Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i Pick Me Up! Special

We all have someone that we look up to for inspiration. Lola (pg26), was ravaged by anorexia, bringing her close to death, but an unexpected role model pulled her through. Now she wants us all to take better care of ourselves. After a shocking diagnosis, Rebecca (pg31), faces the cruel and inevitable truth that her little boy won’t remember who she is, but she’s determined to make the most of every second with him. Sometimes we can even be our own role models, as Lisa (pg40) found out. After years of torment at the hands of bullies, she put herself to the test to prove just how clever she really was. Now she’s devoted her life to helping others. When Tracey (pg53) was told that her baby was deaf, she…

Composing a text message, I took a deep breath and pressed send. The reply made me smile instantly. Of course I don’t mind you’re a mum, it read. I still really want to meet you. I’d been chatting to Jamie, 27, for a few days after connecting on Plenty of Fish. We were getting on well, but I’d held off telling him I was a single mum to my gorgeous daughter Amy, one. I worried that he’d be put off. I was wrong. I worked as a community carer at the time, and Jamie was a delivery driver, so both of our working hours were pretty erratic. The chemistry between us was undeniable The only time we could manage to squeeze in a meet up was during my lunch break.…

Swaying in the sun, I had a belly full of booze and started to daydream. ‘I really want a cat,’ I slurred to my mate after a spot of Saturday drinking. I love cats and dogs just the same, but my irregular hours as a tattoo artist meant I could be out for long periods – which would be totally unfair on a dog. I reckoned a cat would do the trick – surely they would be happy at home all day, snoozing on the windowsill? Before I knew it, my mate Chris, 24, was calling the pub we’d just left, The Broadwater. The next night, his mum Christine was at my door. In her arms was Bruno the cat. Well, just about in her arms – Bruno was a…

Hearing the lunch time school bell ring, I felt my stomach rumble with hunger. It was March 2003, and most lunchtimes I would head out to the Chinese takeaway around the corner for chips and curry sauce or over to McDonald’s for a Big Mac meal. When I went clothes shopping I'd end up crying At 15 years old, I weighed 14st and was the biggest out of all my friends. I also towered over most of my peers at 5ft 11in, and soon became known as ‘the fat girl’ at my all-girls school in Hull. They’d say it to my face, and although it hurt my feelings, I pretended it didn’t bother me. ‘I’m big-boned and that’s just the way it is,’ I’d tell myself. ‘There’s nothing I can…

Their romance started on the warm sands of the California coast. Sporty Eric Bechler was playing a game of beach volleyball in Newport Beach when he was introduced by friends to a spectator – his future wife, Pegye. Business woman Pegye was 31, while college student Eric was 23, but despite the age gap, the good-looking pair had an instant spark. And together they formed a formidable power couple. Ambitious Pegye was running her own luxury physical rehabilitation centre and had big plans on making a name for herself one day. After they married, Eric helped her run the business and they became very wealthy, very fast. They’d treat their employees to lavish wild parties that were legendary in the area and the local elite flocked to use their services.…

I’d never doubted my love for you, Oscar Pants, as I like to call you, but I feared for your future. I wondered if you’d ever run through the sand or play football with your friends. Looking at you crawling around the living room, my gorgeous, giggling, cheeky boy, I can hardly believe we’ve come this far. You’d squeal the house down for someone to open a packet of your favourite blueberry rice cakes. You call Grandpa Paul ‘Bubble.’ No one knows why! And your favourite book is Toy Story, but even that has an Oscar shelf-life – once you’re bored, off it flies across the room! But we wouldn’t have it any other way. If we’d listened to the doctors, you wouldn’t be here now… Me and your daddy,…

PLANNING AHEAD German parents start thinking about their daughter’s wedding quite far in advance. When a girl is born, several trees are planted by family volunteers, and when her wedding date is set, the trees are sold with the idea of using the money for her dowry. The night before the ceremony, family and friends take part in ‘Polterabend’, where they drop loads of china in front of the bride’s house and make a huge mess. The custom is believed to bring luck to the couple. After they are married, the bride’s furniture is transported to her marital home in a cart. The groom then meets her at the door with a jug of beer. JAPANESE JEALOUSY During Japanese weddings, the bride wears a white hood to hide the horns…

