The one where they got secretly married (nay neH)

Yes, yes... nay neH is "Just Married" in Klingon

So I've briefly mentioned this in a couple of my last posts and I'm sure some of you were like, wait what, did she just swipe over all that gossip of eloping? Like some kind of celebrity. And yes, yes I did.

But now I'll get all basic bitch and gush about my wedding day for those who want to know the full story -so if you're uninterested look away now.

The planning

We're both (myself and Bicky) quite practical people. Laid back, too. Bicky works in the wedding industry so sees his fair share of nuptials. While they're all wonderful celebrations for the happy couple and their families, it's just another, average work day for him. I've never had this childhood fantasy of a fairytale wedding day with a huge white dress, cake... None of that stuff. We're both also (super duper califragilistic) atheists, so a church was never going to happen either.

With all that in mind, and not wanting a big party or fuss or such, I always assumed if we were to bother getting married that we just wouldn't tell anyone. Perhaps, not at all. People might find out way into the future, if one of us was in hospital for example, but I would be content in never mentioning it otherwise.

After a brief discussion last winter (2017) we decided to get married in secret (but to tell people afterwards, as we kinda wanted to wear rings). That was it really. All very practical conversations.

• We applied to give our three months notice of intent to marry on March 5th, 2018. 
• Picked a registry office that was open the day we wished to wed.
• Booked a hotel in to stay that night, the stunning Farnham Estate. 
• And then a house in Achill for the week for our honeymoon (we just told people we were off on holidays to Achill).

Popping wheelies in NY

As promised, some photos of my recent trip to New York, featuring Saoirse. I won't make this into a review about being on holidays with a chair/ how accessible or inaccessible a city is, only to say that it was hit and miss... But as it's my first holiday using a wheelchair, it wouldn't be fair. I have nothing to compare it to, and I would assume New York is a lot better than most cities. Although I will say two things -taking the subway is a big no no obviously (but I had two days in which I simply didn't bring the chair -and paid for it) and secondly, JFK airport workers are kinda assholes to wheelchair users. Seriously, some training may be required there... So they can maybe perhaps not make their customers feel like they think they are retarded. That'd be swell... I'll write a future blog post on that issue after I send my complaint in. Dublin airport were amazing, on the other hand. Among everything else, they simply made me feel less of a knob -It was very embarrassing having to use a chair, as you can imagine, so simply being treated human goes a long way. Anyway, more of that another day!

Thanks to my lovely family and friends who made us feel very welcome, and sorry to friends we didn't get a chance to visit. A week really isn't enough time in New York, but it was a long week for me and unfortunately all I'm currently fit for. Hopefully we will get to go again in the future.

These photos include some sites and museums, such as the 9/11 memorial, Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (including a Star Trek exhibition!!! I shit you not, me and Bicky transformed into the biggest dorks when we got to it), the Body Worlds exhibition and just general messing around. Trying to pretend being in a wheelchair is fun and I'm totally fine with it and still a cool, independent woman, purposely banging into Bicky and friends, very much so enjoying a ride on a refurbished carousel even though it bloody hurts, drinking loads of Gatorade (which is the American equivalent to Powerade, except it tastes nicer... Both drinks being the elixir of my people)... Enjoy!

[Unfortunately not feeling the best since the trip, and have done my 

back in/ pulled something, but totally worth it]

From neuro to zero

As long-term readers will know, I was attending a neurology clinic in Beaumont hospital... Well, kinda. Over three years I had about four appointments. Extremely slow, asked the same questions each time and with... well, lets just say the term "neurologist" is used quite loosely here in Ireland... Rather than repeat myself too much, here's some Facebook posts and links on the subject:

⚚ Click here to read about my very first neurology appointment ⚚

⚚ Click here to read about my second neurology appointment ⚚

I don't think I've really any other posts detailing them... the third appointment was not only quick, but a disaster, and not something I really like to discuss:

Firstly, the absolute prick, gawked at me when I entered the room, like a bully in the playground staring at the cripple kid -"What's the cane for??" he asked, sounding grossed out (seriously!). Like he hasn't seen a disabled person in a neurology clinic before. 

He hadn't looked at any of my notes and instead a few minutes later asked, "what's wrong with you?" -again, sounding pissed off... I replied that was the reason I was going to these appointments (duh) and hadn't been fully diagnosed yet (except the birth defects, obviously). He then got really flustered and