Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i Pick Me Up! Special

There should be a little sprinkle of magic in everyone’s lives and Rachelle (pg41) is literally making dreams come true with her job as a real life princess! Dani (pg64) and her adorable pup Barney know how to put a smile on people’s faces too. As always, we’re amazed by your stories of strength and this month, we revisit Vanessa’s story (pg16). She was so poorly, her sister had to visit her bedside on her wedding day, fearing Vanessa wouldn’t make it. Vanessa is now planning her own wedding. Little Ronnie (pg62) had a stroke at 19 months and faces a tough road ahead but he finds a way to show his mummy he’s still fighting. Giving up isn’t in Danielle’s vocabulary either (pg46). Whatever her daughter Teighan has to…

The tiny baby lay in his cot, silent as a mouse. ‘He won’t live to see his first birthday,’ the doctor said to another set of prospective foster parents for little Josh. ‘He’s not for us,’ they said, as the social worker led them out. Josh, now seven, had been born in the same hospital that I worked in, just a couple of weeks before, in March 2011. He was quickly diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy, a condition without a cure which affects muscle tone and which is life-limiting. His birth mother suffered with the adult version of the condition and was therefore incapable of looking after him. So he remained on the ward, as social workers tried to find him a home. I’d become a nurse in 1982 and…

1 Personalise Make all the celebrations personal to your mum – don't buy anything generic from the shops. Put some thought in to it and do something you know she will enjoy. 2 Homemade cards Cards made by you are always meaningful. They give a personal touch and show off who you are as a person, a person that your mother loves. 3 Give her a day off Mums spend so much time looking after us, so giving them one day where we do the work is the least we can do. Make her breakfast, clean the house – whatever it is, let her put her feet up. 4 Decorate the house Make the house look like you’re celebrating what your mum does for you. Just simple photos or balloons…

Throwing yet another dress on the changing room floor, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. It was February 2016, and as always, trying on clothes had turned out to be an emotional experience. Staring at my flabby tummy in the mirror, I was filled with sadness. I hated the way I looked. At 14st 6lb, there was no way I could fit into the slinky dresses and tops that I liked. Ever since I was a teenager, I’d struggled with my weight. I’d tried fad diets, but nothing seemed to work. And while I did include vegetables in my diet, my portion sizes were massive, and I was stuck in a vicious cycle of comfort eating. As an occupational therapist, I didn’t get much exercise. And while I…

I could feel Bella’s hand dropping, but then she started gripping my finger. Around 20 minutes later, we were stunned when Bella’s levels started increasing. All of a sudden, she kicked her legs and let out a scream. Her breathing got stronger. It was a miracle. Just 10 minutes later, Bella’s oxygen levels reached 100 per cent. ‘We think she’s going to be alright,’ a doctor said an hour later. Still heavily sedated, Bella couldn’t open her eyes, and we were warned she might be blind. After running more tests, we were told Bella was definitely suffering from Biotinidase deficiency. So rare, it affects just one in every 60,000 births. Sufferers of the condition do not produce enough biotin – a vitamin which is essential for healthy cell growth. The…

Refresh your home Spring cleaning is good for your home, and your soul! It doubles as exercise, which releases feel-good endorphins and a tidy home is great for your mental health. So, slap on those rubber gloves and get to it! SHIFT AND SORT If you're bored of the way your home looks, this is a great chance to move around some furniture, or switch ornaments into different rooms. It won't cost you a penny but you'll feel like you've had a mini makeover. While you tidy, it's a perfect time to get rid of anything that you don't use or need. Charity shops will be very grateful for your donations as you de-clutter. DON'T FORGET! We all clean, but what about the places we over look? Rather than just…

