Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My phrase this week is grateful and you can read more about that below.
I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board
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Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!
If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.
MY WORD OF THE WEEK – Grateful
So this week I’ve not done much. We’ve had the workmen in every day and hopefully by today the bathroom will be finished. It’s not exactly what I was expecting. Rather than a wet room I have a flat level shower with a glass surround. It’s not bad, and we have a new floor which is nice. But the work has been a little shoddy and only half the room was re-tiled.
My husband complained on Facebook and was jumped on by people who were saying we should be grateful that we got it for free. The same happened when I complained that the workmen hadn’t turned up that day. At least we were not paying for it. Well, I wish we could have paid for it, I wish we had enough money to have the kind of bathroom that I really liked. I wish I wasn’t disabled so we didn’t have to have the bathroom renovated this way. I need to get over myself, but forgive me for not being so grateful for needing help. If I had the choice between not being disabled and having a free bathroom renovation, trust me the bathroom renovation wouldn’t stand a look in. But some people just don’t get that.
Grateful
So this brings me to this weeks word of the week, grateful. And now I’ve had my grumble, I’m going to turn things around. I am truly grateful for the help I receive, from the very first person who came up with a wheelchair for me when I first realised that walking was not going to be an option anymore. I’m grateful to all those who donated to my Just Giving fund when I needed more suitable wheels as I discovered that I needed an electric wheelchair to get a little more independence. Also, I’m grateful to all the offers of help and everyone who has ever sent me a gift, or even just a message. I’m grateful to everyone who actually still cares that I suffer and has never given up on me.
Especially, I’m grateful to my occupational therapist that has supplied me with all the living aids I need. I look around my home sometimes and wish like crazy that I didn’t have to have them, but it doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for them. What would I do without them.
My life may have taken a direction I never expected but I’m so grateful to all of the hospital staff that have cared for me. There may be no cure but I’m grateful to my consultant who has been amazing and helped me so much. The life expectancy for someone with my condition is three years and I’m already well over four years with it. The statistics are dated so I’m also grateful for all those who work behind the scenes to make this condition more recognised and treatments available.
Finally, I’m grateful for my family. They may drive me crazy sometimes but they are always there for me. And as much I’d like to left alone, I know that I would be nothing without them.
Thank you for reading.
Now it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week.
I’m sorry that you and your husband got jumped on online for venting about your frustration over the wet room and that it hasn’t turned out how you were anticipating. The ‘having to be grateful that you get stuff for free’ pressure when people don’t understand the price you actually pay for that, i.e. living with pain and disability frustrates me too and you should be able to express frustration without feeling constantly grateful too. Some things are easier to be grateful for though – like the love and support of friends and family, the medical staff, the treatments that help you to continue to live with your condition. I sometimes find myself having to think about how I phrase my ‘daily gratitude’ when I know that I wouldn’t be doing the thing that I’m grateful for had Jessica not died and so my gratitude becomes complicated. I hope that the new shower room is much better for you though and that the work for the lift will go smoothly. Thank you for hosting #WotW
I understand why you do the gratitude thing Louise, Finding the little things to be grateful for can somewhat go a little to all those big things that are so unfair. It’s certainly complicated x
You always struck me as the kind of person least likely to complain. Grumbling about legitimate gripes is a far different thing. And those busybodies with their lazy opinions, so low on the empathy scale, saying you should be grateful for a job not done properly! I hate that mentality and the mentality of those that would do such poor work, just because it’s… what, free? So judging in itself, and lacking in pride. But perhaps a better word would be appreciative, rather than grateful? #WotW
You are right Enda, and I truly am appreciative of people who can get this, like you. Thanks
Ann the shower was fitted as an aid to you . If it wasn’t what you expected you should have complained when they were there or called the benefits teams . The bathroom is for your ease of use but even though the house is rented and not yours as such you wanted the shower for your disabilities . If not right then it should be fixed . If someone else rents your house at any time should you move they’d have to take it out for the new occupiers wouldn’t they ? So it’s designed for your needs no one else’s and if not right, say so to the powers that be who can change it .
