Decisions, Decisions!!!!

Yesterday, me and my mum had a meeting at the School to talk about my Options! For those of you that don't know, Options are basically where you choose what subjects you want to take in the last 2 years of School - you HAVE to take Maths, English and Science and then you can choose what other subjects you would like to take depending on what you want to be when you are older!!

The meeting was mainly so that the parents and guardians could see what the Options are and to help their child make the best possible decision!! All of the teachers spoke and infomed us about what we would do in each subject and then we were allowed to have a look round the School and talk to the teachers and staff that run the course we were interested in!!

I am really interested in being a Physiotherapist or Psychologist when I am older so me and my mum went to the Music Room to talk to the staff about it! This one teacher was really horrible and said that because I haven't attended school for such a long period of time, there is no way I could be accepted onto the course!! I was really angry and shocked and I didn't know what to say - I felt like I was being discriminated against just because I was disabled!

We left the room in shock and went into the Dining Hall and spoke to one of my friends who also has health complaints similar to mine and she was interested in the same course of me also! She couldn't believe what that teacher said to me and my mum and said that she had seen another teacher about the course who was really lovely and helpful!! My friends mum told us where to go to see the teacher so off we went...

This teacher was really lovely and my mum explained my health conditions to her and she said that it wasn't a problem and that I would probably still get accepted onto the course!!! She said that if I needed to have time off school due to hospital appointments etc, I would just have to catch up on the school work in my own time!!

The course that I am interested in is called 'Health and Social Care' and it lasts 2 years. I have been told that it will be really hard but it is something I want to do and feel would help me so hopefully, it will be all worth while!! On the Course, you learn a lot about health and you also have to do 50 hours of Placements in a Nursing Home, Hospital, Nursery, Maternity Ward, Court, School etc etc so it sounds really interesting!!! At the end of the course, you get 7 GCSE's (qualifications) and then you can either go on to college or get a job!!

A lot of my friends are applying for the course also so if I get accepted, hopefully I will be with people that I know! The teacher said that 15 people apply and usually around 12 people get accepted onto the course so I have a high chance of getting accepted hopefully!!

We also spoke to the ICT (computer) teachers about a computer course that I would like to do and I have been told that I might be able to do some of the course at home but that it would be better if I came into school to do it as I would get more help! I am now looking at going back to school on a part-time basis, maybe for 2 hours a week and then build it up from there when I feel up to it! There is no way I would be able to cope with full time at School at the moment so I don't want to drop out of the School centre altogether at the moment as i'm happy there but at some point, I will have to stop going as much in order to do the course!

The course starts in September and me and my mum have to go to a Opening Evening at the College in February and then I have to go for an interview which is where they will choose whether I am suitable for the course! We should find out in April if I am going to get accepted onto the course and then I have a lot of preperation work to do for September!!

It's quite scary making all of these decisions as this could rule my life but hopefully, I will have made the right decision and be happy!!....

High School Musical!!

Me, my mum and one of her work collegues (who is also a friend of mine!) and her mum went to see High School Musical: The Ice Tour yesterday at an Arena near where we live!!!

On the way to my Physiotherapy appointment on Wednesday, I saw an advertisment about High School Musical and said it looked good but never thought anything of it really! My mum then went on the Internet and booked us tickets to go and see it - I was so excited!!

The performance was really good and all of the ice-skaters were excellent - it was fascinating to watch as they could just literally jump up and down on the ice and ride a bike without falling over!! The Cast looked just like they do in the movie; in fact, if you didn't know it wasn't the real cast, you would have thought it was as they looked so good!!!

The show was split in two different sections - they performed High School Muscial one and two but it was really clever how they did it!! Me and my mum have seen High School Musical performed in the West End of London but it wasn't on ice so it really made this one different and more interesting!!

I really enjoyed it and so did my mum and the others!! I am paying for it a lot now as there wasn't a lot of legroom yesterday and it's affected the pain in my leg and made my leg angry but it was definitely worth going to see and it was nice to get out of the house for a change!!

Update Re My Health and Other Events Happening In My Life!!

I'm sorry that I haven't updated you all with everything that has been going off with me for such a long time. Things have just been so busy here and I am having a pretty hard time adjusting to life without my grandad - I try to put a brave face on for my friends and family but it isn't easy to say the least and I often find myself crying in tears on my own in my bedroom. I am one of those people that isn't very open about my emotions; I always want to try and be the brave person but I have to realise that it is OK to open up and that it doesn't make you weak. I am always giving people advice and telling them to tell people how they feel inside but I am my own worst critic in a way as I don't follow the advice I give!!!

