Everything seems more clear, here on the other side...

Hi Tonight Alive was amazing!! Just saying.

So my mum and I went to Koko, in Camden, on Wednesday. I love Koko, from the staff to the access to the venue, its just great. Its only ten minutes or so from kings cross station so a another short taxi ride.  When we got there we had someone to show us to our spots and they even constructed a ramp so I could be higher than the railing, seeing over the railing. I didn't have that last time I went to koko so it was a bit of a nice surprise. We had someone stay near so that if we needed anything, he could help. Also they helped keep people who didn't need to be there stayed out. 

So first there was a band called Captain chunk no chunk. They're french and to be honest they screamed a little too much for my liking. Although I liked their cover of 'all star', I knew that one, haha! Its really weird because the singer had a really nice voice when he wasn't screaming so I joked to my mum, its always the quiet ones you need to watch, haha.

Then we had a band called the summer set, I'd heard of them before. They were from America. I knew two of their songs, 'boomerang' and 'Lightening in a bottle'. I have been listening to them ever since as well haha. They also did a cover of Ed Sheerans 'Sing' which had everyone singing along- I love that song!

Then finally Tonight Alive came onstage and powered through their songs, I don't think my mum liked it that much as it was quite loud. But I loved it, I especially loved it when Jenna came and sang 'amelia' as that song has great significance for me I feel, As its about one of her friends passing away and well I know how that feels when suddenly someone you've spent a great deal of school time with is gone. Its probably the only time I've ever got choked up at a concert and nearly balled my eyes out. 
When the concert was over, one of the staff at koko said 'did I want a setlist and pick?' and gave me a setlist and pick, which they had been throwing to the crowd. I felt that was lovely touch as there is no way I would have been able to get one of them.
We had someone escort us through the crowd to the foyer to wait while they booked us a taxi, and when the taxi arrived someone took us to the taxi, in the pouring rain! Thats why I love Koko because they really know how to help and cant do enough. I've been to lots of places for concerts but no where has quite beaten Koko.
Here's some photos 

My mum and I on the train

My American Apparel dress, the cutest dress ever (with the added photobomb of my wheelchair and coat!)

The Summer Set- Fun fact their drummer is a girl, Girl power!!!

Tonight Alive- Sorry its not the best photos as the stage lights were bright

The Setlist, Thanks to the Koko Staff

one side of the Guitar pick, thanks to the Koko Staff 

The other side of the Guitar pick

My Tour T-shirt, My brother said I looked like a hippie but I quite like this t-shirt!

My Posters and Pictures, Including my new Tonight alive one I got from the concert

Jenna Singing 'Amelia'

 See you soon
Sophie

What is this life?!

Well hi there, no this post is not delving into the meaning of life I am just too excited because of Echosmiths gig at barfly.

Another fun fact about me- my blog address is inspired by them, from one of my favourite songs of there's called 'safest place' .

The lyric goes 'Its your own story, Its the safest place you'll ever be' that is the correct line as I double checked on A-Z Lyrics! Hehe

So as you may know I went to their first ever gig in England at a place called Barfly in Camden, ironically I passed Koko where I am going on Wednesday.

When my aunt Maria and I got there, the staff were really helpful and we got to go upstairs to the stage area first to avoid the crowds. As I said in my previous blog post I had been in touch with the management to say I'm blind and all that la de dah, and true to there word I had a stool waiting for me to sit on!

