It’s my birthday, I’ll laugh if I want to!

First blog post.  Well what better timing than on my birthday….ok few days after but close enough.

It was my 32nd birthday. 32 years of being alive. Worth celebrating, right?

I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia at the age of 16, a life-limiting condition.  Instead of seeing this as a negative, I have and continue to live life to the fullest and try not to take it for granted. Every birthday since I have always made plans to celebrate.

Without this diagnosis, maybe I wouldn’t have this same appreciation towards life.  Why does it take something as big as life-threatening to wake us up to this realisation?

Many people, as they get older, dread their birthdays, because they concentrate on the future.  Another year older means another year closer to the end.  Or they concentrate on the past, some tragedy that happened during past birthdays that keep a place in the memory.

I live in the moment. A birthday is a sign that I am still here, alive. My life may not be perfect, I don’t have everything I want, but I have all that I need.

A birthday brings with it a sense of achievement and a feeling of gratitude.  I am lucky to reach 32, so many would’ve given anything to have this experience.

Do not regret growing older, It is a privilege denied to many.

This year I woke up at 2.30am and drove with my friend to watch the sunrise, I can’t think of a more perfect way to start the day.  With everyone asleep, I got to see nature at its best.

It was a sunny day, which allowed me to enjoy my breakfast with my parents on the patio. My birthday had fallen on father’s day, and I got to share my breakfast with the best one.

Next stop was Langland Bay, Gower for lunch by the sea in the company of my best friend before heading off to the city, with friends, to share a laugh with the comedian Adam Hills.

What a great day, full of love, laughter and healthy food.  These are the perfect ingredients for a healthy wellbeing.

I laid in bed that evening, at peace knowing it was a great day, and excited at the prospect of what the next year will bring…