basis I may not notice any difference from the day or week before. But when I go to do something that I did some time ago, that it when
Theresa Osborne-Bell |
2 comments | Tags: accessibility, Depression, Disability, independence, training, VIP
01
Nov 2018
A different sport, but just as much of a challenge
This year has been fairly quiet for my climbing. However I have not been doing nothing with my time. I have in fact been in training.
Training for a different kind of challenge. This challenge is to run. Something I have not done since completing The GSR five years ago.
The reason I haven’t run for so long is that I discovered just after I started to notice my hearing loss that when running at the gym I suffered with motion sickness.
But I have (in secret) been completing my own variation of ‘couch to 5k’ I have even been taking off my Apple Watch as to not alert my friends who I share my activity with aware of my training.
My training has been on a set flat path at the far side of a local leisure centre parkland.
I have not quite manaeged a full 5k to date, but I have discovered that on a flat concrete path I do not suffer with the motion sickness I had suffered on each occasion (I tried several times at different times etc) of a treadmill run.
So, why am I letting you all know my secret?
Well, this Sunday I am attending a race. A flat course where I will have a guide runner and my children.
This Sunday we will undertake The Poppy Run.
This run is organised to raise money for The Royal British Legion.
Those who have followed me for some time will know how much I love the poppy. I love what it represents and I am forever grateful to those who have stood up protected our country.
So, along with my children, my guide dog Fizz (who isn’t running in harness, rather joining the other dogs who are welcome to join in the days events) and my friend and guide runner Vicky on Sunday 4th November at 11am we shall stand in silence for 2 minutes before setting off on the 5km course around Southampton Common.
I am doing this for other reasons.
4th November 2018 marks 10 years since I received the news that I would loose all sight and was registered severely sight impaired (blind)
This day is one I wish to celebrate and what better way could I do that then support a fantastic charity and face a personal challenge?
Well, maybe it’s because the girl in me enjoys a bit of bling and I can’t wait to complete the run to receive my poppy medal.
So, dear readers I ask for your support. As I am sure you are aware this year marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, a war where so many have their lives to enable us to keep our future.
As a family with multiple different surnames we have set up our just giving page as ‘Madhouse Family Poppy Run’ We would love to smash our £100 target.
19
Oct 2018
Power 100 2018 – A secret I managed to keep
Back in early September I was made aware that I had made it into the Shaw Trust Power 100 2018. But at the time knew nothing of it, who had nominated me or even what I was being nominated for.
I most certainly did not believe that I was chosen from over 700 entries to be named on the list which is compiled with the tag line
‘Britain’s most influential disabled people.’
Which may be why I kept it a close guarded secret. I only told my closest friend (because I did have to tell someone and I honestly believed he had nominated me-but he swears it wasn’t him)
Even when the proofreading of my bio that would be included in the publication came through I struggled to believe it.
I had previously heard of The Shaw Trust, but in only its fourth year, the power list is a relatively young publication, but one that is an amazing achievement in increasing awareness of people with disabilities and the impact they can have on the world around them. (Just as those who do not have disabilities can)
I then received my invitation to the launch party of The Power 100, to which i was welcome to bring someone, and it was I felt only right that I should invite my CPiC to attend after all I was sure he had been the person who had nominated me. (He is adamant it wasn’t him)
The event was to be held on The SouthBank and the dress code was ‘come as you are’ But no further information was forthcoming.
So Wednesday evening after a day in London with butterflies we attended the ‘Power 100 Launch’
The speakers talking of the work both they and the Shaw Trust do were amazing. The ‘Top Ten’ of the power list were announced, along with a little biography of what they did.
It was at the point where Alex Brooker was announced as Number 1 and invited to speak that I felt truly moved. His words, his whit and his ability to show how humbled he was by this really touched me.
It was after these that the publication was handed out.
It wasn’t actually until the point where Simon (my CPiC) found my bio page that I felt I was actually included. That this wasn’t all a big misunderstanding and they had invited me in error. As he read out my bio I found myself overcome with emotion.
Is it possible to say I felt proud of myself?
I realised that for the previous ten years (almost) since I recieved what I felt was devastating life ending news about my diagnosis I had actually impacted somewhere. I hadn’t ‘wasted’ my abilities.
I realised that I mattered.
You can see photographs of my inclusion within the publication HERE
You can see my bio and the other 99 entires in this years Power 100 2018 HERE
16
Oct 2018
The 1st of the withouts
Yesterday marked the beginning of it.
Today compounded it even more.
What am I talking about?
I am talking about events and celbratitions about my first leading lady, the ‘original guiding girl’ Vicky.
