Donna Chester Counselling

A Tribute to the Transgender Community on Transgender Visibility Day  Being an ally to the transgender and non binary community means standing alongside some of the bravest people I know. Those people have chosen to live as their authentic selves despite a world that makes it difficult. They ask for nothing more than the right to be who they are, yet society repeatedly questions their identity, challenges their existence and constantly puts obstacles in their way. Imagine being told that your own experience of yourself isn't real. Or that your truth is up for debate. It is a painful, isolating and frustrating reality that many transgender people face every day. We see this in other areas of life too; people with chronic pain or anxiety disorders often struggle to be believed because others can't see their struggles. But just as pain is real even when it is invisible, transgender and non binary people are real, valid and deserving of respect. The Right To Simply Exist  At the c...

4-5 minute read.     Today, on Epilepsy Awareness Day, I want to share how epilepsy affects not only those who live with it but also the people around them.   Growing up with a parent who had epilepsy, I had no guidance to help me understand this complex condition. It was rarely mentioned in the media, on TV, or in books. There was nothing around me to help make sense of what our family was going through.   Disabilities can have a deep, generational impact—but my hope is that, through awareness and understanding, families can find healing.   Epilepsy is often misunderstood because it is an invisible condition.  Just because someone appears to function well day to day does not mean that they can always fully meet their own needs. Managing epilepsy can be challenging both physically and emotionally.   The Emotional Impact of Epilepsy   Living with epilepsy can feel incredibly isolating. Because the condition is not always visible, people can struggl...