This Month
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Mega Photo Edition
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How many of
you know someone with a disability? I am not referring to the obvious physical
disabilities that we see day to day, wheelchair users etc. but to the many many
people that have hidden disabilities.
Depression is
probably the most common, work stress or just a life event
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's
thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being.
People with a depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless.
They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience
loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering
details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive
sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy
may also be present.
The problem is we don’t see it,
sufferers tend to keep it hidden because of the stigma attached to ‘mental
illness’. Even in these so called enlightened times mental illness is looked
upon as somehow shameful. What utter rubbish. People don’t choose this; it’s
like any other illness and should be regarded as such.
But I didn’t start this comment
intending to talk about depression, but hidden disabilities.
Many of my friends may not realise but I
have a disability, hidden, unseen by most but very real.
Twenty years or so ago I contracted
cerebral meningitis, (swelling of the brain due to a viral infection). For days
I had a mild headache and fever that gradually got worse until I passed out one
evening.
Meningitis (from Greek μῆνιγξ méninx,
"membrane" and the medical suffix -itis,
"inflammation") is an acute inflammation of
the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord,
known collectively as the meninges.
The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria,
or other microorganisms,
and less commonly by certain drugs.
Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity
to the brain and spinal cord; therefore, the condition is classified as a medical
emergency.
The most common
symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated
with fever,
confusion or
altered consciousness,
vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia)
or loud noises (phonophobia).
Meningitis
can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and cognitive
deficits, especially if not treated quickly. In 2013
meningitis resulted in 303,000 deaths.
I awoke two days later in hospital.
I am one of the lucky survivors; I didn’t
suffer major brain damage, but I did suffer some damage to my cognitive
abilities.
I can’t remember names well, directions
to and from somewhere leave me mystified, I have to do the same route to and
from a place many times before it settles in my memory, I can be ‘lost’ just a
few Km from home on a road I have travelled many times and yes it is very
scary.
I don’t tell friends because mostly they
don’t understand how can they? Besides the last thing I need is sympathy.
Like so many people who have a hidden
disability I keep it to myself and do what I can to live a normal life in spite
of it.
As I said I am one of the lucky ones, I
have a wife who understands when I phone her to describe where I am and that I need
directions and I also have a means of easing the problem.
My ‘white stick or wheelchair’ is a Sat
Nav, I have had one for years, using it I can go and come just as an ‘ordinary’ person does. It gets me
home when I am unsure; it helps me always to know where I am and alleviates the
panic of getting lost.
There are thousands of people like me, with
unseen disabilities, people who go through each day struggling to cope, there are many more than you would think.
Give them the respect they deserve, they
fight a battle everyday just to cope with what life has thrown at them.
Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or hidden. Sadly in our society it is often necessary to do just that or face the ridicule or worse to lose your job because of ignorance and unfounded discrimination.
Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or hidden. Sadly in our society it is often necessary to do just that or face the ridicule or worse to lose your job because of ignorance and unfounded discrimination.
To all of you out there who know
personally how hard it can be just to go day to day and not let your disability
run your life all I can say is keep going, never give in and above all confide
in those you love and who love you and accept their support.
Remember, you are not alone.
A birthday present from Kris to replace one we lost, with it we can go anywhere in India without having to use a compass or navigate by the sun (both of which we have done, it's a useful skill to have). Most useful is the ability to get me home!
MEGA Photo Special.
We want to devote this blog to showing you 'our' India, the India we know and love.
Since we have been here we have achieved so much that we are proud of and seen parts of this country that just amazed us. The people, from the simplest farmer to businessmen have all made us welcome, bikers that we ride with, the list is endless. We have friends all over this country and will no doubt continue make many more.
We came here to do God's work and to enjoy our lives, we feel we are doing both, every day is an unknown in this our adopted country.
We have captioned some of the photographs but most speak for themselves. We have tried to give you a flavour of our life here, hope you enjoy our
MEGA PHOTO EDITION!
The adventure continues.
In the beginning there was visa....................and a small pile of all our worldly goods.
