Taken Over By Me

Note: As Halloween has now gone by, it can be revealed that this blog post was a piece of fiction. Or was it?

Taken Over By Me

Hey everyone! Jake isn't here!

Do you remember when that sap said there was something out to get him? Oh of course you do. That was me and now he’s gone. Did you like him? Shame.

It was so easy, so very easy.

Anyway, things are going to be different around here. You’ll soon find out. Trust me you don’t want to miss it.

For now, have a scary Halloween.

Have a scary Halloween...Copyright © 2014- bykst. All rights reserved.

Stay Safe

Note: As Halloween has now gone by, it can be revealed that this blog post was a piece of fiction. Or was it?

Stay Safe

Hey everyone! Jake here!

As you know each week I would usually post a new blog entry. However today is slightly different. I do not know how to put this but something odd happened last night.

You see it was just after midnight when I decided to go to bed. As I began drifting off I am sure I heard something. There was a sort of hissing noise. Then there was a groan. Then there were footsteps. Whatever was in my bedroom seemed to be making its way towards me. It stopped. Somehow I felt its presence over me, just waiting to see my reaction.

I woke up. No one was there. I checked on my mum and sister to make sure they were not playing a practical joke. To be fair that is more the sort of thing my cousin would do. In this case they were both asleep. Hmm how strange.

Well I hope to be back next week with another blog post. Hopefully this will not happen again. In the meantime stay safe.

Could dark Halloween forces be at work here?

Dyspraxic, But Also Fantastic

Dyspraxic, But Also Fantastic

Dyspraxia is a form of Developmental Coordination Disorder which affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It can also have an impact on speech. There is no cure at present. It can have a serious impact on the individual’s life and can cause great hardship for all those involved.

On my last article titled ‘Diving into Dyspraxia’ I ended with the statement that those with the condition are ‘not only Dyspraxic but they can also be fantastic’. With the right support and love those with the serious condition can reach their full potential, thrive in society and leave behind amazing legacies.

I have lived with Dyspraxia since childhood and have found this statement to be extremely positive in the sense it gives the motivation to overcome any obstacle that may come my way.

As ‘Dyspraxia Awareness Week’ takes place between Sunday 12^th October and Saturday 18^th October 2014, I thought it was only right to talk about the incredible things people with Dyspraxia have done and the abundance of talent they have shown.

The Dyspraxia Mind-Map

On the ‘Dyspraxia Foundation’ Facebook page I came across this encouraging mind-map which demonstrates the positive attributes whose with Dyspraxia often display.

Copyright © 2014- Dyspraxia Foundation. All rights reserved.

It would seem that those impacted can be empathetic; can be forgiving; and can be sensitive. In this article I will be focusing on how inspiring and courageous these individuals can be, as despite the pain they may be going through they are still simply incredible.

Inspiring

There is no doubt that those with Dyspraxia are inspirational individuals. They may have difficulties, for example when it comes to coordination and speech, but they are so determined that they aim to achieve great heights.

Copyright © 2014- Mikey. All rights reserved.

This beautiful poem titled ‘I am the Boy’ is written by Mikey, a thirteen year old boy with Verbal Dyspraxia. He has written an incredibly powerful piece expressing his thoughts on a condition that impacts him daily. His wonderful mother said that this is something he would find very challenging to do verbally. His family are so proud of him and they should be. Coming from someone who lives with Dyspraxia, I thoroughly applaud you Mikey. You are a true inspiration.  

Mikey is just one example of how motivating people with Dyspraxia can be. It is the love and support from family, close friends and supporters which gives them the determination to move millions.

Courageous

It is hard to admit but like many others I was bullied at school. This was mainly due to the ‘differences’ which Dyspraxia often presents. I was often laughed at when I played sport or when my handwriting looked like barbed wire.

Despite these times I will never forget what one of my friends told me.

They said “Jake, you are the most courageous person I’ve ever known.”

I thanked them, not truly knowing what they meant by this.

Over the last few years, as I have understood my conditions more, I realise that perhaps what they were trying to say is that in spite of the suffering I faced I was not going to let those few negative people destroy my life. Instead I tried very hard to focus on those who made a positive difference. Of course this took time, but I still built up the courage to walk away from all those bad influences.

