Howdy 🤠

CountryMimi

Hi there! Just thought I'd give a little introduction!

I'm 32 and live in Yorkshire. After months of antagonising back pain and what can only be described as the sensation of my back snapping earlier on this year, I have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis. I'm in constant pain and really struggling dealing with this condition. I'm here to learn more about my condition, but also others so that I can support people and also find some comfort when it's most needed for myself.

I don't want to let my condition define who I am, but I'd rather be in acceptance that this is what I'm dealing with right now. So whilst this is just a small part of me, I have other interests that play a massive part in my life, some of these interests beeing having a passion for SENCo (I doubt I'll be able to return to my job, but I was promoted to SENCo earlier this year), I have my own little Etsy shop as I love to design and I enjoy creating printable downloads. I am a massive country music fan and was fortunate enough to visit Nashville back in 2017. I really enjoy photography, I am really interested in finances; side hustling, budgeting, saving money, investing etc. and I'm a Christian, navigating my way through this hectic thing we call life! 

CountryMimi

Thank you so much 🙂

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @CountryMimi and a warm welcome to the community, thanks for introducing yourself  

Are you up to anything nice this weekend? And what sorts of things do you create on Etsy? 

If you need a hand with anything here, please don't hesitate to ask, and we'll do what we can to assist.

Alex

durhamjaide2001

Congratulations for becoming SENCO I don't  know anyone who's disabled and have managed to achieve this. 

ShirleyW

I used to have two Etsy shops before I retired.  What's the name of your shop?

CountryMimi

Alex_Scope said:

Hello there @CountryMimi and a warm welcome to the community, thanks for introducing yourself  

Are you up to anything nice this weekend? And what sorts of things do you create on Etsy? 

If you need a hand with anything here, please don't hesitate to ask, and we'll do what we can to assist.

Alex

Hi Alex, thank you so much!

I don't think I'm doing anything in particular, might pop to a Christmas Fair at a local Church. How about you?

I sell digital prints, some of which can be personalised 🙂 and I've recently designed a Christmas card that can be printed by a drop shipping company

CountryMimi

durhamjaide2001 said:

Congratulations for becoming SENCO I don't  know anyone who's disabled and have managed to achieve this. 

Thank you so much!

My promotion was prior to my diagnosis - I was really suffering with pain back then and had no idea re the extent of my health. I can't return to work in a nursery as a normal practitioner, but enquired about returning as SENCo, but... Let's not even go there! I'm not very happy with my manager. 

CountryMimi

ShirleyW said:

I used to have two Etsy shops before I retired.  What's the name of your shop?

Oh wow! I'd be so grateful for any tips... I'm really struggling to get sales. I'll give you a message re the name as I feel like I've read somewhere that we can't advertise? 

L_Volunteer

It sounds really difficult that you are not very happy with your manager @CountryMimi. Would you like to share more with us about this?

We are here for you and listening to you if you would like to share more with us about this or anything else. I hope you enjoy popping to a Christmas fair at a local church. 

Your digital prints sound great! And even better that you have recently expanded to designing a Christmas card. 

Yep, you have read it correctly that advertising is against our guidelines. Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

CountryMimi

@L_Volunteer that is so lovely, thank you so much!

It's been a turbulent relationship with her and not many of us find her easy at all.

I just feel that I'm being kicked out despite the fact that prior to having to be off on long term sick I had so little time off (I will have been there 3 years this Jan). It was strongly suggested that I 'retire', which according to people we've sought advice from isn't supposed to be legal. I've updated the company with fitnotes and kept them in the loop, but she has just ignored my emails. Our company have several values, one being that we're a family and the way she's made me feel doesn't align with those values.

The whole thing doesn't surprise me though, my friends who work in other settings say the same, that they're also feeling disappointed and let down by their managers

Alex_Alumni

I'm sorry to hear about this @CountryMimi if you haven't already had a look, you might find ACAS useful for any help and support with the issues you're facing. They have guidance on disability discrimination and how to report it.

And thanks for asking about my weekend, I went out to get some Christmas decorations I'm pleased to hear you're expanding your range in your Etsy shop too!

CountryMimi

Thank you so much @Alex_Scope

Oh lovely! Did it get you into the Christmas spirit?

Thank you! I've just put in an order for a pack of my own cards, so excited to see how they turn out! 

Alex_Alumni

I'm definitely feeling more Christmassy as the days go on @CountryMimi  

Do feel free to share a picture if you'd like, we have a gallery for sharing anything creative here.

CountryMimi

I will do 🙂

L_Volunteer

Yay @CountryMimi