Dancers in Rajasthan,
Cows wander at will
Open land in Summer,
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| Debi Dutta (PMF) 'in the field' |
there should be a road here
Google maps says there is.
People we have met
The kids are just great so serious at times then in an instant full of fun.
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| This was one of the first goats we sponsored as part of PMF's Jacobs Flock initiative. |
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| One of the riverbeds, low water levels as the summer continues |
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| Life in and around Rajasthan local women washing their clothes in one of the Lakes |
Such balance, not as easy as it looks
no matter where we go in this wonderful
country we are always made welcome.
Such contrasts from area to area, a truly
diverse country in which to live
Collecting firewood to cook with
Local children always happy to pose for the camera
Times past
Can you see me and Kris
doing this!!!
The 'British' in India.
Iron pyrites, fools gold.
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| Local tourist transport. |
Shanti lal's mam at our home
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| Kris in full traditional Rajasthani costume. |
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| Ahhhhhhh MOSQUITOES. |
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| These, not so welcome |
A friend, he eats Mosquitoes!!
Local road widening scheme making the
roads safer and reducing the congestion.
Amber Bia and Kris
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| The plan was to stop her using mine! Happily it was just what she wanted. It hasn't left her side since. |
Chris with Shanti lal, (Kris's adopted son)
Visit to the UK to renew our Visa's
Guess which one of the two above does most of the work around here!
Roast chicken, English veg and Yorkshire Puds, yummy.
Les Batty,
And the Batty clanKenny, the champion hurdler
....not I bet that hurt ughhh
Visiting up North
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| Is this my car......No it isnt! But it used to be. |
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| Chris and our very good friend Eileen |
Chris and I all togged up in our winter woolies whilst in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and it gets colder up North something to look forward to ughhhh.......
I'm shy really!
Marti, and the children enjoying our visit.
Kris and Aunty Jenny, our surprise visit blew her mind, great memories of a dear Aunt.
A few memories of our visit to Leicester to see the family.
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| Our college that we work for teaching Degree students |
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| Santa and his elf |
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| Kris hard at work 'selling' a breast cancer awareness seminar |
Recognition in Rajasthan for Kris's work, very well received and admired. Her first big installation since coming to India. it goes three floors up two wells and depicts the continuous struggle to reach fulfillment and success.
The "Journey of Life" is name of the Installation, it was a mighty journey creating it with Chris and the Architectural students but well worth the hard work and effort, thanks guys for making it a reality.
Circle of Life under construction at our home
Local homes at the back of the college
Chickens, us and Moti
Ah the life in the colonies! Taking a well earned rest in our garden.
Moti resting after an exhausting day
seeing off all the strangers who dare
stray into his street. Very protective.
Hotel Anda, for the chickens and George, this is the deluxe
model and has 4 windows.
Yes this is hailstones we
had a freak shower and boy do they hurt when they hit you, they were huge.
Hailstorm stopped local traffic who did not know how to cope with the freak weather.
Biker life!
We have traveled over 11,000K on the RE seeing some of this land, so much much more remains to be seen.
Yes we do get off the bikes and enjoy the view and see some of the best countryside
India has to offer.
Girls ride too
The best way to see India is on a bike.
Just taking Amber bai home real horsepower
Just some of the bikes that went offroading, great fun.
Ahh the open highway beckons (Southern India)
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| UK visitors always welcome |
Jatin, Mr Cool
Our beloved Bullet, it has taken us on many enjoyable adventures, and it always gets lots of attention.
Yes we have arrived, where is everyone?
Local school children getting a ride on Independence Day
Rest stops and photo opportunities, where's the Chai?
Kris's poor wheel,
she hit a large pot hole, oops
Republic day celebration at local
Christian school, great fun.
Biking is part of our life here.In a country where we can ride most months of the year it has allowed us to see so much of our new home.
Where we are.
Our second home in India, we moved from the last one when the landlord couldn't tell us if he would give us a lease. At that time we had gone onto a monthly let after our two year tenancy ran out. we were sad to leave but we need security at our age. we have that here and to be honest the size of the house although a little smaller suits us well.
