I’m going to have a little moan about Tesco, who gave me a £10 off if you spend £70 on electrical items in store. I went to buy the ‘on offer’ £99 tablet for my son’s 15th birthday, but the were out of stock. Irritation #1.
“You can order it at the click & collect service” said the nice young man. I went to the front of the store; yes they could order, No they couldn’t take the voucher as it wasn’t ‘in store’. #2
“But you don’t HAVE any in store and your in store colleague told me to come to you!”
#3.
Come ON Tesco! Order enough and stop giving us vouchers that you can only spend either online or in store. I did not buy anything. I shall look on Amazon.
Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience Jules – it seems to be a common occurrence these days and then the retailers wonder why so many people are flooding in droves to online services like Amazon.
Have you considered emailing or calling Tesco customer services? I often find that a call to HQ does the trick. At the moment they’re doing everything they can to keep customers as their profits are plunging as others are on the rise. Let us know how you get on!
PS Aren’t authors annoyed with Amazon at the moment as well? 🙂
I am just venting my spleen on motorists totally ignoring the no entry signs in our road…….grrrhhhhh. Taxi drivers, local folks and even folks in the road do it. End of moan.
This is a big one, sorry… but I need to get it off my chest and thought your new site, Mike, was the perfect friendly, safe and caring place to do it!
I wanted to share with you something close to my heart! Over the past few years I have put huge amounts of time and energy into raising awareness of various health conditions. First it was Endometriosis, then it was Hyperemesis Gravidarum (and as I now work for a charity in this area and have a book coming out next month about it, this is a BIG one), and now it’s my husband’s neuropathy. I do this because they are so often misunderstood and I want to change the way people are treated (or mistreated as the case may be!)
Unfortunately this means I have come under a lot of slack. People have repeatedly called me all manner of things including selfish and ungrateful, which I cannot fathom at all when what I am doing is fighting for others. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have cried because of it… but I keep fighting because it is important!
Which leads me to today’s post… a friend of mine (someone I met at a blogging conference) wrote this post about how she is unable to get her house adapted to her increasing needs thanks to her MS (she is only in her 20s and has young kids!) because it is “too expensive”. Her post is heartbreaking (you can read it at http://msmummyoftwo.com/ms-expensive/) and it just reminds me why I fight so hard to campaign for these things!
So my gripe today is a big one… I am cross about the lack of support for people who need it, I am cross about the lack of compassion for others I come across regularly when trying to raise support for people who need it, and I am cross that there is so little we can do about it.
I cannot agree with all you say Amanda ,but your raising awareness is appreciated.and support to others ……I have had and still have lots of hidden things wrong with me, but I can honestly say I have had wonderful investigations and help , to enable me to lead as much a normal life as possible .i am grateful for all the help given! the N.H.S is wonderful , at the grand old age of 87 + they look after me well.,My doctor will listen and will answer all my questions , and what she isn’t absolutely not sure of , she refers me on…..keep on with your campaigns Amanda ,hopefully it will help someone who slips through the net .well done .
Sorry Barbie, I didn’t mean to imply there was no support at all! I am so glad to hear that you have had such a positive experience, that’s exactly the kind of care and support everyone should be entitled to. And it’s fantastic to shout out about all the good work and support that is being done!
Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who haven’t had such positive experiences. Through my work I speak to women every single day who are being denied treatment due to a lack of awareness even though huge amounts of research and information exist. But that doesn’t mean I don’t value the NHS – I too think it is wonderful and wouldn’t be without it! I just get frustrated when trying to make life easier for people is seen as “expecting too much”, which I get a lot.
I’ve been finding my voice getting smaller and quiter and far more timid lately and I guess I just needed to share that somewhere, how powerless I feel the help others these days.
Congratulations on the launch of your website Mike.
I agree that Tesco are a pain Jules. They offer something, then can’t supply it. I also sympathise with Elaine about the traffic ignoring no entry signs. I get really annoyed about the way some motorists behave at a nearby level crossing. They barge their way into the front from an other exit when they don’t have right of way. One day, someone will cause an accident. That’s my moan over!!
Hi Amanda, do keep up the good work ,that you are so passionate about,even if one person is helped , it is a goal achievement, and hopefully you will soon be recognised .i am disturbed about the remarks people are saying about you, can you enlighten me why? Take Care Barbie.
Thank you! The comments are mostly from old friends and certain family members, to be honest, which makes it harder to ignore them. So, for example, I suffered from extreme pregnancy sickness (lost over 10% of my body weight, totally bedbound, constantly dehydrated etc) and because of this I decided to write a guide about the condition for other women and their healthcare professionals. Over the past 3 years I have researched, written, and edited and it is due out next month. In that time I also became involved with a charity, first as a volunteer and now as their volunteer coordinator. As such, a lot of my updates on Facebook revolve around supporting women and promoting awareness (not just for the sickness, but anyone who is suffering). I never make it about my own experience, but the fact women deserve better care than they currently receive – for instance, 10% of wanted pregnancies are terminated due to HG yet only 7% of these have been offered every treatment option available!! And yet I repeatedly get told to “get over it” as my own pregnancy is over and that I am just doing it for attention rather than because I have listened to yet another lady cry down the phone because she feels so desperate and just wants someone to listen and care!
