Pick Me Up! Special November 2020

This year, many of us have learnt the power of our own strength. Whether it’s been mental or physical, we’ve given it our all through these challenging times. Tennis player and veteran Cornelia (pg62) knows all about inner strength. After being diagnosed with CRPS, she made the decision to have a leg amputation, and is now setting her sights on the Tokyo Paralympics next year. And she’s not our only inspiration. Suffering from depression since 2008, Karen (pg42) didn’t know where to turn. However, after being attacked at work, she decided to get help. Seeing a counsellor, Karen finally admitted that something wasn’t right and found crafting as her escape. Today, she overcomes her demons with paint brushes and stencils, and we couldn’t be happier for her. Talking of happy…

This year, many of us have learnt the power of our own strength. Whether it’s been mental or physical, we’ve given it our all through these challenging times. Tennis player and veteran Cornelia (pg62) knows all about inner strength. After being diagnosed with CRPS, she made the decision to have a leg amputation, and is now setting her sights on the Tokyo Paralympics next year. And she’s not our only inspiration. Suffering from depression since 2008, Karen (pg42) didn’t know where to turn. However, after being attacked at work, she decided to get help. Seeing a counsellor, Karen finally admitted that something wasn’t right and found crafting as her escape. Today, she overcomes her demons with paint brushes and stencils, and we couldn’t be happier for her. Talking of happy news. We all enjoy…

Flicking through wedding magazines, I turned to my my fiancé, Owen*. ‘What about Greece?’ I suggested to him. We were planning our big day and trying to decide on a location. I had been to Stalis, Crete, with my family every year from the age of 12 and loved everything about it. The crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and charming little villages – it felt like a home away from home. Since Owen and I had been together we’d also been to the same spot on holiday. ‘Let’s go for it,’ he smiled. I contacted a wedding planner in Greece and set about finding the perfect venue on the island. We settled on a romantic beach ceremony followed by a reception for our 17 nearest and dearest at the taverna where we usually went for dinner…

Flicking through wedding magazines, I turned to my my fiancé, Owen*. ‘What about Greece?’ I suggested to him. We were planning our big day and trying to decide on a location. I had been to Stalis, Crete, with my family every year from the age of 12 and loved everything about it. The crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and charming little villages – it felt like a home away from home. Since Owen and I had been together we’d also been to the same spot on holiday. ‘Let’s go for it,’ he smiled. I contacted a wedding planner in Greece and set about finding the perfect venue on the island. We settled on a romantic beach ceremony followed by a reception for our 17 nearest and dearest at the…

As the familiar theme tune played on the telly, I settled on the sofa with a cup of tea. ‘Shall we see how clever we are then?’ I said to my mum Sue, 54. ‘You know I’m smarter than you,’ she joked. It was May last year, and Mum and I were sat watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire? together. Playing along as Jeremy Clarkson read out the questions, we’d become quite competitive. ‘Which continent is Ghana located in?’ Jeremy asked, as the poor contestant sat sweating in his chair. ‘That’s easy, Africa!’ Mum cried smugly. But squinting at the telly, I struggled to see the answers. I had a 50% chance of survival ‘What does that say?’ I asked, straining my eyes. ‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic,’ Mum laughed. ‘You’re just making excuses because you don’t know…

As the familiar theme tune played on the telly, I settled on the sofa with a cup of tea. ‘Shall we see how clever we are then?’ I said to my mum Sue, 54. ‘You know I’m smarter than you,’ she joked. It was May last year, and Mum and I were sat watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire? together. Playing along as Jeremy Clarkson read out the questions, we’d become quite competitive. ‘Which continent is Ghana located in?’ Jeremy asked, as the poor contestant sat sweating in his chair. ‘That’s easy, Africa!’ Mum cried smugly. But squinting at the telly, I struggled to see the answers. I had a 50% chance of survival ‘What does that say?’ I asked, straining my eyes. ‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic,’ Mum…