Anna-Louise Felstead

05:27 am .. Sunday, I’m reminded of this please read “Special needs parenting changes us entirely. There is no denying that. Because the truth is -- the first few years are going to pull you so far away from who you used to be that you won't even recognize yourself anymore. You'll find yourself looking in a mirror, bags under your eyes, either heavier, or skinnier, and not recognize yourself. It looks and feels like you've aged a hundred years. Or maybe you are standing in a crowded room, feeling entirely isolated and alone, and wonder if you are invisible. You'll wonder how your world can be so different. How you can relate anymore. It will challenge everything you know. You will question yourself. Your purpose. Your strength. You will wonder why. And how. Why my child? And not theirs. It will challenge your marriage. Your health. The way you parent your other children. Even your decision to have more babies. Your career and finances. Relationships. And not just with people. With God too. You will experience the greatest love on this earth. And simultaneously wonder how it can be so hard all the time. You'll get shamed for being sad. And for missing the almosts and the 'should be's.' You'll see the unbelievable beauty that this world holds too. Almost like you've been granted access to a special club. One full of forever hugs, This Little Piggy, Santa and smiles. You'll celebrate milestones long after you should. And it will be amazing no matter when it happens. You also see unbelievable cruelty. And it will take your breath away the first time it happens to you. To your child. You think you'll be prepared. That you'll come back with some witty, snappy comment. Only, you probably won't. You will try and shield them from evil. And then spend the next few sleepless nights wondering how you can live forever and change the world at the same time. At first you'll feel like it's a race against time. Against their diagnosis. You'll do everything you possibly can. Your hope will be challenged. Then you'll find acceptance and realistic hope. Then you'll want time to stop. You'll want to keep their bodies small. Because the world is kinder to children. You’ll have days where you swear you can’t do it anymore. Where you are certain it will never get any easier. That it’s going to be this challenging forever. You’ll almost be unable to picture a world where you stand still. Where you don’t have to fight for basic rights, inclusion and easy. And then you will have the most unbelievable moments. A moment that makes everything worthwhile. Your child will shatter a goal, a milestone, something they have worked on for years. And you will know it’s going to be okay. Because you believe in this tiny human and know that they are worthy and capable and amazing. You will live and breathe hope and acceptance and kindness. And you will be sewn together with strength and determination. Yes, special needs parenting changes everything. It turns you inside out and upside down. But here is the secret that you have to learn on your own. It also puts you back together as the person you were meant to be. That's the part that makes us lucky.” Written by Kate Swenson of Finding Cooper's Voice.

The Art of Motoring Exhibition opens a week today, in the @IconicImagesNet 16 Waterloo Place, just a stone’s throw from Pall Mall. The world’s greatest motoring artists will display their latest work to members, guests and members of the public. theartofmotoring.co.uk

#BBCANTISOCIAL I am a the mother of a 5 year old autistic son- diagnosed when he was 4. His dad was nervous of an ASD diagnosis as he didn’t want to label him. But labelling creates understanding, alleviates guilt and allows strategies to be put in place to help

Beautiful watercolour of The White House Restaurant in #Kalami by @alfelstead …this colourful new 36x51cm original is available (please DM her for details), and prints are available via her website!! . . #greektaverna #greekrestaurants #paintingsofgreece #watercolour #corfu

Lovely Christmas painting for @riversdaleptc by @alfelstead . . #deltahousestudios #christmas #christmaspainting #christmasart #newart #london #londonchristmas #londonstudio #artstudio #artstudiolife #wimbledon #wimbledonchristmas

The one they wouldn’t let us show ! But ⁦@alfelstead⁩ has some other great paintings in her inimitable style ⁦@TheMotoringNews⁩ RAC Art of Motoring exhibition - opens Monday 9.30am Sotheby’s 35 New Bond St. ⁦@Pitlaneandy⁩ ⁦@Sothebys⁩

The brilliant @alfelstead is having her work exhibited at @sothebys on New Bond Street this week in The Art Of Motoring exhibition. It’s open to the public until Saturday 5th November. 09:30-16:30. All the works are for sale and it’s free admission, so go and check it out!

Loving my new print - Razcaz – from that well-known splasher of ink @alfelstead (alfelstead.com). Going to run out of wall space soon. #motoringart #monaco #historicheroes #inspirationsinink

@British_Airways I have a flight booked on Mon 18 July that I want to cancel (I flew out earlier with another airline) but I want to keep my return BA flight on 25 July. How do I do this? If I don’t show up for my outgoing flight on 18 will my return be automatically cancelled?

Wedding & Race Season is in full swing.. looking for the perfect headpiece? carriejenkinson.co.uk thank you to @alfelstead for the amazing pic 🤩

Just posted a photo @ Lake Como, Italy instagram.com/p/CeySsv5Inb9/…

@British_Airways QCJZVV. The flight was cancelled and nbow I've been sent a voucher for £139.20?! Have complained via the website to no avail and I can't get through to anyone when I call

@alfelstead We're sorry to hear your experience. Send us your booking reference and complaint case reference via DM so we can take a closer look. We'll also need you to confirm your full name and contact details for data protection. June

@British_Airways I paid for a flight in 2020 for over £750 and you have sent me a voucher instead worth £130. Have logged a complaint but you’ve just emailed back to say you can’t help. Tried calling, MULTIPLE times but got cut off. Unbelievable

Thank you to @alfelstead so sharing these wonderful pics of her beautiful family sporting one of our signature Trilby’s in Sapphire! Gorgeous 🥰🥰🥰

Just posted a photo instagram.com/p/CdJklF8Ipyu/…

Saturday snuggles with Fwed 🐻 @ London, United Kingdom instagram.com/p/Cc-DRrDuvKR/…

Just posted a photo @ Royal Hospital, Chelsea instagram.com/p/CcupY1SO7-6/…

Just posted a photo @ Barbados, Caribbean instagram.com/p/CciDqZZoTz0/…

⁦Two of my car prints are available at ⁦@GoodwoodRRC⁩ this weekend at the ⁦@autoartukraine⁩ stand with 100% of sales going to the DEC #Ukraine appeal 💙💛 instagram.com/p/CcDwH3AIP0z/…