There are so many different situations that have resulted in a similar response from (admittedly) the same two people, but as they are family and friends it makes that very difficult to step away from and not feel hurt by, you know? It doesn’t sound like much, but I spend my entire life campaigning for people and causes and I do it because I care about others and do not want them to suffer, yet this somehow ends up with me being told by friends and family that I am having a “pity party” for myself. Yet I rarely write about it from my perspective, but more about the stats and information about things.
I don’t quite understand how my campaigning for compassion and better care for others somehow ends up with this kind of response. I have always said that the health and financial difficulties Tim and I have survived together are “gifts”… they give us a great deal of compassion for others, passion to create change, and determination to keep fighting. I wouldn’t care as much about others as I do now if I hadn’t been through what I had, but sometimes I feel like I care “too much” and that’s why I get hurt by it all. And occasionally I lose my nerve and stop talking about them altogether…
Sorry, there is no short way of explaining it all but thanks for asking xx
Hi Amanda , my advice to you , if it’s any good is not to include family and friends who make these hurtful remarks , when you are trying to help others ,you just keep fighting, you are doing what is in your heart , I remember what you went through when you were expecting Oscar,and before with your endromeatocis, did you get any help with both ? If so ,you carry valuable info that can help others .
Good luck with your Book , and how is Oscar, he must be a big boy now .xHuggles Barbie x
Thanks Barbie! I had appalling care when pregnant with Oscar, which has made me so determined to make a difference now. But I know it is lack of awareness rather than lack of caring so we keep on raising awareness to change that 🙂
My Endometriosis is still a problem – I am currently on meds to temporarily shut down my ovaries, not the best timing as Tim is having such an awful time with his neuropathy and I need to be on top form to support him, but it could be a lot worse! I complain about being so tired and stressed some days but I know we are lucky that we both have jobs, a roof over our heads, each others’ love and friendship and a beautiful boy. we can get through anything together!
Thanks for your advice, it is very kind of you. I am slowly learning how wise your words are xx
Hi AMANDA,
That was a very good interview, you gave on the television this morning , and with Dr Hilary. ….lovely man….You must really be proud of yourself . You are a star…..You have got up and done something about your dilemma , made awareness to an illness , that obviously needs more attention, and it’s going to be a good guide for fellow sufferers ,,,Good luck with your Book , and with your quest .
So sorry to hear about this Amanda – can you send me a message at mike@powelltothepeople.co.uk and let me know if it’s a local issue? Many thanks.
Thanks Elaine for letting rip….have you contacted the council?
Nice to hear from you Sue and Barbie. Some driving is truly appalling these days Sue. Pleased Barbie you’ve had good experiences recently but I hear more and more of serious problems because of the job cuts in the NHS. I know from personal experience that care can range from exemplary to atrocious….
I completely missed your comment yesterday, Elaine! I find roads terrifying with Oscar… we live on a really busy road and although there is a zebra crossing outside our house, hardly any cars stop, even when I have the pushchair or Oscar walking with me!!! The worst, though, was when I was in town and started to cross the road at a pelican crossing (the green man was beeping at me to cross) and one side of the road had stopped but 3 cars went zooming through on the opposite side of the road right in front of me as I tried to cross. One of them even had the audacity to honk her horn at me… I was too shocked to think to point out to her that she had just gone through a red light. It’s a wonder there aren’t more accidents with so many motorists so oblivious to the signs around them…
I agree with your remarks Mike , i have also heard about bad feed back from N.h.S .with job cutting etc, and. I am very passionate about it , having worked for N.H.S. For over twenty years…..I have voiced my opinion many times
In that period of time…and fought many issues when my dear husband had a massive stroke.
Because I have recently, recovered from a long and nasty illness ,I just feel I had to shout on a more positive note about the wonderful medical care I received., everything possible had been done for my recovery.and I thank the nurses doctors Consultants and a Matron, who lovingly attended me , in the virtual ward ,and I still have occasional visits from them.
We hear constantly of atrocious bad cases, and I hope we hear more of the good. We need more money to go into these resources, stop the targets , and look after the valuable staff.
Hear hear, Barbie! We really must shout out when we get great care 🙂 because there are some amazing people out there, coping with some really difficult circumstances (budget cuts etc) and yet still managing to make a massive difference!!
I would like half of my doctor’s surgery closed..the half which contains the new GP ! who said when I saw him recently with a chest infection (I’m asthmatic)…’shall I make you better or shall I let you suffer’. Maybe he was trying to be funny and maybe as I felt so poorly I didn’t see the funny side of it…but I took it to mean he was holding such power and my well being was at his mercy. Anyway he gave me antibiotics so I’m glad he chose his second option.
I’d like to think Rebecca that the GP was trying to be funny, but some sense of humour….
