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Category: Our stories

  • What It’s Like To Be British

    What it’s like to be British

    • Worrying you’ve accidentally packed 3 kilos of cocaine and a dead goat as you stroll through “Nothing to declare”

    • Being unable to stand and leave without first saying “right”

    • Not hearing someone for the third time, so just laughing and hoping for the best

    • Saying “anywhere here’s fine” when the taxi’s directly outside your front door

    • Being sure to start touching your bag 15 minutes before your station, so the person in the aisle seat is fully prepared for your exit

    • Repeatedly pressing the door button on the train before it’s illuminated, to assure your fellow commuters you have the situation in hand

    • Having someone sit next to you on the train, meaning you’ll have to eat your crisps at home

    • The huge sense of relief after your perfectly valid train ticket is accepted by the inspector

    • The horror of someone you only half know saying: “Oh I’m getting that train too”

    • “Sorry, is anyone sitting here?” – Translation: Unless this is a person who looks remarkably like a bag, I suggest you move it

    • Loudly tapping your fingers at the cashpoint, to assure the queue that you’ve asked for money and the wait is out of your hands

    • Looking away so violently as someone nearby enters their PIN that you accidentally dislocate your neck

    • Waiting for permission to leave after paying for something with the exact change

    • Saying hello to a friend in the supermarket, then creeping around like a burglar to avoid seeing them again

    • Watching with quiet sorrow as you receive a different haircut to the one you requested

    • Being unable to pay for something with the exact change without saying “I think that’s right”

    • Overtaking someone on foot and having to keep up the uncomfortably fast pace until safely over the horizon

    • Being unable to turn and walk in the opposite direction without first taking out your phone and frowning at it

    • Deeming it necessary to do a little jog over zebra crossings, while throwing in an apologetic mini wave

    • Punishing people who don’t say thank you by saying “you’re welcome” as quietly as possible

    • The overwhelming sorrow of finding a cup of tea you forgot about

    • Turning down a cup of tea for no reason and instantly knowing you’ve made a terrible, terrible mistake

    • Suddenly remembering your tea and necking it like a massive, lukewarm shot

    • Realising you’ve got about fifty grand’s worth of plastic bags under your kitchen sink

    • “You’ll have to excuse the mess” – Translation: I’ve spent seven hours tidying in preparation for your visit

    • Indicating that you want the last roast potato by trying to force everyone else to take it

    • “I’m off to bed” – Translation: “I’m off to stare at my phone in another part of the house”

    • Mishearing somebody’s name on the second time of asking, meaning you must now avoid them forever

    • Leaving it too late to correct someone, meaning you must live with your new name forever

    • Running out of ways to say thanks when a succession of doors are held for you, having already deployed ‘cheers’, ‘ta’ and ‘nice one’

    • Changing from ‘kind regards’ to just ‘regards’, to indicate that you’re rapidly reaching the end of your tether

    • Staring at your phone in silent horror until the unknown number stops ringing

    • Hearing a recording of your own voice and deciding it’s perhaps best never to speak again

    • The relief when someone doesn’t answer their phone within three rings and you can hang up

    • Filming an entire fireworks display on your phone, knowing full well you’ll never, ever watch it again

  • Bananas Some Very Interesting Facts and Uses

    ” BANANAS…”

    A very interesting FACTS

    Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!…

    This is interesting. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.

    Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

    Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

    But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

    DEPRESSION:

    According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

    PMS:

    Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

    ANEMIA:

    High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

    BLOOD PRESSURE:

    This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

    BRAIN POWER:

    200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

    CONSTIPATION:

    High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

    HANGOVERS:

    One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

    HEARTBURN:

    Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

    MORNING SICKNESS:

    Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

    MOSQUITO BITES:

    Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

    NERVES:

    Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

    Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

    ULCERS:

    The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

    TEMPERATURE CONTROL:

    Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

    So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’

    PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS…

    PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe…polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

  • I AM The Child That Is Misunderstood

    Read all “I am the child that looks healthy and fine.

    I was born with ten fingers and toes.

    But something is different, somewhere in my mind,

    And what it is, nobody knows.

    I am the child that struggles in school,

    Though they say that I’m perfectly smart.

    They tell me I’m lazy — can learn if I try —

    But I don’t seem to know where to start.

    I am the child that won’t wear the clothes

    Which hurt me or bother my feet.