My mum got a Phone Call today from my Physiotherapist's in Great Ormond Street, London. I was supposed to have been on the Intense Physiotherapy Program now and was due to be having my leg casted but my mum ended up cancelling the appointment as even the thought of having my leg placed in a cast scared the h*ll out of me!! The Physio's wanted to know how I was doing and they asked my mum whether it would be possible for me to go back onto the program again soon. I didn't really want to have to return back onto the Program (who would?!) but the Physio's have booked me in for 2 weeks from the 27th April.

After my mum spoke to the Physio's and told them that she was concerned about casting my leg, they eventually decided that they wouldn't cast my leg this time but if the next Physio program doesn't work, then they will have no choice but to have to cast my leg. I am just hoping and praying that the Physio will help me and get rid of the Dystonia as I really don't want to have to go down the casting route. I've had my leg casted before in the early stages of my RSD and it made me so much worse so I don't know if I am prepared to go down that route again.

I see my Physio's on Wednesday. I haven't seen them for about 10 weeks so i'm looking forward to seeing them and hope that they will be able to give me some exercises to do that might help my leg. The weather is so horrible over here in the UK at the moment so it's made my pain somewhat worse!

My friend was rushed into hospital on Friday. She collapsed and she was totally non-responsive and her mum said she was out of it for about half an hour so she had to call an ambulance. Her face also swelt up really bad whilst she was in hospital so they had to put her on a really strong course of IV Antibiotics. She is out of the hospital now thankfully but the doctors still aren't sure what is the matter so she has to go and see another doctor this Thursday who might be able to help her. I'm hoping to go and see her either tomorrow or Thursday with my mum as I haven't seen her for ages and want to check that she is OK.

My great-aunty passed away a few weeks ago. I guess it's a blessing in a way as she was very ill. She had terminal cancer that was throughout her entire body and she was also developing Dementia from being in the hospital. She couldn't have any Chemotherapy as she had a severe blood-clot in her leg and even if she could, it would only have given her a few weeks at the most. The funeral was last Friday; I didn't go as I thought it would be too upsetting after the loss of my grandad.

School re-started about 2 weeks ago. I have missed 2 days already as I haven't been feeling well but the teachers are very understanding thankfully so it makes things a lot easier and I don't feel quite as guilty. I have started getting a taxi to the school now; it makes things somewhat easier for my mum as she isn't having to take me to school and then go to work but the taxi drivers are a bit ignorant sometimes. One day they turn up really late and the next day they will turn up really early so you never know where you are really and i'm not always ready. I share the taxi with 2 other children from near where I live and the taxi is free so it isn't too bad!

I have to go to a meeting with the School next Wednesday about my Options. Options are basically where you choose what subjects you want to do in the last 2 years of School - you have to do Math, English and Science and then you can pick whatever other subjects you want to do. I want to be a Psychologist when i'm older so I have been told to take something like Social Studies as that should give me a lot of experience. It's hard to believe that in another 2 years I will be graduating from School - it only seems like 2 minutes ago that I was attending high-school!! I'm getting pretty nervous about the meeting; all of the teachers make a big deal about it but hopefully it should go well!!

My mums booked tickets for me, her and my dad to go to Vegas soon!! We fly to Vegas on the 1st March and get back on the 6th. I'm looking forward to going as I need a break but i'm also a bit scared about flying with RSD as i'm not sure how I will react!! We have been to Vegas before I got RSD and I loved it - my parents don't gamble at all but there is still so much to see and do!!

I will keep you all updated. I have a busy week this week with appointments so i'm sure I will have plenty to fill you in on!! Thank you all for reading this and I hope you are all having a good day!!

My Fur Babies!!

Here is a few links to some pictures of my fur babies ... I did try to get the pictures directly onto my blog but they are far too big and i'm not sure how to resize them at the moment!!

I hope this works!! I don't have pictures of all of my pets on the computer so here's a few but i'll try and take some more pictures for you all later!

This link is to a picture of my beautiful, one year old Springer Spaniel, Jack! This picture was taken quite a bit ago so he has grown a lot since then!!

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/RSDteen/CIMG1809.jpg

Here's another link to our dog, Jack!! I think this picture is so funny as his head looks so much bigger than his body lol...

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/RSDteen/CIMG1863.jpg

Here's Jack again - he was making a mess when this picture was taken!

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/RSDteen/CIMG1888.jpg

The following picture is of our old dog, Ben who has sadly passed away now. He had a very good life and lived til he was 14 which is pretty old for a Springer Spaniel!

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/RSDteen/21142831.jpg

This link is to a picture of my Chameleon, Gizmo! I have had him about a year now and I absolutely love him - he is SO fascinating to watch!!

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/RSDteen/CIMG1939.jpg

I know the pictures aren't very good so i'll try and take some more later! I hope the links work, if they don't, please let me know and i'll try and get them sorted!

I Got Tagged!! ...

