They call me Lara Croft

They call me Lara Croft A disabled neurosparkly crocheter trying to make extra pennies.

A few finishing touches to potentially be made, but I am just blown away by this piece for P’s Art A-Level. P chose to e...
08/09/2025

A few finishing touches to potentially be made, but I am just blown away by this piece for P’s Art A-Level.

P chose to explore ancestry- this is a painting of my Grandad, Leslie. Leslie died when P was 9 months old, but he adored her greatly. I think anyone that knew him, would recognise him instantly in this.

There is such a deep aching inside right now - the first wish I had was to show this to Patsy. She would have been so SO immensely proud of P. I can see and hear her now. And actually, so can P - P knows how proud she’d have been.

We are so incredibly grateful to have had Patsy as such a positive, loving, proud as punch (great) grandma in my kids’ lives. I am also so grateful that Leslie got to meet P and they share some kind of connection.

“If I didn’t know better, I think you were talking to me now,
If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were still around”

It might not look like a lot, but this is me, trying to choose a better life, despite all the hurdles, and despite the c...
09/04/2025

It might not look like a lot, but this is me, trying to choose a better life, despite all the hurdles, and despite the crippling anxiety.

It was my first time back at swimming since my hip landed me in A&E. No one really talks about the anxiety of whether your next gym/swim/sleep(!) might leave you in hospital when you’ve got a disability like hEDS. Never knowing if you’ve pushed too far, because the resulting injury (normally subluxation/dislocation) often occurs hours or days after the “pushing” - never knowing if it was the exertion that caused it or just bad luck? It’s so suffocating that it can paralyse me from trying again.

Almost as if my body knew my anxiety had reached top draw last night, my hip also started niggling. 🙄 But I decided I had to go, otherwise I may never be able to climb the hurdle of returning.

I switched it up more. I used a float so I didn’t always use my legs. And I swam at my lower limits. It still hurts like a bitch in my hip area, I just need to trust that this time it won’t tip me over the edge.

I forgot to tape my knee, so I had a couple of knee pops—because what would a swim be without at least one subluxation, right?! 😅😅

But I did it. I survived. I swam. I’ve eaten really well. My mind feels less overwhelmed. Now to talk to the universe really nicely to make sure all joints stay where they’re supposed to for the next few days!!! 🪐🌕🌍✨

It’s International Wheelchair Day today - boy the last year has flown by. A year ago, I’d had my wheelchair for less tha...
01/03/2025

It’s International Wheelchair Day today - boy the last year has flown by.

A year ago, I’d had my wheelchair for less than a month, it was still new. But already changing my life for the better.

Today, I had an unfortunate trip to A&E (which would have been impossible without my wheelchair), and the triage nurse asked if I was always “wheelchair bound” - and it’s a phrase I’ve grown to hate. I think we need to promote change around the way we view mobility aids and how we describe them.

Take these photos of me at a silent disco - do I look bound or trapped in these photos? No, I was living my best life. My best life that did not require weeks of recovery time afterwards! I got to dance with both my arms for the first time in years, because I am normally holding my walking stick.

My wheelchair was my solution to freedom, independence and a good quality of life - it brings me joy, it means I can join in with my friends and family in a far more involved way than before.

So, if ever you find yourself needing to describe one of us wheelies, think about using phrases like “wheelchair user” instead. 🫶🏻

And that is the end of my mini Ted talk. You’re welcome. 💙

Photo 1: So today has been fun. 110bpm upwards just resting on the sofa. 🤦🏻‍♀️Photo 2: Said high heart rate forced my ha...
05/02/2025

Photo 1: So today has been fun. 110bpm upwards just resting on the sofa. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Photo 2: Said high heart rate forced my hand in taking my wheelchair swimming. I did it. It was SO much better.

Photo 3: Managed 150m more than last week. Felt much calmer upon getting out.

Photo 4: Really this is connected with photo 1. Significant school issues with both kids. Can’t think of anything else that could have caused this mega IST/dysautonomia flare up. But I can tell you that it absolutely fu***ng sucks. All I’ve felt all day is THUMP THUMP THUMP, dizzy & presyncope on standing. I hope to God tomorrow isn’t the same. Not felt this bad in so so long.

