All Things Autism - Claris Angafor, Voice of Hope.mp3 ========================================= Speaker 9 00:00 - 00:14 Hello, this is Anna Kennedy. We're talking all things autism. We're live, we're in Covent Garden and it's raining today and I believe it's Hurricane Brendan or Storm Brendan that's happening down in Cornwall. Oh dear, I feel so sorry for you. Speaker 9 00:15 - 00:31 My guest, Clarice Angerfor, she's running a little bit late, you know, Covent Garden traffic and all that. So what I'll do is I'll tell you a little bit about her. And then also I'll talk to you about what we've been doing within the charity because we've been planning for the year ahead and what a busy year we have. So first of all, Clarice. Speaker 9 00:31 - 00:52 So Clarice, she's married and she's a mum of two gorgeous boys. She's an autism ambassador and advocate. She's also the founder of CAN, C-A-N Abilities Foundation, which is a registered charity and it's been a charity since September 2018. She's passionate, she's resilient, a dedicated and a caring individual. Speaker 9 00:52 - 01:24 And she believes that a child, no matter their circumstances, under where they were born, deserves to be well looked after, loved, understood and accepted by all. Now in the news today, across social media, diagnosis is once again being shared all over social media. So what the title of this particular article that I read today was half of parents wait at least 18 months For autism diagnosis, a charity warns. Well, when we did ours, which was quite a few years ago, it was on average, it was five years. Speaker 9 01:25 - 01:48 So this particular study says around half of parents are waiting at least half and half for their children to be formally diagnosed. With autism, a charity is warned. Ambitious about autism said many mothers and fathers are left feeling isolated and helpless while they're waiting for their diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, many families will struggle to get the right help for their child's needs, it adds. Speaker 9 01:49 - 02:29 A poll of almost 4,000 parents of children with autism conducted by the charity found that among those who do have a formal diagnosis, 49% said that they waited 18 months or longer. I was just speaking to a parent yesterday who's already waited two years and getting very, very frustrated because her son is struggling at school. So a further 1 in 5, that's 19% of the survey said it took between 12 and 17 months and around 7 in 10, 70% said they do not feel they were offered adequate support after the diagnosis such as further information about autism, support groups or therapies such as help with speech and language. Speaker 9 02:29 - 02:47 I was talking to Autism Anglia and their advice line as in general advice line has been cut due to funding. There's so many smaller groups that are out there that are either really struggling or they've had to basically cut their group down to the minimal bare level. And you know what? We need more groups. Speaker 9 02:47 - 03:06 We don't need less. There's so many more families that use these groups and they're a lifeline to many. So Autism's Got Talent, just to remind you that January the 31st is the closing date. The actual show itself is in June and that's the 13th and it's at the Mermaid Theatre which is Blackfriars. Speaker 9 03:06 - 03:26 So we're in our ninth year, I can't believe it's been nine years that we've been doing Autism Scott Talent and we have nominations that are coming from across the country and also overseas. We had one from Nepal, We've had them from America. We've had them from Canada. We've had them from Italy, France, you name it. Speaker 9 03:26 - 03:34 So if you want to showcase your talent, just to remind you, it's not a competition, OK? It's a showcase of talent. And it's for children. It's for adults. Speaker 9 03:34 - 03:42 There's no upper age limit. So if you feel that you want to showcase your talent, so you could be a dancer. You could be a singer. You could be a magician. Speaker 9 03:42 - 04:07 You could be a musician or a poet. Whatever it is that you feel that you want to share with the public, please send in your nominations. So check out the charity website, which is www.annakennedyonline.com. And if you send in your YouTube link, a short bio, or you can send it in to Lisa.Robbins, that's R-O-B-I-N-S. Speaker 9 04:07 - 04:41 at AnnaKennedyOnline.com. Another one of our events that we're preparing for is the Autism Hero Awards and that's going to be happening on November the 21st. The closing date is September the 4th and it's going to be happening at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel This is our fifth year, so if you feel that you would like to nominate someone that goes the extra mile, it could be an autistic adult, it could be a business, it could be a carer, it could be a mum, a sibling, a reporter that writes particularly well, if you feel that you'd like to nominate someone that goes the extra mile, please send in your nominations. Speaker 9 04:42 - 04:54 Again, check out the charity website. Something that's happening fairly soon, which is in March, is going to be our Autism Expo. So the Autism Expo is happening at Brunel University. We have a lot of speakers. Speaker 9 04:54 - 05:08 We've got some fantastic speakers and we've also got clinics. So if you feel that you might need some advice, so you can come along to our legal clinic. We've got an actual counsellor as well. So you feel like you might chat about counselling. Speaker 9 05:08 - 05:38 What does counselling involve? We've got Paul Isaac who's one of our consultants who's autistic. Fantastic individual and he is going to be giving advice on behavior management on anything to do with adults and he's also going to be running a workshop for us autism and employment and that's going to be happening in a few weeks time so if you feel that you might like to come along and talk about autism about employment, only 17% of adults have full-time employment, which is just not enough. Speaker 9 05:39 - 06:04 Luckily, my son Patrick, he's been working now for probably nearly two years. So he's doing very well. The company that he works for is really helping him when he's struggling. He goes once a week on a Monday to chat to somebody where he feels that, you know, he might just need a little bit more advice or he just wants to get something off his chest and he just feels like he really likes the company because they really Speaker 9 06:04 - 06:25 get him. So I'm really pleased that he's somewhere that I'm making reasonable adjustments for him. He's got his own space as well. So at lunchtime, he says sometimes he goes there where he has a little sleep and he feels that's helpful for him because it's a little bit of time where he can just shut off, he doesn't have to be sociable, he doesn't have to interact with anybody, he's got Speaker 9 06:25 - 06:41 his posters up on the wall or he can look on his phone, whatever it is he has that hour where he can just do what he wants to do. So that's fantastic. So again, if you'd like to come along to our workshop, check out the charity website. It's only £15 for the day and what you do is you get a buffet as well. Speaker 9 06:41 - 07:05 So it starts at 10.30, finishes at 2.30 and it's happening in Uxbridge. Something else that we're doing is, well I'm doing, I'm patron to a fantastic charity called Autism Anglia, an ambassador I should say. and they are going to be doing an autism variety show and this is going to be happening at the Westcliff Theatre in Clacton. So it's been supported by Evolution Foundation College. Speaker 9 07:05 - 07:19 It's happening