The Journey of a Special Needs Father's Blog by Gary Herbert
JSNF Blog No 4 - Highs and Lows
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’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 !
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 !
JSNF Blog No 5 - Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year (West Anglia)
Gary Herbert named Pride of Britain fundraiser of the year for the west of the Anglia region
Gary said: "I'm shocked"
Everyone else said: "You totally deserve it"
Click here to watch the winning moment Blog No 5. Pride of Britain Award
Gary said: "I'm shocked"
Everyone else said: "You totally deserve it"
Click here to watch the winning moment Blog No 5. Pride of Britain Award
JSNF Blog No 3 - Groundhog Day Lockdown
Hi all, hope you are all well and safe.
The past couple of months since I last wrote have been very demanding and extremely challenging for us all in the Herbert household. Trying to juggle home schooling in combination with looking after Lewis has been extremely difficult, exhausting and very stressful for us both.
It’s just not normal for children to be taught by their parents, it’s just not our role and not what we signed up for!. It must be so confusing for the children, I really feel for them. We have done the best we can in a very testing time.
The past year has, and will continue to have a massive impact on so many people’s mental health for many years to come.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 3. Groundhog Day Lockdown
The past couple of months since I last wrote have been very demanding and extremely challenging for us all in the Herbert household. Trying to juggle home schooling in combination with looking after Lewis has been extremely difficult, exhausting and very stressful for us both.
It’s just not normal for children to be taught by their parents, it’s just not our role and not what we signed up for!. It must be so confusing for the children, I really feel for them. We have done the best we can in a very testing time.
The past year has, and will continue to have a massive impact on so many people’s mental health for many years to come.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 3. Groundhog Day Lockdown
JSNF Blog No 2 - A Line Drawn in the Sand !
A month ago I was completely fed up of feeling as rubbish and as low as I was feeling. I’m was sick and tired of always feeling sick and tired, and the penny finally dropped!. I knew that stopping drinking at the weekends would have a positive impact on every aspect of my life, and that would enable me to start moving forward in a happier and a more positive and productive way.
I’ve spent the past month doing a lot of thinking and have spent a lot of time reflecting on my life and what I can do to try and improve things moving forward. Read The JSNF Blog No 2 In full.. Blog No 2. Draw a Line in the Sand
I’ve spent the past month doing a lot of thinking and have spent a lot of time reflecting on my life and what I can do to try and improve things moving forward. Read The JSNF Blog No 2 In full.. Blog No 2. Draw a Line in the Sand
JSNF Blog No 1 - Lewis 18th Birthday
Hi all, really hope my first blog finds you safe and well in these crazy and very challenging times for us all. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay!. These are unprecedented and extremely challenging times for all of us in so many different ways. Try and be patient and understanding to others, as you never know what they might be going through.
Lewis’ Birthday weeks have always been really tough for us, with so many different emotions and thoughts going through our heads. Thought’s of all the missed milestones over the years which so many people take for granted, all the what if’s?.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 1. Lewis 18th Birthday
Lewis’ Birthday weeks have always been really tough for us, with so many different emotions and thoughts going through our heads. Thought’s of all the missed milestones over the years which so many people take for granted, all the what if’s?.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 1. Lewis 18th Birthday
Lewis Story.. His Consultant.. Thank you Dr Hewertson
Very often health care professionals go under the radar and are not recognised for their amazing timeless work. We would like to put on record our experience of Lewis’ Consultant Paediatrician and give him the credit and recognition he very much deserves.
Yesterday was a sad and emotional day for us both as Lewis had his last appointment (transition) with his wonderful Consultant Paediatrician at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) Dr John Hewertson. It really is an end of an era for us, as we have been through some much whilst under his superb care.
.. His Consultant Dr Hewertson
Yesterday was a sad and emotional day for us both as Lewis had his last appointment (transition) with his wonderful Consultant Paediatrician at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) Dr John Hewertson. It really is an end of an era for us, as we have been through some much whilst under his superb care.
.. His Consultant Dr Hewertson