But instead of in the front I was sat at the bar, that barman must of thought I was a right nutter! So it wasn't until I kneeled on the stool with my aunt holding onto me to make sure I didn't stack it that I had a clear view above the peoples heads.
So onto the show, first there was this band called Alvarez Kings, they were quite good actually, even though I had no idea who they were. I might go google them!
 Then it was the main event- Echosmith!
I kept saying each song they sang that 'I love this song!' but my favourites would have to be Bright, Safest Place and Nothings Wrong, I really do love those songs!
 It was really good, they were really good and when it was over my legs were quivering from being on the stool, it was really quite painful. Oops!
The night didn't end there as my mum before the show went on echosmiths website and clicked on the question section. She said that apparently they come out after each show! So I asked the lady on the merch stand, I was their first customer as I was the first person up there. She said hang around after and they'll come out. So we hung around, I saw there manager, he was selling off sydneys parasol, so I said I'll give him £10! and I got it, it was a really cute parasol actually. Not made for English weather though hahah! but not relising it, I spent my taxi fare, thankfully my auntie maria said she would pay for it in exchange as a birthday present. I also got a sticker, because my aunt said to him that I'd spent my taxi money!
So I met the band minus Jamie, I don't know where he was, and I got them to sign the parasol, poster(that I got with my tshirt) and had a photo with them! They were actually really nice, Sydney said she liked my hair. Yeah It was a epic night.
But I'm feeling it today, my neck,back and legs!
I do love going to concerts because like last night I was just like everyone else, for those few hours, you can forget about everything.
Now I'm getting ready for Tonight Alive tomorrow! 

My outfit selfie,

My aunt and I on the train to London 

My aunt took a picture of the stage before the crowd turned up

Here's my parasol, it's really quite cute, ironically I've always wanted one of my own, don't know where it's going to go in my room though?!

Poster time!

Me and echosmith, yeah sorry about the cheesy grin, I was nervous, lol I'm always nervous

 

Hello, Hi, Good Evening

Hi
Has anyone seen One Directions new video 'Night Changes', It was adorable, my mum found it funny. She said to me,'Aww you could go ice skating with Harry', Now I'm just gonna put it out there, someone coordinately challenged like me and ice skating is not a good mix. We tried it for my birthday and my two brothers birthday as they are separated by 2 days from my birthday and well my dad had to literally hold me up and keep hold of me so I didnt fall over. Which I didnt!  I mean it was funny because when Harry fell over and had to wear that sling it bought memories back of when I had to wear a sling like that when I first broke my elbow, not fun. LOL.

So this coming week is actually looking exciting as on Monday I'm going to Barfly in Camden, London to see Echosmith. Echosmith are a up and coming band formed of 3 brothers and sister. Talk about keeping it in the family! Hahah. I think they're a really cool band,  I'm hoping I should get a good view as I will be taking my half cane with me since its not a venue accessible for my wheelchair. I'll be getting a stool to sit on though so that'll be nice and hopefully right in front of the stage. My auntie Maria will be coming with me. Also fun fact the bands last name is Sierota- reminds me of the song 'My Sharona'

Then on Wednesday I will be heading back to one of my favorite venues I've been to, Koko, to see Tonight Alive. I first went to Koko, in Camden also, when I first went to see 5 seconds of summer. I really liked the size of the venue and the view it gave me in the disabled zone. Also the access is quite good. I'll be going in my wheelchair for this one and my mum is coming with me. It'll be quite interesting to see how things go because I've never done two concerts so close to each other and I'm normally left hibernating the whole next week with only one concert. I'll be posting a blog post about the concerts when I've recovered haha.
I think looking at this can be quite misleading as in, I sound like I go out and about all the time. I think its just I don't post when I'm stuck in bed asleep or too tired to move or I have a headache. Well because there are so many of those days that they all blend into one and frankly no one wants to read.

My Lush Haul post- its coming. I'm just trying to find the time to test all of the
products(look at me with my business knowledge even though I just spent way too long trying to spell business!) and what to write exactly ha!
Now I know that as someone who likes to go to concerts there's not much in way of information about disabled access, so I introduce to you - Euans Guide. Its a website in which its gives you accessibility reviews of places from McDonalds to Wembley Arena. If your a member you can also post reviews of places. speaking of which I should post some reviews haha.
Heres the link, I think its a really cool idea as access information is not always easy to find.
http://www.euansguide.com/


Er well thats it, I guess, Taylor Swift 1989 is still on replay and its only 32 days to Christmas!!!
See you soon everyone :-)


Echosmith

Tonight Alive

Shopping trips and blood tests

Hi so this is my weekly update, 

So this week started with me feeling under the weather, as in a bad cold, sore throat, headache and feeling sick. Which was a great way to start my weekend/week! Not haha. 

