Hi Everyone, this month I got the pleasure of interviewing Nicola. She has a Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and blog. Many thanks to Nicola for allowing me to interview her and for allowing her to interview me in return. Do not forget to check out her social media accounts and her blog.
What is your name? Nicola
Age? 40, although deep down I think I’m an old lady.
Who has inspired you the most in life and your blogging?
My mum has been a big inspiration to me. She was a single parent and taught me how to be me. As for blogging Sass Wyatt of Thinking Out Loud and Alice of Notebooks and glasses are my biggest blogging inspiration.
Besides writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
When I have some spare time on my hands, I enjoy watching movies and tv shows. I’m a huge sci fi fan and enjoy shows such as Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who and many more.
Name a bad habit that you have?
A bad habit of mine is that I am an over-thinker and worrier.
Name your best quality?
I’m terrible at listing my qualities. If you were to ask my husband he would say that it is my kindness.
If you could interview anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
This is a toughy. Michelle Obama, she’s a kick ass woman.
What is your college major/Minor?
My degree was in Communication studies. Looking back I should have chosen a more specific topic to focus on. Communication studies covered a lot of different areas. I wish I could of went for journalism or PR instead.
What school (college or university) did you go to?
Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. At the time it was a college/university as it didn’t have the right number of students to be just a university. Now I believe it is a full fledge uni with a bigger campus.
What is the title of your blog?
Nicola J Ogston – Parenting in Pain.
When and why did you start your blog?
I originally started blogging in an attempt to stave off boredom. I wasn’t able to work anymore, which meant I was stuck at home alone and lonely. I wanted to share my experiences with the world, then I became a mother and wanted to share what it is like parenting in pain.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Ideally, I would still like to be writing and sharing my journey as a chronically ill parent. A big dream of mine is to write a book, probably fiction but a book for other chronic ill parents would be something I might do.
What is the name/cause of your visual impairment (or other disability that you may have)?
The main cause of my visual impairment is something similar to Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Although no one else in my family has the condition. Therefore my ophthalmologist hasn’t been able to give me an exact diagnosis. My condition has some of the traits of FEVR, however I was born with it and from what I know it is a progressive condition.
As well as my visual impairment I suffer from chronic costochondritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypermobiity as well as depression and anxiety.
How does your visual impairment (or other disability that you may have) effect you on a daily basis?
My visual impairment makes it difficult to read signs, directions of food packaging, small print and sometimes my mail. As for my chronic pain conditions, they make day to day life very difficult. Getting out of bed, off chairs, walking and carrying things can be extremely painful.
- What do other people feel about your visual impairment (or other disability that you may have)?
I think that my close family and friends feel that it is part of me and understand the struggles and challenges that it may bring. There are however some people who don’t understand my conditions and act like if they can’t see it, it’s not necessarily real.
- If you had to give one piece of advice to others about having a visual impairment (or other disability that you may have) what would it be?
The advice that I would give, would be to don’t be afraid to ask for help and support. Take the time to explain to loved ones what your condition is and explain that although you might not be able to do the activities you did before or spend as much time with them as before, you are still the same person.
Where can other people find you on Social media (Please list and provide links)
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/nicolajogston
FB https://www.facebook.com/nicolajogstonblog/
Instagram http://www.Instagram.com/nicolajogston
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/nicolajogston
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