Later than usual as I overdid it over Christmas and New Year, then caught a cold so blogging just wasn’t happening. The overdoing it was worth it, the cold not so much. February is the same as January, yes? 😛
Since I started this blog, I’ve done an end of year survey. Time to update it for 2018 🙂
1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?
Get properly fitted for a wheelchair 😛 Won a tribunal. I also went for a meal with Sammie, and met some of the Running Ninjas.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s Goals, and will you make more for next year?
Some of them. I do have goals for this year but I’m not sure when I’ll be blogging them.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister Meggy had a baby, so I have a new nephew! He’s very cute.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one super close, but a few people I was friendly with and a couple I wish I had been.
5. Where did you visit?
Local court for PIP tribunal in February (in the snow- getting onto the ramp towards our flat was interesting as we had no grip). Went into Gateshead/Newcastle in April and November, the second time Sammie joined us. Went into the care home in July, watched fireworks in the local park just before Guy Fawkes night, and went to Gateshead Parkrun in December.
6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
More time out of bed. Better health 😛
7. What will you most remember from 2018 and why?
New nephew being born (because that doesn’t happen every year). Getting my new wheelchair, which hopefully will mean more freedom once my body starts behaving.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Winning the PIP tribunal. It was a bit ridiculous it got to that stage, but I managed to answer all the questions and we got the result we wanted. Finally getting my wheelchair assessment sorted and a wheelchair that fits was also great.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Only managing one shower all year. I think we might need to tell the OT that shower chair really isn’t suitable for me, as even adding extra cushions and straps and such doesn’t help enough.
I also ended up not completing the weekly blog posts, but that was because my brain just gave up after going out and then getting multiple colds.
10. Did you suffer any new illness or injury?
Apart from catching colds, I had a lot more migraines than I’ve had previously. Might need to mention it to the doctor as it is interfering with stuff. I also did something to my left hip in September and now I can’t straighten that leg properly and it often wakes me up with pain, which isn’t great. I was hoping it would get better by itself.
11. What was the best thing someone gave you?
Cuddles from Sammie and Johan 🙂
Bilbo Bbox was pretty awesome as well.
12. Who impressed you this year?
Johan continued to make a ton of progress with his running and volunteering. Sammie continued being caring, thoughtful and awesome. Everyone who survived another pretty terrible year.
13. What made you appalled and/or depressed?
Politics. Responses to politics. TERFs. Bigots. DWP. People hurting my friends.
14. Other than food, bills and disability stuff, where did most of your money go?
Probably presents for Sammie and Johan. Every year I say I’m going to spend less, and every year I fail 😛
I also upped my Patreon donations after getting my PIP sorted, and bought a Switch that Johan mostly uses as the controls are too hard for me.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Sammie! Seeing friends! Bridges! Trains! Penguins!
16. What big events will you remember most from 2018?
My nephew being born. Meeting the Ninjas. Getting my new wheelchair.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Probably the same.
b) healthier or more ill?
Physically I’m doing better, cognitively I’m doing worse. I can hold my own head up again and it takes longer to faint when sitting more upright, but I end up super frustrated trying to navigate shopping websites as I can’t figure them out.
c) richer or poorer?
Richer. Got PIP sorted out and got a large back payment with it. It helped.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Everything except sleeping 😛 Mostly talking to friends and family, as that got much harder as my brain started playing up.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sleeping (though more wishing I needed less of it). Panicking. Feeling ill. Hearing things (like the doorbell and the phone) that aren’t actually making noise.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Being spoilt and eating yummy food while watching stuff on telly 🙂 Johan made roast pork this year, and his roast potatoes were even better than previously. It was awesome.
Didn’t get as many decorations up as I wanted though. Johan broke a foot from the Christmas tree and lost another so that didn’t go up, and although I had tinsel I didn’t get to put any up other than on my bed rails. We did have a Christmas penguin on our flat door though (at least I was told there was- Johan wouldn’t take a photo to prove it :P).
21. What did you love in 2018?
Other than Johan, Sammie, and family, I think following awesome people (and animals) on Twitter. Bilbo and @IamMrJ’s ratties get special mention 🙂
22. How many trips out?
One trip to court for the PIP tribunal, two trips going to and from the care home, one trip around the corner to vote (which broke my wheelchair) and four fun trips, so eight in total. Could be worse 🙂
23. What was your favourite TV programme?
Steven Universe again. It’s awesome. I got completely caught up (until the new episodes came out in December which I’ve yet to see). I also really enjoyed Doctor Who, though I’ve got a few episodes to catch up on.
24. Do you dislike anyone or anything now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?
Not really. I try to avoid people who act badly and hurt people.
25. What was the best book you read?
Burn the Ashes by Heather Shahan. Young adult dystopia without a love triangle! I loved the idea of the Talists, and Peony burying who she was felt painfully familiar to me. I’m also happy there were diverse characters without making it a big deal. I’ve also read the sequel Rush of Blood, but that’s for 2019’s list 🙂
26. What was your greatest media discovery?
I figured out how to listen to podcasts! Because of how my brain works, I need to do something else that doesn’t involve language while listening, so I either play Animal Crossing Pocket Camp or I do virtual cross stitch. I mostly listened to Welcome to Night Vale, and read the transcripts afterwards to understand everything I missed while listening (as reading is still easier than listening).
I also started watching Jessica Kellgren-Fozard on YouTube. Though I was initially put off a little bit by her received pronunciation (I be working class) she’s awesome, disabled, and very, very gay.
27. What did you want and get?
Bilbo Bbox! Awesome Bilbo, disability, trans and penguin related tops and stuff! I also got to meet the Running Ninjas, received my new wheelchair, and took Sammie out to dinner. I also won my PIP tribunal.
28. What did you want and not get?
More showers. To watch the Great North Run in person with Sammie (one of the carers didn’t turn up so had to watch it in bed). To go in the living room more (Johan put stuff on the day bed). Johan never did buy me flowers – I ended having to buy them myself.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Deadpool. It was really funny. I’m glad Johan was able to watch it with me.
30. What did you do on your birthday?
Opened cards and presents, watched some footy on telly, and spoke to Sammie on video chat. Was a good day 🙂
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having payback whenever I do anything requiring slightly more effort than normal 😛
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
T-shirts with penguins, Bilbo or cool writings on them. Open back fleecy pyjama tops. Mostly purple.
Going out, add a purple shiny mermaid tail.
33. What kept you sane?
Penguins, Johan, and Sammie. Distractions like Twitter helped, as did chocolate (I believe it makes me feel better, so thanks to the placebo effect it does).
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard. She’s gorgeous (and very monogamous, married, and gay).
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
We still don’t know what’s going to happen when Brexit happens. And the DWP continue making vulnerable peoples’ lives hell.
36. Who do you miss?
Everyone I’ve not been able to keep up with. It’s probably the hardest part of being ill.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I’ve spoken a few times to one of Sammie’s friends. He’s awesome. I hope to meet him (and Sammie’s other friends) in real life at some point.
38. What was the best thing you ate?
Christmas dinner, especially the potatoes. Roast potatoes for my birthday please, Johan 😛
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018?
It’s not worth engaging with those who don’t want you to exist.
40. A quote that sums up your year:
Penguins are good. I like penguins. 🐧