This blog post was written on 19/8/2020

I’m not too sure how much you are all aware but I have been studying for my MSc in Criminal Justice, part time, through distance learning. And it’s finally all over! My end independent project was a 15,000 word research project on the relationship between domestic abuse and international parental child abduction, extremely informative but absolutely exhausting.

We’re off to Cornwall next week, and I did toy with the idea of taking my laptop with me so that I can keep blogging from Cornwall. However, I want a real break from everything in my life. This does not or will not ever mean a break from ASD life, in fact, being on holiday is the worst. We have had some unbelievably tough times on holiday and struggle massively. Anyway I digress……

University. i’m extremely pleased its over, but since having Charlie and realising the extent of his SEN needs I no longer feel able to progress in my chosen casreer path. Its sad really sad, I feel like I waited forever to do something with my career, that would suit me, that I would enjoy, adn then I got hit with the realisation that my career will never suit Charlie’s needs and I would have to back shelf it. And no one ever tells you that, no one ever tells you how much you have to shelf your career, job opportunities, pension and life goals. It has been a huge wake up call. I have been so lucky that up until 2017, the children always adapted to any job I took on, any shift pattern and any career opportunities I found, I took them without a second thought because I had that safety net and security of knowing that I would be able to live a life following my career dreams. So even though becoming a single mother had left me without the ability to travel, holiday and have a life I freely wanted, I was always confident that I would be able to work. And that has not happened.

For a short time, I was totally reliant on the government for financial support, and its heart breaking. When you have become so self sufficient and financially stable to then rely on credit cards and the government to hold you up its you hard, destroys your self worth and self esteem, its an untold trauma.

Speaking of credit cards, it was so complex getting the postgraduate student finance loan that I abandoned it and paid for my course, through credit cards. Which I will continue to pay for the next 6 months or so. And hopefully then they will be paid off. Well I hope.

So there we have it, my postgraduate dream gone, but I didn’t want the difficulties I had to overshadow life completely and it was so important for me to continue on a path that I felt was right for me. So, although the possibility of a career in criminal justice has diminished for me, I didn’t see why I had to give up getting a qualification in that level in my preferred choice. That was a personal goal, not a professional one and I achieved it. and for that I will be forever grateful.

I think, for now my only job is to make sure my children have enough love and security to support them through their childhoods.

Stay safe

Georgina x