The unfortunate thing is that antibiotics seem to be handed out like smarties these days so that they’re losing their effectiveness – or so we’re told. There’s also a lot of alternative therapies and remedies that some people find very useful…
I hope surgeries are not going to close, it is bad enough that we have to wait four weeks to see our own GP for an appointment. Having said that, if it is an emergency then you can see a doctor the same day.
I agree Elaine, it’s usually at least three weeks wait here to see a doctor – especially the one of our choice. The best GP in the practice is leaving at the end of the week to spend more time with her family. She will be missed.
I think I am very lucky, I have a good surgery with good Doctors, and Nursing staff , as an elderly patient, I have exemplary care I will be gutted if the Powers that be start another destruction of our Health Service . I have watched it grow from the beginning and do Not want to watch its End.
I am glad that you have had the same problems with Page numbers Elaine. I’ve been backwards and forwards today . Eventually it managed to get there , Certainly a problem there Mike,.
I am glad that you have had the same problems with Page numbers Elaine. I’ve been backwards and forwards today . Eventually it managed to get there , Certainly a problem there Mike,.
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I am going to bring up the subject of the Ice bucket challenge. It’s been all over social media for a few weeks now. What do other people think about it? Have you done it? Maybe you have refused to do it? Look forward to your views on this.
It is all over Facebook, you cannot get away from it, whether it be ” celebrities” family or friends. I have not been asked and would not do it, I am too much of a coward and do not like the thought of all that ice cold water. I give to charity anyway. Good luck to those who want to do it, but I do not want to make a song and dance about donating to charity.
I haven’t been asked yet if I was I wouldn’t do it, that feeling of that ice on me gives me the shivers thinking about it. I am sure if a charity wants money they can think of a better idea then that. Every time I go on Facebook there is a bucket going over someone’s head I am sure it doesn’t do the people any good due to the ice cold water. I work with children and another Nursery wanted us to do it I totally refused, some staff are doing it tomorrow and the children will be watching, which I don’t agree with as they could go home and do it as they see adults at Nursery do it so they will think it will be ok to do it at home. This is my opinion and would like to read about other people opinions about it.
I’ve not been asked and I definitely wouldn’t do it. It can’t be good for people to have ice cold water tipped over them. Let’s hope the craze dies out before the weather gets colder.
I do not agree with the ice bucket challenge at all…….can you imagine the poor little children in Africa that cannot even drink clean water , can you imagine them watching this….I am sure that making awareness can be done in other ways I contribute to charities of my choice . Years ago I collected shoe boxes ect , and collected all sorts of things to go in them this was when Yugoslavia was in trouble about twenty years ago plus they lost all their belongings and homes ,I did everything from having stuff left at my home to sorting and parceling and decorating the parcels , three to four hundred in total , lorry came up to collect same………I still write to the little girl who was left homeless , we have been in contact ever since and has a family of three , and has her own business in Dubrovnick I will try to post pics to you.
I suggest that world wide this could be done to help the. devastations that are occurring all over instead of wasting water , everyone send a parcel ……make this a big event to make awareness to all ……….
What do others think of the poor little Five year old Ashir and his suffering family.
What an amazing 16 year old ,who organised a and went to Downing Street , to present it to the Prime Minister ,he was a neighbour of the Kings.
I would like to hear your views , I have been with the family throughout ,. In thoughts How did imprisoment come into it , What were the Spanish Authority thinking about.? There is so much to answer.:-)
I think it did go too far with the arrest and detention of his parents, but, when he went missing from hospital, I do not think the hospital did wrong by calling in the police, if they hadn’t and, heaven for if, Ashya had taken a turn for the worse and deteriorated, then the authorities would have been severely criticised for not doing anything, a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. Thank goodness they are all reunited again now. We hope and pray that the treatment can go ahead and it will be successful.
I agree Totally Elaine, they should have told the authorities they would be leaving the hospital and not be back..but then we do not know all that went on so can’t really give a reason unless one knows the full facts .
Seems that there’s a good outcome though with Ashya about to start proton beam therapy on Monday (15/09/14)…..
Unfortunately Barbie I can’t say what I really think for the obvious reasons but thankfully it seems more and more are beginning to wake up to what’s really going on…..x
I quite understand Mike, ……..it is so sad that a lot of people again will die………and again I think we should help to stop the terrorist ……I just think of the last war I went through, and the horrors of it all. I really just do not know what to think.
What does everyone think Surgeries open , longer hours 7 days a week.? At least it squashes , of certain surgeries closing.
I have already have been appointed a G.P..for the future of my choice, I think it has started with the Elderly first., I have found changes already happening . Which is advantages.
I would welcome surgeries being open at the weekends, as you feel totally isolated not being able to see a doctor from your practice at the weekend if you need him. The walk in centre in out area is going to be closed for 6 months from December, another nail in the coffin of local NHS services.
Absolutely agree. People don’t just get sick Monday to Friday. Doctors are there to provide a service and this service should be seven days a week. Thankfully we have out of hours GP’s, but I would much rather see GP’s from my own practice. I fully appreciate they’re as entitled to a family life as much as everyone else and therefore more doctors should be employed at practices to facilitate this.