    I dread sudden noises, can’t handle most smells,

    And tastes — there are few foods I’ll eat.

    I am the child that can’t catch the ball

    And runs with an awkward gait.

    I am the one chosen last on the team

    And I cringe as I stand there and wait.

    I am the child with whom no one will play —

    The one that gets bullied and teased’

    I try to fit in and I want to be liked,

    But nothing I do seems to please.

    I am the child that tantrums and freaks

    Over things that seem petty and trite.

    You’ll never know how I panic inside,

    When I’m lost in my anger and fright.

    I am the child that fidgets and squirms

    Though I’m told to sit still and be good.

    Do you think that I choose to be out of control?

    Don’t you know that I would if I could?

    I am the child with the broken heart

    Though I act like I don’t really care.

    Perhaps there’s a reason I’m made this way —

    Some message I’m sent to share.

    For I am the child that needs to be loved

    And accepted and valued too.

    I am the child that is misunderstood.

    I am different – but look just like you.

  • Do People Ever Really Change

    So I don’t usually air my dirty laundry but.. i need input ->

    So, we have been together for a while now. I love him, more than I’ve ever loved anyone. He can be so sweet and loving, but everything is so one sided. He doesn’t work, doesn’t cook, doesn’t clean. He contributes nothing to the house except for messes that I end up cleaning up myself. And he doesn’t appreciate anything I do, doesn’t even seem to notice the majority of it.

    For the most part he’s always in a good mood, but when he gets upset, he becomes so unreasonable. There’s no talking to him about it. His communication skills are severely lacking. So most of the time it’s just a guessing game of trying to figure out what’s bothering him this time. Like dude, just tell me what’s wrong, how can I fix it or make it better. He won’t tell me.

    He always wants me to do what HE wants to do. Even when I spend nearly all of my time with him, he wants more. Sometimes it’s hard to even get things done like laundry, or dishes cause he expects me to be 24-7 available to him. He will even WAKE ME UP in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, to cater to him. Because he wants to eat or hang out. I rarely get a decent nights sleep and he doesn’t care how it affects me during the day.

    Like I said, I love him more than anything. But it’s so much. I try venting to my friends and family but they are always making excuses for his behavior. ‘he’s only 2yrs old…He’s just a toddler. Things will get better.” but I don’t know. Do people really ever change? Or is he just toxic?

  • My Deceased Baby Is Not A Trigger Warning

    It was a few days before Senna’s first birthday. I posted about how hard it was to make cupcakes for your dead baby, attaching a picture I had already openly shared with the group before. So many people sent me encouraging words and showed me love. Then, I got the message.

    I cannot make a direct quote, but it went along the lines of: we know this is sensitive, but photos of Senna “upset” new/pregnant moms and we have had complaints, so we need to ask you to put trigger warnings on them.

    In a group I used to turn to for support, in a group that I trusted to help me through so much, I was being asked to turn my trauma inward. Instead of the priority being the fact I needed help to survive today, it was the “uncomfortable” feelings someone else experienced. I was being asked to support other people instead of receiving the life saving support I needed. It was the only place where I felt like I was really recognised as a parent, and it was ripped away from me.

    I balled on my kitchen floor while frosting whipped to perfection in my kitchen aid.

    I decided to leave the group. Even though it pained me, I didn’t want Senna or my experiences to bare the burden of a trigger warning. I wanted people to see my baby, not just all the implications and biases that come with stillbirth. I didn’t want to constantly be reminded that what I went through was so terrible, so horrendous, that other people are so uncomfortable they only think of themselves and not my needs. I felt alienated.

    When it was pointed out that pictures of live babies might be triggering to me, the admins responded with something along the lines of “this is a parenting group, that should be expected”. It didn’t matter that the raised money for me when Senna died, I didn’t want to wear the beautiful necklace they got for me anymore. It didn’t mean what it used to as soon as they said that.

    This story doesn’t end badly. The day after, I woke up to a new group. 60 or so women, just as outraged as me, followed me onto this new platform where vulnerability are valued over all else. Trigger warnings are almost nowhere to be found, and courage is abundant.

    Screw your appropriation of trigger warnings. Fuck your “safe spaces”. I want brave spaces.

    My baby, my life, my trauma, doesn’t need a trigger warning because it makes you uncomfortable. To hear my story, to see me be vulnerable is an honor. To be able to think being uncomfortable is the same thing as being triggered is a privilege.