On 15th October 2009 I met her for the very first time, she came with my GDMI Caroline to see if she could be the dog for me. And it wasn’t known to me at the time, but today 16th October is her birthday; or rather WAS her birthday.
And as such today is the first time since she came into my life that she hasn’t been with me to celebrate this day.
Good Olde Facebook has reminded me of today with lots of photographs and happy memories.
And it is some of those I feel I would share with you in this post.
Vicky gave me so much and it is about remembering her today; not being sad that she is no longer here, rather be grateful that she came into my life. 
19
Sep 2018
Gosh, four years since The Gherkin
Its hard to believe that Monday this week marked four years since I took on my first challenge….. The challenge to climb The Gherkin.
A challenge that took a twist when my CPiC and I decided rather than to climb the height between us, we would climb the height each.
All 180m.
For me, ‘The Gherkin’ was to prove (mostly to myself) that I could undertake that level of endurance. For Simon it was a slightly different challenge; for him it was about climbing blindfolded.
A challenge that together, we improved upon in May 2017 when we chose another iconic and interestingly nicknamed building of London’s skyline when we set about the challenge of scaling all 225m of ‘The Cheesegrater.
So….. 180m up a gherkin, 224m up a cheesegrater.
What number could possibly come next?
Can you keep a secret?
What if I told you the number involved was 270?
What would your thoughts be?
I can also tell you that the next challenge WON’T be a climb. However, it will very much involve LONDON.
Theresa Osborne-Bell |
No comments | Tags: 30 St Marys Axe, blind, Blind Climb, Challenges, Children in Need, Climbing Partner in Crime, CPiC, deafblind, Fundraising, guide dogs, independence, London, Open Sight, Perception, see my way, The Cheese Grater, The Gherkin, The Leadenhall Building, Ushers, visually impaired
19
Aug 2018
Discovering just how independent I can be
This post is probably the wrong way around. But for me it seems only right that I write this bit first……
Today I am heading home after an amazing week away with my Guiding Girl Fizz.
Today I am realising that although this journey wasn’t the one I had originally planned for, it was the journey I needed to take.
And as much as I almost found myself not taking it …. I am grateful to my own stubborn nature and my ability to plan and organise.
And the fact that I would always have wondered ‘what if?’ Had I not at least tried.
So, try I did and I am so very grateful that I did.
…… TO BE CONTINUED
18
Aug 2018
Time to go home
The story starts here The start of an adventure…
The final part of my Scottish adventure; following on from Menacing about in Dundee it is now time to travel back to Glasgow once more to get the sleeper train back to London and call an end to this wonderful adventure.
With weekend engineering works London’s Euston Railway station my train will be returning to London’s Kings Cross instead. Meaning that as this is not a terminating station there will be just 10 minutes to depart before another train will be need the platform. And it also raises the issue of finding The flowerbed again for Fizz after the 8 hour train journey! But before that, we have one last walk along the river in Glasgow on a Friday evening to accomplish first.
This time of adventure in Scotland as a solo traveller (who just happens to have a guide dog) has shown me how much I am still able to do, how much I have grown as a person and how much I need to plan more things like this MORE OFTEN !!
‘Have dog will travel’ has been my mantra for some time now, but theses past few days have showed me just how much I am able to use my wonderful guide dog Fizz to give me such freedom and independence. As I can say categorically I would not have done such a trip with only a long cane.
Each day has been a new environment, a different routine, but she has stepped into her harness each time with a strength that I am sure other guide dog owners can relate to.
The train from Dundee to Glasgow was busy; filled with people finishing work and other travellers, so the guard kindly moved me, Fizz and our luggage into first class, where although still busy there was more space and nobody standing in the aisles.
Glasgow was wet by the time we arrived, but it was the refreshing kind of rain. So we enjoyed walking along the river, Fizz was out of harness to give her the time to sniff and check for Pee-Mails and great the other dogs we met along the way (I wasn’t brace enough to let her off her lead as I had visions of her jumping into The Clyde!)
We returned to walk around town, last grass stop and then we were back in the station…. By this time it was dark and Glasgow was very different with people out for the evening, groups of friends and sadly more people getting cardboard out to sleep in closed shops doorways.
I grabbed my last coffee and headed for the train.
The journey back wasn’t as enjoyable as the train out, we were on an older train and with a long delay on them finding a room for us we were sat in a very loud, busy buffet car.
It was almost 1am when we were shown to our room. It was not an accessible room (not that this in itself was an issue) which made for a walk along a narrow corridor.
Our berth was similar in layout, but all I really cared for was my bed.