on a Sunday and it's between 6 and 10 and it's on March the 1st. I'm going to have a busy weekend that weekend because I'm going all the way to Glasgow. I'm going to be giving a talk on the Friday. On the Saturday, I'm going to be returning. Speaker 9 07:19 - 07:33 And then on the Sunday, I'm going to be preparing with Aston, who's one of my autism ambassadors. And we're going to be going to be the main compares of the show. This is going to be the first time that Aston is going to be a main compare. So he's really looking forward to it. Speaker 9 07:33 - 07:46 He's excited, but also a little bit nervous. But I'm sure he's going to be fantastic. So that's going to be something for him to remember. A once in a lifetime opportunity where he's going to be comparing the whole of the show with me. Speaker 9 07:46 - 08:15 So excited to see all of the performers. A little bit like Autumn's Got Talent, but in the Essex area. Something I've been talking to parents about is the dreaded EHCP, which is the needs assessment. So I've downloaded a couple of questions here, and they're questions that I get a lot from parents that are asking me, so what can I do if the local authority refused to carry out an EHCP needs assessment? Speaker 9 08:15 - 08:38 So the answer is if the local authority refused to carry out the education and health care needs assessment, you can appeal against their decision to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. And that's SEND Tribunal for short. So that's for parents that are listening in where their children might just been recently diagnosed. You're just familiarizing yourself with this system. Speaker 9 08:39 - 09:09 You have two months from the date of their decision to appeal. and if the deadline falls in August or between Christmas and the New Year, obviously we've passed that now, the two-month deadline may be extended to the first working day in September or the New Year and any other extensions will be considered individually and only agreed to exceptionally by the Tribunal. One other question that has been asked again from me is if the LA does carry out an EHC needs assessment, what are the chances that they will issue the plan? Speaker 9 09:09 - 09:32 The good news is that the majority of statutory assessments lead to education and healthcare plans being issued. If the LA has carried out an assessment of your child's needs, it's therefore very likely that they will issue a plan. Fingers crossed. If you want to find out more information about the education and healthcare plan, please check out Ipsea, spelt I-P-S-E-A. Speaker 9 09:32 - 09:56 So that's Ipsea, fantastic website. And on there, there are so many different templates where you can download so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Find a letter that's suitable for your son or for your daughter, and then you can adapt it and obviously then send it to your local authority. Now, one of our groups, which is part of Hillingdon Manor School, which is the school that I set up, they are a street dance crew. Speaker 9 09:57 - 10:06 And they started off on Autumn's Got Talent. And I can't tell you the benefits of dance. It's absolutely fantastic. I think everyone should learn how to dance. Speaker 9 10:06 - 10:14 I started dancing when I was about five or six years old. It was tap dancing. You probably heard me talk about it before. But I feel it's kept me young. Speaker 9 10:14 - 10:22 It's great for posture. It's great for your mindset. It's just something I feel that everyone does. So we've set up this group called Autism with Attitude. Speaker 9 10:23 - 10:36 They are amazing. And what they have achieved, they've been on The Greatest Dancer. They've danced in Germany, where they came second in the European Street Dance Championships. They've danced at Move It. Speaker 9 10:36 - 11:00 They've got so many different events planned, and they're also going to be dancing again on Autism's Got Talent. And one of our young performers, Callum, who was adopted by his mum, he's one of my guests, his mum at the radio station, and he was an orphan in Russia. She adopted him and he got into street dance. And I'm so pleased to say that he's now part of Autism Without Shoot. Speaker 9 11:00 - 11:22 and they have danced all over the place and you can just see he's fitting in so well with the group. So if you'd like to see them, check out Autism with Attitude. If you type it in onto YouTube, you'll see their audition for The Greatest Dancer where Cheryl, where Otis, they were so emotional when they saw them dance. There were tears. Speaker 9 11:22 - 11:44 One of the moms spoke about the experience as well and how their son has become so much more confident, how they gel well together, and I've got to mention Jonathan. Jonathan, who is their street dance teacher, who is a full-time street dance teacher at Hillingdon Manor School, he is amazing. He goes over and beyond. Those kids just absolutely love him. Speaker 9 11:45 - 11:58 So please check it out, Autism with Attitude. Check out their YouTube. So if you'd like to be one of the speakers on my show, please contact me on www.annakennedyonline.com. It's live every Tuesday at one o'clock. Speaker 11 12:03 - 12:05 Welcome to Women's Radio Station. Speaker 5 12:06 - 12:12 Hello and welcome to Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio Station. Speaker 10 12:12 - 12:15 Hello and welcome to Judy May Is Listening. Speaker 9 12:15 - 12:22 Hi, this is Anna Kennedy and we're at Women's Radio Station supporting women's well-being and we're talking all things autism. Speaker 11 12:22 - 12:27 Women, the possibilities are endless. That's what makes us different. Speaker 4 12:31 - 12:45 Hi, I'm Nicole Goodman. And I'm Lauren Mishkon, and this is the Self-Care Club podcast. The advice for self-care today is endless and can feel like yet another overwhelming job for women. The Self-Care Club is part social experiment, part reality show. Speaker 4 12:45 - 12:51 Every episode, we trial a different self-care practice, live it to the letter for a week, and report back to you on the results. Speaker 3 12:52 - 13:00 Will it actually improve your well-being, or will it be another waste of your time? We test out self-care so you don't have to. Welcome to the Self-Care Club. Speaker 6 13:01 - 13:30 My name is Ingrid Marsh and I host the radical wellbeing show, supporting women's wellbeing. On my show, I bring you ordinary women like me and you, who are sharing their unique stories. Women who have refused to be defined by their pains, to be silenced by stigma or crushed by stereotypes, and who are taking back their power. And together, our mission is a simple one, and that's to inspire you to kick away the roadblocks too, to don your wings and be the person that you were born to be. Speaker 12 13:31 - 13:48 Do you want to be a doula? Would you like to support families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period? Do you have qualities of compassion, listening, caring and empowering? At Nurturing Birth we offer approved doula training courses across the UK which are facilitated by an award-winning doula. Speaker 12 13:48 - 13:59 Here you will learn more about the support you can offer, explore the doula role and think about how to set up your business. No need for previous qualifications. Find out more at nurturingbirth.co.uk Speaker 8 14:01 - 14:22 Hi, I'm Hazel Butterfield, a blogger, book lover, and mental health advocate. And you can listen to my show, Get Booked, here at Women's Radio Station, daily at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Throughout my shows, we'll talk about the books I've read, new releases, chat to