The Art of Not Being Subtle (at all)

April 23, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Gem Turner wearing purple floral dress holding blue china mug and plate

Last week I was in a shopping centre with no makeup on – feeling a bit conscious, and if I’m honest – a bit hungover. Birthday week and all that. I was about to head to another birthday party and was definitely not looking my best. I wanted to put my make up on, but […]

“Is there not a job for you closer to home?”

February 16, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Commuting to work. Something that a lot of people grumble about. Trains delayed weather cold and not enough time in the morning. For me, I book my taxi either the night before or in the morning. I’m grateful that it gets me there from door to door. It takes about 40-60 minutes each way depending […]

Are we ready to live in a “cashless” society?

February 12, 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

Funny question isn’t it? I think most of us reading this would say “yes, I haven’t used cash in ages!” Or “contactless is just so easy now!”. Recently I worked with Which? Who asked me this very question and I realised I don’t think we’re quite ready to be cashless yet… and here’s why… I […]

“Are you sure..?”

September 11, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The other day I went to the shop in between my lunch. I had to do a quick turn around get some cash and get back to the office. I really fancied a bottle of coke. It was on a shelf I couldn’t quite reach (As you know I’m not one to shy away from […]

“Mum, shall a tell ’em am disabled?” | Disability and Employment

August 12, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

Recently I wrote a blog about jobs and careers for the Brittle Bone Society which you can read here. In a nut shell it’s me talking about the fact that I didn’t really see myself having a job, not because I couldn’t do it – but that the world wasn’t set up for me to. […]

To lean or not to lean? | Disability and Socialising

July 6, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

I’m going to put this post out there, just so you can ponder this question yourself. There is no right answer but I know I have mine. Picture the scene – you see me at a networking event, I raise my chair but I’m still lower than everyone there. We say hello but you can’t […]

Video | Top Tips on Public Speaking

May 21, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

This week I’ve got a video to share all about public speaking. I’m not going to lie, this is something I’ve always hated (you’ll see why in the video) but I’ve had to develop these skills for previous jobs and opportunities – so I thought I’d talk about the tips and tricks I’ve learned along […]

Disability and Politics | My View

June 11, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

I know, I’ve said the P word. Sorry. If you’re sick of it, I’m sorry about that too. But the older I get, the more I realise why I have to learn about it all. I can’t afford not to. Every part of my life has a price tag, the care I receive, how I […]

You could do with lip fillers!

April 29, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

So picture the day, I’m strolling around John Lewis pretending I can afford everything in the shop. I decided I was going to treat myself to a lipstick for my birthday. I mean who am I kidding, it just happened to be near my birthday, I was going to get one anyway wasn’t I? I […]