Fizz settled quickly too and before I knew it there was a knock on the door to say we half an hour before we got into Kings Cross.
First stop …….. FLOWER BED!
Then coffee for me.
I made notes of my travels while I was away, but wrote these blogs after. But for ease I have posted them on the days and dates they actually happened.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about Scotland as much as I enjoyed my adventure?
Watch this space for more adventures to come……
17
Aug 2018
Menacing about in Dundee
The story starts here The start of an adventure…
Continued from … Peaceful Pitlochry
The train journey from Pitlochry saw another ‘quick dash’ out of Perth railway station to enable Fizz to have a comfort break and to arrive in a very different Dundee.
Not because since my last visit my sight has changed; Not because my last visit saw me guided by my first guiding girl Vicky; Rather because THIS Dundee had undergone a MASSIVE transformation that started with the railway station.
A railway station that reminded me so very much of Canary Wharf in London, with its long escalators, glass lifts, grand piano and open spaces. 
And it was in a very different place to the old station. Instead of walking out of the station to seeing the RRS Discovery (The ship that Captain Scott took to the Antarctic) across the road, it was now surrounded by building works and to the right a rather large imposing building, that as of late September 2018 will be The V&A Museum Dundee.
Even my hotel was so new that when I looked on Google Street View it showed it as a building site! But thankfully when I arrived, it was all there beside a lovely welcoming looking Beefeater.
With my room on the 3rd floor I looked out over The River Tay and across to Newport-On-Tay. I spent the evening walking along the promenade and taking in the changes to the area. I found several grass areas for Fizz and even introduced Fizz to The RRS Discovery and its penguins as you can see from the photographs.
I enjoyed a relaxed unrushed meal in the Beefeater and took advantage of an early night, as my Friday was set to be a busy one.
For Friday I would be checking out of the hotel, but before returning to Glasgow to start my journey home I was catching up with more family.
As a place I have been to many many times before this is the first time I have been without my parents. It is also the first time which I can remember that I visited The McManus Galleries; or rather The McMenace Galleries as they have temporarily been renamed. After all Dundee is the home to The Bashstreet Kids, Desperate Dan and Denise the Menace, which are all celebrating their 77th year and heritage within Dundee.
As a child I grew up with The Beano, so was enthralled to see how it has changed throughout the years. Although I am not a fan of the latest ‘computeriised’ imagery that moves it away from its comic book strip format.
My wee cousins (actually my cousins children) were my tour guides, taking us around Dundee, walking among the old train lines that run along the now pedestrianised streets. I even got the opportunity to leave my mark. In signing my name and writing my gratitude on the six foot tall ‘THANK YOU’ had had only that morning been installed as part of the city’s commemoration to hero’s for this years D-Day Celebrations.
And from Dundee we travelled to another favourite haunt as a child when I would come to spend the summer with my Granny Lily…. We went off to Broughty Ferry, were we walked along a very blustery shore, saw the castle and then enjoyed a nice late lunch together.
Time ran away from us, we chatted, we remembered those family members who were no longer with us and we laughed at fond childhood memories.
Back in Dundee for one day was not long enough…. I shall most definitely be returning, making this my base next time. So many more adventures to in this beautiful city I am sure…. At the very least I need to come back to see if the inside of the new V&A museum is as breathtaking as the exterior?
16
Aug 2018
Peaceful Pitlochry
The story starts here The start of an adventure…
Continued from ….. GETTING MY GEEK ON in Glasgow
The train journey was through rolling hills and beautiful landscapes.
Arriving at Pitlochry a fellow passenger helped me off with my case as there was a pushchair and hold-all in the door; only to have someone take my case on the platform!
All was okay though…. the man taking my case was in fact my cousin who had come to meet me! I would be spending my time with him and his wife. He gave me the warmest of welcomes and enveloping hug, easing away all the tensions from galavanting in Glasgow.
Fizz also had a friend, in their dog Honey (although on first impressions they weren’t too keen on each other)
Pitlochry is somewhere I have never been before, but thanks to good olde Google Streetview I felt it was somewhere I would be comfortable. The high street was made up of a mix of cafes, charity shops and outdoor shops. The homes were nestled within lush green fields and with numerous whiskey distilleries, long walks and most importantly … FAMILY
A family who opened their home to me. Who cooked me a overly dinner and who walked me via the local golf course to the pub to enjoy a drink or 3 with them and their friends.
After a very comfortable nights sleep we took the dogs out for a walk to Black Spout Wood, a beautiful and refreshing walk with streams for the dogs to splash about in and my first ever encounter of a natural waterfall.