authors, publishers, and book enthusiasts, all with a theme and aim of supporting women's emotional well-being. Speaker 8 14:22 - 14:30 If you have a book to tell us about, get in touch at presentersatwomensradiostation.com. Join me on my show and share my love of books and writing. Speaker 11 14:34 - 14:56 You're listening to Women's Radio Station, supporting women's well-being. Women's Radio Station's creating a global network for the empowerment of women, and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter at Women's Radio Station, that's Women's Radio STN, or Facebook Women's Radio Station to keep up to date with all our exciting programs. Speaker 9 15:03 - 15:07 Hello, this is Anna Kennedy. We're talking all things autism. We're live. We're in Covent Garden. Speaker 9 15:07 - 15:19 And I'm so pleased to say that Clarice is here with me now, looking all composed. Well, I think I'm going to go straight over to you. So, Clarice, tell me. Welcome, first of all. Speaker 9 15:19 - 15:24 Thank you. Tell everybody who is Clarice. Tell me a little bit about your background. Speaker 7 15:25 - 15:31 Okay. Thank you Anna for having me on the studios today. Clarice Angerfour. Yeah, Clarice Angerfour is a mom of two boys. Speaker 7 15:31 - 15:42 Okay. 14 and 9. 14 year old is autistic, non-verbal with other forms of disabilities. Yeah, he was born just at 24 weeks gestation. Speaker 7 15:42 - 16:07 Raising a child with autism can be challenging, but somehow rewarding if you understand it in the end and if you accept that your child is autistic. So along the line, I've just juggled work, family, marriage. and the boys, yeah. Then I do a lot of awareness on autism. Speaker 7 16:07 - 16:13 I'm an autism ambassador in the community. Okay, where do you live? Whereabouts? In Basingstoke, I live in Basingstoke. Speaker 9 16:13 - 16:19 Oh, I used to travel quite a bit to Basingstoke. I used to see a gentleman that was a war veteran. Speaker 7 16:19 - 16:19 Okay. Speaker 9 16:19 - 16:25 And he really helped me when I very first set up the school. He sadly, he's died now, but I used to visit Basingstoke a lot. Speaker 7 16:26 - 16:30 At first, I used to think you live around Basingstoke. I don't know why. Speaker 9 16:29 - 16:33 Maybe it's because I used to put it on social media saying, off to Basingstoke again. Speaker 7 16:33 - 16:56 Maybe, maybe, yeah. So yeah, that's a little bit about me and autism. Along the line, I've realized that the entire community, sometimes they do not really understand what exactly it is to raise a child with autism. And as the years have gone by, I've encountered other difficulties, other tragedies. Speaker 7 16:56 - 17:24 And I seem to feel or to think that there are some issues, there are some topics which people are scared away from, which people deem sensitive or very emotional to talk about. But because some of these issues are issues which I have experienced, I think it's necessary to give a voice to these things. Because when you give a voice to anything that's troubling you, it's one form of healing. You give chance to yourself. Speaker 7 17:24 - 17:51 to heal and to be able to use your experience to help others out there. Then other than autism, I do run a charity, which we started. It started somehow in 2015, but it was registered in 2009. I believe so much in positivity after being shut down for a very long time. Speaker 7 17:52 - 18:15 So when I actually found myself and I realized that you cannot always stay in your tragedy or in any sad happenings. and continue being sad. You could always look into what you've been through, the difficulties you've faced, and there's a positive thing somewhere. So instead of looking at the disability all the time, I think if you put in a can, I can, you can, everybody can. Speaker 7 18:16 - 18:19 Yeah, you look at the abilities of every child that has a disability. Speaker 9 18:19 - 18:21 Yeah, there's such a thing as can't do. Speaker 7 18:21 - 18:22 It's about can do. Speaker 9 18:22 - 18:36 And there's too much negativity in this world, this present time as we speak. I think it's about what's wrong with being kind? What's wrong with focusing on the positive? There's too many negatives in this world at this moment in time. Speaker 9 18:37 - 18:59 We were talking about diagnosis just before you came in because there's a lot of stuff on social media about parents waiting such a long time for a diagnosis, really struggling, having an impact on their siblings, having an impact on the whole family. Sometimes families split up, husband and wife, because they can't cope. Sometimes it can bring you closer together. It just depends on the family. Speaker 9 18:59 - 19:01 So when was your son diagnosed? How old was he? Speaker 7 19:02 - 19:24 I should say he was about three years old and sometimes I'm tempted to say I actually diagnosed him. Anyway, it didn't take a very long time for him to be diagnosed because he was born at 24 weeks. So he was already on that consultant, being looked after. So there was always an expectation of a delay. Speaker 7 19:25 - 20:14 So along the line, I used to see, at times you don't know if it's global developmental delay, or it's just cerebral palsy, or it's whatever, he's non-verbal as well. Then I watched a certain movie, unfortunately I've never remembered the name of that movie, but I saw this little boy, he was doing a lot of rocking, a lot of repetition, a lot of lining up things, and a lot of fixation on particular parts of a toy. So the next time we went for his six-monthly appointment, I mentioned all these things, some of the characteristics, some of the things that autistic children do. I mentioned them to his consultant, and the next appointment after six months, Amongst his diagnosis or his disabilities, autism was included. Speaker 9 20:15 - 20:17 Okay, so what other disabilities does he have? Speaker 7 20:17 - 20:29 If you don't mind me asking. Yeah, he's got cerebral palsy, mild cerebral palsy. He's got epilepsy as well. Then coupled with his early birth, he's a global developmental delay. Speaker 9 20:29 - 20:59 So most of the parents, especially from the BAME community, rarely talk about their autistic children. But I've spoken to, I'm always sharing about, I've spoken, even my guest last week, her daughter was 28 when she sadly died. But when she was at work, she never actually shared with anyone that her daughter had disabilities and she was worried because it might impact on her job. And I just thought, I can't even imagine being in that sort of position and having that fear about sharing that information. Speaker 9 20:59 - 21:07 So what do you think, within the BAME community, why do you think they rarely talk about, and that might be wrong, do they rarely talk about their children being diagnosed? Speaker 7 21:07 - 21:31 What do you find? There are some who have found a voice, like myself, who I think we have to talk about it. But if I look into some of the reasons why they rarely talk about it, you know, with any tragic happening or something like having a disability or going through a big problem in the family. Or mental health. Speaker 7 21:31 - 21:49 Your mental health. So you obviously go through that grief process where you deny, there's denial that, no, this cannot be my child. So parents do go through a lot of grieving when they have their disabled child because obviously, when you are pregnant, you don't anticipate anything wrong. Speaker 9 21:49 - 21:55 Now you have all these expectations and your mind runs away with you about what's going to be happening with your son or daughter. Speaker 7 21:55 - 22:27 So you're thinking of this little boy or this little girl who