Hello from Our Altered Life.
I’m Charlie, Mum to twins Oliver and Harry although Oliver is three minutes older, so he’ll tell you that he’s technically the ‘big brother’!
Harry was born with Goldenhar syndrome which means that he was born with no eye, eye socket, nostril, ear and a short jaw. He’s had over 20 operations to build a face that means he will be given a chance in a society that can be incredibly superficial and quick to judge based on appearances. He’s also autistic with very limited communication and will always need support in life. He’s also incredibly loving and cheeky and can be found most weekends in a charity shop buying a noisy vetch toy.
Oliver is his brother’s fiercest protector, sharp witted and sarcastic. He struggled massively with anxiety throughout his childhood but a solo trip to Australia in 2022 to stay with family out there gave him the confidence he deserved. He is really creative and has taught himself how to speak Japanese!
Why am I telling our story?
I had no idea about Harry’s condition as I was carrying my boys and so, if I’m totally honest (and that’s my intention!) I didn’t cope very well right at the beginning as you can read in my blog and book.
I didn’t have the overwhelming maternal rush of love that I had expected. Suddenly, I was plunged into a world which had more questions than answers. I got on with life as best I could by painting a smile on my face and ‘pushing through’ but I was imploding. Eventually, post-natal depression caught up with me and I reluctantly sought the help I needed by which time my boys were 5 years old and my marriage had broken down.
This blog and my book is my way of sharing our journey and helping other parents through those early emotions and thoughts.
You can read my accounts from the perspective of a Mother lost and found where I talk about the personal struggles, fears and thoughts of becoming the parent of a very special child. In adventures of an altered life you can read about the often hilarious moments we face and the way that day to day life is affected. My family page will share the things that we get up to as a three as well as the other people in our lives that make life incredible. Finally, just Charlie is all about me, my random musings with lots of references to cheese!
My blogs are a great resource but not very up to date because since 2017 I have increasingly shared our lives on social media.
Head over to Facebook or Instagram to follow us if you don’t already. [hyperlink to the social media pages]
Join us for the highs, lows, hopes, fears, successes and trials of a life less ordinary. Expect there to be laughter, tears, gin and cheese (not always in that order) as I share our journey. I hope that reading our story can help you to see that even tales with a twist can have a happy ending.
Chat soon
Charlie xx
Hello from Our Altered Life.
I’m Charlie, Mum to twins Oliver and Harry although Oliver is three minutes older, so he’ll tell you that he’s technically the ‘big brother’!
Harry was born with Goldenhar syndrome which means that he was born with no eye, eye socket, nostril, ear and a short jaw. He’s had over 20 operations to build a face that means he will be given a chance in a society that can be incredibly superficial and quick to judge based on appearances. He’s also autistic with very limited communication and will always need support in life. He’s also incredibly loving and cheeky and can be found most weekends in a charity shop buying a noisy vetch toy.
Oliver is his brother’s fiercest protector, sharp witted and sarcastic. He struggled massively with anxiety throughout his childhood but a solo trip to Australia in 2022 to stay with family out there gave him the confidence he deserved. He is really creative and has taught himself how to speak Japanese!
Why am I telling our story?
I had no idea about Harry’s condition as I was carrying my boys and so, if I’m totally honest (and that’s my intention!) I didn’t cope very well right at the beginning as you can read in my blog and book.
I didn’t have the overwhelming maternal rush of love that I had expected. Suddenly, I was plunged into a world which had more questions than answers. I got on with life as best I could by painting a smile on my face and ‘pushing through’ but I was imploding. Eventually, post-natal depression caught up with me and I reluctantly sought the help I needed by which time my boys were 5 years old and my marriage had broken down.
This blog and my book is my way of sharing our journey and helping other parents through those early emotions and thoughts.
You can read my accounts from the perspective of a Mother lost and found where I talk about the personal struggles, fears and thoughts of becoming the parent of a very special child. In adventures of an altered life you can read about the often hilarious moments we face and the way that day to day life is affected. My family page will share the things that we get up to as a three as well as the other people in our lives that make life incredible. Finally, just Charlie is all about me, my random musings with lots of references to cheese!
My blogs are a great resource but not very up to date because since 2017 I have increasingly shared our lives on social media.
Head over to Facebook or Instagram to follow us if you don’t already. [hyperlink to the social media pages]
Join us for the highs, lows, hopes, fears, successes and trials of a life less ordinary. Expect there to be laughter, tears, gin and cheese (not always in that order) as I share our journey. I hope that reading our story can help you to see that even tales with a twist can have a happy ending.
Chat soon
Charlie xx
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