    When you ask loss parents to add trigger warnings whenever they mention their child, or tell them they have to hide photos in the comments, you’re further alienating at-risk people and making them feel even more hopeless and alone

    When you tell people that they should expect to see live children, but that the only photos a parent will ever have of their child are too horrific to be seen, you’re perpetuating stigma and support death adverse culture.

    You’re also insinuating that trauma, and being triggered, I are same thing as being uncomfortable or disturbed which is a disservice to those who suffer from trauma disorders and turning back the clock on mental health awareness.

    Click out, scroll past, block me. But don’t put the burden of your inability to face mortality on me. Or my child.

     

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/hannahdiane93

     

  • The Police Tried To Save Me From My Mini Abuser

    Police officer: Hi madam, we called around because we were concerned you’ve had a break-in.. are you ok?

    Me: Yes, I’m fine?

    Officer: it’s just that there’s debris all over the front lawn and a child’s bike in your hedge…

    Me: yes officer..

    Officer: and so we looked in through your windows and the house has clearly been turned over, every cupboard and drawer had been ransacked.. it’s carnage..

    Me:

    Officer: and there’s blood on your carpets.

    Me: it’s ketchup.

    Officer: are you sure Ma’am? Only we noticed a lot of fingerprints and smears on your patio windows, and what looks like a full face print..there’s potentially a lot of DNA evidence there..

    Me: it’s ok, really

    Officer: but there’s water overflowing from your taps and the sink appears to have been deliberately blocked with a shoe..

    Me: *blinks*

    Officer: We noticed you laying on the floor in your hallway and so we listened through the letter box, and could hear you begging for a swift death, and asking for the perpetrator to stop hitting you with the vacuum hose.. are you under duress? Please blink to signal you need help..

    Me: I HAVE A TODDLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/pottymouthmumma/

     

  • Febrile Convulsions I Didn’t Know What To Do

    FEBRILE CONVULSIONS!!!!

    LONG POST BUT PLEASE READ.

    So just wanted to put a little warning out there for all the mummies that don’t know about febrile conculsions,

    On Saturday my whole life nearly shattered, I was out the full day with Matthew, we went to the park, and went for some food he was fine and acting his usual self hyper and full of energy, as we were walking home he fell asleep so I just left him to it, once we got home I took him out his pram and put him in his bed, and that’s when I noticed he was breathing very fast.

    So I stripped him down to his vest and took his temperature, his temperature was at 39.9 so gave him some ibuprofen (baby) to help and within 2 minutes of him taken it he started to daze off so I started to cup his cheek and talk to him asking if everything was okay, he then started to shake, I didn’t know what to do or what was happening I picked him up and he started to get worse and worse my baby started turning purple.

    I panicked and shouted to my partner Marc and he took Matthew and sat him on his knee trying to make sure his tongue never rolled to the back of his throat, he’s then started to turn blue 6 minutes in and he still wasn’t coming round, mean while we were on hold for the ambulance, after about 10 minutes my baby’s body went floppy and foam was coming from his mouth he was unresponsive, he came back round for a few seconds and was crying normal again then the he went straight back into another seizure.

    The  ambulance came and he was given oxygen and they took his heart rate as they were doing there thing I was thinking it’s my fault thinking I had done something I had a panic attack and my mind went blank, I couldn’t think straight i was broken and terrified that I was going to lose my baby💔, we got to the hospital and they told me it was “ febrile convulsions” and that it’s common in baby’s up to the age of 6, it’s caused by a baby’s temperature being too high and because they can’t regulate there own body it kinda goes into shock it occurs in about 3 in 100 children , and can also can re-occurs approximately 3-4 times in a child.

    I was never told anything about this as a new mum you would think they would give you warning if a babies high temperature could cause a seizure, i though the worse and though I was going to lose my baby and I would never in a million years wish that on my worst enemy💔,

    What do you do if your baby starts to have a febrile convulsion seizure?

    Try to keep calm as much as it’s frightening they will not be aware of anything that’s going on.

    Do not hold your child down when they’re having a fit

    Lay your child on the floor or ground on their side to prevent choking or accidental injury

    Do not put anything near or in your babies mouth

    Take a note of how long the fit last and seek medical attention.

    Most babies come round within 5-10 minutes and will be completely fine and not aware of anything that’s just happened.

