Twenty Questions with – Ami, Undercover Superhero

My final interview of 2020 is here and this month I am pleased to introduce you to Ami, a fellow Norfolk dweller and disability blogger.

Ami’s blog Undercover Superhero shares her journey of recovery and a life with multiple disabilities. She also aims to raise awareness of disability by inviting others to share their story and situation. (I will get that guest post to you soon Ami!).

My Questions/Ami’s Answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

I was asked if I would be interested in writing about my volunteering experience with Scope, a UK disability charity. Prior to being given this opportunity, I was coming up to 8 months of a long hospital and rehabilitation stay. I originally started volunteering with Scope, as an online community champion, before I was admitted to hospital. After learning to type again, I was allowed to resume my role and it really helped me on my way to recovery. As a result, I wanted to share how volunteering for Scope had a massive impact on my recovery.

I really enjoyed writing the guest blog and it gave me the idea of writing about my time in hospital and ongoing recovery, and as they say, the rest is history.

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

Initially, I didn’t set out to achieve anything from my blog, however the more I wrote, the more I wanted to reach out to others who were going through something similar – any type of recovery is difficult enough as it is, I wish I’d had someone around me at the time who knew exactly what I was going through, why I felt the things I felt, someone who truly understood. Loved ones tried to understand but not the full extent. I’d hate for anyone to go through recovery alone, so i want to be there for others who need support, or just someone to talk to.

As time has gone on, my passion for raising awareness about different types of disabilities increased, so I started a series where others can share about their disabilities, illnesses, impairments, etc. The one thing that’s really opened my eyes throughout the series is that even if 2 people have the same condition, it does not mean they have the exact same symptoms. Each story is unique and I think it’s important to recognise that. Everyone is different.

3. What is the most difficult thing for you about having a disability?

I think it would have to be accepting that I’m dependent on my husband and Mum, especially the personal care aspect. I never thought I would take wiping my own arse for granted, but there you go.

4. What is the biggest positive about having a disability?

Definitely the friendships I’ve made along the way, and sharing special moments with them, like the time Hannah Deakin and myself walked (with our frames and assistance) across the finish line at the Superhero Tri in 2019. A moment I will cherish forever and hope to share more moments like that in the future.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Beans on toast, I know technically that’s two but it’s one meal I would happily eat for the rest of my life. Gosh, I love beans!

6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

My phone, so I can watch funny videos to take my mind off the inevitable, beans so I can have something nice to eat. And my neckband fan incase I start getting hot from panicking and end up flapping like a chicken (which i tend to do when I get too hot).

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

I don’t drink hot drinks but I’m guessing water first – no doubt I’d do it wrong!

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

Cuddling my dogs really helps me to chill out, or talking to them – are we even human if we don’t have a conversation with them? I like to think they understand me. Or watching funny videos, I laugh at anything and everything, I try and see the funny side to everything (within reason, of course).

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

I enjoy answering questions but I’m not very creative when its my turn to ask, so this might be difficult. Obviously I would love to interview Tom Hiddleston, because he is amazing! Hmm… what to ask the God of Mischief? Knowing me, I’d probably be too nervous and ask how he would make a cup of tea… he’d make it sound so enticing that I would most likely be persuaded to drink tea. He is British, after all.

10. What would be your dream job?

My dream job seems to change every few years, but my latest dream is to be a wedding planner. I’d like to focus on the accessibility of weddings and ensuring all are inclusive.

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

Well, initially I would have to let the DWP know as I’m a good girl and don’t plan to commit benefit fraud…

After thats done, I would pay off all outstanding debts (which is only a couple). Secondly, I would donate a huge chunk to the rehabilitation centre that I was an in-patient at. Lastly, I would happily invest in Primark, making sure they create an option where you can buy/order online. Its the only major high street clothing shop (that I’m aware of) which doesn’t have the option to shop online. Let’s be honest here, how many of you would have loved to have been able to shop online, especially during lockdown? They could be making so much more money and it baffles me as to why they’ve never done this!

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

I’m not really one for travelling, I’m content from just going up the road.

13. What one thing would you change about yourself?

Underestimating myself. For as long as I can remember, I’ve never believed in myself, had faith in what I can do. I really don’t give myself enough credit, its a force of habit that I constantly beat myself up about different things and I’d like to break that habit eventually.

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

A superhero, or a villain. Not sure which one though, there’s too many good ones to choose from. Although, I would like to have Iron Man’s technical knowledge and Loki’s mischievous streak.

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

No. Simply because I take enough medication as it is and don’t want to add anymore to the cocktail. In all seriousness though, I’m 25 now and still feel like I’m a teenager, not sure when that mindset will wear off but even when I’m 50, I will most likely think I’m 25.

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

Ewan, my husband. I envy his fearless attitude. Like if someone was to tell him he could go skydiving within the next 10 minutes, he would be buzzing and ready to go. He says what he thinks, whether it be appropriate or inappropriate, and is a laid-back kind of guy. I wish I could be more like that.

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

I’d like to go back to the 90’s or 00’s because everything seemed less complicated back when I was a young warthog (sorry just randomly started thinking about The Lion King). All I had to worry about was who to invite to my birthday parties or deciding what I wanted for Christmas from the Argos catalogue – you know, making sure to write down what the item was, how much, the catalogue number and the page number. Had to make sure our parents knew exactly what to get us…

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

Hmm… it would have to be harsher penalties/punishments for either animal abuse or child abuse/negligence. I won’t add anymore to that otherwise I will go on a long rant.

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I can’t think of a time where any of my traits have gotten me into trouble, well not lately anyway (I’m due to give birth early November and have a bad case of baby brain). Although, I am known to laugh when someone hurts themselves, especially Ewan. He is forever hitting his head against something or tripping over something small… now I’m laughing because there’s just been too many times its happened.

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

A maths teacher until I learned algebra and found it too confusing. A singer but then I realised I don’t like talking or singing infront of people. A hairdresser and make-up artist but that dream went out of the window when I couldn’t get past making myself look like I had black eyes.

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Thank you to Ami for a frank, honest and enjoyable interview. I have to agree beans on toast can be pretty damn tasty.

I absolutely talk to my cats, sometimes they even answer back, not that I’ve a clue what they’re saying!

Please take me back to those Argos catalogue days with you. They were definitely more carefree.

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Read more of Ami’s words on her blog Undercover Superhero and follow Ami on Twitter and Facebook.

If you’ve enjoyed this interview, check out the rest of my Twenty Questions series.