Trafford Center!!

4th December 2013- Went to the Trafford Center today to meet up with Rach and Dani!! It's a really big thing for me because it's the longest I've been out for in three years and I actually managed really well and had such a lovely time!! I can't wait to start doing more things like this now!!

Love my Friends! 

Sophie xxxx

Christmas Crafts

3rd December 2013- I got asked to go into my old primary school to help out with an art glass for year 5's. It was really really good to be able to do something I enjoy but actually do it with other people too and see how happy they got from making them! Also a big achievement because a few months ago there was no way I could manage to go into a classroom with loads of children and stand/sit up for that long!

 I loved it!! 

We made these ^ I forgot to take a picture of the actual ones we made! 

Sophie xxxx

Christmas Lights

30th November 2013- Last year I went to the Oxton Christmas Light switch on in my wheelchair as I just couldn't walk round and stand up for long enough. However this year I walked!!! Which was so good because I could just go around with my sister and do things for myself instead of waiting to get pushed and getting in peoples way!

Things are definitely looking up 

Sophie xxxx

Santa's new best friend!

29th November 2013- i made friends with Santa today!! I was the fairy in 'Santa's Grotto' at my little sisters school, it's a really big achievement for me because the last couple of years I've been at the fair but had my own stall as I could sit down for the whole time. But this time I actually stood up a lot and did generally a lot more! I had a great time and hopefully will be doing it again next year!!

Start of Christmas!! 

Sophie xxxx

The Wickedest blog post yet..

11th November 2013- ahhhhhhhhhhhh wicked wicked wicked!!! What a wonderful day! Went to Manchester to meet Kate, Dani and Rach for some dinner and then we went to see Wicked at the Palace Theater. It was so amazing, I think it's the first time I've been able to travel a long journey and do something really big in the same day so I'm really happy about that!! The show was amazing and the company even better! Can't wait to do it again in the near future..

Just keeps getting better 

Sophie xxxx

Pottering..

6th November 2013- Today was my last pottery lesson! I got through an eight week course, learned so much a long the way and produced some pretty good things! Really proud of myself because it's the first time I've been in a classroom environment since I had to leave school (2011) and I'm so so proud of what I made!! Pottery is quite a lot harder than I thought originally but I love it so much and am doing another course in January!

I am officially a potter.. look at my pots!! 

Sophie xxxx

Driving again!!

17th October 2013- I had my first driving lesson today!! It wasn't officially my first lesson because I had had two lessons in December last year when I thought I was well enough to drive, unfortunately my health dipped but I now feel like I'm on a really stable level and well enough to commit to it fully this time! So it was basically like a first lesson because I had forgotten pretty much everything I learned in December, but it went really well and I can't wait for my next lesson next week!!  

I love driving a car!!!

Sophie xxxx

Great Adventures..

11th October 2013- Well what a great day!! I decided to go on an adventure and try and cycle to the local pub for lunch. It was pretty hard because it was mostly up hill the way there so I did have to get off and push my bike when my legs couldn't cycle any more but I did it!!! I know it might seem strange or weird to go to the pub for lunch by yourself, but I just find it amazing! I think it's because I've been stuck in my house for the last two years the only time I go out is when someone can take me, so to be able to go out by myself and do something for myself without needing anyone's help is just truly amazing!

On cloud nine at the moment!  

Sophie xxxx

Potteryyy!

25th September 2013- I've joined a pottery course!! It's really amazing and a huge achievement for me! I haven't been in a classroom being taught by someone since I had to leave school in 2011 so to just be able to be sitting upright for two hours and to take everything in and actually do things is a really great thing for me. And to just be in the right mindset to be able to go to a course, learn things on the spot and also really enjoy what I'm doing is a really big step!

I now am completely in love with pottery!!  

Sophie xxxx

I want to ride my bicycle...

23rd September 2013-  I'm actually doing a blog post on the day I've done the achievement which is an achievement in itself!! But anyway today I rode my bike and it was amazing!!! I just felt like I had so much freedom and could just ride anywhere I wanted. Going to try and build it up every week and hopefully will ride further and further!

