Caroline Coster

When I go out, I try to remember to take a straw with me and usually ask for a mug for any drinks. Although I can manage cups, it's difficult as my arms are short, painful if the drink is hot and can be risky. So straws are part of my going out kit. #QuadrupleAmputee

Using pegs to hold excess warp. #PegLoom #Weaving
#quadrupleAmputee

Another month, another theatre trip. This was a return to Theatre MK to see Calamity Jane. For this performance we were up in the Dress Circle which gave a different perspective; we definitely prefer the stalls.
We loved the show: fabulous cast with great performances all round. #theatre

Another bit of problem solving: using pegs to hold excess warp and to prevent the warp sliding off. Most peg loom weavers loop and slip knot the warp from what I can see, but that is very difficult for me. #QuadrupleAmputee #PegLoom #Weaving

I'm enjoying the sights, sounds and smells on my daily dog walks. I've enjoyed damp farming land scents; rainwashed pine needles; woodsmoke; wild garlic by the river and ripening blackberries. #nature #wheelchairWalks #TinyJoys

As a quadruple amputee, my problem solving skills are frequently put to the test. Here's one example: a new threading tool from threading loops for hairstylists (to allow beads to be added to hair) plus a foam tube for grip. #QuadrupleAmputee #ProblemSolving #Weaving #PegLoom

Using my prosthetic hooks to warp up my peg loom. By trying out different tools and techniques I have speeded up the process considerably. #quadrupleAmputee #pegLoom #Weaving

Part 2 of my Summer Wool Festival haul. I bought a peg loom from Fire and Fibre swiftly followed by selvedge yarn from YorkshireBlankets (who have a fabulous no-waste ethos) and more yarn from doneinyarn . A starter book about weaving on a peg loom finished it off! #Weaving #WoolAddict

Hannah and I had a fantastic (and very generous) afternoon tea at Cakestand and Crumb - my birthday present from her. It's a lovely little vintage tea shop and I managed the walk from the car park, steps into the shop and rather low seats without a problem, showing the results of my gym efforts!

Part of my woolhaul from Saturday's trip to the Summer Wool Festival. Lovely colours from TedKnitsUK, sari wool and ribbon from WonkyWeaver and a wonderful mixed threads hank from CoolWoolings. #Weaving #WoolAddiction

Daisy and I taking turns practising walking backwards at #DogTraining this week at DogzAloud. I'm not sure who found it most challenging, but I do know that I wouldn't have considered trying this on a wet, uneven field with a group of strangers 6 months ago! #QuadrupleAmputee

Climbing downstairs: sideways is safest for me. #QuadrupleAmputee

A very damp dog training session at DogzAloud. Daisy was better at going to, and staying on, her mat; loved searching (but hated waiting for her turn!); did really well with sit / stand / down / stay and didn't decide to go AWOL (except when she couldn't reach a ball during search!) #dogTraining

A lovely gift of appropriately-named wine!

My stair-climbing has definitely improved. #QuadrupleAmputee

#sepsis

A lovely ride across the fields with Daisy in summer sunshine. My off-road chair gives me the freedom to do this. #WheelchairWalks #DogWalking

We had a fab outing to Salcey Forest at the start of the week. #Accessibility has been well thought out here: there are 3 routes and two of them are surfaced and easy for wheelchair users. The forest has ample Blue Badge parking and even a Changing Places toilet. #WheelchairWalks #TinyJoys

Disabled passengers and campaigners demand answers over Bedford Station lift delays - Bedford Independent After complaints from passengers, councillors and the local MP, and nearly a month out of order, Network Rail says that a lift at Bedford...

After my London travel problems last week, I contacted our local newspaper. Erica has written a great article and, thanks in no small part to her efforts, it looks like the lift problem at Bedford is due to be repaired. www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/disabled-pas... # DisabledByTheRailway

Labour suspends four rebel MPs for breaching party discipline Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell all voted against welfare reforms.

#DisabilityBenefits

Labour suspends @brianleishmanmp.bsky.social
Rachael Maskell
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Chris Hinchliff

They all stood up for disabled people and voted against benefit cuts

Solidarity to all of them

Labour yet again show who they are

www.bbc.com/news/article...

It's been so hot recently that I had a couple of afternoons being legless! The dogs and I planted ourselves next to the air conditioner to keep cool. #QuadrupleAmputee #KeepCool

We had a visit from our elder daughter and family over the weekend. We were privileged to look after our grandson while his mum and dad went to a wedding. I enjoyed playing with him on the floor, feeding him finger food and taking him for a walk with the dogs.
#QuadrupleAmputee #tinyJoys #family

The dog training provided opportunities for Daisy to practise skills. One thing she found really hard the first time round was waiting for her turn searching. This video shows her progress for the second round; she settled into a sit and then a down. #DogTraining #AssistanceDog #TeamDog @DogzAloud

I had a lovely ride with Daisy and a friend last week: we did a 9 1/5 mile circuit. Going with someone else meant that we could stop for a drink halfway, which was great. Daisy loved the long run and three dips in streams along the route.
#QuadrupleAmputee #CyclingForAll

Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

Revealing answer here from DWP minister: “Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live… A patient’s employment goals will be part of care plans…”

questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...

michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/how-...

I did a new thing last week and took Daisy on my own, to a group dog training lesson. #TeamDog #AssistanceDog #RescueDontShop #QuadrupleAmputee #DogTraining

Travel between Bedford & London was not a delight, partly due to failed lifts but also to staff. The failed lift at Bedford was mitigated by helpful staff there; problems were caused by unhelpful attitudes from staff at St Pancras denying boarding due to my wheelchair. #DisabledByTheRailway

Someone just tweeted me and said we can’t afford to have 20–25% of the population on PIP.

So, as a PSA: 20–25% of the population AREN’T on PIP.

20–25% of the disabled population are on PIP.

The percentage of the whole population is 5.5%.

#TakingThePIP

We forgot to take my Koalaa arm on our London trip - so we improvised when we ate at Seven Dials Market (where we were impressed with the range of choices but disappointed by the tiny "tacos" from Los Gordos).
#QuadrupleAmputee #ProblemSolving