Hello everyone!

Well the Easter holidays are here! I can't believe how quickly they've come along. Christmas only like yesterday.

Today I went on a daytrip to Porthcawl with some members of the Viva! Project.

Viva!* is a registered charity working with disabled young people aged between 11 and 25, who live in the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales. The charity was established in 1992 to create and facilitate leisure and training opportunities for young people with disabilities.

I have been a member of the Viva! Project for about 3 years and participate in various activities throughout the year.

I have a condition called Cerebral Palsy. There are three main classifications and I have Ataxia, which particulary affects my legs. I used to be in a wheelchair a lot of the time. But I had an operation in May 2003 which has made my legs straighter and improved my walking greatly. Since Christmas I have been attempting to walk using one walking stick, which is very scary. With all the bad rain and the snow, it's been quite scary to let go lol. People say I'm like a magpie attached to shiny things lol. I am trying to go back to using 1 stick, depending on where I am in school. I don't see what I have as a condition but it means I can't socialize as often as my friends. I want to improve people's understanding of C.P. 1 thing is I don't like people seeing others as a condition rather than an actual person. Just because we have a particular condition it doesn't make us any less human. We haven't got a contagious disease. Feel free to ask any questions.

One of my dreams has always been to go Orlando, Florida. In October 2001 it finally came true. This is all thanks to a charity called Dreamflight. Dreamflight is a registered charity which takes seriously ill children on their "holiday of a lifetime" to central Florida. The holiday lasted for 10 days. I was a member of the Pluto group and each day we would go to a different theme park: DisneyWorld, SeaWorld, Blizzard Beach, MGM Studios, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (we didn't even have to queue!). 

Before we went in Heathrow we met celebrities such as Sir Cliff Richard (who is a patron of Dreamflight), 'Ground Force' presenter Charlie Dimmock (a year later she became an helper for Dreamflight), 'CBeebies' presenter Chris Jarvis, 'Top Of The Pops' executive producer Andi Peters and stars of ITV's 'The Bill': Alex Walkinshaw (Sgt. Dale Smith), Rene Zagger (PC Nick Klein) and Gary Grant (DC Paul Riley).

I made lots of friends and we still keep in touch by phone, letter or e-mail. I will never forget when the Pluto group went on 22 rides in one day. It was an unforgettable experience and was really was a holiday of a lifetime! Big hello to all the Dreamflight helpers and children of Dreamflight 2001. Hope you're all well. What do you like the site? 

 

Anyway, the weather today was absolutely terrible, heavy rain and gusty winds. I was almost blown over by the wind as I walked from the car into the arcade. I had some food: a cheeseburger, fries and a drink for £2.99 (value for money!).

Because of the weather conditions we decided to stay indoors and have a go and some games. For about 20 minutes I was on one of those 2p machines. I was wary at the beginning but it was worth it because at the end I won lots of 2p's (a money bag full to be exact), a lollipop and a dice on a keyring lol! (Childish ain't I? lol!)

I had a good time today. Obviously, I would've enjoyed it a bit more if it was sunny, but you cannot predict the weather!

I came home and noticed in the paper ITV were repeating a classic episode of 'Coronation Street' every evening this week, in tribute to the character Mike Baldwin, who died of pneumonia on Friday after being in the show for almost 30 years.

I think the week-long tribute should be made to Lynne Perrie who played battleaxe Ivy Tilsley. She died aged 75 last month after suffering a stroke. Ironically, her character died of a stroke in 1994. 'Poison' Ivy was one Street legend who will always be remembered!

As well as 'Coronation Street', I like 'Only Fools and Horses' and '24'. '24' is so addictive, like chocolate, at the end of each episode, it leaves you wanting a bit more.

OK thank you readers better go now.

Happy Easter to you all!

Leigh xxx

Postscript

 A big thank you to Jeanette, who helped me add pictures to this entry and bring colour to it! xxx Also thank you to those who have sent comments, it is very much appreciated! xxx

*Click on the red words in bold. This will take you directly to the website for more information.

I thought this graphic would be appropriate considering the bad weather conditions earlier on.