As for the ice bucket challenge as discussed earlier, I didn’t do it nor did I support it. Matt Damon (the actor) had the right idea. He co-founded water.org to help the 800 million people who don’t have access to clean drinking water. His video clip is only short and is on you tube.
Heard on the news yesterday , that there is a shortage of G.P. Owing to the doctors retiring early., I am interested in the £55 if the G.P.s detect Dementia,,,,,,,I was little confused , having heard a little more ……?Apparently , more equipment , such as X-rays …..and ultra scanners may be coming into the surgeries , so more work………So maybe this is the way forward , with the doctors making prognosis , which entails more time and less in the hospitals , hence the payment. With the Dimentia………I would like to know peoples views.
I am very angry……I have calmed down………Dear Mike leaving us to pastures new, I could go on and on about our Diamond in the Crown, would like to know what your views are of this wonderful man.
Our lives begin to end , the day we become silent about things that matter.
I too feel very upset that Mike has left Radio Solent. He is definitely one of a very rare breed of presenters, who actually cares about his listeners and supports us, as well as interacting with us on the group. Mike is indeed a lovely man.
Radio Solent is the poorer now that Mike has gone, let us hope that pastures new are even more rewarding and that we can all see and hear Mike on the TV and radio again soon. A true gentleman and it has been an honour to meet him in the studios. Who can ever forget the wonderful time we had when we brought our pumpkins in and sampled the delights of the pumpkin soup in a bun.
I shall never forget that day Elaine it is one of my happy memories , I have it included in my book ………..today is like the calm after the storm , going through it and coming out the other side, feeling very forlorn and sad. Now waiting for the sun to shine,with exciting news coming from Mike.
Can’t believe I have been listening to you for 16 years. Never forget the first time I spoke to you on air ( Christmas 2000) with my Christmas crackers jokes and done for many years after. Such a shame you have left, I will miss your lovely voice on the news. Many thanks for 9 wonderful years of your Sunday afternoon programme, Sunday’s still isn’t the same in the Emery household. Just remember you are the best weather presenter, radio presenter and news reader and no one can do a better job then you. Thanks for everything Mike. Take care.
Thanks for everything Mike, still can’t believe you have left Radio Solent. You are a lovely caring man who put’s yourself out and help the listeners and answers emails and letters unlike any other presenter.
Good luck Mike in what ever you do.
Thanks so much ladies. your comments mean so much to me. I’ve just received a lovely card from my old colleagues at work – so emotional. I really didn’t want to go but sometimes the Universe moves you on to pastures new; despite it being a traumatic experience….
Here’s something to ponder in the grand scheme of things….
I was having a brilliant deep tissue massage yesterday and the woman doing it said she had seen and heard “dead people” since she was a young girl. She told me that tragically her partner had died a couple of weeks back of a heart attack at just 43. Before he died they had been talking about madeleine McCann and that she thought that she was still alive and living in Portugal. her partner is Portugese. When they were having the chat she said to him, if either of us die before the other, we’ll use the name Madeline McCann if we’re sending a message from the other side to prove that we’re actually still alive and that death doesn’t really exist. This week she went to a spiritualist church and the medium said to her “I don’t understand this, but I’m getting the name Madeleine McCann….”
I have a name already in my mind, or does the spiritualist need a name ,maybe something else will suffice, I don’t want to try it out yet.!!!!!I cannot take it on board fully as I need to provei it myself.
It would be interesting if anyone , can tell a tale .
This could make a very informative and interesting subject.
I am mixed and confused ……haven’t enough knowledge of all that’s been going on, it’s so controversial guess we need to put all in a hat, and pull out the lucky or unlucky winners.?…I used to get excited ,but not anymore.
On a completely different topic……mindless vandalism!
Two weeks ago some of the allotment plot holders on our site had their sheds broken into. Everyone thinks the vandals were looking for petrol, as some folk use it for their strimmers and tillers.
Yesterday, when I walked down the road towards the next village, I was upset to see that two of the beautiful displays of daffodils on the grassed areas next to the footpath had been trampled on and some of the flowers and leaves had been pulled up and thrown on the grass. I don’t understand what pleasure these people get from causing such destruction 🙁 Shame on them!
Hi Sue, you cannot understand why some folks have to spoil it for everyone else. It is a joy to see flowers growing, so why do they do it. The allotment break-ins seem to be a common occurrence these days.
Hi Bruv,
Am I the first to leave a reply? Website looking good.
Love
CP
Hoorah! Well done Bruv 🙂
I’m going to have a little moan about Tesco, who gave me a £10 off if you spend £70 on electrical items in store. I went to buy the ‘on offer’ £99 tablet for my son’s 15th birthday, but the were out of stock. Irritation #1.
“You can order it at the click & collect service” said the nice young man. I went to the front of the store; yes they could order, No they couldn’t take the voucher as it wasn’t ‘in store’. #2
“But you don’t HAVE any in store and your in store colleague told me to come to you!”
#3.
Come ON Tesco! Order enough and stop giving us vouchers that you can only spend either online or in store. I did not buy anything. I shall look on Amazon.
Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience Jules – it seems to be a common occurrence these days and then the retailers wonder why so many people are flooding in droves to online services like Amazon.
Have you considered emailing or calling Tesco customer services? I often find that a call to HQ does the trick. At the moment they’re doing everything they can to keep customers as their profits are plunging as others are on the rise. Let us know how you get on!
PS Aren’t authors annoyed with Amazon at the moment as well? 🙂
I am just venting my spleen on motorists totally ignoring the no entry signs in our road…….grrrhhhhh. Taxi drivers, local folks and even folks in the road do it. End of moan.
Hi all,
This is a big one, sorry… but I need to get it off my chest and thought your new site, Mike, was the perfect friendly, safe and caring place to do it!
I wanted to share with you something close to my heart! Over the past few years I have put huge amounts of time and energy into raising awareness of various health conditions. First it was Endometriosis, then it was Hyperemesis Gravidarum (and as I now work for a charity in this area and have a book coming out next month about it, this is a BIG one), and now it’s my husband’s neuropathy. I do this because they are so often misunderstood and I want to change the way people are treated (or mistreated as the case may be!)
Unfortunately this means I have come under a lot of slack. People have repeatedly called me all manner of things including selfish and ungrateful, which I cannot fathom at all when what I am doing is fighting for others. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have cried because of it… but I keep fighting because it is important!
Which leads me to today’s post… a friend of mine (someone I met at a blogging conference) wrote this post about how she is unable to get her house adapted to her increasing needs thanks to her MS (she is only in her 20s and has young kids!) because it is “too expensive”. Her post is heartbreaking (you can read it at http://msmummyoftwo.com/ms-expensive/) and it just reminds me why I fight so hard to campaign for these things!
So my gripe today is a big one… I am cross about the lack of support for people who need it, I am cross about the lack of compassion for others I come across regularly when trying to raise support for people who need it, and I am cross that there is so little we can do about it.
I cannot agree with all you say Amanda ,but your raising awareness is appreciated.and support to others ……I have had and still have lots of hidden things wrong with me, but I can honestly say I have had wonderful investigations and help , to enable me to lead as much a normal life as possible .i am grateful for all the help given! the N.H.S is wonderful , at the grand old age of 87 + they look after me well.,My doctor will listen and will answer all my questions , and what she isn’t absolutely not sure of , she refers me on…..keep on with your campaigns Amanda ,hopefully it will help someone who slips through the net .well done .
Sorry Barbie, I didn’t mean to imply there was no support at all! I am so glad to hear that you have had such a positive experience, that’s exactly the kind of care and support everyone should be entitled to. And it’s fantastic to shout out about all the good work and support that is being done!
Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who haven’t had such positive experiences. Through my work I speak to women every single day who are being denied treatment due to a lack of awareness even though huge amounts of research and information exist. But that doesn’t mean I don’t value the NHS – I too think it is wonderful and wouldn’t be without it! I just get frustrated when trying to make life easier for people is seen as “expecting too much”, which I get a lot.
I’ve been finding my voice getting smaller and quiter and far more timid lately and I guess I just needed to share that somewhere, how powerless I feel the help others these days.
Congratulations on the launch of your website Mike.
I agree that Tesco are a pain Jules. They offer something, then can’t supply it. I also sympathise with Elaine about the traffic ignoring no entry signs. I get really annoyed about the way some motorists behave at a nearby level crossing. They barge their way into the front from an other exit when they don’t have right of way. One day, someone will cause an accident. That’s my moan over!!
Hi Amanda, do keep up the good work ,that you are so passionate about,even if one person is helped , it is a goal achievement, and hopefully you will soon be recognised .i am disturbed about the remarks people are saying about you, can you enlighten me why? Take Care Barbie.
Hi Barbie,
Thank you! The comments are mostly from old friends and certain family members, to be honest, which makes it harder to ignore them. So, for example, I suffered from extreme pregnancy sickness (lost over 10% of my body weight, totally bedbound, constantly dehydrated etc) and because of this I decided to write a guide about the condition for other women and their healthcare professionals. Over the past 3 years I have researched, written, and edited and it is due out next month. In that time I also became involved with a charity, first as a volunteer and now as their volunteer coordinator. As such, a lot of my updates on Facebook revolve around supporting women and promoting awareness (not just for the sickness, but anyone who is suffering). I never make it about my own experience, but the fact women deserve better care than they currently receive – for instance, 10% of wanted pregnancies are terminated due to HG yet only 7% of these have been offered every treatment option available!! And yet I repeatedly get told to “get over it” as my own pregnancy is over and that I am just doing it for attention rather than because I have listened to yet another lady cry down the phone because she feels so desperate and just wants someone to listen and care!
There are so many different situations that have resulted in a similar response from (admittedly) the same two people, but as they are family and friends it makes that very difficult to step away from and not feel hurt by, you know? It doesn’t sound like much, but I spend my entire life campaigning for people and causes and I do it because I care about others and do not want them to suffer, yet this somehow ends up with me being told by friends and family that I am having a “pity party” for myself. Yet I rarely write about it from my perspective, but more about the stats and information about things.