Just moving in, thats the dismantled garage on the lawn
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| Our first house in India |
This is a lizard on the right and he was about 3 feet long, he just wandered on into our living room. He did not stay long Thank you Chris.
Local wildlife is so diverse here, these two photos show the road outside our house, yes the wildlife get that close to us. On the whole they are not aggressive, they are just foraging for food.
No these tigers were not outside our home, thank goodness.
Amberbai and her family at their home the newest additions first photographs
Up close and personal in our back garden.
Local views taken in Rajasthan
Kris like the queen has 2 birthdays
every year at Christmas she gets a
birthday cake and visit from her new
family, Shanti lal her adopted son,
His mother, niece and nephew come
to visit and celebrate.
Awesome views
Debi with some of the villagers
Some of the villages we have been to since we came to live in India
One of the first goats we sponsored as part of PMF's Jacobs flock initiative.
Yes this is some of our home grown organic vegetables under preparation then frozen.
Ahh Kris's second birthday celebration.
Local wildlife in our home and garden, don't mind the geckos but you can keep the scorpions.
Seasonal fruit from the market.
Kris collecting home made charcoal after
our ,Lets have baked potatoes. idea!
Potatoes were brilliant.
Something we are both very proud of.
Lives have been saved because of this initiative.
Come on ladies make sure you know how to self examine and DO IT every month.
It could save your LIFE.
Monsoon Time
Monsoon has arrived, everyone comes
out of their homes and welcomes the rain
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Yes I got totally soaked to the skin, the sun was
shining when I left home then suddenly rain, it
was my first experience and was fantastic
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The great thing about Monsoon is that the rain is WARM!
Other than fresh food we grow or get from the market we also preserve.
Pickled onions
Home made marmalade
All from our garden
Our kitchen garden in all its stages of rebuilding, hard work
but the vegetables taste great so worth it.
George our Cockerel
Chris's Christmas present a few
years ago.Yes its a rotavator, to
save the aching back.
Our own Anda (eggs) yum!
Girish (on left) President of Rotary Club Udaipur Udai at his inauguration which we were invited to attend as his special guests. These guys do such great work for those less fortunate.
Panawar
Chris and the boys having fun.
The new building is fantastic
Work underway on building the new dormitory.
Chris laying the foundation stone, then all the boys added cement, they were really involved.
Teaching
Teaching is fun if not challenging. Some of the students working on various projects.
Teaching in the workshops, its noisy with enthusiasm and activity.
Above some clicks from the Bamboo workshop and below from the logo design workshop.
The task was to redesign a logo for a known company using
only recycled materials they could find,
Can you work them out?
Paper workshop
A proud moment for us and our two dissertation students, they took first and second places for their work. Very well done girls.
English classes always interactive and fun.
Casting and clay workshops
Gandhi lived here. That simple statement means so much.
Amazing visit to Gandhi museum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Could have spent longer there but little time for sightseeing as we were just passing through on our way home to Udaipur.
Our trip to Goa,
up the coast 2200k in six days with a broken foot!
The best beach and resort we have visited, Red Rock Residency, Mangalore. The best local fish dishes we have ever had.
Kris and Chris chilling out at the beach after a hard days riding the bike.
Mysore Palace.
Our Jeep
We had hopes that we would be finished by now but someone needed the money more than we need a jeep.
God has a way of reminding you what really matters to you if you begin to stray, why you are living the life you are. So in faith we obeyed.
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| Kris is making a great job of the painting |
Party time, some friends showing how to dance
Weddings
Vinay our good friend with Chris
Too many weddings to name all them but here is just a flavour of how diverse they can be.
More of the India we know and love.
Celebrating Holi, the festival
of colours and good over evil.
Amazing sunsets still blow our minds that we live in such a beautiful country
Chris bought me easels for
one of our Christmas's
Neighbours and friends celebrating Holi, we didn't know then that this would be our new home.
