2024- My Year Review
2024 has been a busy year for me. It has mainly been a good year, although hard when my lovely Mum was so poorly, with heart issues. I have enjoyed writing this post- 2024- my year review as it has made me realise my achievements of the year. Some are ongoing and started years ago and others are new ventures.
Health/Mobility and Progress
Apart from my fair share of colds at the beginning and end of the year. I have burst my ear drum, become anaemic (again) and had helicobacter pylori bacterial infection in my stomach! A few months ago, I badly hurt my metal plated and pinned leg/ hip, which caused me a lot more pain and problems for a few months, but luckily is so much better now.
I am not sure I have got much better with pacing, I have majorly over done it a number of times and paid for it.
I have continued with my daily physio, regular swimming, physiotherapy, fitness and starting some hydrotherapy sessions again at White Lodge.
In August, in a physio session, I stood and took a few steps with crutches for the first time in 19 years! Since August, I have done it a handful of times since in physiotherapy sessions. With my splints, either with one crutch and one arm around my physio’s neck and a handling belt. Or my splints, two crutches and my physio holding me with a handling belt. This is a huge achievement.
I can’t believe how much harder it is to walk with crutches than a four-wheeled walker. I suppose the base of stability is a lot less, and you have to be able to balance a lot more yourself with crutches.
Work
Working in finance has been pretty full on. I increased my hours to 14 hours a week in April time. It has been a good experience being involved in different areas of my team’s responsibilities, expanding my knowledge and development.
I have also been involved in other areas at work. In March, I shared my life story to the finance and legal department, in our ‘starting a conversation’ session, where the purpose is that we get to know colleagues better. Around 60 people attended and I talked about my life story, particularly raising awareness of illness, disability and grief.
In consultation with my manager I arranged a wheelchair simulation experience where my team trialed using manual wheelchairs. I joined them in my manual wheelchair, and they navigating the office downstairs, prepared and carried a drink, we played table tennis and they explored outside, trialling the ramp and got stuck in the gravel!
I spoke to a hybrid global audience about International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), my visit to the Houses of Parliament, disability and misconceptions, attitudes, extra costs and employment, the disability price tag and disability pay gap and more. Lastly, I also promoted the new disability network.
With my colleague, Hannah I have co-founded the Disability network at work. We have an official launch event in January and will have quarterly meetings.
ACCA studying
I have taken two Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) exams in 2024. I took Performance Management (F5) in June, which I passed. At the beginning of December I also took Financial Management (F9). So, I don’t have the results of the latter yet, but fingers crossed! I have hope. It was a difficult exam as my computer froze halfway through, and the invigilator had to shut my exam down and reopen it, so I lost time and it threw me a bit.
This means that currently I have passed 7/13 exams. However, there is a chance it could be 8/13 in a few weeks.
Ambassador role for White Lodge
I have continued being involved with White Lodge, in videos and raising awareness. Earlier in the year I spoke at Burhill Golf Club ladies captain’s day, raising awareness of White Lodge and sharing my story to 70 ladies. White Lodge was the Lady Captain’s charity choice.
Disability Advocacy Work
In March I spoke to the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People’s DEN group on my blogging journey and experience.
I spoke on Channel 4 news in April about the government’s proposal to change/stop Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people. Which luckily has been halted for now. Although, I have heard it has only been parked temporarily.
My interview on the news was shortly followed by speaking on the Guardian politics podcast about the PIP and benefit reforms for disabled people. My part, speaking with John Harris and Tom Pollard starts from 19 minutes 50 seconds.
I was featured in the Dorset Orthopaedics video on silicone ankle foot orthotics (SAFO) which was celebrating 25 years of the SAFO.
In December I went to the Houses of Parliament with Scope, in celebration of International Day for Persons with Disabilities (3rd December), and to speak with MPs on key topics currently affecting disabled people: attitude, extra costs and employment. In the Attlee Suite in the House of Commons, I spoke with many MPs including Jen Craft who organised the event and Monica Harding, my MP for Esher and Walton, whom I personally invited.
Disability Power 100 Awards
In November, I was honoured to be listed on the Disability Power 100 2024. In the category of Cross-Sector Advocate. The Disability Power 100 is arranged by the Shaw Trust and is a list of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK. There was an incredible awards evening in Wembley. The evening involved a meal, entertainment and the list of the 100 most influential disabled people being announced, including the top 10. It was wonderful to network, meet and catch up with many disabled friends and acquaintances and meet many new amazing people too.
What have you achieved in 2024? Why don’t you write it down, and do your own year review, you may surprise yourself. If it has been particularly tough, maybe it is the fact you got through it.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a happy new year!
Hannah x
You can read ‘2024-My Hopes and Goals’ here.