The waterfall was considerably smaller than than usual, because water levels in the streams were much lower as even in Scotland they have been having a very hot summer.
All before returning for some lunch before embarking on a second walk and whiskey tasting in the afternoon.
Afterall, you can’t come to such a beautiful Burgh without tasting the local produce … Even if that is whiskey and gin!
And it is a whiskey that the store keeper knows so well, with the undertones of banana in one and dark chocolate in another; I must admit that to my untrained nose I could taste the differences in the samples, but not what was explained. We even sampled some of Pitlochry’s new gin, which I found very enjoyable and easy to drink.
After a few purchases we headed off towards The Pitlochry Dam. A structure that was planned back in the 1950s, being fully operational in 1962. You see the dam had (at the time) been part of Scotland’s history as the dam created hydro-electricity that helped to power just under two-thirds of The Highlands energy supply (bearing in mind the in 1960 energy usage was no where near what it was today)
The dam being on the river Tummel also included ‘A fish ladder’ enabling the salmon to move through their migration into the river after the dam.
The visitor centre had been renovated in recent years and for my cousin it was the first time he had visited it, we enjoyed some time looking around and learning the history and impact of the dam.
Again, the river Tummel and the Dam are showing how deplested the water levels are given the hot weather. It was very interesting though to find out how important and revelationary this dam was and how even now it continues to support Scotland’s power supplies, although now much of Scotland receives its energy from wind turbines.
During our walk we encountered the odd shower, but this just created a beautiful sky of blue and grey with the odd black cloud against the lush creeks and earth colours of the hills and trees.
But sadly all too soon, it was time to catch another train. For the next part of my adventure. A train journey that saw me returning to Perth before changing to travel on to Dundee.
Dubdee is a city I have visited many MANY many times before, but not for several years. In fact, the last time I visited was when I went to my Grabs funeral.
But that is another post.
To Be Continued …
15
Aug 2018
GETTING MY GEEK ON in Glasgow
Continued from … Welcome to Glasgow
After a relaxed evening in the hotel which included a Tai Chi class, a swim and a sauna before a gorgeous dinner, on Wednesday morninf I decided to visit The Glasgow Science Centre before embarking on another train journey deeper into Scotland (you’ll have to read on to find out where)
The Science Centre and adjoining iMax cinema were architecturally interesting buildings even before I walked through the doors.
These building were custom built for purpose and opened to the public in June 2001, with a titanium clad exterior the Science Centre (science mall) with its crescent shaped glazing enables it along with the neighbouring imax to ‘blend in’ with the often grey overcast skies of Glasgow while offering a reflection from the river Clyde.
Set over three floors and including a planetarium and many interactive work station I could understand how it had gained its reputation and place on trip advisor as a ‘MUST SEE’ even though it was a pay for attraction (which many museums are not)
I fell in love with each and every floor.
Although I struggled with a few small issues (like no large print or alternative format maps or voice information on the lifts) I did find a very helpful member of staff who explained the floor levels to me and even explained where the stairs were as they were tucked away as the main traffic was directed towards the large lifts.
One perminant exhibit that I was interested in was ‘A Question of Perception’ that looked at optical illusions, the science behind it and how the human brain helps with this. In addition to the illusions, I watched the cctv monitors for the centres own ‘wacky salon’ (you can find a video for this on YouTube, but as it is not accessible I have decided against sharing it here)
With interactive exhibitions across the whole centre, including a wonderful planetarium I enjoyed a good couple of hours here and took hundreds of photographs of the different exhibits, of which I will share just one with you. This is of the ‘perfect triangle’ which from the angle of my photograph looks far from perfect.
However, too soon it was time for me to go, popping back to the hotel to collect my bags and head off for another train journey.
A train journey that saw me travelling from Exhibition Road to Glasgow Central, to hop on the shuttle bus to Glasgow Queen Street before boarding a train to Perth, where I would then change again (after a quick ‘wee stop’ for Fizz) to travel onto Pitlochry.
A place that could not be further from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow, with a population of just over 2,500 in comparison Glasgows 500,000….. It was a place I really couldn’t wait to escape to.
To be continued…….
Theresa Osborne-Bell |
No comments | Tags: accessibility, blurred vision, deafblind, Glasgow Central Station, Glasgow Queen Street, google maps, Guide dog Fizz, guide dogs, independence, iPhone, Perception, Perth, Pitlochry, SEC Armadillo, Starbucks, The Clyde, The Glasgow Science Centre, The Glasgow Tower, The Science Mall, Touch, Tunnel vision, Ushers, VIP, visually impaired