Wearing a cool helmet like a pro! 

Sophie xxxx

I love walking so much!!

Double post because it's both about walking!

5th September 2013- Went too John lewis in Liverpool and for the first time in years I actually walked round! Didn't walk round the whole shop just around the parts that I wanted to look but it felt so good to be able to just look around and walk where ever I wanted too!!

And bought a cool rug! 

6th September 2013- For the first time since we've been in our new house I walked round to the corner shop! It may not seem like a big thing to a lot of people, but for me it's that little bit of extra independance. I can now walk round to the shop and chemist without any one coming with me or in my wheelchair! 

Freedom!!! 

Sophie xxxx

Soph the builder...

3rd September 2013- I managed to build my new chest of drawers for my room!! Did get help from my mum but I built all of the actual drawers by myself!! Really happy because I managed to do something myself for my room without everyone having to do it for me!

Ikea furniture is NOT easy!! 

Sophie xxxx

Wedding!!

29th August 2012- Today was my Dad and Step Mums wedding!! It's a huge achievement for me because I was able to go to the wedding, that in itself was a big thing. But then I was able to enjoy it too, spend most of the time with everyone except for a few rests and walked everywhere in the hotel so didn't use my wheelchair at all!! It was one of the most amazing days I've had in a while and was just so nice to be with my family again!

I want to live in the Grosvenor!! 

Me with my crazy dad and uncle!! 

Sophie xxxx

Painting!!

2nd August 2013- We're renovating our new house at the moment, and for a while I haven't been able to do that much on it because it's just too much for my body to do.. but today I painted a wall in my bedroom!! It took me a while but was really good fun and I'm really glad I was able to do something in my room!

And I also got completely covered in paint.. 

Sophie xxxx

I do like to be beside the Seaside..

14th July 2013- So we went on holiday to Anglesey for a week and among the many things I was able to do on holiday like go swimming, play in the games room, walk round shops, walk on the beach, I also managed to swim in the actual sea!!! I can't remember when the last time I swam in the sea was but it was great! Wasn't as cold as I thought it would be and it was really fun!

Beaches make everything better! 

Sophie xxxx

A big step, well steps..

11th July 2013- Really big achievement today!! I walked into the village from our house for the first time ever (because we've only lived here a few months) but it's the first time I've been well enough to walk in and back again all by myself!!! I was so independent getting some things at the shops and then stopped at the pub on the way home. Partly because I needed to sit down for a while and partly because I just fancied a drink to celebrate my achievement even though I just had a sparkling water!!

Things are getting brighter each day 

Even though it might seem to be only getting darker, and you feel like youv'e lost all hope, just keep one tiny ray and that will keep you going till brighter days. And brighter days will come. 

Sophie xxxx

Mary Poppins

5th July 2013- I went to my little sisters school play and prize giving tonight. I have been for the last two years but have only managed to go for the second half too see the play, but this year I was well enough to go for the first half too :D So I got to see Emma perform her speech and drama and collect a prize and then watch the juniors perform Mary Poppins which was really good!

Happy Nights 

Picture isn't very good but it's Emma collecting her prize!! 

Sophie xxxx

Bingoo!!

1st July 2013- Went to Bingo for the first time tonight with Liv!! Was actually really fun, a lot harder than I thought it would be, but pretty good! And I was one off from a full house and winning £50!!

We are too cool! 

Sophie xxxx

Tasty Achievement!!

17th June 2013- Went to the cinema today with Alex and saw Hangover 3 which was really good!! So the cinema has been in my blog a few times now I think but this time I went for a meal afterwards as well!!! First time I've been well enough to do both one after the other and it was really nice!

I love pizza so much.

Sophie xxxx

Happy Days

11th June 2013- I went to Heswall today and walked round some of the shops and costa all by myself!!! Even though I still needed someone to take me and bring me home it's still a massive achievement as I was being so independent again!!

   Exciting Times!! 