will be achieving the milestones at the right time. You're thinking of sitting and chatting, having a proper conversation with your two-year-old, three-year-old, and all the like, then it gets very difficult when that child comes and it's not the one you were expecting. So in that case, now it leads to some sort of denial. It also leads to shame because of stigmatization, because of what people see. Speaker 7 22:27 - 22:50 There are so many assumptions, especially in, I don't know if it applies in all cultures, but sometimes in in my community or back home, people will say, oh, you're having a disabled child. Maybe you had lots of abortions in the past. Maybe you've been cursed. Maybe one of your uncles or your aunties or somebody, you did something wrong and it's a curse. Speaker 7 22:50 - 22:53 Or maybe it's just witchcraft or maybe you're just unlucky. Speaker 9 22:53 - 23:19 There was an article just recently shared about still thinking about witchcraft. And I was just appalled that people even still think like that, but also saying that. You have some people within the Italian community or within the Irish community that are ashamed that if someone comes to their home, they send their son upstairs or their daughter upstairs, you know, keep them out of the way type of thing. And for me, it's just like I just don't understand that mentality because I'm not like I don't think like that. Speaker 9 23:19 - 23:21 Yeah. So so there is that denial. Speaker 7 23:21 - 23:23 There's shame as well. Speaker 1 23:24 - 23:24 Then Speaker 7 23:24 - 23:40 When that affects you, you as a parent as well, you struggle because you may be hit by depression as well. So you don't really have the energy. There are parents who compare their kids with others. So my son is 14. Speaker 7 23:40 - 24:03 I think he's said mom just once. He mimes like mom, mom. But the speaking voice doesn't come out, but the loud voice, the sounds, and he's very loud. So there are some parents who go out and they spend their time, instead of concentrating on their own child, they concentrate on other children, comparing that, oh, this one is quite younger than my child, but he or she can do this and my child can do that. Speaker 7 24:03 - 24:19 So with that now, you put a lot of pressure on yourself. Then when you sit, parents sit sometimes, they compare notes. My child is capable of playing the piano, playing this instrument, playing that. My autistic son, he's still struggling to hold a pen. Speaker 7 24:19 - 24:45 So if you start comparing such notes, not in a positive way, in a negative way, so it also leads to denial. And then that shame, you don't want to take your child out, because when you go out, you spend most of your time with your child. Some women, they'll say, instead of me taking the child out, and I spend the whole time with him, not enjoying myself, not chatting with my friends. I'd rather stay at home with him. Speaker 9 24:45 - 25:10 Yeah, I've read that as well, about parents being very lonely, about losing friends as well, because they don't understand and they just don't know what to say and all those sort of things. So, as a parent with an autistic child, what are some of the challenges that you have faced and are still facing? So we've obviously spoke a few little things that you've just said now. Is there anything else that you might like to share that you find difficult? Speaker 7 25:11 - 25:39 Yeah, there's that loneliness. As a parent, sometimes you feel very lonely and there's isolation. There you find in some of the cases I've found myself in, I feel like I'm not being included in the rest of the activities in the community. For example, we may have a gathering and women are expected to do one or two things, but nobody will assign me to any activity or nobody will tell me, can you do this? Speaker 7 25:39 - 25:52 Can you take up this function? Then when I asked, why didn't you put me in the list of the activities? Oh, we thought your hands were already too full with your child. So at times you feel lonely, you feel isolated. Speaker 7 25:52 - 26:29 As well, yeah, and friends who do not understand you, at times it gets too overwhelming because you may spend too much time with your child because that's the time, he needs almost all your time so you may not have time to discuss with your friends but they find it difficult as well. What about your extended family, do they support you? Yes, when we are at home, but it took me, it took me weeks to put in a lot of effort to educate, to educate the family on autism and on the difficulties I am facing as an individual and which we are facing as a family. Speaker 9 26:30 - 26:49 Okay, so if people are interested to check out Khan Abilities, I believe it's on Facebook, so it's www.facebook.com Can, capital A, Abilities, so CanAbilities, no space, forward slash. So if people are interested, they wanna check it out, that's okay. Speaker 4 26:49 - 26:50 Is that okay with you, yeah? Speaker 9 26:50 - 26:59 So we're gonna chat a little bit more. If you're interested in finding out a little bit more about what CanAbilities do, we're gonna be sharing an article very soon. Speaker 11 27:02 - 27:29 Welcome to the women's radio station supporting women's wellbeing. Women's Radio Station is all about diversity, from opinions, career, ethnicity, education, and most importantly, women's well-being. We aim to celebrate the individuality of every woman everywhere, providing opportunities and the platform for your voice. Visit our website, womensradiostation.com, for more information. Speaker 12 27:30 - 27:47 Do you want to be a doula? Would you like to support families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period? Do you have qualities of compassion, listening, caring and empowering? At Nurturing Birth we offer approved doula training courses across the UK which are facilitated by an award winning doula. Speaker 12 27:48 - 27:59 Here you will learn more about the support you can offer, explore the doula role and think about how to set up your business. No need for previous qualifications. Find out more at nurturingbirth.co.uk Speaker 3 28:00 - 28:21 Hi, everyone, and welcome to The Femaling Show. I am your host, Nicole Goodman, and I am a woman's identity expert and coach. As women, we fall into different phases of identity throughout adult life, and during these, our challenges can look pretty similar. Here at WRS, I will be talking to you about the real issues we all face, and even the ones we can silently struggle with. Speaker 3 28:21 - 28:30 Through honest, heartfelt conversation here at Femaling, you will learn how to accept yourself, understand yourself, and be yourself. Speaker 1 28:30 - 28:46 Hi, I'm Carolyn Van Beers. Please join me for a brand new show here on Women's Radio Station. It's Mother's Hour. If, like me, you're a mum juggling far too many balls and dropping most of them, this is definitely the show for you. Speaker 1 28:46 - 29:00 We'll examine the highs and lows of motherhood and make sure you laugh out loud as we take on this challenging role together. With spoonfuls of advice, incredible stories, it will be a refreshing, honest and funny look at being a mum. Speaker 2 29:02 - 29:16 Are you struggling with money? Turn to Us is a national charity helping people struggling to make ends meet. Job loss, illness or bereavement can cause a real financial crisis. We give practical help to get people back on track. Speaker 2 29:17 - 29:29 Whether you're thinking of having a baby, trying to get out of an unhappy relationship or just unsure what benefits you may be entitled to, we can help. Visit turntous.org.uk Speaker 11 29:32 - 29:54 Welcome