I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a good rest at the festive season. It's a time to reflect on the past year and to consider the future. 2023 was another blast, with mostly highs and a couple of lows for the Connells, as for most folks. I'm so happy my family is healthy and well. I had some wonderful experiences in 2023, plus the joy of meeting old friends and making new connections. I love talking to the younger folks in our vet world, especially when they're looking for a bit of support. There's also a lot of folk,vets, and RVNs out there working hard and looking out for others in what is a great community.
My MS took a slight dip down, thanks to another Covid bout, but I can't complain. I still regard myself as being very lucky.
I've taken on a few veterinary activities for next year, health permitting, that are exciting, and some that scare me a little. Over the last few years,I've done some work that scared me a touch at the time.
These things are important, and leaning into any fear felt makes life worthwhile. MS, with its kaleidoscope of symptoms, pesky pain, and neuropathy nonsense, is frustrating and is a constant bloody nuisance. However, by concentrating daily on the various challenges to get new projects done, weirdly, I forget to fret about the overall fact that I actually suffer from multiple sclerosis. Things could be so much worse. In the following couple of months which makes up the fag end of winter, it's important to plan good and productive things which help to deflect deeply feeling any blues.
I'm looking forward to resuming some engagement with school pupils next year regarding veterinary and nursing careers. Also continuing with support of awareness of diversity and disability in the workplace, especially with regard to RCVS Fellowship work.
Also, my new powerchair should be in action soon!
So, let's raise a glass to 2024 to hope and strive for better things for ourselves, our families, and others. Here's to health, happiness, and a productive year.
"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well"
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
#MS #multiplesclerosis #veterinary #RVN #RCVSFellowship #disabilityawareness