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/bobbieanne.simpson

     

  • Heart Radio Is Heartless-Bring Back Our Local Presenters

    Heart Radio Is Heartless-Bring Back Our Local Presenters

    Radio listeners from around the country are angry and upset with Heart radio who refuse to comment or respond to their listeners heartfelt pleas to bring back their local presenters.

     

    One member wrote the following “Our local radio stations have been completely ruined by the decision to cut our breakfast presenters! Replaced by two “big names” who certainly don’t need/suit this job at all, we miss our personal, lovely presenters! BRING BACK THE REGIONAL PRESENTERS! They made everyone’s mornings brighter and they are now out of jobs! Disgraceful business decision.

    GET OUR PRESENTERS BACK!!”

    Please sign this petition

    https://www.change.org/p/heart-breakfast-presenters-bring-back-heart-regional-presenters?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_15847548_en-GB%3Av3&recruiter=71496598&recruited_by_id=639a7e70-594d-11e3-97a6-695c60519633&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&share_bandit_exp=skip-15847548-en-GB&share_bandit_var=v0

  • This Mama Knew Something Wasn’t Right

    Where do I begin? Our baby, Sienna-Rose has always been so unsteady with her balance.. we thought nothing of it at first. We assumed it was down to being short sighted and having a double squint! She was still hitting all of her milestones on time. Nothing to worry about right?

    Wrong.. fast forward to January the 30th 2019. Sienna has her injection and we were pre warned there would be a fever. She had the fever.. followed by sickness, unsteadyness, lethargy and a high temperature. We firstly rang our GP who recommended calpol and lots of rest. The sickness still came. After a few weeks of constant sickness and crying we took things further. We took her to A&E who did their checks and diagnosed “gastritis” she was prescribed a course of amoxicillin which she did dont take down neither did it fix the sickness.

    We returned to our childrens walk in centre only to be told the same thing.. “gastritis” again she was prescribed a stronger form of antibiotics only for her not to take down again.. then the motor neuron issues took place. Sienna was showing clear signs of balance issues and could no longer walk/crawl/sit upright. She was very lethargic and hot. We went to A&E for the third time just to be told her immune system was weak and that some babies take longer to recover than others.

    Weeks went by while she rapidly reclined. She was soon stuck in a corner of the sofa watching TV and sleeping all day. We tried to contact our health visitor but she left the service and forgot to transfer her notes over to the new health visitor who didnt know she existed. I came to the end of my tether and broke down to the lady in the weigh in clinic who took my concerns seriously. She refered her to paediatrics but we wasnt going to be seen until June.

    7th of May came, I rang 111 (emergency service information) because Sienna couldn’t lift her head from her shoulder and was struggling to straighten her back. I was told to wait for a phone call of a paediatric doctor. They finally rang back 2 and a half hours later. They asked if she was still tilting to one side. She wasnt. So they told me to keep an eye on her and bring her in if she did it again!
    Friday the 10th of May 2019 Sienna fell off the sofa. She bumped her head and her eyes rolled back. I didnt bother phoning. I took her straight in. I lost all faith in the emergency phone services/GP/Health visitors. When we arrived then again didnt believe what I was saying, when she was too poorly to move and her cry was weak. Eventually the most amazing doctor came and spoke to us. She listened to everything. Even wrote it all down. She measured Sienna’s head and demanded an urgent MRI. 
    11th May 2019 We had our diagnosis. Within 2 hours of the MRI. We was taken to see the consultant. He broke the news Sienna has a tumour just a slight bit bigger than a golf ball in the back of her brain. We were heart broken. She had an external shunt fitted to drain the mass of fluid on her brain. In 48hrs they collected 650ml of spinal fluid from her head stabilizing her condition ready for her operation 14/06/2019
    Surgery day came, they’ve so far removed what they think is all of the tumour.. 

    17/05/2019
    We had the results! Had a meeting with the consultant..
    This Mama Knew Something Wasn't Right
    This Mama Knew Something Wasn’t Right

    Good news – They’ve gotten rid of 95% of the tumour. 
    Bad news – Its defiently a stage 4 aggressive medulloblastoma. The 5% that remains is attached to a membrain that the surgeon didnt want to remove as it would effect her brain development. In two weeks time she will have chemotherapy.

    We expected this outcome.

    Still doesn’t stop the pain, anger and emotion. I know she is a strong ass girl who will kick cancers ass! 

