Denise Andrews

Children, young people and Families Social Worker. Passionate about my family and disability inclusion. All views are my own. She/her

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@MartinSLewis @thismorning I've been fighting for a deputyship for my son since he turned 18 he is now 23, we never thought about it previously as thought due to his needs he would always live with us. We can't get him a bank account or any ID we've had trouble with his utility bills etc it's a nightmare

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

My son is part of a rugby team of u16s lads who have been offered an incredible opportunity to play a tournament in Quimper, France. If you are able to add anything to sponsor any of the boys to complete their 11 miles each, we would be very grateful https://t.co/4asN3UJ05l

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

I agree, my degree at Plymouth supported my learning about the role of Social Work, I have just completed my first year as a qualified Social Worker and will forever draw upon what I learned at uni when I'm assessing children and families!

[PlymSocialWork @PlymSocialWork]

Why #SocialWork @PlymUni?

Hear from Jon, a current student:

“Join us on a course that offers a supportive and nurturing learning environment. The placements are interesting and varied and really prepare you for a career in social work.”

#Clearing2024 #UniversityOfPlymouth

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

Today I found out I had successfully passed my ASYE year and to say it was a relief is an understatement. From a young girl who left school with barely any GCSE's to a 44 year old woman who has completed a 6 year journey of academia to achieve a dream #nailedit

[Ryan Hamilton @TheRyanHamilton]

My heart is broken💔: As friends & family know, my wife was pregnant with our 2nd child, & about to begin her 2nd trimester. A few days ago she had severe pains, & bleeding, and had to go to the emergency room. There, it was discovered that our baby no longer had a heartbeat. Devastated doesn't come close to what that feels like.
Unfortunately for people like us, because of the current laws in the state of Texas, that was only the beginning of this nightmare. Jess (my wife) had an "incomplete miscarriage", and what needed to happen, what was best for HER, and her health, was to terminate the pregnancy, and get the baby out.
The doctor gave her a medication that would move this process along, and sent her home. Where, apparently we would be handling it ourselves. We were told it might take a couple of attempts before it worked.
I'll let you decide how you feel about that.
After a long, painful night of the equivalent of early labor, the baby was still with her. So, we went back to the Emergency Center to get the 2nd dose. A new doctor was on call. He was an older man. You could hear him in the hallway as he said, "I'm not giving her a pill so she can go home and have an ab*rtion!". Being well aware that our baby no longer had a heartbeat. Then, he came into the room to say, and I quote: "Considering the current stance. I'm not going to prescribe you this pill". Then, just sent us on our way.
The "CURRENT STANCE"?! Did he really just say that?!
No one should ever have to hear their wife say: "Get this dead baby out of me!".
Can you even imagine how that must feel?
The pain, and the bleeding continued. So, we decided to go to another hospital, about an hour away. There was a female doctor on call there, and we thought we might have better luck.
I should probably mention, the procedure to get the baby out is called a D & C. It's scary, & traumatizing, but sometimes necessary in situations like ours. Especially in emergency circumstances.
So we get to the next hospital. They take Jess in, ask her a bunch of questions, do a new scan... confirm that the baby is still there, with no heartbeat, and then disappear... for hours. Only to come back in and keep asking the same questions over and over. It's becoming clear that they're primary concern is NOT my wife's health. Instead, they seem to be worried about the legalities involved.
So, they decide it is not "enough of an emergency" to perform the D & C.
They do, however, prescribe another, stronger, final dose of the medication for us to try again... at home.
So, we go home to try again. Another long day/night of early labor pains. Only to discover my wife UNCONSCIOUS in the bathroom. Having to pick my wife's cold, limp body off of that bathroom floor, not sure if I was about to lose her, is something I will NEVER forget.
She had to be rushed to the hospital.
By this point she had lost so much blood, and bodily fluid, her body gave out.
They were able to stabilize her, give her the fluids she needed, and we came back home yesterday afternoon. We were also able to confirm that our baby was no longer with her.
Now, not only do we have to live with the loss of our baby... we have to live with the nightmare of what we just experienced because of political and religious beliefs. MY WIFE'S HEALTH SHOULD HAVE COME FIRST. PERIOD!
God knows what mental and emotional damage this has done.
If you consider yourself a staunch "pro-lifer" ... 1) You've never been through what we just went through, and 2) You should take a long, hard look in the mirror and reevaluate your reasons for supporting such a cold, barbaric, ignorant point of view.
It's not that black & white, and it's never going to be.
If you think your "Pray To End Ab*rtion" sign in your yard is "Christian", I suggest you revisit the teachings of Jesus and try again. If you support these laws that make ab*rtion illegal, and result in people being put through what we just were, you should be ashamed of yourself. I've never been so angry, or heartbroken... and the devastation I'm feeling must pale in comparison to what my poor wife is feeling.