Side note : did anyone see X factor?! I cannot believe Paul Akister went home, I think my whole family were shouting at the tv! He has one of the best voices of the competition so I think he could become one of the "he did better by not winning" type stories, as many of the xfactor success stories didn't actually win. I believe he has a bright future.

Onwards and upwards though on Wednesday I went shopping with nan and auntie Maria. We went to the one in Milton Keynes. As I am going to a concert for the band Echosmith (Google them, they're really cool) I thought lets go shopping and get a new outfit, my whole reasoning behind going shopping haha!

I finally ,in hmv, bought my copy of 1989 by Taylor swift which I freely admit has been on repeat since then. I also bought ed sheerans x which is such a beautiful album and one of my all time favourite books and movies, the fault in our stars on dvd! Which just this afternoon I watched and even though in the cinema I didn't cry, watching it today I shed a few tears at the eulogy scene. I won't say more incase someone sees this and they have yet to watch it, if that's the case what are you waiting for, go watch it!

I also stopped in new look and got a nice pair of velvet leggings to wear, a new purse and in river island I got a nice white cami top to go with it. I went in lush for the first time ever!! I bought 3 things, a shower gel called snow fairy, the comforter bubble bar slice and the dragons egg bath ball.  I can't wait to try them and I think I'll post a review of them up on here. I also bought a few bits and bobs in superdrugs including two new eyeliner pencils in white and brown and a new bottle of the Rimmel London 'wake me up' foundational I'm nearing empty on my current bottle of it.

For lunch we went in Pizza Hut, I love Pizza!, I had a half pepperoni/half margarita, it was lovely. As I had garlic bruchetta bread as well, which was really nice as well, I ended up taking half my pizza home to eat later. Which I did, haha.

So that was my shopping trip it was really nice as I hired an electric wheelchair from the centre mk shopping centre shop mobility, so it meant I wasn't as tired from walking. 

I also saw this trainee guide dog and its walker, I went up to them and the lady let me stroke the dog and I said that I was blind and hoping to get a dog for the blind. Who knows maybe that dog is destined to be mine? Either way the dog was lovely and surprisingly I found myself missing her/him, I can't remember, when I got home.

I must admit I was shattered when I got home and I'm still shattered now, reminding me why I don't go out much! Haha

Today I had a Camhs appointment, child and adolescent mental health service, as well as a blood test. My mum and I joked saying my gp( he wasn't doing the blood test by the way, it was a blood taking nurse) really wanted his bloods worth, he needed about 4 tubes full!

Then I went home and watched the fault in our stars! 

Before I forget when I got home I found my package had arrived, a custom phone case, which I ended up showing the nurse taking my blood, I don't think she realised it was me at first then my mum said it was me. 

I might do a post on how that photo came to be, I'm trying to keep it a secret until you see the photo, hopefully in the next week or so.

Thanks for reading if you have, that's epic.

Hope you enjoyed

P.s here are some photos....

My hmv spending spree- fun fact- if I could I'd spend all my money in hmv, it's a good job you can't buy online, I'd be broke!!! Haha

My velvet leggings from new look and my new purse also from new look

My new white cami from river island

Evidence of my lush splurge

My new phone case!!!