Mushroom factory in Pai
Getting the entrance ready for our annual party
Our Anniversary party and exchanging garlands as a sign of renewal of our wedding vows. Garlands made by hand by Shanti lals mam.
They look cute but caution always advised
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| Kris after breaking her fingers in a fall looking for sympathy |
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| Chris suffered a spider bite, it was nasty. |
Christmas dinner English style
Manu strutting his stuff Tongan style
Yes many men sew here in India.
Yeah I got my keys for my scooter, yippee, now tell everyone to get off the road I'm coming!
This was one of our first weddings we attended in Udaipur.
Kris trekking across the countryside to attend a wedding.
It's my turn now Kris!
Christmas with the neighbours 2 years ago
SODIS water purification
in action, its all we drink.
Republic Day celebrations at a local school.
The locals call Chris "snake babba", it went up his t shirt and he loved it. I would have freaked out.
Shopping Indian style at Crawford Market in Mumbai, the smell of the spices ahhhh.......
St Matthews School and some of the children, taken when we first moved to Udaipur
If you get a chance to see it this is a fantastic performance of Rajasthani traditional dancers who run and dance whilst they have pots on their heads.
Yes she really did run whilst balancing all these pots, very agile and limber lady.
Local shopping in Udaipur
Village life, the people are so friendly and welcoming.
Yes Chris and I have been here, we did so when we holidayed in India before our move from UK
Local horse fair in a riverbed that was dry over the summer months in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Chris celebrating his birthday with
the youngest biker in Ahmedabad.
Yes its a huge load and it was actually moving before this photo was taken
Taking a rest, it was a long climb to get here
Bleu' our newest member of the family, as she was and as she is today.
Bleu' loves to pinch Kris's seat when she gets up, its a dogs life.
Can't believe how tiny she was
This country can be hard and unforgiving but when you get to know it you can also appreciate its magnificence and beauty. Its culture is so old, its ways so different, everyday's an adventure sometimes good, sometimes not so good. But always worth it.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths
straight” Prov 3:5
We try very hard to live by this, we often fail but we will always try.
Firstly I want to praise God for my healing, he is still working on me but I am significantly better than I was when Chris and I decided to move to India. I could still only walk short distances with walking sticks, I had a disabled blue badge and drove an automatic car with power steering as I could not manage a manual car due to the pain in my joints. As you know I have had both knees surgically operated on, I have knee implants which initially they had refused to do as they said I would end up in a wheelchair so what's the point of unnecessary surgery. Well God had other plans and began healing me to the point the surgeons felt I would benefit from surgery. If they could see me now walking and climbing stairs, riding my scooter etc they would be blown away. Don't get me wrong I am not completely healed yet, and I do still have pain but I AM MOBILE which is amazingly releasing and for that I am extremely grateful to God, the doctors, nurses, physio's and OT's who helped me, and a special thanks to Chris for his encouragement and the fact he treated me as a normal person even when others didn't.
I remember very well how people who had known me for years started to treat me differently just because I was disabled. Often they didn't see that they were doing so, I personally found it very frustrating and to be honest I started avoiding a lot of people. The reason I mention it here is that I had not changed, the only changes were physical and I could not walk or do many of the activities I previously had been able to do. Please remember disabled people are just like you and me and the last thing they need is pity or being patronised. Just give them more time to do things if that's what they require, remember none of us knows what our future holds. I no longer class myself as disabled and I burned my blue badge before I left England as I knew I would not use it again, that was very liberating. I don't know what my future is and yes I may become less mobile as I get older but I can accept that if only people still treat me as me, and not say oh poor Christine etc.
We have been working hard on the jeep doing all the work ourselves to get it up and running, still a little way to go but its looking good, I am painting it Bus Green which is the Indian version of British Racing Green my favourite car colour. Chris is on with finishing the wiring.
The weather is certainly getting hotter during the day, but can remain cold overnight, here comes summer.
Well thats it for this month, we hope you enjoyed a look at our India.
We have decided like leap years we will only do this every four years.....it took forever to sort the pics and post them!
God bless and keep you all safe,
Chris and Kris.
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