Although I’m not a particularly superstitious person, there’s always been something about the number 18 in my family. It’s when all the birthdays and anniversaries and life events seem to fall, it’s the addresses we live at, and it always seems to be an intrinsically lucky number. And even though I’m the kind of person who’d usually laugh that off and declare it all as chance, I did wonder whether 2018 would be a significant year for me… and given the frequency of unexpected life changing things that happened this year, it’s safe to say I wasn’t disappointed.

If you’ve followed me for a while you may also know that social media at this time of year frustrates me a lot and I tend to switch off for a few days, but I couldn’t let this year go without acknowledging or marking it in some way. But rather than list all that’s happened, let me share with you 18 Things I Learned In 2018 instead…

1. There’s no graceful way to reverse a powerchair into the wheelchair space on the bus.
2. The cordless hoover is one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century.
3. Peanut allergies still aren’t ‘trendy’ enough to warrant food manufacturers taking them seriously.
4. Noise-cancelling headphones are a blessing in disguise when you have problematic neighbours.
5. Mobility aids are not marketed with young adults in mind, but don’t be disheartened: they aren’t just for elderly people.
6. Dairy-free milk tastes far better in Yorkshire Tea than it does in Tetley’s.
7. When your boiler breaks down and you think ‘I can manage a few days without it’… you are thoroughly incorrect.
8. People who’ve been through tough times often have more interesting stories to tell.
9. Contrary to opinion, investing in a huge corner sofa for just one person is absolutely money well spent.
10. Blue Badge assessments aren’t fit for purpose for people with invisible illnesses.
11. Making yourself poorly from doing too much is not an achievement.
12. You can earn money from blogging and social media without losing your integrity.
13. You can’t please everybody.
14. The employment world is missing out on a huge pool of talent by not embracing flexible working for chronically ill people, but the opportunities that do exist are awesome.
15. Oreo thins are very much superior to their chubby originators.
16. Disabled people are still an afterthought in the UK, and this government isn’t the one that will change that.
17. Being resilient doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have an off-day.
18. Having a positive attitude won’t magically solve the challenges you encounter, but advocacy and a bit of creative problem solving might.

If you’re comfortable sharing, what’s something you’ve learned in 2018?

Thank you so much to everybody who’s stuck by me, supported my endeavours, and made this year one to remember. I appreciate you more than you know. Here’s to the healthiest and happiest 2019 possible!