The Journey of a Special Needs Father's Blog by Gary Herbert

Gary Herbert named Pride of Britain fundraiser of the year for the west of the Anglia region

Gary said: "I'm shocked"

Everyone else said: "You totally deserve it"
Click here to watch the winning moment Blog No 5. Pride of Britain Award

Well a lot has happened since my last blog over a year ago now!.  We always seem to be so busy in the Herbert household and time just seems to fly by. I prefer being busy though as it keeps me occupied and helps take my mind off our daily challenges and stops my mind from wandering. Blog No 4. Highs and Lows

Hi all, hope you are all well and safe.

The past couple of months since I last wrote have been very demanding and extremely challenging for us all in the Herbert household. Trying to juggle home schooling in combination with looking after Lewis has been extremely difficult, exhausting and very stressful for us both.

It’s just not normal for children to be taught by their parents, it’s just not our role and not what we signed up for!. It must be so confusing for the children, I really feel for them. We have done the best we can in a very testing time.

The past year has, and will continue to have a massive impact on so many people’s mental health for many years to come.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 3. Groundhog Day Lockdown

A month ago I was completely fed up of feeling as rubbish and as low as I was feeling. I’m was sick and tired of always feeling sick and tired, and the penny finally dropped!. I knew that stopping drinking at the weekends would have a positive impact on every aspect of my life, and that would enable me to start moving forward in a happier and a more positive and productive way.

I’ve spent the past month doing a lot of thinking and have spent a lot of time reflecting on my life and what I can do to try and improve things moving forward. Read The JSNF Blog No 2 In full.. Blog No 2. Draw a Line in the Sand

Hi all, really hope my first blog finds you safe and well in these crazy and very challenging times for us all. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay!. These are unprecedented and extremely challenging times for all of us in so many different ways. Try and be patient and understanding to others, as you never know what they might be going through.

Lewis’ Birthday weeks have always been really tough for us, with so many different emotions and thoughts going through our heads. Thought’s of all the missed milestones over the years which so many people take for granted, all the what if’s?.
Read The JSNF Blog In Full.. Blog No 1. Lewis 18th Birthday

Very often health care professionals go under the radar and are not recognised for their amazing timeless work. We would like to put on record our experience of Lewis’ Consultant Paediatrician and give him the credit and recognition he very much deserves.

Yesterday was a sad and emotional day for us both as Lewis had his last appointment (transition) with his wonderful Consultant Paediatrician at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) Dr John Hewertson. It really is an end of an era for us, as we have been through some much whilst under his superb care.
.. His Consultant Dr Hewertson