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

I honestly think my smoke alarms are confused about what they are there for.
Just about to step into shower, or finish cooking, or leave the house and the alarm goes off! I feel like my ears are bleeding and my arms aching from the tea towel lassoo dance!
#mistakenidentity

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

👀 The hunt is on for these sidekicks. You'll find me trawling, @vintedUK @AskeBay @AmazonUK and FB Marketplace with 2 weeks until my boys Christmas starts, I've cut it very fine this year 🤣😫🤣 But wanting to achieve the happiness he shows in the video is my mission.

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

Every year I do the same and forget that my boy will ask for the same things he's been fixated on for the last 10+years then spend forever searching for them 🤦🏼‍♀️ @PGtips Monkey, @Gocompare Robot, @Churchill nodding dog, @Bullseye (darts show) @Butlins Billy Bear.

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

Emerson is back in the UK. I cannot thank the teachers enough. This was an experience of a lifetime, so much was crammed into a few days it was exceptionally planned. All the boys looked like they were having a blast. Funniest pic of my boy below. HUGE THANKYOU #DHSBNYC

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@DHSB_MrScott @almorristeacher @VirginAtlantic Hopefully big enough to hold enough Coca Cola for the boys

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

TEACHER APPRECIATION
These four incredible humans are taking very good care of the boys including my son from DHSB whilst in New York. They are also updating parents with incredible photos of the boys adventures #DHSBNYC #DHSBCCW

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@DHSB_MrScott I've been tracking all day. Glad you've landed safely, cannot wait for the photo updates of adventures.

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@Danjjroberts Nice yawn Emerson 🥱

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@AnxietyUK I use this technique for myself and with the children and young people I work with. It really helps to ground and focus us

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

That's the boy off on his school trip to New York. Dad got a fist bump and mum got a big fat nothing (too embarrassing to hug your mum at 14 apparently) have an awesome time Emerson.
@DHSBoys @DHSBCCW
@DHSBNYC

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@SLC_Repayment Surely it would have been simpler to send a letter saying how much we had overpaid and then paid the money directly into the account details we provided when we applied instead of asking us to chase then limiting contact? Or am i missing something?

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

@DHSBoys will you be open as usual for Boys tomorrow? Quite a few schools are closing due to the storm and my son has asked me to check

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

https://t.co/QEzxc1IXXs

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

Just Don't!!!

My daughter was once told by a previous manager, after she reported a male pinching her bum and touching her hips 'what did she expect when she wore fitted clothes to the office'

#notacceptable #justdont

[Antonia @flaminhaystacks]

It's not banter

It's all about putting women in their place

Making women feel uneasy

Knowing that they would get away with it

Knowing they could if they wanted to

[Denise Andrews @DA_SocialWork20]

Graduation day was eventful! It matched our three year journey perfectly with the near apocalyptic weather on Plymouth Hoe. In true #covidcohort style we bossed it out and got to the end a little weathered but in one piece.
@PlymUni @PlymSocialWork