So … Who am I now?
- a much loved sister to brothers Martin & Chris
- Auntie Kath to nephew Mark & neice Claire
- godmother to Danni & Jo
- a loved & loyal friend
- a retired P.E teacher
- my own mental health self carer
- a member of Wirral Golf Club
- a short game specialist golfer
- a Wirral photographer
- a website designer
- a car driver with a clean driving licence
- a creative gardener
- a child of nature
- a force of nature
- someone who is very grateful to be £ mortgage & £ debt free
- someone who wants to help others understand mental health issues
- someone who is open & honest about their mental health
- someone who likes to help golfers improve their short game
- someone who focuses on what I can do … not what I can’t
- someone who still wants to £ work in some way
- someone who needs to feel the fear and do it anyway
- someone who thinks outside the box
- someone who believes that clouds really do have silver linings
- I believe that I am a catalyst for change
- I believe I can make a difference
- I believe that change comes from baby small steps
- I believe that things happen for a reason
- I want to increase awareness & help reduce the stigma of mental health
I love Wirral for it’s :
- variety of countryside, woods, heathland, hills & beaches
- coastal waters, rivers, lakes & ponds
- villages, heritage & history, gardens & parks
- diversity of many private and municipal golf courses & tennis clubs
- trees, shrubs, hedgerows, flowers, plants, birds, insects & animals
- seasons … every new spring, summer, autumn & winter
- big dramatic skies & magical morning sunrises
- stunning sunsets & starry nights
My Website :
- gives me a work purpose, routine & structure to my day
- helps me feel confident
- is empowering, challenging & cathartic
- is positive & powerful
- is a fusion of my past & present
- can overstimulate me
- is a way of understanding my wobbly bipolar world
- a work in progress which will evolve
- is to be shared with my support group first
- an unique expression of key steps and moments in my life post breakdown
- is honest & took courage
- is helping me find my voice
- is something I am very proud of
Feedback … Psychiatrist Dr Gandeep Singh
Many thanks for allowing me to review your website www.stepsandmoments.co.uk. I was very impressed with the content of the website. The front page outlining your passion for photography gives a preview of how you turned a stressful time into a passion which has been extremely helpful and productive for you. You have given detailed information on how you managed Bipolar Affective Disorder over the years, various trigger factors and coping mechanisms you have developed over a period of time. I was particularly impressed by your recognition that you still have wobbly days/weekends/weeks triggered by various stressors and how you manage them enlisting various support networks you have developed and most importantly using your own internal resources. You have also given links behind with more information and help which will be useful for anyone accessing this website. As we discussed this website is a work in progress and I am confident that it will be a significant step in your journey.
Feedback … GP Dr Elizabeth Charles
Have very much enjoyed looking at the website and took the opportunity to look at your photos this morning, knowing that they only went on yesterday evening. Your photos depict your journey from the beginning of your bipolar journey to where you are now perfectly – I have seen many of them before, but enjoyed looking at the new ones on your website. I also appreciate the focus and sense of purpose developing this website has brought to you: I feel it has already been a benefit to you, and will potentially help others in the future, should you choose to share it outside of your support group in the future (but that is a decision you don’t have to take now, or indeed ever make that decision; it needs to feel right for you). Thanks for sharing your website with me , and I look forward to the rest of the site as it develops.
Feedback … Counsellor Barbara Lamb
Your website is wonderful – I spent some time looking at it over the weekend as I did not want to rush it in work, and it is really fantastic. I love the photographs – they say so much about you and what you love doing, but I also love the honesty and openness that you have used – it is very refreshing and makes the whole thing a pleasure to explore. I love the layout – you have made it easy to follow, and I like that I can take a peek into different aspects of your journey. Will you be adding to it as times goes on (you mention it is a work in progress) – or do you see that as completed – and if so what will be your next goal I wonder?