I had a fabulous weekend the other week.
I went to London with my good friend Liz and we laughed and drank and relaxed and saw the Harry Potter Studios! Harry Potter was such a big part of my life growing up. I started to read the books fairly late at 18, just when I'd been diagnosed. I found the whole Harry Potter universe a fantastic distraction from all the shit that was going on, and it really got me through it. So it's very close to my heart.
Going to the studios was a really big deal for me but I wasn't without anxiety (something of a daily occurrence now it seems).
Firstly the thought of driving to London made me anxious. As it turned out it was absolutely fine (despite the biblical rain on the way) and I realised that driving on one motorway (it was the M25 particularly that gave me the willies) was the same as driving on any other motorway.
I got there and we chilled out in the hotel spa for the rest of the day, had a lovely massage followed by a lovely dinner and many cocktails (pornstar martini - my new absolute favourite!).
Woke up bright and early on the Sunday, and headed over to the Warner Brothers studios. And what a day! If you are a Harry Potter fan, I heartily recommend it.
I took my mobility scooter which turned out was a good thing because I wouldn't have been able to get round the thing without it. I would have struggled to walk up the first concourse, which was like a flipping airport! It was perfectly accessible for wheelchairs and the scooter, and apart from a very bumpy Diagon Alley I found it a breeze. Sure there were moments when it wasn't great being on a scooter (mainly people standing in front of me so I couldn't see the displays) but overall I felt comfortable and not too self conscious.
I found it so interesting seeing all of the behind the scenes stuff, though it kind of made me sad that I never pursued my dream to do something behind the scenes in film and television. I think I would have liked to do special effects makeup. I was often messing around with it in my room when I was younger, and seeing it all at the studios was fascinating. Liz said it's never too late, but I feel like I've missed the boat big time with it. If I did train up, it's such a competitive field, it's not flexible, I've been out of work for 8 years, and I'm disabled! Kind of think the cards are stacked against me!
Hey ho though. I was still good to go, and thanks to my dear friend Liz it was a great experience from start to finish.
I got there and we chilled out in the hotel spa for the rest of the day, had a lovely massage followed by a lovely dinner and many cocktails (pornstar martini - my new absolute favourite!).
Woke up bright and early on the Sunday, and headed over to the Warner Brothers studios. And what a day! If you are a Harry Potter fan, I heartily recommend it.
I took my mobility scooter which turned out was a good thing because I wouldn't have been able to get round the thing without it. I would have struggled to walk up the first concourse, which was like a flipping airport! It was perfectly accessible for wheelchairs and the scooter, and apart from a very bumpy Diagon Alley I found it a breeze. Sure there were moments when it wasn't great being on a scooter (mainly people standing in front of me so I couldn't see the displays) but overall I felt comfortable and not too self conscious.
I found it so interesting seeing all of the behind the scenes stuff, though it kind of made me sad that I never pursued my dream to do something behind the scenes in film and television. I think I would have liked to do special effects makeup. I was often messing around with it in my room when I was younger, and seeing it all at the studios was fascinating. Liz said it's never too late, but I feel like I've missed the boat big time with it. If I did train up, it's such a competitive field, it's not flexible, I've been out of work for 8 years, and I'm disabled! Kind of think the cards are stacked against me!
Hey ho though. I was still good to go, and thanks to my dear friend Liz it was a great experience from start to finish.
In front of Dumbledore's office
Diagon Alley with Liz
I needed a few pics out of the scooter and I found a wand :D
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