    I want to raise awareness about the earlier detection of a brain tumour especially in children. Because nobody should have to suffer what Sienna-Rose did! For months she was miss diagnosed. All it takes to diagnose is an MRI brain scan! Here are some symptoms to look out for..
    – Involentry eye movement
    – Tilting of the head 
    – Growth of the head 
    – Vomiting and nausea 
    – Lack of interest in food 
    – Poor movement 
    – Behaviour changes 
    – Unable to hold balance/Regression in milestones!Even if you think it’s not.. request to be seen my a neurologist to rule out a tumour! Earlier detection means better treatment and a higher survival rate! Trust your gut instincts and if you feel something is wrong, please fight until you find out what is! 
    – Sienna-Rose’s Mum xx

     

  • Amazing Act of Kindness

    I would like to share something incredibly special with you all. A day we will never forget. Today we took our little boy Ralph to Universal Orlando Resort for the first time. Ralph is awesomely autistic, and we are proud to be a neurodiverse family. As wonderful, loving, intelligent and incredible as Ralph is, sometimes he struggles. (Don’t we all?)

    When he struggles the hardest, he can have something known as an “autistic meltdown”. Some people who are not educated about autism might see it as a temper tantrum. But the fact of the matter is that it is not the act of a spoiled and naughty child. It’s a cry for help. This is Ralph’s way of saying “I don’t know how to monitor and regulate my emotions right now. I need help, please! I’m scared! I’m overwhelmed! I want to feel better and I don’t know how!”. And here came Jen to the rescue.

    First I should explain that Ralph was EXTREMELY excited to ride the Spiderman ride at Islands of Adventure. He kept on asking us if the ride was coming up soon, and we would reassure him and say “Soon, Baby. Soon. First there are other rides before that one. That one is at the end. It’s the last island. So we have to ride the other ones first. Okay?” He was SO patient for SO long. As patient as he possibly could be. He would say “Okay” and sigh, and then enjoy the next ride. But all the while, the excitement was building up to the pinnacle of his day: The Spiderman ride near the exit of Islands of Adventure.

    So when we finally got there and handed them his handicap-access tickets which would make his waiting time a little bit more bearable (he would still have to wait the same amount of time, just not in a physical line), he was upset that we had to walk away from Spiderman in order to find a nice cool air conditioned place in which we could wait until it was our turn to ride. He was as patient as could be while we sat there as a family for the 15 minutes it would take until we could go back and walk in. The anticipation was driving him wild! But he did his very best to regulate it with the tools he has been given over the years by his teachers and therapy team at his special needs school back home. They, and he, are all AMAZING.

    When we finally got back to Spiderman, he was leaping for joy. He thought “OH WOW! This is IT! FINALLY!” and you should have seen the SMILE on his face. It was incredible. Then when it was almost our turn to board, and he could see the end in sight, the vehicles right in front of us, we got the news that the ride had broken down. Everyone was very nicely asked to exit. And Ralph, understandably, lost it. (Wouldn’t you?). My husband and I know the signs. We could see it coming, like an oncoming train. And yet we couldn’t dodge out of the way. There was nowhere else to go. The autistic meltdown was GOING to HAPPEN. And happen it DID.

    Ralph collapsed onto the floor while crowds of people were attempting to exit the ride and the gift shop attached to it. He began sobbing, screaming, rocking, hyperventilating, and truly struggling to breathe. A woman who worked there named Jen came over… no… no, she RUSHED over… and while I frantically kept trying to get him to stand up so he wouldn’t get trampled on by people, she encouraged me to leave him on the floor if that is where he needed to be.

    Then she did this. She got down on the floor WITH HIM. She rested next to him while he cried his heart out, and she helped him breathe again. She spoke to him so calmly, and while he screamed and sobbed, she gently kept encouraging him to let it all out. She told people to keep on walking around them, so they would stop standing there and staring. And then she told him it was okay for him to be sad and feel this way. She understood. She would feel the same way too. His feelings were validated. And she told him he could lay there with her as long as he needed to until he felt better.

    Eventually, he DID feel better. So they got up, and she told him he could have something from the gift shop to help him feel even better still. Anything up to $50. All he wanted was a tiny notebook and pen to write in about the size of my hand, and a tiny ID tag with Spiderman’s face on it and his name. She suggested some other toys that were even more expensive, and he looked at her and said “No thanks, I’m good.” And he SMILED. And THANKED her.