Stories like this are surprisingly common with those living with Dyspraxia. It takes real courage to live with any learning condition, especially if it is one where you are prone to be attacked by horrible people. Ignoring them and their mean comments does take a lot of bravery.

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No matter who you may be, just remember this. Every single individual who is fighting against a condition like Dyspraxia is a real person. Just like many others, life throws them difficult challenges which they have to face. Overcoming these obstacles takes real guts, persistence and dedication. They are also fantastic individuals who have demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate how courageous and inspirational they can be to all those who are willing to listen.

Thanks everyone for the brilliant support and have a great weekend.

The Moon

The Moon

Have you seen the moon? I mean, really seen it? It is not just a lump in the sky which should be passed by. It is not just another natural phenomenon found in our world. It is much more than that. It is magical. It changes people. It makes you believe that it is watching over you. It sees your every move; it feels your every action; and reads your every thought. Mainly though it is there to make you cling onto hope. It is the light in the darkened sky. Whilst everything else is in the shade, it continues to shine bright. It makes you want to fight, no matter how beaten you may feel.

As a kid I wanted to visit the moon. You could say that it is too late for me now. But that does not really matter. I can still see and enjoy it from where I am, right beside you.

It is the light in the darkened sky...Copyright © 2012- jingoba. All rights reserved.

Who is Jake Borrett? (1)

Who is Jake Borrett? (1)

Believe it or not this writing blog has now been running for just under seven months. Where has all that time gone? I have no idea. One thing I know is that it could not have been done without you. You are what has made this blog a success. You are all brilliant individuals.

So I thought after all this time it would be only right that you learn a little bit more about me. Who is Jake Borrett?

Why did you set up the writing blog?

This writing blog would not have existed without the dedication from the staff at my secondary school. My English teachers and particularly the Learning Support staff were so inspirational that they got me interested into English language and literature.

There are many blogs out there on the web. For me, a blog gives me an outlet to express my deepest emotions, fears and desires into words that perhaps I would not be able to say out loud. This is especially the case when it comes to the articles raising awareness for Inflammatory Bowel Disease ‘Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis’ and Dyspraxia.

I have had many tough times with these conditions, but if I can break the barriers that they present and at the same time inspire others to have confidence in themselves then that is all I ask for.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

My biggest inspirations have to be my family. Without a doubt my dad, my mum and my sister are people which I always look up to. Despite the tough times they have gone through themselves, be it illness, bereavements or suffering, they have always tried to remain strong. I am very grateful to have them in my life and cannot thank them enough.

What is the one film that you would recommend to someone?

As you know, there so many great films that have been produced. If I had to pick one it would be the 2002 movie ‘A Beautiful Mind’. Russell Crowe does a magnificent job of portraying John Nash, a Novel Laureate in Economics. Based on Nash’s real life, it is rich with emotion as it focuses on the sensitive subject of mental illness.

What is the most memorable place that you have ever travelled to?

I have been fortunate to been able to have travelled to a varied number of places over my twenty years. It is so hard to pick, but I will never forget swimming in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Swimming with the fish as they tickled at my feet was unforgettable. If you have always wanted to do it, then please do. You will love it.

Swimming with the fish in The Great Barrier Reef was unforgettable.

What piece of advice would you give to someone?

Well it would depend on the person who is receiving the advice as everyone sees the world differently. Saying that, I would encourage people to try to live life without having any regrets. Regrets are hard to deal with and they can haunt us. If there is something you have always wanted to do, you should try to strive for it. After all, many of us want to be happy.  

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I hope you learnt a bit more about me. There may be more articles like this in the future. Ultimately it is you which make this writing blog a success. Words do not do it justice to how much it means to me.

Just to let you know this upcoming Monday, or Monday 29^th September 2014 if you are reading in the future, I will be starting my second year at the University of Hertfordshire with brand new people. This is because I had to defer my second year due to a Crohn’s Disease flare-up back in October 2013. This is something which I am apprehensive about, but hopefully it should all go okay.

Do not worry; I will still be back next week with more content. Until then thank you so much and have a fantastic week.