First published by Mix Diversity for Anti-Bullying Week November 2024: Sticks and Stones | Blog | Mix Diversity Sticks and Stones ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’, says the old adage, but another says, ‘the tongue wounds more than a lance’. Although I have no experience of beingContinue reading “Sticks and Stones”
Category Archives: Inclusion
Now I am officially Charlie
Ask me to speak at your event outside of the UK, because, hurrah, after the challenging process of changing my name officially to Charlie, my passport renewal application with my name change has finally been approved! If any of my UK friends want to change their name, this is the process I went through: 1)Continue reading “Now I am officially Charlie”
My kids and their baffling names
Some people are understandably baffled by my kids’ names, so I thought I would explain. Ethan (Iggy) was my eldest son, who died in April 2019 aged 15. Iggy had two younger sisters: Isabel (Izzy) and Jessica (Jess) plus a step-sibling 2 months younger than him (Maddie). When my ex-husband Martin and I decided toContinue reading “My kids and their baffling names”
Alexithymia, community, and ‘jelly buddies’
I had an absolute blast at the Professional Speaking Association summit over the weekend, but I need to get real for a moment. Sometimes things can happen that make me feel incredibly disabled, and incompetent, and this can have a devastating effect on me, but not immediately, it is a delayed emotional response. I haveContinue reading “Alexithymia, community, and ‘jelly buddies’”
Reflections on the PSA Speaking Business Summit
I am enjoying seeing all the posts about the PSA Speaking Business Summit. I’m still processing, and I’m knackered, but wow, it was such an amazing experience! I’ve made so many new friends, and cemented existing friendships. I’ve learned from world renowned speakers, and put into practice what I observe about engagement, impact and workingContinue reading “Reflections on the PSA Speaking Business Summit”
My pronouns: What and why?
It is International Pronouns Day so here is what my pronouns mean and why I share them. “She/they” (or I sometimes express this “she/her or they/them”) means that I am happy for you to refer to me using the traditional female pronouns (she/her) or standard gender-neutral alternatives (they/them/their). Although I do identify as a woman andContinue reading “My pronouns: What and why?”
National Coming Out Day 2024
I was sixteen when I first concluded that I was bi (thanks, Winona Ryder). I was open about this with my best friend, and my boyfriend at the time, but I was too embarrassed to discuss it with my family or wider social circle. However, the truth did come out during a sixth form residentialContinue reading “National Coming Out Day 2024”
7 facts about my Complex PTSD
This World Mental Health Day, here are 7 things I would like you to know about my PTSD and complex PTSD (cPTSD, C-PTSD). #WorldMentalHealthDay #PTSD #ComplexPTSD #CPTSD I mention both because I self-identified complex PTSD, but my official diagnosis just says PTSD. Complex PTSD is not recognised by the medical profession; it is not inContinue reading “7 facts about my Complex PTSD”
Neurodivergent or neurospicy?
‘Neurospicy’… This word is again a hot topic in the neurodiversity scene. Some people love it, some do not like it. And some don’t like the word ‘neurodivergent’. Here are my thoughts: ‘Neurodivergent’ is a deliberately vague and inclusive socio-political term that expresses in non-medicalised language that one’s mind works in some way differently fromContinue reading “Neurodivergent or neurospicy?”
Support Local Artists over AI Art
Rather than flooding social media with AI art, why not commission a local artist to create your images? Here, Piper Strange Arts captures one moment when I felt truly seen during my autism diagnostic appointment, and the moment I informed my employer. Yes, I texted the good news to my line manager, the HR SharedContinue reading “Support Local Artists over AI Art”
Ausome Charlie 