WHAT'S NEW? 1. nspa First Signs of Ageing skincare range, £8 - £12, Asda This range is designed to give total skin confidence – with a daily perfecting serum, perfecting cream, and an eye cream, this three-piece collection is formulated to work together for visibly smoother and flawless-looking skin. Create instant illumination and skin perfection that is always Insta-ready. nspa are so confident in this new range, they promise to reveal more radiant skin – or your money back! 2. Ferne McCann Haircare Collection, £1, Poundland Introducing TOWIE sensation Ferne McCann’s new luxury haircare range, including a bright new volumising or hydrating shampoo and conditioner, and a firm hold and extra firm hold hairspray. Ferne wanted to create a luxurious product range that everyone could afford. We all want to…

Dishing up a slice of carrot cake, I popped a cup of coffee on the tray, too. ‘There you go, enjoy,’ I smiled. ‘Who’s next please?’ Working as a barista at a café in Solihull, Birmingham, I really loved my job, but sometimes it could be a bit tricky. Like, in May 2012 when I felt a familiar build up of pressure in my nose, just as I was about to serve up a pot of steaming tea. ‘Excuse me,’ I mumbled, as I dashed to the loo. Grabbing wads of toilet roll, I held it under my nose, and in seconds, the paper was sodden as blood gushed out. For about 18 months now, my nose had felt continually uncomfortable. ‘It’s like having permanent sinusitis,’ I’d grumble to my…

Sitting me down, my mum Louella had some news. ‘We’re sorry, Dawn, we didn’t want to tell you until you were old enough to understand...’ she said. I was 14 years old and my parents told me that my dad, Dan, was actually stepfather to me and my sister, Renee. Our real dad, Wayne Clouse, had left our hometown of Loyal, Wisconsin, when we were still in nappies, they explained, and they’d heard little from him since. It had stayed that way for years until suddenly, Wayne popped back up, eager to bond at last with his daughters. It took years to forge a real connection with him – it was so hard to get close to someone that I’d never known growing up – but by the time I…

Areal daddy’s boy – that was my son, Damian. At 10 months old, he already loved snuggling into my chest as me, his mum Emily, 22, and big sister Mataya, five, watched telly one night in February last year. Stroking his fine downy hair, my fingers hovered over a lump on the right side of his head. Frowning, I rolled my hand over to the left side. No lump. ‘Emily, something on Damian’s head doesn’t feel quite right,’ I said. She felt it and agreed it was strange. ‘We’ll get it checked. I’m sure it’s nothing,’ I said. I wanted my boy to grow up confident and proud But an X-ray at the local hospital the next day discovered a cyst on Damian’s brain. The size of a tennis ball,…

After meeting on a dating website, Jack Shepherd, 31, took Charlotte Brown, 24, for dinner in London on December 8, 2015. Jack then took her out in his speedboat on the River Thames. The boat hit branches in the water, throwing the pair overboard. Tragically, Charlotte died. After pleading not guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence, Jack fled to the US and was absent for his three-week trial where he was found guilty and sentenced to six years. Jack is now at a prison in Georgia, where he faces extradition back to the UK.…

A new study has found a link between the number of push-ups a man is able to do and the risk of cardiovascular disease – middle-aged men who are able to complete 10 push-ups could reduce their risk of a heart attack by as much as 97 percent. The study, led by Harvard University, suggests that push-up tests could be a simple, universal, and cost-effective way of predicting cardiovascular disease, potentially with more accuracy than a treadmill-based test.…

Nestled on the sofa with a mug of tea, a blanket on my knees, I waited for a theme tune to ring out on the telly. The first episode of Strictly Come Dancing gave me a buzz! My husband Andrew, 37, usually did something else! But one evening in September 2016, someone else came to sit with me in the living room. ‘You should be in bed!’ I said. My daughter Audrey, four, grinned, then sat on my knee. ‘Please, Mummy,’ she said, eyes hopeful. ‘Can I watch?’ How could I resist?! Spellbound, she gawped at the shimmering dresses. As she watched the show, I watched her – and a long-forgotten dream was sparking into life. When I’d been pregnant, I’d dreamed of taking my daughter to ballet class. I’d…