Sophie xxxx

Birthdayy!

1st June 2013- It's my 18th Birthday!!! So I think that deserved a place on my blog!! I had a great birthday weekend going out for a couple of meals and having a party with some of my friends. Overall it was the best birthday I could of wished for, and I got some amazing presents and amazing memories!

First time I've jumped a long time, took me a while to get the hang of it!!

Sophie xxxx

M.E awareness day 2013.

So two years ago I wrote an article on what my life had become since I got severe m.e in 2011. I couldn't walk around my house, I had to crawl everywhere. When i could walk I used a zimmer frame for months in order to get around. Whenever I left the house, even to walk up my road I was in my wheelchair. I lost a lot of friends and became quite isolated with my family being my mail support system, and sometimes the only people I would see for days or weeks.

Two years on and I am so much better, and have achieved so much. Yet I'm still ill. I can walk outside now, I pick my sister up from school by myself and when I go out I don't need my wheeclahir, unless I'm out a long time without places to sit down as my legs are still week.

To other people my age I don't have such an amazing life, I can got out with my friend but can't go partying, I can't drink alcohol, I can't go to school or college, I can't really do the normal things a nearly 18 year old would do.

But I don't really mind. I can go to the cinema, I can go out for a meal, I can go shopping with my mum in my wheelchair, I can be out for a couple of hours at a time, I can go on my sewing machine, I can read a book, I can do an online course, I can go on holiday to Wales.

It's not about what I can't do but about how many things I now can do. Its about making the most out my circumstances and appreciating the little things. I feel so lucky to just be where I am today. So many of my friends are still so poorly, and it's not getting that much better.

A lot of people don't believe in m.e and don't take it seriously. I for one haven't had that mnay bad experiences with people, but from the one or two I have had I know just how  horrible it can be. That's why I'm writing this to try and raise some awareness  If I help one person realise how serious, debilitating, long term this illness can be then I will be very grateful!

Thank you for reading and I hope this helps you understand a bit about m.e.

Sophie xxxx

This is my article I wrote two years ago..
http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2011/05/04/wirral-teenager-tells-of-her-me-struggle-to-mark-awareness-week-80491-28626563/

Independence strikes again!!

5th April 2013- Went to the beach with Rach today, flew a kite, walked round the arcades, went on a ride and went on the beach all without my wheelchair and by ourselves without parents for most of it. Which may not seem like a big deal but it so is for me!! I felt like I was having a normal day out with my friend, and that I was just a normal teenager having fun without needing anyone to depend on to help me get around or do anything. Such a great day!!

I love independence so much. 

Sophie xxxx

Off to the Ballet

3rd May 2013- Tonight we went to see Sleeping Beauty the ballet! Even though I went to the Empire Theatre last week I'm classing this as an achievement because I've never been to the ballet before. It was really magical, the dancers were just amazing and the set and costumes were ridiculously amazing!

Overall a pretty amazing night!!

Sophie xxxx

HAIRSPRAY!!

25th April 2013- tonight we went to the Liverpool Empire and saw Hairspray!! It was the most amazing show I think I've ever seen. Marcus Collins was in it from X factor and just all the cast had such amazing voices!! Had a really amazing night overall and was such a big achievement to go to the theatre again!

I want to go way more often now!!

Sophie xxxx

Smile for ME

17th April 2013- Tonight I went to do a talk at a church group about Smile For ME- a charity which helps M.E sufferers smile- and about my experiences of M.E I did it because I nominated them to be one of the church's charity's for the year, and what ever the church raises in fundraising events goes to Smile For ME and another charity because they got picked!! This was such a big achievement for me, as I haven't done anything like this for years!! They all really enjoyed it and gave me a gift at the end to say thank-you!!

A smile can brighten anybody's day

Sophie xxxx

Trip to the Movies again..