I don’t quite understand how my campaigning for compassion and better care for others somehow ends up with this kind of response. I have always said that the health and financial difficulties Tim and I have survived together are “gifts”… they give us a great deal of compassion for others, passion to create change, and determination to keep fighting. I wouldn’t care as much about others as I do now if I hadn’t been through what I had, but sometimes I feel like I care “too much” and that’s why I get hurt by it all. And occasionally I lose my nerve and stop talking about them altogether…
Sorry, there is no short way of explaining it all but thanks for asking xx
Hi Amanda , my advice to you , if it’s any good is not to include family and friends who make these hurtful remarks , when you are trying to help others ,you just keep fighting, you are doing what is in your heart , I remember what you went through when you were expecting Oscar,and before with your endromeatocis, did you get any help with both ? If so ,you carry valuable info that can help others .
Good luck with your Book , and how is Oscar, he must be a big boy now .xHuggles Barbie x
Thanks Barbie! I had appalling care when pregnant with Oscar, which has made me so determined to make a difference now. But I know it is lack of awareness rather than lack of caring so we keep on raising awareness to change that 🙂
My Endometriosis is still a problem – I am currently on meds to temporarily shut down my ovaries, not the best timing as Tim is having such an awful time with his neuropathy and I need to be on top form to support him, but it could be a lot worse! I complain about being so tired and stressed some days but I know we are lucky that we both have jobs, a roof over our heads, each others’ love and friendship and a beautiful boy. we can get through anything together!
Thanks for your advice, it is very kind of you. I am slowly learning how wise your words are xx
Hi AMANDA,
That was a very good interview, you gave on the television this morning , and with Dr Hilary. ….lovely man….You must really be proud of yourself . You are a star…..You have got up and done something about your dilemma , made awareness to an illness , that obviously needs more attention, and it’s going to be a good guide for fellow sufferers ,,,Good luck with your Book , and with your quest .
So sorry to hear about this Amanda – can you send me a message at mike@powelltothepeople.co.uk and let me know if it’s a local issue? Many thanks.
Thanks Elaine for letting rip….have you contacted the council?
Nice to hear from you Sue and Barbie. Some driving is truly appalling these days Sue. Pleased Barbie you’ve had good experiences recently but I hear more and more of serious problems because of the job cuts in the NHS. I know from personal experience that care can range from exemplary to atrocious….
Thank you so much for your response, Mike, it means a lot to know you care enough to ask for more details! I have emailed you.
Yes Mike, the council and police are aware of the problem, there again their resources have been cut too.
I completely missed your comment yesterday, Elaine! I find roads terrifying with Oscar… we live on a really busy road and although there is a zebra crossing outside our house, hardly any cars stop, even when I have the pushchair or Oscar walking with me!!! The worst, though, was when I was in town and started to cross the road at a pelican crossing (the green man was beeping at me to cross) and one side of the road had stopped but 3 cars went zooming through on the opposite side of the road right in front of me as I tried to cross. One of them even had the audacity to honk her horn at me… I was too shocked to think to point out to her that she had just gone through a red light. It’s a wonder there aren’t more accidents with so many motorists so oblivious to the signs around them…
I agree with your remarks Mike , i have also heard about bad feed back from N.h.S .with job cutting etc, and. I am very passionate about it , having worked for N.H.S. For over twenty years…..I have voiced my opinion many times
In that period of time…and fought many issues when my dear husband had a massive stroke.
Because I have recently, recovered from a long and nasty illness ,I just feel I had to shout on a more positive note about the wonderful medical care I received., everything possible had been done for my recovery.and I thank the nurses doctors Consultants and a Matron, who lovingly attended me , in the virtual ward ,and I still have occasional visits from them.
We hear constantly of atrocious bad cases, and I hope we hear more of the good. We need more money to go into these resources, stop the targets , and look after the valuable staff.
Hear hear, Barbie! We really must shout out when we get great care 🙂 because there are some amazing people out there, coping with some really difficult circumstances (budget cuts etc) and yet still managing to make a massive difference!!
I hear in various quarters ,that some of doctors surgeries may shut.
Please please,everyone make sure your voice is heard if the powers that be decide to do this.
I would like half of my doctor’s surgery closed..the half which contains the new GP ! who said when I saw him recently with a chest infection (I’m asthmatic)…’shall I make you better or shall I let you suffer’. Maybe he was trying to be funny and maybe as I felt so poorly I didn’t see the funny side of it…but I took it to mean he was holding such power and my well being was at his mercy. Anyway he gave me antibiotics so I’m glad he chose his second option.
I’d like to think Rebecca that the GP was trying to be funny, but some sense of humour….
The unfortunate thing is that antibiotics seem to be handed out like smarties these days so that they’re losing their effectiveness – or so we’re told. There’s also a lot of alternative therapies and remedies that some people find very useful…
As for surgeries being closed, as Barbie mentioned, please let us know on here if this – or rumours of this – happens…
I hope surgeries are not going to close, it is bad enough that we have to wait four weeks to see our own GP for an appointment. Having said that, if it is an emergency then you can see a doctor the same day.
