‘It is important to be honest’ Award nomination for mum’s blog that helps her deal with chronic health problems, by Liz Day, 12 August 2015
Rhian Gregory, 29, from Cardiff, who was left in a wheelchair following a devastating fall as a student, shares her experiences on her blog
Disabled mum Rhian Gregory, who calls herself ‘mum on wheels, is up for best newcomer at a blog award ceremony in London
A disabled mum-of-two who writes to help her deal with chronic health problems has been nominated as ‘best newcomer’ in a competition for bloggers.
Rhian Gregory, 29, from Cardiff, who calls herself ‘mum on wheels’, started keeping a diary as a teenager and said blogging was a natural progression.
“Since my health deteriorated, the internet became a support network for me, especially when I’m stuck in hospital or at home,” she said.
“The blog started out like a diary, where I would share my feelings and what I had been doing.
“Then when I become pregnant with my first child, I thought I would share parts of my journey with others, but it’s also something for me to keep and look back on.”
As a student, Rhian suffered a devastating 40ft fall from a building in Treforest in 2007, which resulted in a spinal fracture and damage to her spinal cord.
She was also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome following a spinal operation, which left her with MRSA and septicaemia.
She said: “Unfortunately, I have multiple health problems that cause many debilitating symptoms, but my blog is a personal, creative space where I can release my emotions and thoughts.
“I don’t like to dwell on it or talk about them that much, I just try to live the best I am able to.”
She added: “I feel it is important to be honest. Some topics are hidden away in society and people are too scared to talk about them.”
Ceremony in October
Rhian, who feared she may never be able to have children following her accident, suffered a miscarriage, which she said made her feel lonely and isolated.
“I didn’t know it was a common thing to happen,” she explained. “When I wrote about it on my blog, people I’d never met before opened up and said they had gone through the same thing.”
She is now proud mum to four-year-old Cody and two-year-old Cerys, who will be rooting for her, along with their dad Christopher Cummings.
Rhian has been nominated in the best newcomer category for the Amara Blog Awards. The ceremony will be held in London in October.
She said: “I really wasn’t expecting to be nominated – it was a fantastic surprise. I’ve never been nominated for an award before.”
To vote for Rhian, visit Interior blog awards and read her blog
Mum of two opens up on joys of parenthood six years after devastating fall, by Liz Day, 7 July 2013 in Walesonline