5th April 2013- So today I went to the cinema, even though I have been in the last few months I still like to class it as a big achievement for me and this time was even bigger! I went with Emma (my little sister), I don't normally get to do big things with Emma by myself because it takes a lot of energy and I'm not always well enough to walk. But I did it today and it was so good to be able to walk into the cinema with her- I felt like a 'normal' big sister and that's a feeling I don't get that often!! And there was nobody else in the cinema so we moved seats throughout the film and were cheering and generally had a good time. All together a pretty awesome trip out!!!

I have the best sister! 

Excuse the picture I haven't been the best health wise at the moment,

 but I had to take a picture of this! 

Sophie xxxx

Biscuits

23rd March 2013- So this isn't normally a big achievement for me, it used to be when I was a lot iller and would be for quite a few of my friends now. But the last few weeks I have been really ill with sinusitis and a kidney stone/infection so I'm classing it as an achievement for this particular week! I made shortbread!!! They turned out more like biscuits, but for a first attempt they were pretty good!

I love baking! 

Sophie xxxx

Walkies!!

2nd March 2013- I just walked the dogs!!! For the first time in two years!! I walked them to the end of the drive- baring in mind our drive is pretty long - to alex's car and back up again. I used to get annoyed at the thought of having to take them out, but since I've not been able to I've really missed it, and it was just so nice to be outside with them!!

One more step closer to Independence 

Rubbish picture I know, but Poppy isn't very photogenic! 

Sophie xxxx

Let's go scoot away

24th February 2013- This is a bit of a silly achievement as it's not something I've been waiting to do, just a bit of a spare of the moment thing! I rode a scooter!! Not what your thinking, I'm talking about a kids scooter... But it was fun and took a lot of strength and something I wouldn't of been able to do a few weeks ago so it's made it on here! 

So much easier down hill!! 

Sophie xxxx

Moving Day!!

23rd February 2013- Today we moved house!! I'm classing it as an achievement because I didn't collapse with tiredness and actually helped a little! So we're in here for three months, till our new house is ready then gotta do it all again... but we were pretty good at it yesterday so think it will go well next time- fingers crossed!!

Change is a good thing- most of the time.

Sophie xxxx

Cruising down the motorway

17th February 2013- Today I took Daniel (brother) back to his place in Manchester for the first time!! It's the first time I've been to Manchester in well over two years, and it was really nice to finally see where he is most of the time, and was nice to have an afternoon trip out of the Wirral! And it was a considerably big achievement at the moment as I haven't been very well recently! Now that I know I can manage the journey I will hopefully be making more trips over there to see him and my friends!

Motorway views can be very pretty! 

Sophie xxxx

Walking some more..

6th February 2013- Today I went to my consultant appointment at the hospital and walked in!! This may not sound like a big deal, but I haven't been able to walk to a hospital appointment since being really ill two years ago. We parked as close as we could then I walked in looking like a normal teenager and not in my wheelchair woohoo!

Hospitals have cool floors. 

I have been ill with an infection for the last few weeks so posts I wanted to post I haven't been able too, but will post soon! 

Sophie xxxx

Snow Day...

19th January 2013- So today I was well enough to go out in the snow for an hour and help make a snowman, do some sledging, and have a snowball fight!! Now this might seem like the usual thing to do when it's snowing, but for someone who has M.E it's a lot harder than you would think! Having to put all different layers of clothing on to keep warm tires me out before I've even left the house, being in the cold completely  zaps my energy, and walking up a small hill three or four times to sledge down really hurts my legs! But saying all this I managed to do it and have a lot of fun with my family!

Feeling ridiculously happy that I'm well enough to do this!! 

Hope everyone's enjoying the snow!
Sophie xxxx

Swimming with the fishes..

7th January 2013- Today I went to the Blue Planet Aquarium for Rach's Birthday. I don't know if this is classed as an achievement  but a year ago my family went but I was too ill to go. Today I was well enough to go and really enjoy it so i'm classing it as an achievement!! I had such an amazing time, and can't wait to do things like this again!!

Happy Birthday Rach xxx

And first acheivment of 2013!! Hopefully this blog will fill up with many more soon! 

Sophie xxxx