Atypical Day

My little otter 🦦

She’s still smiling, despite her favourite swimming cap going missing. I expected there to be extreme turmoil, especially when the only other available with short time restraints, was the colour black (Rose’s most disliked colour)

Thankfully it seemed the desire to get in the water, outweighed ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ and we had a successful swimming lesson 🙏🏻

My exact reaction was the same as the teachers (head in hands) when I was told Rose has been taught how to start a fire 🔥 😅😂

We’ve all tidied up in the same manner at some point! 🤦🏽‍♀️😂 Always total honesty at least 😝

Pick your battles - wear that bike helmet for the day Reg, if that’s what you want today. It is a Monday after all

Why’s he sniffing a candle he likes the fragrance of?!

Because he’s having a nappy change 💩

Reggie has Sensory Processing Disorder, which I’ve found is quite common alongside autism.

He gags and many times, unfortunately vomits, when he’s see’s or smells something he doesn’t like.

His sister, Rose, who is also diagnosed the same, went through this also, and still does at times at 8 years old.

I’ve found this symptom to be very challenging. It’s hard to deal with in education settings, as of course, sickness means a 48 hour period of non attendance, it’s obviously rather unpleasant, and certainly doesn’t help with the washing load!

The way we’ve dealt with it?

• recognising the triggers
• avoiding these said triggers as much as possible
• using scented candles or other favourite smells
• distraction
• recognising the discomfort and removing them from the cause
• avoiding food types that trigger this reaction
• lots of discussions and comfort
• speaking about sensory processing disorder with education settings and establishing new rules for vomiting when it concerns those with this condition
• asking for this to be included in EHCP for education settings to prepare for

I am looking into further ‘distraction’ tools to help my children, and hopefully yours.

Please share some of your child’s favourite fragrances 🙏🏻

Happy New Year!

Do we have NY resolutions?!

Well, Reggie wants to learn how to ride a big boy bike - he got one for Christmas

Rose is obsessed with climbing and I’m sure she will be developing that quick witted sarcasm

And me, I aim to get better at posting on this account! (I’m a big instagram fan!)
I’ll be working hard to secure Reggie a well suited school placement and will relieve the stress that brings, with further travels in to new destinations 🌍 ✈️

Here’s to 2024

If you watch my stories, you will have seen me sharing elements of this journey

My product range has been rebranded, relaunched and is ready to go!

I started this in 2021, and it was really popular. Thankfully people loved the products, the benefits they experienced, and of course, their scents 🥰 So after a little break whilst I focused on mine and the kiddies futures, whilst juggling my other work commitments, it’s back! And looking much better, in my opinion 😉😍

The website is ready to go, linked below, and for TODAY only, has 25% off!

Use code: LAUNCH25

💫

https://www.replenishus.co.uk

(Photography courtesy of Kera Robson Photography)

Rose: ‘I’m really looking forward to pigs in blankets at Xmas’
Mummy: ‘they are yummy babe’
Rose: ‘yummm, dinner at Nana & Nono’s! They do the yummiest’
Mummy: ‘yeah, thank god they’re cooking Xmas dinner for us! Imagine if I was cooking it!!’
Rose: ‘OH HECK NO!’

Rose has been spending time with her Nana, each Wednesday for a couple of hours after school.
They’ve been building Lego and eating favourite dinners
This is their latest build 😍

Rose has been learning all about German Christmas Markets 🎄 at school. It gave us a great excuse to pop into Birmingham, eat lots of Bratwurst 🌭, enjoy the carousel 🎠 and of course gobble down a load of churros, profiteroles, marshmallows AND toffee apples!

These kids sure love their food and, evident in Reggie’s ketchup face 🍅

Rose asked for packed lunches this week. I started to write little notes on her sandwich bag

I asked her this evening if she had noticed. She said, ‘yes, but I hid them from everyone’

Think it’s time I stopped embarrassing with my attempt of endearment 😂

* one of the crisps is for snack time as she says school apples are yucky and her friend gets to have crisps!

Another challenge met, another challenge won - Reggie got the green light after his EHCP request went to assessment

The reality of battling through the SEN system is a mixture of frustration, disbelief and requires patience.
It’s a battle, that on many occasions leaves me disheartened and scared.
The last 6 weeks took that up a notch, and felt relentless as I awaited the result that would impact Reggie’s future. Unfortunately right in the middle of this process, the summer holidays commenced, which very stupidly delayed things further, despite Reggie not even being school age.
After what must have been at least 20 separate attempts to contact the individuals making the big decisions for this area of Reggie’s future, I completely lost all hope of getting anywhere without a big ‘Chloe style’ escalation. It appears that shouting the loudest within this system, is still the only way to get anywhere.
After numerous emails to everyone known in Reggie’s area linked to SEN, a few carefully placed yet honest accounts of my experience on Social Media and a calm, yet encouraging phone call to their Head Offices at 9:02am this morning, I finally got the first contact from his Case Manager. She has ignored me for 6 weeks.
I will forever shed light on this process, without fear of sharing the diabolical challenges young people with ‘disabilities’ face, and highlight the struggle their parents/carers endure.
I hope that despite it sharing how tedious the task is, it demonstrates that it is possible to hold people accountable, and that through sheer determination & refusing to quit, you can secure a supported future for your little ones with learning difficulties.
Now, onto the next battle 😮‍💨

