OXYGEN & A CUTE FARM EXPERIENCE
..in my endeavours to find something to assist me in my battle with an incurable disease I find myself emulating Matt Damon in the Martian. Who knew Oxygen Therapy was a thing! There I am with 9 other people all sitting with plastic hoods which are secured to a rubber neck collar fitted to pipes. I’m inside what can only be described as an enormous oil drum, as a voice comes over the tannoy to advise our dive is about to begin, my journey to the centre of the earth has begun, more about that later..
I haven’t written for a while as I’ve been in what I call a bit of a ‘funk’. You know the phrase ‘its ok to not be ok’, I really do not like that term I mean when is it ok to not be ok? It isn’t ok, it really isn’t. As someone who refuses to be beaten but also must admit to being human, I just know I can’t afford to feel sorry for myself ever! And then a little miracle crept up on me..
A date has been in and out of mine and Jeanne Lally’s diary for the last couple of years. Finally, the day had arrived to visit a certain Farmer (and I don’t mean Clarkson) we have both known for decades. Pictures of miniature donkey foals started to arrive on our little What’s Ap Group building the anticipation.
Jeanne and I struggled to find the entrance to our cute farm experience, so we were told to wait and then as if it was a scene from Mad Max, a quad bike entered our field of vision and of course it was our knight in shining armour, in other words it was none other than the real MM in shorts and a tee. We weaved our way down the valley to the barn and as I transitioned to my power chair I was told I could use the dog’s lift to get upstairs. At this point I’m thinking of a small box pulled up by rope, panicking how an earth a human was going to fit, I needn’t have worried it was a proper platform lift, just so happened one of the dogs doesn’t like stairs! Great for me! After introductions and hugs with Miles and Lisa we set about on our journey around the farm.
I’m not sure how best to describe the vehicle I then found myself in; I do know it was called Wolverine x 4. So, think supped up beach buggy in bright blue and off we go to explore. Imagine the scene, beautiful hilly Welsh/English countryside, bright greens and a most vibrant blue sky. Bouncing around the farm I felt free like I was floating with a smile which did not leave my face all day.
Visiting the ‘maternity field’ for Alpacas we saw two Cria being born, both boys, simply marvellous. The Alpaca when in labour would find a place of solitude, lift their tail and then before you really notice a head would appear followed by front hooves and then plop. Within what seemed a nano second the Cria would be up on its feet, looking as wobbly as Bambi.
Our next stop was to see other Alpaca mothers with older Cria, there was also a Llama named Lady Sophia. Miles and Jeanne took a walk into the field whilst I just sat in awe of my surroundings. The pièce de resistance were the miniature donkeys and their foals. Just wow, Miles even picked one up so I could pet the foal from the buggy. I just can not put into words eloquently how I felt, I was so happy to be in a stunning place, with incredible life arriving with some of my favourite humans.
We finished our adventure over a pub lunch, well late lunch really – I mean when am I on time for anything. The important takeaway for me was that I didn’t feel disabled, I wasn’t made to feel inferior in any way just because my legs don’t work, I was just me. Jeanne, Miles and Lisa gave me one of the best days ever and I will never forget it. Please note we have invited ourselves back and we will be going back.
I started this article by talking about Oxygen Therapy and being in a funk. I had three sessions of pretending I was on the Hunt for Red October and just found the episodes so tiring, who knew! I’ve decided to pause my ventures into the unknown as no one could tell me how it helped them, the only feedback I got from other MS’ers was they noticed when they didn’t go. Thing is its human nature to chase every single opportunity to make things better but sometimes what you need is right in front of you.
Jeanne and I called it our Miracle Farm and it really was, my funk has gone, my zest for life is back and I was shown what is possible. Ill end this piece by saying a big thank you to Jeanne for being my companion/chauffeur and to Miles & Lisa for sharing with us their home for the day. As Arnie would say ‘Ill be back’.
p.s. the picture is the real Lady Sophia x