When life gives you disability

Hi, so this is aptly titled "When life gives you disability" so I guess from that you can work out that this post is about my disability/illness. Fun topic! haha

So I guess all my problems started when I was 12 months old and I was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour called a medullablastoma(I think that's how to spell it- lol) . apparently if I had been diagnosed earlier than when I had I wouldn't be here as the treatment I had my consultant had just been to a type of conference where it was mentioned. So luck was on my side I guess in that instance. I had chemo, I didn't have radiation. They perfomed surgery to remove it and also in the process removed a good deal of my cerebellum, so now I have poor balance. I also had whats called an omar reservoir stuck in for good measures, no I'm only joking it was put in my head as part of the treatment. that's what the treatment was they put the resovoire in your head and the chemo gets put in that so it goes directly to the source in a sense. I also have indentions from where I had lines put in- I'm not too sure what there called, and I think my mum still has the lines somewhere?! So I have been free of cancer for 15 years now, which is amazing. Especially as they stopped the type of treatment that I had because it was too toxic, I think, which it was when you weigh it up. but then I think any treatment for a brain tumour is going to be toxic because the brain is one of the most vital organs in our body. So if you put some poison inside the brain of course there will be some repercussion. I read somewhere someone wrote that they thought having a brain tumour/brain cancer is the worst type to have as it just destroys the person. Which in some sense I agree, I don't want to say one type of cancer is worse than the other but a brain tumour really does change the person causing irreparable damage.

my vision is also an issue, I have tunnel vision but only out of one eye at a time, which at times is a really crap thing to deal with because I cant go out anywhere without someone with me. But that's why me and my mum are so close we literally do everything together lol.

I also have hydrocephalus which I was diagnosed with at 9 - 10 years old. Hydrocephalus is a build up of fluid in the brain and for me caused me to have debilitating headaches from the pressure in my head, which I still have from time to time. To help manage the pressure from the fluid buildup, I had a shunt fitted, there's a valve in my head and then a tube connected that runs down to my stomach, so it drains into my stomach. you can even feel the tube in the side of my neck, haha. Although I vividly remember my doctor saying if this had been left undetected for much longer I could've died. Which is pretty scary but in a sense you just do what you have to do because I've lived like this for so long now I don't know any other way then to just plod along and deal with the setbacks.

So this past year I had some tests done on my brain to see whether it had any damage done to it that we don't know about, and we found out -
My memory is really horrific
I have the maths age of a 8 year old- seriously!
my processing is not good either
Amongst other things I cant really remember.
I mean those things are not that big of a surprise really for me as I've always known that my memory is terrible and my maths is - I don't think theres a word for that haha.
I also have ataxia which is poor balance and I walk with a wide gait which i'm not too sure why I do I just do
 In September 2013, I fractured my elbow and ripped the tricep off and now I am left with an elbow that doesn't straighten properly!
To top my lovely list of illnesses and disability off, my dad had a blood clot in his leg last year and he had tests run to see if he has any blood disorders. Turns out he did, so his doctor said to test his children, so I was tested (my brothers are still need to be tested) and turns out I have Factor V Leiden. its a disorder where you are more likely to develop a blood clot. Which is just great! When I found out me and mum joked lifes just trying to bump me off, lol.

I also have anxiety, massively so, not that you'd be able to tell because my therapist says I'm very good at hiding my true feelings and worries, lol.

 I also suffer from things like being very slow, and tired all the time which have no diagnosis or reason behind. 

So that's me, its a list! but after reading this I don't want people to feel sorry for me because that's not what I need, I just need to get on with life. I don't want to say I'm this happy person who is an inspiration, i'm not, far from it. its just you learn to adjust. sure there are days where you wish you had a different tumour or it never happened at all. theres a lot of those days. there are also days where you remember all the things you've experienced because of everything and the things that make me who I am today. I love those days. But in all honesty most of the time I don't think about it, because unless its mentioned, theres no need to. I just get on with it.
I dont feel like I'm one of those people who never complain though, I mean just ask my family! But coming from someone who couldn't walk or anything when I was ill and the first few years of my life to a 16 year old, who still with a lot of problems lol, is just taking one day at a time.

Thanks for reading- you deserve a medal for reading the epic saga that is my life, I tried to mention everything, My memory is not all it seems haha.
Na'night,