I’d actually forgotten that I’d bought tickets to see Sheryl Crow tonight ( you have to buy tickets for stuff well in advance in the ‘ access ‘ world ) so it was a brilliant surprise to realise that I was going.
Sheryl is completely incredible . I had no idea she’d be that good.
I’ve not listened to her stuff for blimmin ages, but I think I’m going to have to now that I’ve seen her do it live. She is definitely one of the most natural crowd pleasers that I’ve had the luck to hear.
Thanks to Kate, for being my last minute gig buddy 🙂
I read this blog every day and I haven’t noticed anything hurtful being written about his children etc. I did say that his Wife was taking the piss taking most of his stuff when she moved out. That was the truth and I won’t apologise for what i have said. You don’t kick a man when he is down. Margaret
Could you say which posts you are referring to?
I haven’t read any replies that i could say were hurtful to his children. I would not call a 15 year old a child. Margaret
Hello there Margaret. My name is Lily, the 15 year old child who you seemingly refer to as an adult- and therefore make the ill-founded judgement that I’m totally okay with everything that has been posted on this blog. Just for the record- I’m not okay. I would like to kindly advise you to think before posting on this blog; your posts are sad to read and what’s even more sad is that you seem to ‘know’ that I haven’t been affected by everything that has happened. I would very much like to point out that you don’t know me, my sister or my mother and therefore cannot judge any of us. I can honestly say that I have been affected a great amount by what has happened with my family in the past few years, and just because I am not a ‘child’ doesn’t mean I am unable to feel hurt. Furthermore, my sister (aged 13) is especially vulnerable to the comments you post, and I can definitely say that we both feel disheartened when we read your comments. I, for one, am going through quite important exams at the moment (GCSE’s, the exams that teenagers take- not adults) and I don’t need comments like yours to add to the stress!
Thanks a lot,
Lily (the minor under 16)
Thank you Lily ( and Amber too ). It’s very good to hear from you.
I love you very much and miss seeing you both.
I’ll continue to wait until I meet you.
I can’t wait to see you both.
Daddy x
Hey hon,
OK, so this has nothing to do with SC, but I have been meaning to post a comment for a while now, and so you’ll just have to accept that the following is not written out of spite due to me missing out on the SC gig! – But words spoken from the heart that I think you need to hear.
I know how much this blog has helped you, providing you with a platform to be totally honest about the ongoing issues you’ve had to face since your accident, as well as accounts of your life – as it is for you now. I also know how much the support of those that comment both on here and via email/text – means to you, knowing that people read your posts and empathise with your situation, issues, and life in general.
Personally, I have remained consistent in reading your blog on a daily basis over the years, knowing that it will provide me with an insight into how your day is going, and consequently I am able to touch base with you – if I feel you are down and might need help, support etc.
Occasionally, and more recently, I will read a post or a posted comment that leaves me feeling very uncomfortable and incredibly sad. And although I am able to express these thoughts and feelings to you face to face, I have also struggled with the dilemma – that it’s not my right to interfere with what you post on a forum that is a very honest and personal account of your life.
As you know, the ‘uncomfortable’ posts/comments that I struggle with, are the ones that may have a negative impact on your girls; posts that may not portray them in the most positive light, and posts that are hurtful for them to read about their mother. On these occasions, I worry that one of your girls may have read it, and if they haven’t – their friends or friend’s parent/s might well have.
I know I’m doing my predictable ‘social worker’ talk, but I can’t keep reading your blog without asking you to consider what you write about your children, before posting it; as irrespective of how grown up and mature they are – they are still children. They are particularly vulnerable individuals who have endured ongoing traumas in their lives for the past four years from the moment they had to witness their father on a life support machine, to now – having just moved out of their family home and consequently being separated from their father (as well as a fair amount of issues in-between). And irrespective of what you might think, the last part will have been traumatic too; they no longer live with their father who has for the most part of their 15 and 13 year lives – been a constant in their lives. A father who they have known to have loved them, supported them, and shared a lot of fun and laughter with, and one that is irreplaceable.
I love you Russ, and since your injury we have become really close friends, and I intend to stay consistently supporting you along your unknown journey. Therefore, all I ask in return – is for you to consider all the above and try to recognise that I have your children’s best interest at heart. Essentially, I believe it will help towards building a positive relationship with your girls, resulting in you all seeing more of each other, and eventually ensuring that one day you’ll be back to spending regular quality time together having fun. Ultimately, you need your two beautiful girls in your life, as much as they need you, their father, in their lives.
Pia xxx
PS To all your blog followers – PLEASE take a moment to think before you comment, and consider how your comment may impact on two young children’s day/life – should they read it.
Sadly, whenever people get divorced, there can be no doubt that it is hardest on the children.
That said, I can’t help feeling that your comment misses the point somewhat. This blog isn’t about Russ’s children: it is a blog about the trials and tribulations of a man who suffered a devastating SCI. One of the reasons why I find it such compulsive reading is its uncompromising honesty.
There is no suggestion that it is anything other than factually accurate and any feelings Russ has about the situations he finds himself in are his to express – it is his blog after all. When something happens, such as the removal of the dining table when his family moved out, which has a different impact on Russ than that it would have on an able bodied person, I think it is highly relevant to mention it. I found posting ‘Part 23 of my life…’ (14 May 2017) to be a real eye opener. The full consequences to Russ of losing the table were not immediately obvious without that post.
As far as his divorce is concerned, I think Russ has been remarkably restrained in his postings. I have no doubt whatsoever that the matters mentioned that relate to it are but a tiny crystal on the very tip of a huge iceberg. Clearly there is an enormous amount of information that could have been recorded on this blog that has not been, and it would not be appropriate to do so because that is not what the blog is about.
One would have hoped that Russ’s daughters would find this blog a helpful insight into the problems their dad encounters on a daily basis, as well as an invaluable aid to understanding his frame of mind at any given time. This is information not readily available to most teenagers and must provide powerful context to their dealings with their dad. There can be no doubting the deep love Russ has for his girls, as evidenced in the ‘Grand National’ post.
In actual fact, I find it rather surprising that they, or anyone speaking on their behalf, would choose to comment on the fact that a blog reader expressed disapproval of their mother. After all, blog readers – like everyone else – are entitled to their own opinions and may wish to let Russ feel their support for him. What surprises me is that THIS is what is being talked about. Really?! When there is a posting such as ‘one less demon’ (21 May 2017) which is heart breaking in its raw poignancy – surely that is more worthy of a comment.
This is a blog about loss, pain and perseverance; it is about the struggle to cope with life following a devastating and life changing event. It is sometimes hopeful, occasionally despairing, but it is always written with dignity and usually with humour. It addresses mental health issues, problems encountered by those who are disabled, carrying on with life in the face of extreme difficulty and the light that can be shone onto a life by small acts of kindness. I find Russ’s approach to life – and this blog – to be truly inspirational.
Adult themes indeed. Russ’s daughters are unquestionably legally still children but, as teenagers, the impression given of them is that they are also bright, intelligent young women – certainly old enough to consider that if they find the contents of the blog upsetting, then perhaps they could employ a very simple but effective solution: avoid reading it.