Katherine Kowalski

Writer of strange, true things. Neurodivergent, parent carer. Always by the sea.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

Why do we override our gut instincts to stay socially acceptable?

In the fallout from the Raynor Winn revelations, I’ve been thinking about how #BeKind culture and the pressure to be emotionally agreeable have made healthy scepticism feel… unkind.

Not a cosy read, but hopefully a thought provoking one.

#raynorwinn #memoir #thesaltpath

https://t.co/88Mh5rgd19

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

Wonder how long it’ll be before Netflix announces it’s dropping a documentary on #TheSaltPath Scam, with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs playing Sally and Tim Walker?

Let’s face it, it’ll be a lot more interesting than the frankly terrible book/film…

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

I know I’m not alone in having wondered for a very long time at what point the story behind #TheSaltPath would be exposed as disingenuous.

I’m horrified but not surprised to learn it’s way worse than that… Incredible investigative journalism.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

I've just heard that my Substack publication 'Pass The Salt Water' is now #40 Rising in the Parenting category on Substack.

I can't believe it! So ironic given it wasn’t built with a strategy or a content plan, and I spend my day job selling the importance of strategy! Nope, this stuff just gets written in the scraps of time I can find, about what parent carer life actually feels like.

Thanks to all the readers, sharers, subscribers. You've made my day.

🔗 https://t.co/kQuPyXFAnJ

#parentcarer #substack #neurodivergentwriter #SEND

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

Back on here after three years.

Just published a new piece on Pass The Salt Water about parent carer life, the things we don’t say out loud, and why “what doesn’t kill you” doesn’t make you stronger. It just makes you tired. Or, maybe, a bit weird?

It’s not a rant. It’s not a sob story. It’s just what it is.
🔗 https://t.co/6e6yoR2Zbg

#parentcarer #neurodivergentparent #disabledchildren #SEND

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@desertrose1969 Plymouth, and every seaside town across the Tamar here in Cornwall should give you hope. A sea of red and yellow.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@doctor_oxford Same here in Cornwall. The red and yellow map is a sight to behold.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@doctor_oxford @carolvorders Isn’t she! What a woman 💪. So grateful for her, and your, contributions to improving our politics and public services.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@ThatWhiteGuy113 @PolitlcsUK Labour @annagelderd

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@LeeTrewhela What news to wake up to! Well done @annagelderd for SE Cornwall #Labour

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@LeeTrewhela The exit poll has SE Cornwall down as ‘too close to call’. Anna Gelderd has run a good campaign. I’m so hopeful we might see the back of Sheryll Murray. Whatever one’s politics, she has done embarrassingly little for the constituents over her time as MP.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@autisticrealms Ah yes. Like a magnet stuck fast. Been there in both my professional and personal life resulting in burnout that lasted many months. I've learned now to give myself a daily stopping point for meditation that seems to break the cycle.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@DrHannahBelcher @AuDHD_SLT Would love to talk to you about this. About the differences between self-directed change and externally imposed change, specifically.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@AnnMemmott Oh all the time. Especially in healthcare settings as a parent carer. My concern, and my questions, especially when I am tired, are misinterpreted as anger and aggression.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@AutisticCoach_ Spiritual but definitely not religious. I have no particular faith but nurture a deep connection to Mother Nature and the universe (forces bigger than us, essentially). I can seek out connections and patterns there in an autonomous way, which organised religion doesn’t offer.

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@AutisticCallum_ Literally had this conversation with someone this afternoon. It was like a lightbulb moment! (eg for me, sad isn’t crying, it’s mute and heavy limbed. I only cry when I’m really really angry but for most of my life I thought I didn’t feel sadness).

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@caitlinmoran I’m watching Fraggle Rock ‘Secret Society of Poobahs’ with my little boy and the similarity is astounding.
#coronation

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@SpcialNdsJungle @CaptainK77 Awesome thank you 😊

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@SpcialNdsJungle e.g. Warrington's report says local offer needs improving. Cornwall's report doesn't mention the local offer, despite it being a total cluster. Warrington's report mentions specialist schools, Cornwall's doesn't really. Confusing! Thoughts? 2/2

[Katherine Kowalski @WordsmithKK]

@SpcialNdsJungle Do you clever people at SNJ know what the inspection criteria are for these joint Ofsted/CQC SEND inspections? The reports seem so vague. How can we compare areas? What is categorised as 'good' vs 'needs improvement', what are the metrics? 1/2