Big baby Bailey Even though she’s growing so fast, Bailey still loves being treated like a puppy. Here she is having a cuddle with my brother Isaac. Lucy, New Forest Excuse me, I'm cold! Even though it's April, Maggie is wondering why there isn't any heat coming from the fireplace… Joanne, Bath Smile for the camera! Despite her sad-looking face, Rey is actually a very happy dog! I guess she just doesn’t photograph well. Emily, Luton…

Sitting on the bus, I clutched my head in my hands. I'd come down with a terrible migraine at work and had been sent home when my vision had gone blurry. ‘Get to bed,' my fiance Scott said when I got home. ‘You'll be as right as rain in the morning.' But when I woke up, my sight was worse. ‘It's like I'm looking through a thick fog,' I told Scott. Colours were different, too. I was registering green as red, and coral as yellow. Then things got more terrifying… As I stood up, the light around me suddenly grew dim. Then I was plunged into darkness. I could barely see anything. ‘I've gone blind!' I cried. I couldn't understand what was happening to me. I was only 22, and…

As women, often the household finances fall on our shoulders. There is a multitude of things to pay for to keep our kids fed and clothed, money saved for holidays, and the household simply running smoothly.But we often end up fighting with the next bill, the next month’s budget, the next decision of whether we can afford something. How can we get more from our money and develop a better money mindset to make our lives easier and our money go further? 1 Know where you’re spending You don’t have to go through your finances with a fine toothcomb, because who has the time? But a quick scout through your monthly outgoings over the past few months can quickly highlight areas where you didn’t know you’d spent as much as…

1 Hair Hair works as a natural fertiliser thanks to its high levels of magnesium. It can take up to two years to break down, but when used in compost, the hair can provide structural support for roots. 2 White vinegar Mixed with water, this makes for a great acid feed. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar into a 4l of water to feed your roses. 3 Banana peels Tossing banana peels into your garden will give your plants a potassium boost. This will help to make your plants strong, allowing them to fight off pests. 4 Eggshells Dry eggshells out and add them under your mulch to break down and give your plants calcium. For quicker results, grind them up and add a small amount of…

Teriyaki beef stir-fry Serves 4 450g/1lb thin cut beef steaks, cut into thin strips 10ml/2tsp oil 1 x 350g pack prepared stir-fry vegetables of your choice 60ml/4tbsp prepared Teriyaki sauce 15ml/1tbsp light brown sugar 30ml/2tbsp lime juice 2.5ml/½tsp Chinese five-spice powder Salt and freshly milled black pepper 1. To prepare the sauce, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and then set aside. 2. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan or wok under a moderate heat until hot. Add the stir-fry vegetables and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. Add the beef. 3. Add the Teriyaki sauce, toss gently and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, if required. 4. Serve immediately on top of a bed of rice or egg…

Ripping open the shiny paper, I caught sight of the doll’s glossy blonde hair and squealed with joy. Thrilled, I grabbed the Barbie doll with both hands. She was just what I wanted. ‘Thanks, Grandma!’ I beamed. ‘She reminded me of you,’ Grandma smiled back. I was six years old and it was one of the few presents I’d ever had. Having grown up in foster care, I barely knew my parents, but at weekends I’d visit my grandparents. I treasured that Barbie, with her pretty smile and blue eyes. She was gorgeous. ‘One day I’m going to be just like you,’ I told her, admiring her sparkly dress. All my clothes may have been from charity shops, but at least I could dress my Barbie in stylish homemade outfits.…

Should I ask for help to make friends? My shyness is ruining my life. I struggle to make friends and no one even bothers talking to me at work because I’m so quiet. Should I send an email to my boss so she can explain it for me or will it make it worse? Simone, Norwich YES Pick Me Up! reader Diane from Plymouth says: If your shyness is so extreme, I think you’re really brave to ask for help. Just make sure they do it in a way that doesn’t make you feel more alienated. You don’t want them to make you sound like you’re scolding them for not talking to you. Perhaps they could suggest a meal out instead that you can all go to? NO  Pick Me…

Message in the sky It can get boring on test flights – hours spent winging it from point A to B with no other purpose than testing out a new engine. But then inspiration strikes. And for one Australian pilot, that inspiration was to use the sky as his personal canvas to voice how bored he was. Written in letters dozens of kilometres long, the pilot spelt out the words ‘I’m bored’ during a return flight from Port Broughton. Flight Training Adelaide director Pine Pienaar said the pilot’s actions were not condoned. ‘Young instructors, what can you do?’ he said. Tastes of the globe Take your taste buds on an adventure of the world with the rich flavoursome new range from threesixty Coffee. Enjoy a taste of Cuba with coffee…

