Poppy and I have lived together at the castle since last November. In a month or so she’s going to move out and as a result the castle will be less full of sequins, pins and rowdy late night otter encounters.…

Because of my tonsillectomy I’ve spent most of this week in bed during the day, too sore to sleep but also too sore to do much beyond lie and look out of the window.

The view isn’t buzzing with activity but I’m very fond of it.…

It’s the middle of the night and I’ve opened my computer to write about a very unpleasant dream I’ve just had.
Here’s what happened:

Poppy and I were out shopping in town. We left my wheelchair outside a trendy knick-knack shop as it wasn’t accessible, and Poppy helped me walk around and browse.…

Five days ago I waved good-bye to my tonsils and I’ve been resting at home ever since. I’ve got a reputation for not knowing my own limits and not stopping when I should, but on this occasion my throat’s been so painful that I’ve not had much choice, and I’ve been taking things very easy.…

Since my tonsils were whipped out at the end of last week my throat’s been very painful. But it isn’t only me who’s been experiencing it. When I feel a particularly strong wave of agony my tics overreact and make me hit myself, or whoever happens to be nearby.…

When I was writing about the Squease vest yesterday it reminded me of a different kind of squeeze. This was one that I’d been experiencing over the last few days which had revealed new things about my attempts to suppress my tics.…

Three years ago I worked in a specialist team supporting families raising children with autism and learning disabilities.

Our team was made up of professionals with a diverse mix of skills and experience, and children were referred to us if they had particularly challenging behaviour.…

I woke myself up this morning by suddenly shouting ‘NO!’

I was still in hospital after having had my tonsils out yesterday and Fat Sister was staying with me. She woke with a start too, and asked, in an understandably alarmed tone, what was wrong.…

Most superheroes do battle with super villains and evil geniuses in far-flung places. Today, Touretteshero’s adversary was much closer to home – inside her own throat. She was admitted to hospital yesterday for her tonsillectomy. She asked me to write the post for today in case she was too woozy to do it herself and I don’t think it surprised anyone that she was, after the large amount of anaesthetic and painkillers she’d had.…

Tomorrow I say ‘So long, tonsils.’ It won’t be a sad goodbye – they’ve been the cause of a lot of trouble in the last few months. In preparation I’m in hospital this evening for my first overnight stay since I was a kid.…