to the Women's Radio Station, supporting women's wellbeing. Women's Radio Station can give voice to your brand with a wide range of sponsorship opportunities, including individual programmes. We can tailor your experience for you. For more information on how you can sponsor a show, go to womensradiostation.com. Speaker 11 29:54 - 29:57 Women's Radio Station, supporting women's wellbeing. Speaker 9 29:59 - 30:03 Hello, this is Anna Kennedy. We're talking all things autism. We're live. We're in Covent Garden. Speaker 9 30:03 - 30:14 And my guest today is Clarice Angerfore. Welcome, Clarice. So you took your son, which is quite a long distance, obviously with planes, to Cameroon for holidays some years back. And what was your experience? Speaker 9 30:14 - 30:24 Because I remember taking Angelo on the plane. He screamed all the way there. And he screamed all the way back. I was so stressed. Speaker 7 30:24 - 30:36 So how was your son on the plane? It was quite daunting. But before we left, we had spoken with the speech and language therapy. So we had a lot of laminated information because first, I was on a mission to educate the family. Speaker 7 30:36 - 31:09 Second, I had to make sure every other person around is comfortable as my son is comfortable as well. So we had a bag full of different gadgets, different iPads and phones and chargers. in case if one goes off then we yeah yeah yeah what about his sensory difficulties with like going up and then coming back down in the plane because that was like really really stressful yeah he he struggled a little bit but he he was looking at me like trying to find out what is that happening yeah what is happening so you look But he was quite good. Speaker 7 31:09 - 31:23 One of the main difficulties we faced the first time was food. He didn't eat anything. So we had to go in the plane with apple juice and croissants. So he refused food inside the plane. Speaker 7 31:23 - 31:59 Even if it was apple juice, which he liked so much, he would just push the person away. Then while back home, because we had requested a special push chair at the airport, so they already had an idea. about him, so we went, the guy who was pushing him on the wheelchair, he was quite good, I mean fascinated to see a young lad like that tapping away on his iPad, not talking, but seemingly to know everything that's happening on his iPad. So while in Cameroon, he was some sort of a point of attraction. Speaker 7 32:00 - 32:18 People who are fascinated in the type of things he does, flapping, making noises, running up and down. And then those who are looking at him and wondering, how come that this big boy like this doesn't talk? And sometimes he behaves like a child. in the family setting. Speaker 7 32:19 - 32:32 Each, because when you stayed away from home for too long, you go back. You meet all sorts of people come to visit. So it was because they had not seen him before. And sometimes I was not explaining everything. Speaker 7 32:32 - 32:40 Then that was a moment where I was still just coming out of my shelf and not really explained everything to the entire family. Speaker 9 32:40 - 32:50 How old was he then? 2014, he was 11. Okay, so starting to hit teenage years as well. Speaker 7 32:50 - 32:58 Yes, yes. Was he 11 or nine? Because 2015 he was 10, so he was nine. He was nine then. Speaker 7 32:58 - 33:18 So each family member that comes in, I struggled because I had to be explaining about autism in the dialect. But I found my way around. Even if it's to show signs, I will show. But I made sure everybody who comes in, you don't feel embarrassed because I had to tell them that there are two things. Speaker 7 33:18 - 33:25 Either you accept your child. Either you accept my child or I don't know you. So they had no choice. Speaker 9 33:26 - 33:31 OK, so what was it like for you? Were you watching them to see what their reaction was going to be? Yes. Speaker 7 33:31 - 33:40 Yeah, because I had to constantly remind, don't run away from him. He's not going to hurt you. He's a very active boy. Physically, he's really strong. Speaker 7 33:40 - 34:08 So he can be running towards you and anything he's coming to hit or hurt you. So I had to constantly And again, his sense of danger is not really the best, so you have to be constantly there. So I had the laminated information about autism to tell people, to teach people, and to make everyone relax or to feel comfortable while they are at home, and to make him feel okay as well. But at the end of the day, before we left, it was quite a good experience. Speaker 7 34:08 - 34:20 a good learning curve for myself and for the family as well. Everybody was now happy. Then you have those who say, oh, now I understand the difficulties we've been going through all these years. We had no idea. Speaker 6 34:20 - 34:23 So they're more supportive now, would you say? Yeah, yeah. Speaker 7 34:23 - 34:29 If I complain that I can't do something, they will understand and say, yes, we know your hands are tied. Speaker 9 34:29 - 34:43 OK. So, if you had to give advice to parents, actually, by the way, what was the support like in Cameroon, just out of interest? Were there support groups? Were there schools set up? Speaker 9 34:43 - 34:46 Did you do any research about what was available? Speaker 7 34:46 - 35:24 Just a little, but where I come from, there's really little information on special needs school or on autistic. You have schools for children who have a disability, all of them in one institution. But I know in other parts, in other towns in Cameroon, They are currently setting up quite a few of them now. But in other remote areas, there's really because children are still sent away from school because teachers can't cope. Speaker 7 35:24 - 35:27 They say, I can't cope. I can't manage a child like this. Speaker 9 35:27 - 35:44 So we've got a lot of parents that listen in that the children have just been diagnosed with autism. So if you had to go back, What would you do differently and what advice would you give to parents that are just starting the process now? Because obviously it is a daunting process. Your child hasn't changed. Speaker 9 35:44 - 35:48 They're still the same. So it's just that they've been given a diagnosis. Speaker 7 35:49 - 36:14 So what advice would you give to parents? The first thing I'll say to every parent is you love the child that is in front of you. He or she may not be the child you were expecting, but love the one that is in front of you. their achievements and encourage them to do more or more of the things that they like doing. Speaker 7 36:15 - 36:29 Secondly, I would encourage every parent to have a voice. Sometimes we think that our issues are very personal. We have to keep them within us. It's true that we have confidential issues. Speaker 7 36:29 - 36:50 We have things which we have to keep them to ourselves, but our children At some point, we won't be there to take care of them. They are autistic children and they'll grow up as autistic adults. We may not be there in the near future. So how are you planning now against the future? Speaker 7 36:50 - 37:16 So you start by education, like raising the awareness, people around you, family members, friends, you tell them what is happening with your child. You tell them what to do to support your child if you are not there. Those are some of the things I never really used to do because I used to have this in my mind, I'll always be there. Or if you cannot take care of him, I'll always be there. Speaker 7 37:16 - 37:40 But at some point I discovered that sometimes I need just an hour for myself. So it's good to bring in other people, your partner, your husband, let them