Standing awkwardly outside the school gates, I clutched my bag and watched shyly as the other girls giggled together in their pristine uniforms. It was a Friday afternoon, and, one by one, I watched as each of the girls climbed into the back seats of their parents’ cars –BMWs, Bentleys, and Porches. Just then, one of the girls tapped me on my shoulder. ‘Er, is that your dad coming?’ she sniggered, pointing down the road. I wanted the earth to swallow me up Sure enough, there was Dad, rumbling up towards us on an old beaten up motorcycle, spluttering loudly as he came to a stop in front of me. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole as a gaggle of girls sniggered behind me. ‘Come on then,’ Dad…

Keep an eye on it Q I’m diabetic and my doctor says it’s important I have regular eye tests. Why is that? Debbie, Manchester A If you have diabetes, you will probably know that the condition can affect your eyesight. Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially serious effect of the disease which can lead to sight loss, and which requires  regular screening to keep it in check.In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy does not usually cause any symptoms, so you may not even know you have it. But screening can detect the condition before you notice any changes to your vision. If it is detected early enough, management of the condition can stop it getting worse. Otherwise, by the time symptoms become noticeable, it can be much more difficult to treat.…

Our little diva threw an almighty tantrum. I tried to placate her. ‘It’s too wet for you,’ I said, as I let her brother Henry, two, play outside in the rain, but not her. It was Ivy-Alice’s first birthday party and she wasn’t having anything upstage her big day, not even the weather! Lord knows where she got her inner prima donna from. But her little strop was nothing a tasty piece of cake couldn’t soothe. She squealed with delight when she saw the Victoria sponge with pink icing – and toddled over like her life depended on it. A determined little thing, she’s been walking since she was ten months old. Wearing her pink and yellow hat, she giggled as she blew out her candles. She was smiling from…

Also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, croup is a type of respiratory infection that's usually caused by a virus. The infection leads to swelling inside the trachea, which interferes with normal breathing and produces the classic symptoms of a barking cough. It usually begins with cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and sore throat. But a barking cough will develop. Croup can usually be managed at home, but can't be treated with antibiotics. If your child is lethargic and struggling to breathe, go to A&E.Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/croup.…

Lorena grabbed a knife, pulled back the bed covers and did the unthinkable. But she wants people to know why. Lorena Bobbitt made worldwide headlines 25 years ago when she cut off her husband’s manhood while he was in bed sleeping. Jokes were born, limericks written, comedy sketches acted out and t-shirts printed to memorialise the event. Their marriage had reached breaking point To ‘bobbitt’ someone became a slang word for cutting off a man’s appendage. The injured party, John Wayne Bobbitt, became a celebrity with his reattached genitals, and even starred in adult films. And the awful event became a conversation to be laughed about. But behind it all was a story of a toxic marriage that pushed a woman to do something unthinkable. Accusations of domestic violence continue…

A ring-tailed lemur bounded into the living room, a ninja mask on its face and a fireman's hat on its head. As the sound of sirens whizzed by, the costume mismatch hopped to the window. ‘Police!' he said, pointing. My son Brax, four, loved dressing up. Firemen, animals, superheroes – you name it, he'd jumble up all the bits and come out with something bonkers. His favourite thing of all time, though, was the police force. Brax loved sirens He'd been at the window, shouting at the ‘po car', since he could speak. Flashing lights, sirens and hi-vis stripes – he loved it! His police fancy dress kit got worn to shreds. So, for his fifth birthday last July, his nanny Elaine, 55, bought him a new one. Brax refused…

Sitting in my room at university, my stomach was in agony. It was 2016 and I was studying History at Portsmouth University. Well, in theory… Unable to keep anything down and rushing to the loo 20 times a day, I was constantly missing lectures. Worse, I kept finding blood in my poo. I’d first seen a doctor back in June, and had been referred for a colonoscopy, but that had come back fine. Doctors had advised me that I should have another checkup that September, but I’d convinced myself that there was no need. But a month later, I’d begun to deteriorate. Anaemic, I barely got out of bed. But then, one day that November, a friend paid me a surprise visit. ‘I didn’t recognise you,’ she gasped as I…