They are due to come and inspect the work on Wednesday. Thankfully the builders have put a lot of the things right today. I took a shower this morning, it was so much easier so I am truly grateful that I have what I need.
Anne Sweet recently posted…Word of the Week 10 – Grateful
Anne, I am sorry about the treatment you and your husband received on social media. Some people use it (as you have found out) to be holier-than-thou at the expense of others. Cultivating a grateful attitude, even though it is hard, will make YOU feel better. Don’t let someone else steal your happiness. You are a strong, resourceful woman. I am so glad we met here in the blogosphere! 🙂 I loved this line: I’m grateful for my family. They may drive me crazy sometimes but they are always there for me.
Laurie recently posted…Time For a Double Vanilla Latte With Extra Whipped Cream
Thank you Laurie. My husband’s friends were particularly cruel but I guess he complains more than me. I’ve just seen your recent post pop up and now I think it’s definitely time for a double vanilla latter with extra whipped cream 🙂 It’s lovely meeting you too x
Anne Sweet recently posted…Word of the Week 10 – Grateful
How exciting. I hope the bathroom is finished. People are just rude! You are entitled to help because of your condition and it’s pretty rotten that people don’t get that. It’s not like you choose to be disabled. If the work isn’t done to a good standard you have every right to complain.
I am grateful to have and class you as a friend. x
Kim Carberry recently posted…This week my Word of the Week is: Pottering! #WotW
Ugh!! I hate when people expect someone to be okay with shoddy work just because it was free. That is no excuse and the person on the receiving end has every right to demand a job done right. With that said, the shower part pictured looks beautiful!
Cynthia recently posted…I am Saving Big on a Product that Helps Me Sleep Better Than a Baby
Exactly, I’d much rather be in a position to pay for exactly what I want. The shower part is nice, and the shower works wonderfully. So I do have much to be grateful for.
How awful that people have made such comments. What dreadful lack of understanding. But…a great choice of words and very positive, forward way of looking at the world recognising those who do help you and make you happy.
Yes, John, some people just jump in with thoughtless comments. I’ll admit to have being over sensitive, it’s hard to be reminded every day that your life has changed through disability. But for everyone one that knocks you down there is always someone else who will pick you up.
Just because you’ve not paid for it, doesn’t mean it should be allowed to be shoddy. It’s not done free. An authority has handed over money for it. It would be a waste of money if it falls apart, due to poor workmanship. You grumble. I hope it is sorted out and also that the improvements make a difference to your life. You are one of the most positive people I know. Even turning this post into a positive with all the areas of life you are grateful for. Love it. Hope you have a lovely weekend, Anne.
Thank you Cheryl, they did come back yesterday and made a few changes which have made it a little better, and it will be inspected next week. So, I have good hope that it will be fine in the end. Have a lovely weekend too xx
I hope you’ve got everything finished now Anne. Some people just aren’t happy unless they are sticking their beaks into others lives. You have every right to complain if things aren’t what they should be. Sod them lovely! 🙂 x
No people do not get the help people get with their own of a family members disability and money that can be paid to them.
DD2 had a hidden disability. up to 25 epileptic fits a day, plus ENT issues, her asthma, and her delayed walking. She had her first operation at 4 weeks old, having been given less than 12 hrs to live, with others in later years, and finally got the all clear from her Paediatric Consultant when she was 14. She visited the dental school until she was 16.
Yes I got paid to “look after her” if that is the way you wish to view it, but believe me I would have given up ever penny for her not to have gone through what she did.
Thankfully she is still with us, turns 40 this year, and has two beautiful children of her own. #WotW
Elaine Livingstone recently posted…Project 366 week 10.
I’m glad your daughter has done so well. I think a lot of people don’t understand disability at all I’m afraid x