get involved as well. Every family member or anybody who comes to live with you, let them know about your child to be able to support them. Speaker 9 37:40 - 37:58 And what about starting the process? You know, when you go through diagnosis, then you're trying to find the right type of school that's going to suit your son or your daughter, teenagers. Any advice with the process of like, what would you do differently? Are you quite happy with what you did when you first started this journey? Speaker 7 37:58 - 38:23 I'm not really sure if then II actually understood every if I actually understood everything but I would like to tell every parent that make sure do your own research. Yeah. Do your own findings be equipped with knowledge even if it means going going to school to learn more about autism. Do your own studies as well in order to understand exactly to you. Speaker 7 38:23 - 38:42 You may be able to Do you understand what autism is? And how it impacts him? And how it impacts him and the rest of the family. Until I did a postgraduate in autism, then I had to apply theory to practicals. Speaker 7 38:42 - 39:05 How did you find that? I was like, okay, so what I have been doing, this is the word, this is the terminology I can use to describe that. So it's really necessary for parents to do their own findings, to equip themselves as well so that if they're going in to see any doctor or any specialist or anyone for a meeting they should have questions to ask as well. Speaker 9 39:05 - 39:29 Yeah take questions because sometimes you forget because you're so overwhelmed because it's your son and sometimes it's good to take somebody with you to prompt you. To prompt, yes to remind you. Because when you're supporting somebody that's not your son or your daughter you're like really on it and but sometimes when it's your own because you get quite emotionally involved. Sometimes it's just like have a list of questions that you might like to ask and just keep checking them just to make sure that you get through them all. Speaker 9 39:30 - 39:49 If you don't you can always email them and just say oh there was something that I wanted to ask and I always say keep evidence, evidence, evidence because sometimes verbal conversations they don't back up what's been said in the meeting. Do you think there still needs to be more awareness and acceptance, or do you think it's getting better? Speaker 7 39:50 - 40:13 It's getting better, but there's still need for awareness and acceptance. You still have parents who are still struggling. to accept the child. Yes, you still have people in the community who are still struggling to understand what autism is, to understand other autistic individuals, be they adults, be they children. Speaker 7 40:13 - 40:28 Yes, we still need a lot of people, more people to come up, to have that voice, to talk about if our children cannot talk for themselves, let's all be their advocates and share the information. Speaker 9 40:28 - 40:37 So at Khan Abilities, just briefly before we finish this quarter, can you just tell me what it's all about and what people can expect if they contact you? Speaker 7 40:38 - 41:09 OK, so at Khan Abilities, one of the main things that we do is raising awareness in any form of awareness, whether it's giving talks or having forums or seminars on autism and also on supporting autistic individuals. Along our journey, we also discovered that sometimes there's a lot of form-filling. You just love those forms, don't you? And you have some parents whose first language is not English. Speaker 7 41:09 - 41:30 They can find it very difficult. So we can equally give that support because filling those forms as well can be very disabling because you think of the negative, the negative, what my child cannot do. So yes, we can also give that support in the community. It's raising awareness and bringing people, autistic families and the children together. Speaker 9 41:30 - 41:41 So again, just to remind everyone, if you're living in the Basingstoke area, it's www.facebook.com slash can abilities slash. Is there a telephone number that people can contact? Speaker 7 41:41 - 41:51 Yeah, it's offhand, I'll just give my number, 07400 821212. Just to repeat, just in case people are trying to get a pen. Speaker 9 41:51 - 42:00 Okay, 07400 821212. And if you miss that number, please contact me on the charity website and we can pass it along. Thank you. Speaker 11 42:03 - 42:05 Welcome to Women's Radio Station. Speaker 5 42:05 - 42:11 Hello and welcome to Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio Station. Speaker 10 42:11 - 42:14 Hello and welcome to Judy May Is Listening. Speaker 9 42:15 - 42:22 Hi, this is Anna Kennedy and we're at women's radio station supporting women's well-being and we're talking all things autism. Speaker 11 42:22 - 42:26 Women, the possibilities are endless. That's what makes us different. Speaker 4 42:31 - 42:44 Hi, I'm Nicole Goodman. And I'm Lauren Mishkon, and this is the Self-Care Club podcast. The advice for self-care today is endless, and can feel like yet another overwhelming job for women. The Self-Care Club is part social experiment, part reality show. Speaker 4 42:45 - 42:51 Every episode, we trial a different self-care practice, live it to the letter for a week, and report back to you on the results. Speaker 3 42:51 - 42:59 Will it actually improve your well-being, or will it be another waste of your time? We test out self-care so you don't have to. Welcome to the Self-Care Club. Speaker 6 43:01 - 43:29 My name is Ingrid Marsh and I host the radical wellbeing show, Supporting Women's Wellbeing. On my show, I bring you ordinary women like me and you, who are sharing their unique stories. Women who have refused to be defined by their pains, to be silenced by stigma or crushed by stereotypes, and who are taking back their power. And together, our mission is a simple one, and that's to inspire you to kick away the roadblocks too, to don your wings and be the person that you were born to be. Speaker 12 43:30 - 43:47 Do you want to be a doula? Would you like to support families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period? Do you have qualities of compassion, listening, caring and empowering? At Nurturing Birth we offer approved doula training courses across the UK which are facilitated by an award-winning doula. Speaker 12 43:48 - 43:59 Here you will learn more about the support you can offer, explore the doula role and think about how to set up your business. No need for previous qualifications. Find out more at nurturingbirth.co.uk Speaker 8 44:01 - 44:21 Hi, I'm Hazel Butterfield, a blogger, book lover, and mental health advocate. And you can listen to my show, Get Booked, here at Women's Radio Station, daily at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Throughout my shows, we'll talk about the books I've read, new releases, chat to authors, publishers, and book enthusiasts, all with a theme and aim of supporting women's emotional well-being. Speaker 8 44:22 - 44:30 If you have a book to tell us about, get in touch at presentersatwomensradiostation.com. Join me on my show and share my love of books and writing. Speaker 11 44:33 - 44:55 You're listening to Women's Radio Station, supporting women's wellbeing. Women's Radio Station's creating a global network for the empowerment of women, and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter at Women's Radio Station, that's Women's Radio STN, or Facebook Women's Radio Station to keep up to date with all our exciting programmes. Speaker 9 44:59 - 45:15 Hello, this is Anna Kennedy, and we're talking all things autism. We're supporting women's