The Journey of a Special Needs Father's Blog by Gary Herbert

Well a lot has happened since my last blog over a year ago now!.  We always seem to be so busy in the Herbert household and time just seems to fly by. I prefer being busy though as it keeps me occupied and helps take my mind off our daily challenges and stops my mind from wandering.

As is with life there have been some highs and some lows!. At the back end of last year I somehow managed to complete my target of running 2021 miles in 2021 to raise funds for the Northampton Hope Centre. This was the hardest challenge I have ever done, but looking back now I feel extremely proud to have achieved such a challenging feat and I managed to raise £19k inc Gift Aid for them to help them continue their amazing work supporting the homeless and those living in poverty in Northampton. Everyone was so kind and very generous in their donations towards my challenge and for that I will be eternally grateful. (My Northampton Hope Centre JustGiving page). What did the BBC say ? To watch my interview on BBC news click here

I’ve started a new part time job as a Teaching Assistant at a local special needs school which I am thoroughly enjoying. This fits in perfectly with all my family commitments. This is the first time I have worked due to the situation with Lewis since 2007! so I was incredibly nervous and very anxious when I started, but all the staff have been really helpful and have made me feel so welcome, for which I am very grateful.  I know first hand how important it is for parents of special needs children to have those few hours during the day rest bite when they are at school to try and get some rest (as bringing up a disabled child is physically and mentally exhausting!), and if I can help in a small way towards that happening then I’m happy as I know how vital it is to each parent.

A big high for me during the past year has been my cricket coaching. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get involved in coaching Northamptonshire U10’s. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience so far and have learnt so much from all the other Northants pathway age group coaches. I feel like I’m constantly evolving as a coach and it is a very welcome distraction from all the challenges in my life. It helps me focus on something else and I love being able to help others.

Massive thank you to Kev (Innes) and Luke (Sharples) for giving me this amazing opportunity, I feel very privileged and I will be fully committed and will give it 100%. I would also like to thank Luke (Sharples), Shaz (Ali), Adil (Tahir) and Jamie (Apps) for all their help, advice and guidance so far and for making me feel so welcome, it’s greatly appreciated chaps and I’m really looking forward to working with you all moving forward into the summer. I am loving giving something back to the younger generation of our wonderful game (best game in the world) that has given me so much enjoyment during the past 35yrs!.

Whilst starting work and coaching cricket have been two real positives for me we have also have a real low in recent weeks. Our darling French Bulldog Pixie passed away on the 1st April. We are all absolutely heartbroken. She was Lewis’ therapy/companion and would often sit on his lap whilst he sat in his wheelchair and would also go in and snuggle up with him on the mats in his sensory room. We are all still devastated and Pixie leaves an massive whole in our family, she is irreplaceable. I’m trying not to be bitter, but she was only 4, and that just doesn’t seem fair. RIP our darling girl, we all miss you so much.

I’m trying to keep as positive as possible and I’m always attempting to move forward with life as best I can. Yes, I have bad days (many of them!), but I’m trying to accept them for what they are, and hope that the next day is a little brighter.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog, it helps me from time to time to just note a few things down about what has been going on and how I’m feeling.

Many thanks.
Gary x

PS.. and not to forget the main man.. Lewis has been relatively well recently all things considered !