Shall I ask him to stop? My husband is obsessed with porn. He watches it online after I’ve gone to bed and I’ve seen graphic photos on his phone. He says it’s harmless, but it makes me feel inadequate. Should I ask him to stop? Charlotte, Portsmouth YES  Pick Me Up! reader Tina from Edinburgh says: If your husband is doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable, then you have every right to ask him to stop. He may say that it’s harmless, but really, all those images are forming unrealistic fantasies in his mind, which could have a real negative impact on your sex life. He has no right to make you feel inadequate. NO  Pick Me Up! reader Emma from Hartlepool says: If your husband says it’s harmless,…

The UK's first free national plastic contact lens recycling system has been launched, thanks to Boots Opticians. Research has showed that a fifth of contact lens wearers dispose of their lenses by flushing them down the toilet or washing them away in the sink. Now, wearers of any brand of soft lens will have the option of either collection or dropping off their used items and packaging in over 1,000 recycling bins across Boots stores. The recycled lenses and their packaging will be turned into new products, such as outdoor furniture, in a bid to reduce plastic waste in landfills and waterways.…

As soon as my baby son Hugh was fast asleep, I flicked on the kettle, opened the kitchen cupboard and thought, right, it’s me time. I made a cuppa, then sat down and tucked into a packet of Bourbon biscuits. I loved all biscuits, but Bourbons had always been my favourites. I could usually demolish half a packet in one sitting. And every time Hugh went down for a nap, I found myself snacking on them in the kitchen. Of course I knew it was bad for me, but I just couldn’t stop. Ever since I was a teenager, I’d been overweight, and people knew me as Big C. My partner Rob wasn’t bothered about it, but I hated being the size I was. After we’d been together for 18…

An adorable calf saved from slaughter has become best friends – with a dog. Calvin the cow and Lincoln, an Australian shepherd, have been completely inseparable since the moment they met at the Black Goat Farm and Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada. Calvin escaped death Calvin was born at a nearby dairy farm, but was due to be slaughtered. Cows on dairy farms must keep giving birth in order to continue producing milk, so the calves are usually removed from their mothers and shipped off to be killed for the meat trade. Lucky for Calvin, he was rescued by the sanctuary, where he was able to see the sky and run around freely for the first time. ‘At the dairy farm, Calvin lived in a concrete pen, he never got to…

Aries Aries are known for their hot-blooded nature. Being that they are the ‘firstborn' of the zodiac, they often have a competitive desire to be the best and and serve as the spark of inspiration for all the other astrological signs. ‘Aries love to be surrounded with bright colours. It boosts their passionate side,' Lisa says, ‘A bright accent wall can help temper their red-hot attitude. Also, a pop of colour in the kitchen will help calm their fiery energy.' Lisa adds that Aries like to show off a little: ‘Bookshelves, filled with obsessions, will serve to heighten their feverish minds, and give them talking points.' Taurus Ruled by tender Venus, Tauruses are the most artistic and sensual of the zodiac. The hardworking bull lives life by the five senses:…

In this recipe by celebrity health and wellbeing advocate Melanie Sykes, your traditional avocado on toast has been flipped onits head to put your toast on your avocado! These Avocado Chips are adelicious, healthy snack and so easy to make. Best served fresh out the oven. • 2 avocados (ripe but still firm), halved, stoned and peeled • 50g ground almonds • 235ml milk of choice • 50g breadcrumbs (blast in a food processor) • 10gparsley • 10gcoriander • 1 tbspblanched almonds • 2slicesof Burgen Soya & Linseed bread • Black pepper • Parsley and non-fat yogurt for dressing 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Cut the avocado into fry shape slices. Combine the pepper, and almond flour together, and dredge the avocado in it. 3. Dip the avocado slices…

As blokes go, my fella Mark was pretty rugged. When he wasn’t working as a lorry driver, he loved being outdoors, walking through forests, trundling through mud, or chopping up logs for our fireplace. ‘Nice muscles,’ I’d tease, giving his biceps a squeeze. And he was never, ever ill. ‘I’ve not been to the doctor since I was three years old,’ he’d say proudly. But if he was tough on the outside, he was a proper softy at heart. A loving, generous guy, he was everything I’d ever wanted in a man. Mark was freezing cold and turning grey We’d been together since June 2012, shared a home, and loved our nights in and holidays abroad. But foreign sunshine seemed to be a very long way off one Sunday evening…

