This blog is 8 years old this month – how crazy is that?! I’ve also been at my current school for just over a year now and until just before Christmas, had kept its existence to myself!

It’s not that I’m not immensely proud of the things I’ve achieved since starting The Spoonie Mummy – back when my stoma, Stanley, was just 10 months old, when in my wildest dreams I didn’t imagine doing speeches, organising events, being involved in research and marketing for ostomy companies and even being turned into a Wallace and Gromit style stop-animation puppet for AccessAble!

I’m in no way ashamed of my disabilities and health issues either – people at work know about these and I’ve always found people supportive.

I suppose it’s more just about me appearing ‘normal’ to those around me. You know I hate that word – what’s normal anyway – but I have never liked making a fuss or a fuss being made of me. But a few of us were out celebrating the end of another half term and were chatting,,, and it got bought up!

They asked me why I wasn’t proud and I made sure they knew I am! But as someone who has multiple chronic health issues and has spent rather a lot of time in hospital in the last 10 years, I have finally been able to reach my goal and become a teacher. Now I rely on employers looking past my health stuff and seeing me. Despite there being laws to stop it, disabled people are on the receiving end of prejudices and unequal treatment all the time. Which is why at work, I suppose I tried to shake it off a bit and not divulge too much.

I feel extremely lucky – the fact I have survived to this point is something of an achievement to be fair! But to get through it not only with a smile on my face but a first class honours degree and my teaching qualification is quite something. I know my health might not always stay this stable and there may come a time I have to make some drastic and difficult life changes, but for now I am good. I love my job, I have Tom and my boys and I am so happy. I still have multiple health things going on at any one time but they are currently manageable,

So to any of my colleagues reading this – hello and thank you for being here! I will for sure keep on working on this balance and hopefully one day, disabled people won’t have to live fearing being penalised when looking for work because they share the truth and want to help others with similar conditions to them!

The Spoonie Mummy

So my work colleagues know about my blog…

Natalie