I agree Elaine, it’s usually at least three weeks wait here to see a doctor – especially the one of our choice. The best GP in the practice is leaving at the end of the week to spend more time with her family. She will be missed.
I think I am very lucky, I have a good surgery with good Doctors, and Nursing staff , as an elderly patient, I have exemplary care I will be gutted if the Powers that be start another destruction of our Health Service . I have watched it grow from the beginning and do Not want to watch its End.
Thanks Mike , I have scrolled down to bottom on home page . And saw page 2 and yes it came up . Thank you.
The page numbers do not always show up for me.. But that may just be me on the iPad.
I am glad that you have had the same problems with Page numbers Elaine. I’ve been backwards and forwards today . Eventually it managed to get there , Certainly a problem there Mike,.
I am glad that you have had the same problems with Page numbers Elaine. I’ve been backwards and forwards today . Eventually it managed to get there , Certainly a problem there Mike,.
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I am going to bring up the subject of the Ice bucket challenge. It’s been all over social media for a few weeks now. What do other people think about it? Have you done it? Maybe you have refused to do it? Look forward to your views on this.
It is all over Facebook, you cannot get away from it, whether it be ” celebrities” family or friends. I have not been asked and would not do it, I am too much of a coward and do not like the thought of all that ice cold water. I give to charity anyway. Good luck to those who want to do it, but I do not want to make a song and dance about donating to charity.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-28925759
Interesting reading about the Ice bucket challenge.
I haven’t been asked yet if I was I wouldn’t do it, that feeling of that ice on me gives me the shivers thinking about it. I am sure if a charity wants money they can think of a better idea then that. Every time I go on Facebook there is a bucket going over someone’s head I am sure it doesn’t do the people any good due to the ice cold water. I work with children and another Nursery wanted us to do it I totally refused, some staff are doing it tomorrow and the children will be watching, which I don’t agree with as they could go home and do it as they see adults at Nursery do it so they will think it will be ok to do it at home. This is my opinion and would like to read about other people opinions about it.
I’ve not been asked and I definitely wouldn’t do it. It can’t be good for people to have ice cold water tipped over them. Let’s hope the craze dies out before the weather gets colder.
Agree with you Sue.
The craze already seems to be dying the death Sue….at least it made some money for a worthy cause but it was rather overload city wasn’t it?!
Some of the mad staff did the Ice challenge in front of the children today. There was me telling the children not to do it at home.
I do not agree with the ice bucket challenge at all…….can you imagine the poor little children in Africa that cannot even drink clean water , can you imagine them watching this….I am sure that making awareness can be done in other ways I contribute to charities of my choice . Years ago I collected shoe boxes ect , and collected all sorts of things to go in them this was when Yugoslavia was in trouble about twenty years ago plus they lost all their belongings and homes ,I did everything from having stuff left at my home to sorting and parceling and decorating the parcels , three to four hundred in total , lorry came up to collect same………I still write to the little girl who was left homeless , we have been in contact ever since and has a family of three , and has her own business in Dubrovnick I will try to post pics to you.
I suggest that world wide this could be done to help the. devastations that are occurring all over instead of wasting water , everyone send a parcel ……make this a big event to make awareness to all ……….
What do others think of the poor little Five year old Ashir and his suffering family.
What an amazing 16 year old ,who organised a and went to Downing Street , to present it to the Prime Minister ,he was a neighbour of the Kings.
I would like to hear your views , I have been with the family throughout ,. In thoughts How did imprisoment come into it , What were the Spanish Authority thinking about.? There is so much to answer.:-)
I think it did go too far with the arrest and detention of his parents, but, when he went missing from hospital, I do not think the hospital did wrong by calling in the police, if they hadn’t and, heaven for if, Ashya had taken a turn for the worse and deteriorated, then the authorities would have been severely criticised for not doing anything, a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. Thank goodness they are all reunited again now. We hope and pray that the treatment can go ahead and it will be successful.
That should have read “heaven forbid”
I agree Totally Elaine, they should have told the authorities they would be leaving the hospital and not be back..but then we do not know all that went on so can’t really give a reason unless one knows the full facts .
Seems that there’s a good outcome though with Ashya about to start proton beam therapy on Monday (15/09/14)…..
Oh dear another War….whatis your thoughts on this ?
Unfortunately Barbie I can’t say what I really think for the obvious reasons but thankfully it seems more and more are beginning to wake up to what’s really going on…..x
I quite understand Mike, ……..it is so sad that a lot of people again will die………and again I think we should help to stop the terrorist ……I just think of the last war I went through, and the horrors of it all. I really just do not know what to think.
What does everyone think Surgeries open , longer hours 7 days a week.? At least it squashes , of certain surgeries closing.
I have already have been appointed a G.P..for the future of my choice, I think it has started with the Elderly first., I have found changes already happening . Which is advantages.
I would welcome surgeries being open at the weekends, as you feel totally isolated not being able to see a doctor from your practice at the weekend if you need him. The walk in centre in out area is going to be closed for 6 months from December, another nail in the coffin of local NHS services.
