Positively Blingy

It is my great privilege to be asked to write about 

"Celebrating a year of  being a Glamsticks ™  Model".  

Below you will read about life being a two-sided coin as it often is.  Within the negatives of life there are positives to be found, joys to be had and changes to embrace.

It is a difficult one to write as no-one wants to have a party, blow candles or hear clapping and cheers for a pair of crutches.  The circumstances for anyone using them is often a painful tale and no fun in having to get in and out of cars with, trying to use a shopping trolley with, and so many other daily tasks that are often taken for granted by abled persons.  That said, these are not ordinary crutches - these are Glamsticks ™ and have transformed one young woman's life.

Michelle fell in love with them instantly and they became a 'must have' accessory as any young woman will know about with regards to shoes, handbags or fashion wear.  The glittery crutches match her looks and personality, they make her shine even more.  In no time at all she was the proud owner of her first set of sparklers -

"My grey crutches were boring and had no personality. Owning a pair of Glamsticks™    take the dull out of disability" she says.

A girl can't have enough bling!

Sharon of Glamsticks ™  and Michelle became Twitter Pals and Michelle was invited to be a  Glamsticks ™ model.  I have followed the success of both Glamsticks ™ and Michelle on Twitter, with total admiration.  The sparkly crutches certainly add confidence and enhanced glamour to their owner.  In particular I remember Michelle's joy  when she went to college and everyone admired her crutches.

"People approach me differently when I'm using them and tend to ask if they can touch them, take a photo of them and we end up talking bling.  If I am using other crutches then I'm more likely to be asked what's wrong with me and I'd much rather talk sparkle."

Michelle told me she feels different using these crutches as "when you have to use crutches all the time they kind of become a metaphorical accessory and no one wants boring ones.  We all choose accessories to finish off our outfits every day and a girl can never have enough bling."

Stunning affects under strobe lighting

Her first outing with her Glamsticks ™ was to an ELO concert at the O2.  "It was amazing and I felt very glam!  My crutches caught the lights and created stunning effects and I had so many lovely comments."

"My Glamsticks ™ tend to come with me wherever I go now but I will never forget going to Parellel London with them last year.  It was the first fully inclusive event and it was totally inspiring.  I'm looking forwards to where my Glamsticks ™ might take me next - rumour has it that it might just be a catwalk!"

Parellel London :

Sharon & Michelle

 


In celebration of her year I asked Michelle what modelling for Glamsticks ™ has meant to her.

"I'm extremely grateful to Sharon at Glamsticks ™ for sponsoring me, it was one of those moments where it all felt a bit surreal but it has helped build my confidence over the last year.  Having to face the trauma of a major life changing event has been really tough, to be told I'd have to learn to walk again are words I will never forget.  I am slowly trying to build a new life encompassing the new 'me' and being an ambassador for Glamsticks ™ has taken me to places emotionally and physically I never would have envisaged before - I feel, if I can help one person, or they look at me and say 'because of you I didn't give up' - then all the work I do with Glamsticks ™  will have been worth it.  It's not just about the bling for me, it's about connecting with others and having those hard conversations.  Some days are so hard and then others I feel like a warrior, but that's ok because I'm only human.  It's not about what I used to be able to do, it's about what I CAN do now and I hope my story and the part I play with Glamsticks ™ might help to inspire others".

 Glamsticks ™ have won the following awards :

• Winner of mobility product of the year 2011 and voted top ten best mobility product 2011
• Winner of BrightPigSEO Business of the week Award 2016
• #Queen of mobility aids, Jacqueline Gold
• #Wow Award 2016
• #businessoftheweek
• #MumsInBiz award

You can find these using the # (hashtag) on Twitter. 

 

I know that Michelle would never have considered modelling before she had her sparkly leg aids and that this last year has pushed her outside of her comfort zone and she says "even got me wearing a skirt".

Sharon's story, as to how she came to run this business, is immensely inspiring too.  She understands what disabled people require as she is living with disabilities and illness herself.  You can read about how Glamsticks ™ came to her and what other items she sells on www.glamsticks.co.uk; https://m.facebook.com/GlamSticks  or follow Sharon and/or Michelle on Twitter @Glamsticks and @Mwrites2

If you have enjoyed reading this blog can I ask that : 

•  you to join me in applauding these two lovely young women who are turning debilitating situations into positive, uplifting, inspiring stories.   

• and tell anyone who would benefit from a blingy boost about Glamsticks.    

Shirley Valentine

A REVIEW OF SHIRLEY VALENTINE - The Stage Version

 

One of my all time favourite films, that I have seen several times, is Shirley Valentine, starring Pauline Collins.  I absolutely loved this film - it is funny, sad, true to life, has several 'wake up call' messages in it, and the scenery of Greece is beautiful.  When I saw it was on stage in a nearby town, I just had to see it, so a friend and I went into Birmingham.  My friend had heard on the radio that the play was was a monologue, which took the shine out of being sat in the New Alexandra Theatre.  Two ladies sat next to us were also duly disappointed, as they were looking forwards to seeing a Costas look-alike.  However, Jodie Prenger was AMAZING as Shirley Valentine.





 

The first half was set in the kitchen with SV making the famous 'chips and egg'.  The smell wafted up into the circle and I was grateful I had just eaten a meal so wasn't hungry.  Jodie/Shirley portrayed the story exactly as I remembered it.  Her use of the Liverpudlian accent was very good and her take on the voices of other major characters was brilliant.  The real kitchen set up with electrics and cabinets, sink, washing machine etc was used to its full capacity.  Cupboards, freezer, washing machine doors were opened and closed, the table drawer and other drawers opened and items taken out to further set the scene.  A slight pause for a change of clothes before her departure to Greece was handled very well by stage hands and Jodie's motherly figure was transformed to a woman about to go on an adventure, just by adding a different outfit. 

 

If I had closed my eyes when Jodie was being Gillian the Neighbour (Julia McKenzie in the film) I wouldn't have known it was the same person.  Her take on her daughter Millandra too was excellent.

 

In the second half the scenery was on a beach with rocks and blue sea all around.  Jodie was in her swimwear and I was so glad she was not a slim lady but one of real proportions and not ashamed to show it.  Shirley talked to Rock instead of Wall and told us of the antics of the friend she had travelled with and how she found herself alone again.  And then Costas comes into the play, well his voice anyway.  I could see Tom Conti in my mind ... "you afraid I want f**k with you".  How we laughed.  "He kissed my stretch marks....... aren't men full of s**t?"  More laughter.  Great therapy.



 

The table and chair was used to do the 'Dougie and Jeanette' scene very well, more laughter.  And then the sitting by the sea and contemplating life and who she really was, the deciding to not go home and eventually returning to work in Costas café where she offers English tourists chips and egg when they don't want squid or any other Greek dish.

 

 

"Will he recognise me?"  Shirley had changed.

 

Well done Jodie on being word perfect throughout.  Thanks also to the New Alexandra Theatre for providing pre-paid ice creams to our seats in paper bags during the interval.  Much appreciated and enjoyed.

* * * * * 





I had my own Shirley Valentine Adventure in 2015 (minus Costas).  To celebrate being 60 I went to the Greek Island of Skyros where I changed into a serious writer.  You can read my several blogs entitled The Big Adventure.  Scroll down until you find it.  I would recommend every woman goes find herself in a place by the sea - it is memory making, life changing, liberating.  If I can overcome my fears of travelling alone, so can you.  It's a real confidence booster.  Go on, try it.  You will surprise yourself.