    He was exhausted and rattled, as we ALL get after one of his rare epic meltdowns. But what a relief it was that it was over. Thanks to Jen, and her knowledge about what to do. I asked her how she knew how to do that, and she told me that everyone at Universal Studios gets special training when it comes to people who are awesomely autistic, as well as other special needs. I hugged her for the LONGEST time… several times, if I’m being honest. And then the entire family left the store and marched straight over to customer relations without a single pit-stop, to sing Jen’s praises. I showed the sweet woman working there the photos of Jen with Ralph, and she got misty-eyed herself, and hugged me. We showed each other our goosebumps on our arms and laughed and hugged yet again. And she ALSO told me how much training they get when it comes to helping people with various special needs.

    Many thanks ALSO go out to the incredibly sweet woman working the Dr. Seuss carousel ride who let Ralph ride it again without having to get back in line because she saw the laughter and joy on his face. I wish I had gotten her name. MEGA thanks to Lindsey and Vee from Mythos restaurant who noticed him starting to panic a little when he needed a pencil so he could calm himself down from the over-stimulation at the park. He wanted to draw, and all he could find was a pen. He kept saying “Thank you for my pencil” very anxiously over and over and over again to Lindsey, who very sweetly kept trying to explain she only had a pen, but she would see what she could do. Then she rushed off, despite us telling her we would just go buy him one somewhere as soon as possible so he could draw.

    But she insisted she wanted to help. And then suddenly Vee appeared and she had a beautiful freshly-sharpened yellow pencil in her hand and the biggest smile for Ralph you ever did see. And when he drew them a thank you card with The Cat in The Hat on it, they thanked him and Vee asked if she could hang it in her office. He was THRILLED at this suggestion.

    It made him feel SO special that she wanted to keep it in the office to remember him by. Vee, Lindsey, THANK YOU. A big thanks to Augustin from The Mummy Ride, who saw us struggling a little bit with the lockers and rushed over to help, and then without even being asked, befriended Ralph and led us over to the ride via the magical “back way”, complete with elevator and a bypassing of much of the line. And finally, a MEGA THANKS to our friend Sidney J. Dragon for being there and helping Ralph feel better!

    Bringing him water, also sitting down on the floor with him, and then being our tour guide the rest of the day to make sure everything else went smoothly for us from there on in! He works there too, and stayed with us until the park closed, making sure Ralphie stayed happy! Even though his work shift ended already! You are all MAGICAL people. TRULY. <3

    A message to all of the people who work at Universal Studios: Please read this and know that my family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I know Ralphie does too. THANK YOU for recognizing that Ralphie is a GREAT kid. A SWEET kid who just struggles with certain things (as we ALL do, neurodiverse or not). THANK YOU for treating him with SO much kindness and patience. THANK YOU to your supervisors and whomever trained you so well. THANK YOU for paying such close attention. THANK YOU for BEING THERE for us today, and for making us feel like Ralph’s well-being was your top priority. He is OUR top priority because we love him more than ANYTHING and ANYONE, but you all only just met him today. And yet you behaved as if you were family. And we TRULY cannot thank you enough.

    Too often people complain when something goes wrong, but say nothing when something goes RIGHT. Well that’s not how I do things. Maybe it’s because I’m a business-owner myself. But I refuse to go to bed tonight, regardless of how utterly EXHAUSTED I am, until I publicly thank you and sing your praises. THANK YOU. TRULY. <3 And Mama Jen? We love you most of all. <3

    See you next time, Orlando!

    The Koppelman Family

    (Steve, Lenore, and Ralph) from NYC <3

    #universalstudios #autismacceptance #awesomelyautistic #neurodiversity #spiderman #marvel #rainbowinfinitysymbol #inclusion #love

    PS: please feel free to share this story so these incredible employees and the wonderful staff who trained them so well get the applause they deserve!!! ❤️❤️❤️

    PPS: I’m flooded with beautiful and concerned messages asking if Ralph ever got to go on the ride. Thank you so much for asking and for caring! He did not, but don’t worry! We will save up for another trip to Universal, either in Florida or LA, and we will go to the Spider-Man ride FIRST. They DEFINITELY have a repeat customer in us! ❤️❤️❤️

    Credit https://www.facebook.com/lenore.koppelman