The first time Reggie has worn Fancy Dress to preschool! He usually opts out, settling for his usual comforts with his blue or well loved clothes.
I didn’t expect him to take part again, but he shocked me, embraced his role as Woody, and will no longer respond to the name ‘Reggie’

Have an amazing day cowboy 🐴

Our lovely neighbours, Hannah & Carl, surprised the kids with some treats, after Rose wrote them a postcard from Sardinia
Big happy smiles - thank you ❤️

Because what’s a beach, without ice cream!

We’ve visited every year, since the children were babies. It’s a beautiful location, with close parking, ice cream parlours, chip shops and facilities. You can go crabbing, partake in water sports, shop at the little boutiques and have an amazing day on a clean sandy beach 🏝️

My children having autism means they like familiar places, and this to them is one of those staple trips that they can simply enjoy without anxiety of the unknown 🙏🏻

We tried to cap the end of term off on a high 🎉

The initial excitement for Rose & her school friend Jenson was very high, when I told them we were going to the local pub together after school.

They played and wondered around in their usual fashion, which at times can attract attention. Unfortunately, not every family has raised their children to be kind, and it ended in disaster as Rose was teased and called names. We swiftly left, with Rose signing she was ‘sad’

It’s hard to know how to react in situations such as this. You’re mother bear instinct can kick in and you want to defend your babies. Other times the best solution is to simply walk away, and focus on repairing the damage through kind words and explanations.

Please, if you don’t raise your child to understand neurodiversity, consider it. Because they’re incredible kids, that too want to enjoy the playground, in their own special way 🙏🏻

Had a breakthrough with this little man. Just like Rose many years ago, I’ve been battling the horrendous special needs system here in the UK.
Once again, I was left feeling like I was talking to a brick wall, I’ve had to contact people within the NHS who did wonders for me with Rose and push harder than ever to get listened to.
Today Reggie had a further observation in nursery, and it’s been agreed that we need to push forward with an autism diagnosis, an EHCP, and plan schooling options to suit his needs….hallelujah
The individual observing Reggie pointed out a lot to the nursery, which they admitted to not seeing, and it’s been hugely beneficial for them too. Hopefully making things easier for future children with undiagnosed special needs. I also managed to arrange for one of the SEN team who work for the NHS to go into the nursery and teach a special interaction technique.
The news today left me in tears. Mixed emotions of relief, and happiness to move forward, but also sadness, because this isn’t a diagnosis any parent wants for their child, despite autism bringing many special traits to their character.
So the battle will continue. To fight for the right support, the right education setting, and ultimately the right provisions putting in place to make Reggie’s future as bright as can be 💙

It’s sun hat weather…..as well as sun cream. Rose however found the new sun cream, covered herself and Reggie, from head to toe (literally even the soles of the feet) and proceeded to run around the home. I was in chase but couldn’t quite catch them due to their slippery texture. They ended the pursuit by jumping on the sofa!
Yet, here they are, like butter wouldn’t melt 😅

Rose’s ‘self portrait’
Myself and the parents had quite the laugh when she walked out of school proudly displaying what looks like a ……..

Reggie having a wonderful time today at mummy’s work

🇬🇧

After three years, multiple failed attempts and a lot of trauma, this wonderful team at Leicester Royal Infirmary successfully took Rose’s blood today.

With huge amounts of patience, understanding and explanations, I am relieved and so is Rose.

They provided numbing cream and Etinox to ease her anxiety and pain.

The results will be sent to Gastro, so we can hopefully get to the bottom of her tummy troubles.

The children’s hospitals at the LRI over the years, have delivered life saving and life changing treatments to all three of my children. They are incredible people, that I could never thank enough. I am raising money by abseiling from one of the hospitals buildings this July.
Please find the link below if you would like to sponsor me 🙏🏻

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chloe-maddin?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=chloe-maddin&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=f84f884e2819488aa829602b74877277

Mummy & Rose got the chance to swim together at Rose’s school

Rose loved welcoming me into her school, showing me the swimming pool and whirlpool bath, as well as all the inflatables!

Me and the teachers joked that all we needed now was a cocktail to top it off!

I’m so grateful for the opportunities Rose’s school gives not only Rose, but myself as a parent. It’s a wonderful place and full of incredible teachers. The hardest working, caring individuals, that are there through thick and thin, supporting their students.

Looking forward to next weeks swim, where I might try and fit my hair into a swimming cap, as Rose found splashing me rather funny…!

Thanks Forest Way School