well-being and we're live and we're in Covent Garden. And my guest today is Clarice Angerford. So, Clarice, can you talk to me a little bit about siblings and how your sons get on together? Speaker 9 45:16 - 45:25 And I'm always interested to find out. Obviously, you're quite similar to myself. I've got one son and then one son who is autistic. So how do they get on together? Speaker 7 45:25 - 45:44 Those two are a very good pair. They've got an age difference of five. Sometimes the big brother actually looks after the small brother. Especially when he was still a baby, he would lie down beside him and he's on his rocking chair. Speaker 7 45:44 - 46:07 The younger one used to cry a lot then. On his mind, he was like, I'm still waiting for you to leave this house. So eventually, he's accepted that he came to stay. Because one is verbal, one is non-verbal, so they kind of help out each other. Speaker 9 46:07 - 46:08 Oh, that's nice. Speaker 7 46:08 - 46:34 Yes, like the younger brother taught the big brother how to use the remote control. Yeah, because my autistic boy didn't have fine motor skills to control. So his younger brother actually taught him. So what they used to do is the big boy was standing in front of the telly and the small one is using the remote control to control and then the big one is pointing, pointing which program to go on to. Speaker 7 46:36 - 46:57 If it's a laptop which doesn't have, which is not a touch screen, so the big boy will teach the younger, the small brother what to do. So he shows, he points where to put the laptop on, he puts it on, then he goes onto the screen. Then he shows him where to click. So the younger one is using the mouse now to click. Speaker 7 46:57 - 47:18 So over the years, they've actually been helping out each other, and they've taught each other on how to do things. But recently, sibling rivals, yes, they'll fight over the remote control. One big brother will take it and hide it. Then when a small brother sees it, he'll take it and hide. Speaker 9 47:18 - 47:28 So does your son use the iPad? Because my son, Angelo, he loves his iPad. And he's always tip-tap-tap-tap. It amazes me how quick he is and knows what he wants. Speaker 9 47:28 - 47:32 And if I think he might need help, he just pushes me, wears it to say, I know what I'm doing, Mother. Speaker 7 47:32 - 47:42 You know, like, off you go type of thing. Oh my God. I mean, last night he got up a couple of times to check out where it was kept. Yeah, he uses the iPad or the phone. Speaker 7 47:42 - 48:00 We were almost at the stage where he could use the iPad with the Proloquo. Yes, we used that at the school. Because he's so much into the iPad and he still sees it as a toy and he can generate music from any sound. So they had to take it back from him as a communication tool. Speaker 7 48:00 - 48:04 So he's still using the communication book. Speaker 9 48:04 - 48:23 Yeah, so just people listening, sorry to interject there, just wanted to remind people that Proloquo is a fantastic app. So if you haven't heard about it, just Google Proloquo, that's P-R-O-L-O-Q-U-O. And it's a fantastic app that we use at the school as well. So check it out. Speaker 7 48:23 - 48:49 Sorry, continue. It's a very good app if they know how to use it. So between the two of them, they quite understand each other. Yeah, even though he's autistic, you still have the sibling rivalry, the quarrel or the kind of fight, their own fight where mom or dad has to come and say, you sit there, you sit here, or you go upstairs and wait there, then the other one stays here. Speaker 7 48:49 - 49:15 But at times it gets overwhelming because as a mom, I may spend too much time on the autistic one, and then the younger one seems, or he feels left out. There are times which he has said, oh, nobody loves me in this house. Why did you give the phone or the iPad to Les, and then you don't want me to have a gadget? Why did you do this to him, and you don't want me? Speaker 7 49:15 - 49:38 So there's that constant comparison. So at times, we tell him, at times, sometimes what I do is I say, okay, I know you understand your brother's condition. And I know that you will not throw a tantrum or you will not throw a meltdown if I don't give you this. But with your brother, if he starts shouting and screaming, he may end up hitting all of us here. Speaker 7 49:38 - 49:56 But I know you cannot do that because you understand better than him. So I think just for peace of mind, just for the sake of peace, we can give him, but not for a long time. he tries to understand sometimes, but there is still that feeling. And as a parent, you feel it as well. Speaker 7 49:57 - 50:03 So sometimes when I look at him, I feel like, oh, such a little boy. He's just grown up to be a caring and a supportive. Speaker 9 50:03 - 50:12 And they grow up quicker, I think, younger children when they have a brother or a sister that has quite profoundly affected by their autism because they've had to. Speaker 7 50:12 - 50:31 Yes, and he's really good because he's got autistic classmates and he tells me that somebody was bullying my friend who is autistic. I was like, OK, what did you do? He said, I asked them to stop. Then when they were not stopping, I had to tell my class teacher. Speaker 7 50:32 - 50:46 OK, that's good. So he's looking out. Yes, he looks out for them. When we go out as well, sometimes he forgets that he has to play with his friends because unconsciously he feels that he has to look after his brother. Speaker 7 50:47 - 50:55 Then at nine, he's already asked me the question, so what's going to happen to me and my brother when you are a hundred and you die? Speaker 9 50:55 - 51:13 yeah so well my son's already told me he said when you're dead and gone i'm not looking after him because i can't do what you do but i will go and check on him to make sure he's okay so i went well that's all i can ask of you you know patrick but he's already made a quite good I can't do what you do. Speaker 7 51:15 - 51:31 So when he asked that question, I felt it because if he starts asking you a question with so, then he's been thinking about it. It's been going through over and over on his mind. So he said, so what's going to happen? Will I be taking care of Lesra then? Speaker 7 51:31 - 51:52 I said, no, depending on what needs he will have then, we would have sorted out something for him. Probably he will have his own home where he'll be staying. But wherever you'll be, you still have to go and check on him to make sure he has his basic needs, to make sure he has everything. He's clean, he's tidy, he's prepared, he's got everything good around him. Speaker 7 51:53 - 51:58 So I said, but you won't have to be there all the time like we are here now. He said, okay. Speaker 9 51:58 - 52:15 So we have a busy lifestyle, you and I, so obviously it's very important for us to have time out. And because this is a show about supporting women's well-being, what do you do to relax? Because I know I'm a bit rubbish at relaxing. So what do you do to relax? Speaker 9 52:15 - 52:22 What do you do to, you know, give yourself a little bit of a breather and just think, right, I just need five minutes. Speaker 7 52:21 - 52:40 Yeah. It took me time. It took me forever to realize that it is necessary to have that me time. At first, I just used to think I would just carry on and on and on until, should I say, I had a breakdown. Speaker 7 52:40 - 52:48 And doctors may not have told me directly. How long ago was that? two years ago when I lost the baby. Oh, I'm sad. Speaker 7 52:48 - 53:06 Yeah, so when they ask so many questions, so when you think about them, it goes down to a bit of