I went swimming today for the first time in about 18 months. I stopped going when I started having increased bad falls a...
29/01/2025

I went swimming today for the first time in about 18 months. I stopped going when I started having increased bad falls and my health declining rapidly. I lost all confidence that I could visit the pool safely. But I missed it so much. So last year I self referred to Sport For Confidence - I finally got to the top of the list.

The session has occupational therapists and sport coaches there to help you, and work out the safest ways to get into the pool etc. This week I used my walking stick and a moving platform to get in and out. But… my knees 😖 especially when I was getting out. So I am going to try and be brave and use my wheelchair next week - I cannot tell you how much it helps to have others there that do so.

700m is not bad for my first time back. I feel pretty ouchy. But to be back in the water felt like it was exactly what I was missing right now. And although I am still fighting for more care hours (4 years and counting) - some social workers came last week who seemed horrified in how I’ve been let down by CMHT (who previously were in charge of my package). So I am hopeful I will be able to go more often soon, with help. And it may not improve my joints now, it’s been too long in this burnt out crisis state… but it may help to stop them from getting worse.

For the first time in ages it feels like there is a glimmer of hope that I may get some quality of life back again. But having been SO let down by the people that are supposed to protect the vulnerable, I am not holding my breath yet. In the meantime though, I will absolutely grab these weekly supported sessions whilst I can. 🙏🏻

The little things that keep us going through the “Onyx Storms.” 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
22/01/2025

The little things that keep us going through the “Onyx Storms.” 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Taking this opportunity to say Happy Christmas to you all. And also to apologise to anyone that hasn’t heard from me muc...
24/12/2024

Taking this opportunity to say Happy Christmas to you all.
And also to apologise to anyone that hasn’t heard from me much over the past few months. It has been a year of adjustment, and for the past two months I’ve had major subluxation after major subluxation, and as such, I’ve become insular and just trying to survive each day. I have been trying to increase distraction activities to help cope, the main one being drawing on my iPad. This is of course our doggy ice skating. 🥰

Anyhow, love to you all, I hope Christmas brings much happiness, and even if things feel dark, I hope you are able to focus on the glimmers. I’ve had to seek gratitude far more than ever this year, and although it doesn’t make things suck less, it does help to hang on another day at a time 💙💙💙

October 2024 dump. 🫶🏻
01/11/2024

October 2024 dump. 🫶🏻

So much going on in the Croft household that my insta has been neglected somewhat 😅 but I’ve been busy… I’ve been trying...
01/11/2024

So much going on in the Croft household that my insta has been neglected somewhat 😅 but I’ve been busy… I’ve been trying to plough my creative energy into new pursuits because crochet is still hurting a lot (which is in turn hurting my heart).

I have been creating some digital art! The inspiration behind this was our very loved and actually just started out as me drawing them to help process losing Nugget.

I’m starting to upload designs onto Etsy in the form of greeting cards. Now, who knows if anyone will buy them - but it feels like a small gamble to make. Please share with any loving friends! The account I will be using for my art products is - feel free to give it a follow!

I’m fairly sure that not all designs will feature Guinea pigs, but it’s so important that they remain the heart and soul, hence being named after Nugget and Tia.

How is everyone else getting on? Can’t believe it’s November already 😳

Image description: In this festive image, a person holds up a Christmas card in front of a beautifully decorated tree with twinkling lights and red ornaments. The card features an illustration of a guinea pig wrapped in a cozy pink scarf, with the playful text, “Deck the Halls with Pigs in Blankets” in bold, festive letters at the top. Snowflakes, ornaments, and holiday treats are scattered in the background, adding a fun, seasonal touch to the design. The card radiates warmth and holiday cheer, making it perfect for guinea pig fans and pet lovers alike.




















It’s a kind of a day x
22/10/2024

It’s a kind of a day x

I lit my candles at 7pm this evening, having not done so for days. It’s like my brain just knew it was time, that there ...
15/10/2024

I lit my candles at 7pm this evening, having not done so for days. It’s like my brain just knew it was time, that there was a reason. I only realised it was afterwards.

And so, as I always do at this time of year, I will remember those dear beloved babes that live on in our memories, and say their names. Kamden. Alfie. Jesse. Rachel. You were and still are loved. Always. 💙

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