As children, memories of stories read to us in the evening by our parents, for many of us, comprise our earliest form of full-story reading, and as parents, we pass many stories, fiction and non-fiction, written and overheard, to our children in this form.

I get skin and growth issues as part of my disability; I have had procedures (five so far) to remove lumps

So here it is, the results of my foray into (facial) skincare (I will update on body products later on).

Body care is something that has become very well established for me over the years, and I do not feel any real need to change my formula; it works for me. As my skin and hair change, I swap products in and out, but this process often takes years; I only alter things when I feel there is a need.

One thing I really can do when low on spoons is shop.

My main focus the last couple of weeks has been existing on a VLCD, or Very Low Calorie Diet. That’s 800kcals per day to people in the know, made up of packets, usually soups or shakes.

I had to see the doctor recently, who’s told me I can’t drive anymore.

So, a couple of years ago, after being a disabled worker and student for quite a while, decisions were taken out of my hands and I was (finally) medically retired. In my 40s and a lifelong employee in at least one job at a time, a mother, and also a lifelong student, artist and creative, this was a real shock to the system, but realistically it was hardly even a decision anymore.