One of my very close RSD friends, Lisa Moon tagged me. I thought it would be fun to complete this challenge and to try and think of 25 things about myself that I am willing to share with others and what other people may not know about me already and might find interesting.

Thank you very much for the tag Lisa - this looks like a lot of fun although I will admit I am slightly nervous as this is the first time I have done anything like this!!

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged.

OK, here goes...

1) I am an animal lover!! I am absolutely mad about animals and whenever me and my mum go to Pet Stores and I see all of the little and cute animals there all on their own, I always want to buy them and take them home with me!! Thankfully, my mum is an animal lover too!

2) I have a Springer Spaniel called Jack, an African Grey Parrot named Sparky, a Chinchilla called Tabatha, a Chameleon called Gizmo (he is SO cool!) a Dwarf Russian Hamster called Honey and about 5 fish!

3) My hair is dyed. I have my hair brown at the moment with red highlights in it and I love it!! My natural hair colour is brown - when I was born, my hair was jet black but it's got lighter as i've got older!

4) I am a self obsessed cleaning freak!! I like everything to be spotless and I always like to make myself look tidy and think personal hygeine is VERY important!

5) I don't have any siblings. I have never really been bothered for a little brother or sister - I like being in my own company too much!

6) My favourite colour is pink - I am VERY girly!!!

7) I suffer from a Chronic Pain Condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) in my left leg and right arm. I developed CRPS when I was just 12 years old and I am now 13! CRPS is probably one of the most hardest things I have ever had to deal with but I DO have faith and hope that things will get better one day!

8) I absolutely love the singer, Katy Perry - she is great and has an amazing voice and I love all of her songs as they are sooo funny!

9) My Birthday is on the 2nd February. I was actually late arriving into the world - my mums due date was the 23rd January!

10) I currently attend a special School Centre 3 days a week for 4 hours a day as I am unable to attend full-time school due to my CRPS. I love the School Centre as the teachers and pupils are VERY understanding of my illness and don't treat me any differently but I would love to be able to attend a proper, mainstream school!!

11) I will only eat white meat - I absolutely hate dark meats such as Beef and Pork!!

12) I have 2 hobbies. I absolutely love Card Making and Scrapbooking!!! I make cards to sell to my friends and family to try and raise money for the hospitals that have been treating my RSD and I really enjoy it as it is a good distraction from the pain!

13) When I grow up, I would absolutely love to be either a Psychologist or a Physiotherapist. It is my goal to try and help others and this condition has really opened my eyes

14) I have always had low self-esteem since I was little. I am naturally a very shy person and it really frustrates me at times as it makes it hard for me to meet new people. It's strange as I can talk forever on the computer to my friends but when it's face-to-face, it's a totally different situation!!!

15) I am a huge Playboy fan - I have Playboy duvet covers, pillow cases, stationery etc etc!!

16) I am Hypermobile which means that I am very flexible and can get my joints into lots of weird positions. My Physiotherapist's believe that this could be one of the reasons I developed CRPS/RSD.

17) I also suffer from Dyspraxia which means I can't co-ordinate my limbs very well at all and struggle from subjects such as Maths.

18) I am not very religious although I do respect other peoples religions and beliefs.

19) I absolutely love Ice-Skating but I am unable to go now because of the RSD unfortunately!

20) My cousion is due to have a baby boy any minute now!! Me, my mum and my nanan didn't think she would get right to the end of her pregnancy as she is very big but she has and is due tomorrow!

21) My grandad lives in Spain - many of you might think that that is really good but I miss him a lot and we don't get to see him very often due to school and my mums work patterns.

22) I always tend to put others before myself ... it is good in some ways but I guess it is also bad in others as I tend to "forget" that my life is important too and that I NEED to put myself first for a change.

23) My favourite subject at School is English. I have always loved English and when I was young, I would spend hours reading or practising my hand-writing!!

24) I am currently taking my Year 9 'Options' which is where you basically have to pick what subjects you want to carry on doing in school. You HAVE to do Math, English and Science and then you can pick any other subjects you want to study. Teachers use Options a lot to help teenagers of my age to figure out what they want to be when they are older.

25) Last but not least ... I have learnt a lot since developing RSD and I DO feel that it has made me see life in a different prospective. Before I got RSD, I guess I used to take things for granted but I am now very thankful for what I am able to do and I always try to realise that things could always be so much worse!!

So, there you have it!! I found that really fun but also pretty hard at the same time! I always tend to have a problem trying to think of things when I want to (probably from the RSD and meds!).

I don't know that many people that have a Blog so i'm not going to 'Tag' anyone at the moment but should anyone wish to be tagged, please let me know as I am more than willing to involve you in this activity!!

I hope you all enjoyed reading my 25 things about me and I will be back soon with an update about what has been happening with me and my family!!