Sunday 10 October 2010

A bottle of wine made me say this

A few of my friends have been extremely honest on their blogs lately. I have never been dishonest but I have kept stuff to myself. Like for instance my husband has been suffering from ME for the last seventeen years. Yes we live on Incapacity Benefit, we are not benefit cheats, although ME sufferers are apparently a prime suspect for it.

Some folks tend to judge people by their employment, I am not embarrassed of my job but I know the narrow minded do this. I know that by the rolling of the eyes and rudeness of people I come across at work. I am a Tesco checkout chick, I make stuff go beep so I must be thick.

We live in a small flat, I drive a six year old Fiat but both are paid for, we own naebudy nuthin!

I am extremely proud of my achievements, lately I have had a bit of media attention, and there is more in the pipeline. I feel a wee bit self conscious, but when I came out of hospital after having the brain haemorrhage the most common comment I came across was “Oh, I knew somebody that had a brain haemorrhage but they died!” That did bugger all for my confidence! But now I feel the more folk that know there is life after such a trauma the better. So if somebody you know is in the same predicament you can say “I know some one who had one and they are doing bloody brilliantly!”

I have written this under the influence of a bottle of wine but I stand by it, I am flaming well proud of what I have achieved and I’m not finished yet, I plan a hell of a lot more!

11 comments:

Davie said...

I love it when you get honest!

Be ashamed of nothing! You have achieved more than millions have, just by being you and doing the best you can in your chosen field(s). I love you to bits and if it wasn't for checkout persons, Alibea wouldn't have anyone examining her boobs!
I,too, have had a bottle of wine. Lovely! The wine not Alibea's b.... nah don't go there!!!!

Fiona Rennie said...

When I got up this morning I thought "oh dear, what did I rant about last night?" Apart from typing own instead of owe the spelling etc. was ok, see I'm not thick I can drink and spell at the same time! The content, nothing my friends would hold against me.

Subversive Runner said...

It's your blog, Fi, so write what you like. When you were running off leaving me standing at the Fling this year I didn't think 'bloody checkout chick,' I thought 'Fi's kicking my arse again. And she's wearing a tutu.'

Thank the Lord for the lip loosening quality of vino collapso.

allybea said...

Being honest is hugely liberating and healing. You go girl!

Our oldest son has ME, diagnosed at age 13 and he's now nearly 24. Our battles were mainly education ones and the judgement we faced was awful. He's been left with severe depression and agoraphobia. Without benefits he wouldn't survive.

The world would be a better place if we were all more honest.

Ali x

4 Winds said...

Impressive athletic prowess coupled with living in a stunning part of the world - I'm well jealous!

Vicky said...

You should be very proud of all the incredible things you have achieved. I think you're an amazing runner but more importantly an amazing person.

Honesty goes a long way.

kate said...

you've got nothing to prove to anyone. keep doing what you're doing, you're very good at it :)

John Kynaston said...

Hi Fiona

Though I don't know you really well what I do know is that you are someone who loves life and loves doing what you do.

I love reading your blog as your determination and love of being out on the trails shines through.

Keep going and all the best with all that going on in your life.

JK

five fingers said...

I sincerely love your honesty. It takes a good character to be honest on this matter..

Haymond Lam said...

Hey Fiona,

I have only recently been acquainted with your racing exploits from the Loch-Ness Marathon magazine.

There is nothing to be ashamed of. The way I see it, everybody has a story to tell, a tapestry of experience that need not be confined to cultural pressures of consumerism or socio-economic status; to define life as such is extremely narrow at best and moronic at worst. You have an interesting story to tell which exudes an extremely resilient character to it.

Secondly you have the respect of your peers, friends and family. The respect of your peers is definitely one of the most awesome things to acknowledge and draw upon. Forget about those strangers. I think Jim Rohn says he only likes to spend time with those that matter...so for those that roll their eyes, let them do so to show their insecurities.

What you have written is inspiring to say the least. To have recovered from a serious condition and to have run all those races is something not to be sneered at. People my age (i'm 29...so on the shy side of 30) could learn a thing or 2. I hope me and my bin bag buddy in arms will shake your hand at the start of next year's Nessie run.

Haymond.

brendaontheRun said...

good for you!