The Morgan-Gurrs
November 2022 news update
It's been a while since we wrote something. In fact, the last time we updated everyone, we'd just returned from Spring Harvest, so we thought we owed you another update!
We also thought making sure it was out before Christmas was a good idea - mainly due to the amount of newsletters pouring in at that time.
Since our last news it's been the usual menu of work; meetings, interviews, podcasts, forums, writing, delivering training and generally haranguing people about disability and the church. Most of the haranguing has been about mission and disability, important when you know the the largest people group unreached by or unconnected to the Gospel is those with disabilities or additional needs.
Kay's websites had some major issues during the summer which resulted in her having to find a new accessible host where she could make the sites accessible, as well as have an accessible design editor she could actually see! And then rebuild the sites from scratch.
The addresses are the same, but the sites look much better whilst also being more accessible.
You can find them at theponderingplatypus.com and ponderingplatypusresources.com
The Additional Needs Alliance is growing at quite a pace. The Facebook group is growing fast and we now have almost 3,000 members! Little did I and my co-founder, Mark, know that almost 10 years later our vision would have grown so much. Kay is so encouraged by an amazing core team who surround and support her and Mark in this wonderful adventure. She really values the regular zoom meetings where they chat and pray together.
We had a lovely holiday in October, hiring a bungalow overlooking the sea in Norfolk. It was wonderful to hear the sea constantly, to go out for regular cuppas and the occasional meal - a wonderful, and much needed break.
However, on our return, Steve found himself in hospital!
Carry on reading to find out why....
Here's a potted version of what happened:
Early on the Sunday morning Steve's heart rate had dropped to a very low level, so Kay rang 111. We were told to get Steve to A&E quickly, but an ambulance would take 3 hours.
Wheelchair taxis don't work at the weekend (Or at night) So we asked a friend to take us and Kay had to leave the wheelchair behind; not the best, but you will see why it ended up being the wise option.
After some prodding by Kay who was noticing what the doctors and nurses weren't, they eventually saw the root of the problem, but it took a change of shift many, many hours later to find a doctor who knew what to do about it! We ended up at Glenfield hospital at 1am the next morning. (If we had taken the wheelchair, Kay wouldn't have been able to get home, but the nurses at Glenfield were so kind - they ordered Kay a taxi and took her to the door in a hospital wheelchair!)
Steve was discharged a day later, much improved and with a magic tablet!
But not much over 24 hours later, late at night, the issue returned. So after the same drill as Sunday, Steve landed back in A&E for 25 hours before they could send him back to Glenfield.
They increased the dose of the magic tablet, managed to track down some lost tests that gave them a fuller picture of what was happening and gave much better advice for the future (including to rest for a couple of weeks!) and he is feeling and looking much better and back to his very cheeky self!
Steve doesn't like fuss, but both he and Kay are so thankful for all the help we received during that week - especially those who gave lifts to Kay (and occasionally Steve too) and lugged her folding power chair in and out of their cars.
Last Christmas we gave an update on Kay's health and you may remember she was awaiting another urgent appointment with the ophthalmology team. Well, exactly a year after that referral and we're still waiting for the appointment. There's no change thankfully, but this appointment would give other referrals to the people who can help with supporting tech for the eye issues Kay has.
Steve continues with his role as pastor for Children Worldwide, alongside serving on the steering group.
What Kay does is often doesn't fit into a diary format as much of it is last minute or making videos and resources and meeting with people.
But some of the highlights of the diary for the next month include:
14th Nov (am) - zoom meeting with the Spring Harvest Planning Group
16th Nov (pm) - Children Matter Think Tank on zoom
23rd Nov - Spring Harvest Team Prep Day In London (First trip to London for 3 years - it took 2½ hours to book the assistance before she could start booking the tickets, so it's not filling her with confidence about the access support!)
28th Nov (am) - Meeting with the leaders of Reynard Way Evangelical church, Northampton to talk about disability, additional needs and possible training/ consultancy for the church.
Thankyou so much for your continued prayers!
Kay and Steve
