In search of Achill-Henge

On March 5th, me and my beloved Bicky totally eloped, telling no one at all, and went and gots hitched. Yup. We hired two photographers who worked as our witnesses! That way we didn't have to tell only two loved ones, and try and choose between them all. It was beautiful, laid back and totally the no fuss day that we wanted. But more on all that later. If you're feeling particularly sound then give the photographers/ witnesses a like on Facebook - Mian Photography and Training - I really could not recommend them enough, whether it's your wedding, family/ baby pics you're looking for, or even fur-baby photo-shoots (some very cute ones on there, if for nothing else you should like the page for the cuteness). Very talented pair!

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]

Introducing Saoirse

Finally I would like to introduce you all to my new wheeled, part-time pal, Saoirse -A name suggested to me on a Facebook post and also in real life (seems the most popular one)... I was aiming for a girls name (as all vehicles are female, obviously) and was leaning towards something Irish. Saoirse seemed perfect as it means freedom (ha, hopefully)...

These photos were taken in Drogheda a while ago, where we first took her for her first spin -just before a storm hit! Hence why I'm holiday my hat down, ha.

I'm still very much mortified about needing to use a chair, even part-time, but I want to get out of the house more. I'm not ready to use it around the ol' hometown as of yet, but she came in handy on my latest holiday to New York -photos of that lovely trip to follow tomorrow. There's no way I could go on a holiday like that (visiting museums, sites, and all the walking these things entail -hell, even all the walking in the airport would be tough) without a wheelchair.

My five year bucket list

As mentioned before, I've been working on and implementing a five year mini bucket list -To complete from ages 30-35 (I'm now 31). I like the idea of a short, temporary list, rather than one big, long list... 

Being ill means I don't always have the luxury of knowing what's around the corner, and planning anything can be hard. Life is very much on a day-to-day basis. So no laughing at some of these rather silly, and small hopeful accomplishments! Or nuggies all round! They may not be a big deal to a healthy person, but as I sometimes need help to the toilet these days, they are milestones in comparison. 

It was reeeeeally therapeutic writing this! I suggest everyone does one.

⊱❤_____________________________________❤⊰

A review of Sziget 2014, by Rainy Day Penguin

On August 11th 2014, myself, Bicky and Rainy Day Penguin set off on our second trip to the week-long Sziget festival in Budapest, Hungary (we had previously visited in 2010). 

Here's Rainy Day Penguin's view on our week away...

Arriving at around 11pm Monday night (we would have like to have gotten there earlier but the flights from Ireland this year were insane -no direct flights at all!) we could immediately tell that the festival had indeed sold out -something they had mentioned on their Facebook page, and to my knowledge this is the first year ever that the massive island had reached full capacity.

For those of who may have only been to Irish festivals, let me point out a couple of differences here, apart from the festival lasting a whole week- 1.) You can basically camp where you like on the Sziget island. There are, kind of, designated camping areas, but that are simply defined by a) where ever anyone else sets up camp, and more continue to camp around them, and b) Tape bordering off pathways. 2.) The place is giant. Forget Electric Picnic -This place is like a town. So with that in mind, and the place being packed to the brim, finding a camp spot took FOREVER. Made feel even longer for my humans as they were carrying large bags.

Eventually we found a suitable camp spot, set up camp and hoped our 'neighbours' wouldn't mind the intrusion. At this stage, after travelling all day and sore from walking across the island, my humans were of course in dire need of some alcohol. Approaching the first bar they seen, they were informed that no money is accepted anywhere on Island, and that you must purchase a Sziget card. These cards are available at kiosks all over the island and work like a visa card -every time you need a top-up or want to check your balance, you can go to any of these kiosks. Now, my humans had read about these on the Sziget Facebook page, but had no idea they were compulsory -They hadn't even existed at the 2010 festival. Slightly annoyed, they went to get a card and eventually got their first drink, and I had a tiny tipple myself. All and all though, we realise the cards are a great idea -No need to carry around money, which of course is a benefit.

The next day, with our cards topped up, my humans then needed to find the locker areas to store their wallets/ money and valuables. They had booked one on-line prior to arriving for around €20 for the whole week. A great idea of course -that is, if you

100 days of happiness... A recent round-up

Yop -My name is CrippleBaby, and I have an issue with lack of blogging *sits down and waits for applause*... So rather than go through the last 10 or so days individually, I'm just going to do one big ol' post for the '100 days of happiness' days which I missed -which was many, many days. So here's the round up, and in no particular order, as I'm too lazy to do so, quite frankly:

Dancing with Thom 

These lads: The Seasons

This boy... Plus his awesome jukebox...

The end of treatment –The beginning of recovery

Thought I better split all the craic from the last while into two, as not to bore yas all too much with extra-long posts… again, apologies at sucking at regular blogging.

So as you may know, or have guessed, I have finished chemotherapy :) (For now/ hopefully forever). Here’s some tweets from my last day…

Exciting stuff.

Speaking of which, I’m waaay better at updating Twitter, so if you fancy following me you can do so here: @kittypotpie85

But of course, then came radiotherapy –BOOOOO! Three weeks, Monday-Friday, in Dublin. Worrying about us affording petrol for all these visits, Bicky (Simon) applied for help from The Carrickmacross Cancer Society who paid for a taxi service for us, for the whole three weeks! Seriously, absolute saints. Please give these angels a ‘like’ on Facebook and support them: Carrick Cancer 

….Speaking of money issues, I still DO NOT have my medical card. Yeah, seriously. Long story, so I’ll write up another post on this at a later stage…

For those that don’t know much about radiotherapy and wish to know what it entails, go here: External Radiotherapy 

Like with chemotherapy, there are some side effects, although most people find