stress. Yeah. Yeah, so much. Then I realized that, you know what, you can actually sit and you look at all those clothes which need ironing, and you still sit and look at them, you still have your good sleep. Speaker 7 53:06 - 53:25 But at first, As women, when you're at home, you just think you can carry on, you can go on and on. You do this, you do that, then you only get tired when you only rest, or you think you rest when you go to bed. But when you go to bed again, you're thinking about the next day. Or if you have a child like ours, sometimes they don't sleep all through the night. Speaker 7 53:26 - 53:28 They still have to wake you up at some point. Speaker 9 53:28 - 53:33 I'll tell you something funny. My husband, I've been married to him for 32 years. Oh, wow. Right? Speaker 9 53:33 - 53:49 Okay, so he doesn't wash up. but he bought himself some yellow gloves and he started washing up after 32 years and he keeps telling me about it. He said he gets his yellow gloves on and he says, I've washed up for you. I said, oh, for me? Speaker 9 53:49 - 53:59 So, you're obviously not eating. He's helping you out in your house. But it just made me laugh. I thought, oh, well, there is a little bit of hope after 32 years. Speaker 9 53:59 - 54:03 You started washing up. I thought, wow, I can't believe it. Get me the smelling salts. Speaker 7 54:04 - 54:13 There is a difference. Yeah. And then it's necessary to have that time to yourself just to have a break. Yeah, I need a break. Speaker 7 54:13 - 54:26 Yeah, or maybe just to go out with friends. So I've learned that at times you can just go out with a friend, or even if there's no friend, you can just go out and relax, maybe just at the coaster. Have a little walk, have a cup of coffee. Speaker 9 54:26 - 54:30 Have a little walk, yeah. And when you're with friends, you can have a good laugh, can't you? Speaker 7 54:30 - 54:31 Yes, you laugh. Speaker 9 54:31 - 54:33 And I think laughter's the best medicine. Speaker 7 54:33 - 54:36 Yes, smiling. Yeah. Speaker 9 54:36 - 54:43 So you've got an event coming up, I believe, within your charity. So what is that all about? It's all about autism awareness. Speaker 7 54:43 - 55:05 OK. Yeah. And one of the things which we do is we try very hard to include children because I do believe that children are the future adults of tomorrow. When we are not there, they'll have to take after us and And they need to have that knowledge about autism. Speaker 7 55:05 - 55:23 Like when I look at those who are around me who know about my son and autism, and when I look at what they know now, I'm like, if I knew what they know now, then there'll be a lot of difference. So usually when we are doing autism awareness, we involve children. Speaker 9 55:23 - 55:33 OK, so is that going to be during Autism Awareness Week? Yes. OK, because there's a lot of I've noticed on social media now so much information that people are sharing. Some people are doing runs. Speaker 9 55:33 - 55:46 Some people are doing awareness days. Some people are doing workshops. We're doing quite a bit within the charity, which I'll be sharing soon. So, again, if people are interested and they might like to see and they live near to Basingstoke so they can come along. Speaker 9 55:47 - 56:06 So if they check out every. Oh, sorry. No, that's. facebook.com can ability so it's facebook.com and then you'll find out the date and find out what it is exactly that you're doing i just want to say thank you so much for coming along i know it was a bit stressful getting here but as mums we adapt don't Speaker 9 56:06 - 56:43 we and we just like sit down and get on with it and that's what we've had to do with everything in our life you know when we've gone through all of the different processes so i just want to say thank you so much i wanted to wish you and well and love to hear a little bit more about what's happening with the charity so just keep me posted. So if people are interested, Clarice is going to write an article for me and we'll be sharing it on the charity website and that'll be shared within a couple of days time so any links that she thinks that's going to be useful that help parents through their journey. So is there any final thing you'd like to say before we sign off? Speaker 7 56:45 - 56:57 Oh, I just want to say thank you so much for having me today. And just to reiterate to parents that just love your child, give your child the maximum love and care that they need. Speaker 9 56:57 - 57:00 Yeah, be kind, everyone. Be kind. Thank you. Speaker 11 57:03 - 57:05 Welcome to Women's Radio Station. Speaker 5 57:05 - 57:11 Hello and welcome to Future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on Women's Radio Station. Speaker 10 57:11 - 57:14 Hello and welcome to Judy May Is Listening. Speaker 9 57:15 - 57:22 Hi, this is Anna Kennedy and we're at women's radio station supporting women's well-being and we're talking all things autism. Speaker 11 57:22 - 57:26 Women, the possibilities are endless. That's what makes us different. Speaker 4 57:31 - 57:45 Hi, I'm Nicole Goodman. And I'm Lauren Mishkon, and this is the Self-Care Club podcast. The advice for self-care today is endless and can feel like yet another overwhelming job for women. The Self-Care Club is part social experiment, part reality show. Speaker 4 57:45 - 57:51 Every episode, we trial a different self-care practice, live it to the letter for a week, and report back to you on the results. Speaker 3 57:51 - 57:59 Will it actually improve your well-being, or will it be another waste of your time? We test out self-care so you don't have to. Welcome to the Self-Care Club. Speaker 6 58:01 - 58:29 My name is Ingrid Marsh and I host the radical well-being show, supporting women's well-being. On my show, I bring you ordinary women like me and you, who are sharing their unique stories. Women who have refused to be defined by their pains, to be silenced by stigma or crushed by stereotypes, and who are taking back their power. And together, our mission is a simple one, and that's to inspire you to kick away the roadblocks too, to don your wings and be the person that you were born to be. Speaker 12 58:31 - 58:47 Do you want to be a doula? Would you like to support families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period? Do you have qualities of compassion, listening, caring and empowering? At Nurturing Birth we offer approved doula training courses across the UK which are facilitated by an award winning doula. Speaker 12 58:48 - 58:59 Here you will learn more about the support you can offer, explore the doula role and think about how to set up your business. No need for previous qualifications. Find out more at nurturingbirth.co.uk Speaker 8 59:01 - 59:21 Hi, I'm Hazel Butterfield, a blogger, book lover, and mental health advocate. And you can listen to my show, Get Booked, here at Women's Radio Station, daily at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Throughout my shows, we'll talk about the books I've read, new releases, chat to authors, publishers, and book enthusiasts, all with a theme and aim of supporting women's emotional well-being. Speaker 8 59:22 - 59:30 If you have a book to tell us about, get in touch at presentersatwomensradiostation.com. Join me on my show and share my love of books and writing. Speaker 11 59:33 - 59:55 You're listening to Women's Radio Station, supporting women's well-being. Women's Radio Station's creating a global network for the empowerment of women, and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter at Women's Radio Station, that's Women's Radio STN, or Facebook Women's Radio Station to keep up to date with all our exciting programs.