Confinement, segregation and institutionalised.
Are words that you associate with establishments that incarcerate individuals against their will.
But for many within this hidden world, it is enforced for their own good.
Within Billy’s little life he has been isolated on several occasions.
Pre- transplant, post-transplant, covid and cancer.
Also, we avoid certain childhood illnesses so Billy doesn’t have to be hospitalised for his own good.
Like chicken pox, cold sores and more recently measles.
You may ask why this happens, and the answer is, all these illnesses could put Billy into rejection.
At times Billy’s little life has been lonely on the kid front.
But, over the years Billy has been able to adapted and create his own friendship group, in the form of childhood characters.
When Billy was a toddler, he became very pally with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.
To the point he was obsessed and would chat about them, like you would close friends.
Over the years he has created other closed relationships with monster trucks and their drivers, RC drivers and teddies.
Also, he has several imaginary friends all called after Thomas characters, Thomas Man, Percy, James, except His Evil Brother also called Billy.
Even that Billy has branched out, Thomas has continued to be Billy friend and over time this love has grown into every think steam and other forms of trains.
Billy loves miniature railways, steam engines and steam rallies.
So, most of our weekends away and holidays are geared around steam and monster trucks.
Even that things have moved on, he is still loyal to Thomas and regularly plays with him and his friends.
Over the years I have thanked Thomas the Tank for his dedication to Billy.
Treatment is hard and recovery can be even harder.
You need guts to survive and purpose to continue, and Thomas gave Billy a reason to get up in the morning.
He was truly the best friend he couldn’t have and life may have been pointless without him.
So, once again, thank you Rev Audrey and his family, Britt Allcroft, Thomas and all the amazing friends that we have met along the way.
So, now the sun has made an appearance, it’s time for the spring galas.
So, last weekend we went to Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway, we are very fortunate to have this on our doorstep.
Also, The Lakeside Café have amazing cakes.
The gala days are so much fun, as there are so many engines out, we were greeted by 7 passenger engines and 3 freight trains with goods carriages.
We have found over the years that the train community are very acceptant sociable kind creatures.
Always happy for a chat over the love of trains and where young and old have a common intertest.
This community have helped Billy to become more confident to speak in public to new people.
Now you know Billy is a little obsessional, you may have guessed that Billy insisted on having a ride on all the trains before coming home.
Thanks for a great day Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway, you never disappoint.
Remember you may not feel strong but you are
Love
The Rose-Tinted Mum
The Rose Tinted mum 