Absolutely agree. People don’t just get sick Monday to Friday. Doctors are there to provide a service and this service should be seven days a week. Thankfully we have out of hours GP’s, but I would much rather see GP’s from my own practice. I fully appreciate they’re as entitled to a family life as much as everyone else and therefore more doctors should be employed at practices to facilitate this.
As for the ice bucket challenge as discussed earlier, I didn’t do it nor did I support it. Matt Damon (the actor) had the right idea. He co-founded water.org to help the 800 million people who don’t have access to clean drinking water. His video clip is only short and is on you tube.
Heard on the news yesterday , that there is a shortage of G.P. Owing to the doctors retiring early., I am interested in the £55 if the G.P.s detect Dementia,,,,,,,I was little confused , having heard a little more ……?Apparently , more equipment , such as X-rays …..and ultra scanners may be coming into the surgeries , so more work………So maybe this is the way forward , with the doctors making prognosis , which entails more time and less in the hospitals , hence the payment. With the Dimentia………I would like to know peoples views.
I am very angry……I have calmed down………Dear Mike leaving us to pastures new, I could go on and on about our Diamond in the Crown, would like to know what your views are of this wonderful man.
Our lives begin to end , the day we become silent about things that matter.
I too feel very upset that Mike has left Radio Solent. He is definitely one of a very rare breed of presenters, who actually cares about his listeners and supports us, as well as interacting with us on the group. Mike is indeed a lovely man.
Radio Solent is the poorer now that Mike has gone, let us hope that pastures new are even more rewarding and that we can all see and hear Mike on the TV and radio again soon. A true gentleman and it has been an honour to meet him in the studios. Who can ever forget the wonderful time we had when we brought our pumpkins in and sampled the delights of the pumpkin soup in a bun.
I shall never forget that day Elaine it is one of my happy memories , I have it included in my book ………..today is like the calm after the storm , going through it and coming out the other side, feeling very forlorn and sad. Now waiting for the sun to shine,with exciting news coming from Mike.
Can’t believe I have been listening to you for 16 years. Never forget the first time I spoke to you on air ( Christmas 2000) with my Christmas crackers jokes and done for many years after. Such a shame you have left, I will miss your lovely voice on the news. Many thanks for 9 wonderful years of your Sunday afternoon programme, Sunday’s still isn’t the same in the Emery household. Just remember you are the best weather presenter, radio presenter and news reader and no one can do a better job then you. Thanks for everything Mike. Take care.
Thanks for everything Mike, still can’t believe you have left Radio Solent. You are a lovely caring man who put’s yourself out and help the listeners and answers emails and letters unlike any other presenter.
Good luck Mike in what ever you do.
Thanks so much ladies. your comments mean so much to me. I’ve just received a lovely card from my old colleagues at work – so emotional. I really didn’t want to go but sometimes the Universe moves you on to pastures new; despite it being a traumatic experience….
Here’s something to ponder in the grand scheme of things….
I was having a brilliant deep tissue massage yesterday and the woman doing it said she had seen and heard “dead people” since she was a young girl. She told me that tragically her partner had died a couple of weeks back of a heart attack at just 43. Before he died they had been talking about madeleine McCann and that she thought that she was still alive and living in Portugal. her partner is Portugese. When they were having the chat she said to him, if either of us die before the other, we’ll use the name Madeline McCann if we’re sending a message from the other side to prove that we’re actually still alive and that death doesn’t really exist. This week she went to a spiritualist church and the medium said to her “I don’t understand this, but I’m getting the name Madeleine McCann….”
I have a name already in my mind, or does the spiritualist need a name ,maybe something else will suffice, I don’t want to try it out yet.!!!!!I cannot take it on board fully as I need to provei it myself.
It would be interesting if anyone , can tell a tale .
This could make a very informative and interesting subject.
Question……. Do you think the blanket coverage of the electioneering is necessary? Do you find it a “turn off?”
My opinion is that, come the election, I will have had enough of watching the news programmes.
Tend to agree Elaine – there are still 5 weeks still until we vote; methinks there’s been overkill already!
Glad I am not alone Mike, it is driving me mad.
I am mixed and confused ……haven’t enough knowledge of all that’s been going on, it’s so controversial guess we need to put all in a hat, and pull out the lucky or unlucky winners.?…I used to get excited ,but not anymore.
On a completely different topic……mindless vandalism!
Two weeks ago some of the allotment plot holders on our site had their sheds broken into. Everyone thinks the vandals were looking for petrol, as some folk use it for their strimmers and tillers.
Yesterday, when I walked down the road towards the next village, I was upset to see that two of the beautiful displays of daffodils on the grassed areas next to the footpath had been trampled on and some of the flowers and leaves had been pulled up and thrown on the grass. I don’t understand what pleasure these people get from causing such destruction 🙁 Shame on them!
Hi Sue, you cannot understand why some folks have to spoil it for everyone else. It is a joy to see flowers growing, so why do they do it. The allotment break-ins seem to be a common occurrence these days.