Standing in the kitchen at work, I was happily munching on a custard cream when a colleague let out a high-pitched squeal. ‘How exciting, you’re pregnant!’ she gasped. ‘When are you due?’ Exciting? Yes, if it’d been true. But the only ‘baby’ I was carrying was a tummy full of sugary treats! But she wasn’t the first person to ask. Over the last year, a few people had made the same mistake. Eating numbed my pain Everything had changed when I’d swapped my job at a bingo hall – where I spent all day on my feet – to a desk job. Every day, people would bring in snacks, and I couldn’t resist! Having two croissants before lunch, then a supermarket meal deal – triple sandwich, massive packet of crisps…

Planning ahead Planning a big getaway this year? This year’s bank holidays could work in your favour. Travel experts at Skyscanner.net  have worked out that if you book 15 to 18 April and 23 to 26 April off, you’ll get a 16-day break by using only eight days of your annual leave, as it spans six weekend days as well as Good Friday and Easter Monday. For bank holiday Mondays, the best strategy is to ask for the rest of the week off. Thanks to the bank holiday 6 May, by taking 7 to 10 May off, you’ll get nine days off for the price of four. Lounge around Thought the world's best airline lounges were only for celebs? Think again! You can now bag yourself…

Every week in the UK, 142 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. To commemorate Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, put your knowledge of this disease to the test. 1 Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is important. 2 Most people who develop ovarian cancer have a family history. 3 Most women with ovarian cancer have symptoms months before the diagnosis. 4 Birth control pills reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. 5 Having my ovaries removed eliminates my risk of getting ovarian cancer. 1. TRUE Most women are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread, which makes treatment more challenging. The current five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 46 percent. If diagnosed at the earliest stage, up to 90 percent of women would survive for five years or more. 2.…

REFRESH YOUR LOOK 1. NIVEAQ10 POWER Anti-Wrinkle+Firming range, £10.99 each, Boots Nivea have produced their most powerful anti-ageing range yet. With a combination of two repairing ingredients, Q10 and Creatine, the range is clinically proven to have skin looking firmer in two weeks and reduce the visible appearance of wrinkles in four weeks. There’s a day cream with SPF and an intensive night cream. 2. B. Liquid lipstick in Ravenous, £6.99, & B. Matte lipstick in Mulberry Smooch, £6.99, Superdrug A dark berry lip is a popular look this year. This liquid lipstick is velvety and smooth, giving you a bold colour with no stickiness, while this matte lipstick is packed with shea butter for a luxurious and hydrating feel. The key to success with dark colours is to make…

Staring at my computer, my heart skipped a beat. With his silky dark hair, big brown eyes and the cheekiest grin, it was love at first sight. ‘His floppy ears! His wrinkly paws!’ I squealed to my mum Rachel, 47. Barney, an adorable eight-week old dachshund, stole my heart in an instant. It was November 2016, and I wasted no time in going to see the breeder and bringing him home. ‘What’s Rick going to say?’ asked Mum that afternoon, as we watched little Barney sniff his way around the living room. I had made a pact with my boyfriend Rick, 31, that when we got a dog, he’d be the one to choose it. I knew he wasn’t a fan of small dogs, either, and had actually wanted a…

As I poked my head around the living room door, I spotted a little figure picking up a toy banana and box of cereal and popping them into her shopping bags. I couldn’t help but smile at my little girl, Bella, 14 months, as she tottered around playing shops. Her older brother, Bobby, five, was trying to watch cartoons, but she’d roped him into her game. My heart melted. Although they had their moments, Bobby and Bella were the best of friends. He was so patient with his little sister, but it was clear from the outset, Bella ruled the roost. ‘Come on you two,’ I called from the front door. ‘Time for school and Nanny’s while Mummy goes to work.’ I bundled Bella into her car seat and strapped…

