[Image: A dry rocky riverbed with a smattering of green bushes. A vibrant blue sky can be seen in the distance between rising rock faces on either side. A man walks in the distance away from camera wearing a maroon top and jeans.] The official retreat has begun. The heat sits just outside the window. Sneaking around gaps of poor fitting blinds to enter the house. The drone of the air conditioner the music of Summer. A perilous lifesaver in a time where blackouts are predicted as an ongoing part of the Summer. It’s hot and the country burns. Heat records broken day after day. Wildlife a ..read more

[Image: A merle Great Dane, Freyja, is lying on the floor staring directly at the camera. She is resting her paw on Michelle's pink dressing gown covered lap. Behind her, a white mid-century rocker, window and other snippets of loungeroom furniture can be seen.] The house feels empty and claustrophobic in equal measure. The walls weigh heavy on my heart. Each morning there is a moment, just before I open my bedroom door where I have forgotten. Then I am faced with a large empty couch and it hits me she’s gone. It’s been almost two weeks now since I had to make the decision to say g ..read more

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Roger (@michelle_roger) on Mar 23, 2019 at 11:28pm PDT [I'm currently too tired to take a celebratory photo so this old one from my #UpAndDressed project over on Instagram will have to do.  Image: Michelle sits on an object covered by a purple tones throw. She is in between sections of aquaponics and surrounded by greenery and a red chook house in the background. She is holding a glass of wine and wearing a pale pink crocheted dress, patterned brown stockings and brown t-bars.]  My parents recently ..read more

A post shared by Michelle Roger (@michelle_roger) on Feb 28, 2019 at 2:46pm PST [Image: the tiny reflection of a woman can be seen in a mirror leaning against a white wall. Fairy lights hang down and a red covered chair with colourful cushions can be seen.] Some days I’m not sure who I am. My confidence bottoms out and a state of ennui weaves its way into my heart.  The directionless nature of Summer is always tough but this year we have reached Autumn with no end in sight. It stretches out longer and longer and my nerves are strung along with it. And I find myself with too much downt ..read more

[Image: a black night fills the screen. The only features are a walking stick light, Michelle's red stockinged legs and the hint of hands and the rest of her body.] Hello. Is anyone still there? I wouldn't be surprised if I am typing into an empty corner of the aether. There's a load of media to consume and a recalcitrant and inconsistent blogger doesn't hold any attraction in the fast-paced onslaught online. But if you've stuck around, big love to you. If there's no one there and I'm chatting to myself that's equally okay. I write to discover myself and the world around me. And that's a wo ..read more

[Image: Michelle, a white woman with red asymmetrical hair, sits in a red garden chair leaning towards the camera. Behind her, a red chook shed can be seen and a green bush is seen to the left of frame. Her right hand is holding a clear walking stick. She wears red accessories, black cats eye glasses and a green floral vintage-inspired dress.] You can't miss my walking stick in the picture above. It may be clear but it still stands out. It is a thing of beauty. The bubbles floating throughout the clear lucite catch the light. Pop a LED in the base and it shines like a line of fairy ligh ..read more

[Image: two smiling women wear pastel tie-dyed jumpsuits. The dark-haired woman at the rear of the frame is standing and wears cat ears. The blond-haired woman sitting is sitting in a wheelchair. source: ASOS] Yesterday fashion juggernaut ASOS released a two-piece waterproof jumpsuit designed in conjunction with BBC reporter, para-athlete and wheelchair user, Chloe Ball-Hopkins. The cut of the pastel tie-dye extravaganza designed specifically with wheelchair users in mind. And at £50 ($AU89.42) a midrange price point not uncommon in general fashion. And the internet exploded. I too was exci ..read more

 [Image: a woman's pink and purple-clad legs and pale feet can be seen lying on a fluoro green yoga mat on a green lawn. She is lying in a backyard and a brown brick house, hedge, white plastic chair and pot plants can be seen in the background. To the left of the mat, a clear walking stick can be seen. At the foot of the mat four chickens, two gold, one white and a large brown and gold, are moving towards the woman's toes.] I'm up and dressed today and then I'm not. I have pushed too far and finally landed on my bum. My descent to the kitchen floor a tangible reminder that my body continue ..read more

[Image: Photo of the Sigvaris Doff n Donner. To the left of the photo is the fluid-filled and corrugated beige Doff n Donner 'doughnut'. To the right is the taller black and red cone part of the device. Photo source.] This is not a sponsored post. I purchased my Sigvaris Doff n Donner from my local Access Rehabilitation Equipment store last year. They can be purchased directly from Sigvaris stores and online from most of the larger compression stocking retailers. I would strongly suggest anyone interested in the device ask their local distributor to get one in for them to try. If possibl ..read more

[Image: a pale brown round wooden table can be seen in the top left corner. A glass of champaign a book, The Dressmaker, sits on top of the table. Down the bottom and right of the photo a pair of bright red flat shoes, jade stockings and grey floral dress can be seen. The feet rest on a wheelchair footplate a small front wheel from the chair can also be seen.] Demanding chickens circle my feet as I sit outside with my morning coffee. Two days ago Mr Grumpy bought cracked corn for treats and already they are hooked. Waddling feathered bodies burst from under trees and amongst the pot plants ..read more