Stirring pots and pans on the hob last January, I felt someone behind me. ‘Smells good, Mum!’ my son Jonathan, then 12, said hungrily. He was supposed to be helping me make a pasta, but instead, he just wanted to taste everything. He hovered about when I turned on the oven to cook some chicken to go with hit. ‘Haven’t you got some homework to do?’ I teased. ‘I’m hungry!’ he cried. As I laughed, with my back turned to the cooker, a horrible smell suddenly filled my nostrils. Smoke! Turning back to the hob, I thought some water from the pasta must have bubbled on to one of the rings. But instead of its usual stainless steel finish, it was bright orange and the back of the cooker was…

All mums know the price of having kids is having to watch princess films over and over again. I must’ve seen Disney’s Frozen a million times. Only, in my house, it’s not the kids begging for it again – it’s me! For, as well as being a single mum to Laila, 11, Emily and Sophia, seven, and Jack, five, I’m a real life princess! I got my first taste of being Disney royalty three years ago. A friend was short-staffed at a kids’ birthday party. She called up, wanting me to dress up as Elsa from Frozen. ‘You’re kidding!’ I said, gobsmacked. I was no actor – I was just a mum from Geordieland! But after much pleading, I finally gave in. She needed my help, after all. But as…

Clinical director Tim Allardyce, physiotherapist and osteopath at Surrey Physio ( surreyphysio.co.uk ) answers your questions. Keeping moving QI’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 43 and I’m terrified about becoming immobile. Jenny, Liverpool A One of the best things you can do for rheumatoid arthritis is exercise. Start with gentle swimming for twenty minutes, two to three times per week. This will help to mobilise any stiff joints without putting your body through too much impact. Walking daily is also Such a pain Q At work, I’m standing for most of the day and I get pain in my lower back. What can I do to help? Kate, London A Back pain is incredibly common, now affecting around 30%…

The rush of love was overwhelming. It was 8 September 2017, and I’d just given birth to my beautiful daughter Teighan. As our adorable little baby was gently placed on my chest, I couldn’t help gushing. ‘She’s so beautiful,’ I cooed to my husband Scott, 40. Teighan would be the perfect addition to our family. Scott and I already had Alfie, seven, and I was also mum to Rhiannan, 12, and Tiffanie, nine, from a previous relationship. All of the children were so excited about meeting their baby sister. She’d arrived happy and healthy, weighing 9lb 8oz, but then jaundice set in after a few days. Doctors reassured us that it would soon pass, and they were right – within two weeks the jaundice had almost completely gone. But it…

Zahra was a fighter who had survived cancer With her sunny disposition and zest for life, no one would have guessed the hardship Zahra Baker been through in the eight years since she was born. Perhaps, as the freckled school girl chased after her friends, you might have noticed her slight limp, but Zahra never let it slow her down. Australian born Zahra was a survivor, being raised by her dad, Adam, and his parents in Giru, Queensland. Her mum had suffered from depression after she was born and hadn’t been a part of Zahra’s life since she was just a few months old. When Zahra was five years old, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. Tumours were also found in her lungs. While she undertook gruelling treatment, doctors were…

At Supercuts, you can walk into any of their 120+ UK salons, without the need for an appointment, and get a great style without the high-end price. Kieron Fowles, Supercuts Creative Director, ( www.supercuts.co.uk ) answers your hair-related dilemmas. Q My hair is long but so fine. What cut can I ask for that will make it look fuller? Kitty, Birmingham AA lot of hairdressers wouldn't recommend layering your hair all over - that just removes too much length and weight from your hair. My advice would be to add some subtle but soft face framing shape, accentuating your cheekbones. If you do want layers, it must be disconnected so you keep fullness through the mid-length and perimeter. Q I’m desperate to grow my hair out, and avoiding…