Balsam
@drbalsamahmad.bsky.social
Consultant of Public Health in the #NHS Passionate about art & science #PlanetaryHealth; Mother #SEND ♿️ Ally #LivedExperience #SocialJustice anti-war, loves #parkrun 🐈⬛ 📖 & cooking/catering
Views are own; reposts # endorsements; lives in the proper North!
Views are own; reposts # endorsements; lives in the proper North!
The very best end of a September when I got to listen not once but twice to one of my gurus in Public Health Sir Michael Marmot first at #Healthworks30 and later at #NewcastleUniversity #Insights #Lectures Today I have had a dose of #hope that will last for a long time.
September 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The very best end of a September when I got to listen not once but twice to one of my gurus in Public Health Sir Michael Marmot first at #Healthworks30 and later at #NewcastleUniversity #Insights #Lectures Today I have had a dose of #hope that will last for a long time.
#GreatNorth10K My 1st. Only ever did #ParkRun & #WingsForLife solo runs. For a long time I’ve had low confidence. Standing in the 1st wave among competent runners a moment of self doubt creeped but I brushed away.Today I proved a lot to myself & my time was better than I ever imagined #selfbelief
July 6, 2025 at 5:51 PM
#GreatNorth10K My 1st. Only ever did #ParkRun & #WingsForLife solo runs. For a long time I’ve had low confidence. Standing in the 1st wave among competent runners a moment of self doubt creeped but I brushed away.Today I proved a lot to myself & my time was better than I ever imagined #selfbelief
Baking at almost midnight. My cat watched and watched over me. He has wisely decided to give in or give up and go to sleep 😴
June 28, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Baking at almost midnight. My cat watched and watched over me. He has wisely decided to give in or give up and go to sleep 😴
After more than 10 years my Jasmine tree is finally in full bloom. I have always kept faith and hope that one day it will thrive and have kept on doing all I can for this happen. #Hope #Perseverence #Faith #nevergiveup
June 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
After more than 10 years my Jasmine tree is finally in full bloom. I have always kept faith and hope that one day it will thrive and have kept on doing all I can for this happen. #Hope #Perseverence #Faith #nevergiveup
“Digging deep”, an article my son wrote in the SIA Magazine Summer edition. This is a reflection of a trip of a lifetime to Southeast Asia last year & what he learnt as a young person with a recent spinal injury.
#SpinalCordInjury #Accessibility #Travel #WheelchairUser #SelfDiscovery #LifeLessons
#SpinalCordInjury #Accessibility #Travel #WheelchairUser #SelfDiscovery #LifeLessons
June 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
“Digging deep”, an article my son wrote in the SIA Magazine Summer edition. This is a reflection of a trip of a lifetime to Southeast Asia last year & what he learnt as a young person with a recent spinal injury.
#SpinalCordInjury #Accessibility #Travel #WheelchairUser #SelfDiscovery #LifeLessons
#SpinalCordInjury #Accessibility #Travel #WheelchairUser #SelfDiscovery #LifeLessons
As a country we can’t be serious about addressing climate change if prices of travel on public transport, especially trains, continue to soar exponentially. These👇are discounted return prices for 2 adults (disabled person card) travelling between Newcastle to London in late July. Unethical!
May 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
As a country we can’t be serious about addressing climate change if prices of travel on public transport, especially trains, continue to soar exponentially. These👇are discounted return prices for 2 adults (disabled person card) travelling between Newcastle to London in late July. Unethical!
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better” Albert Einstein
Stunning sunset at Paddy Freeman, Newcastle upon Tyne
Stunning sunset at Paddy Freeman, Newcastle upon Tyne
April 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better” Albert Einstein
Stunning sunset at Paddy Freeman, Newcastle upon Tyne
Stunning sunset at Paddy Freeman, Newcastle upon Tyne
A memory from four years ago when my son was an inpatient in hospital. He wrote this note & the play specialist in the ward laminated & attached on curtains around his bed in a bay. Evidence suggests that protecting patients’ #privacy during hospitalisation is an important element of #dignifiedCare
April 27, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A memory from four years ago when my son was an inpatient in hospital. He wrote this note & the play specialist in the ward laminated & attached on curtains around his bed in a bay. Evidence suggests that protecting patients’ #privacy during hospitalisation is an important element of #dignifiedCare
A gorgeous morning more so as my marshalling volunteering position in Parkrun could not have been more perfect: I was in a sunny spot opposite the picnic field & next to a field of wild garlic. Being here I get a positive dose of hope & energy that will last for a week.
Wishing all a joyful Easter
Wishing all a joyful Easter
April 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
A gorgeous morning more so as my marshalling volunteering position in Parkrun could not have been more perfect: I was in a sunny spot opposite the picnic field & next to a field of wild garlic. Being here I get a positive dose of hope & energy that will last for a week.
Wishing all a joyful Easter
Wishing all a joyful Easter
“Happy Assyrian New Year 6775!
The Akitu festival marked the Assyrian New Year in ancient Mesopotamia.
Today April 1st marks a conclusion of the 12-day Akitu festival & the vernal equinox, signifying the beginning of the Assyrian calendar”.
ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܿܬܐ ܐܫܘܪܝܬܐ
#Assyrian #Akitu #AssyrianNewYear
The Akitu festival marked the Assyrian New Year in ancient Mesopotamia.
Today April 1st marks a conclusion of the 12-day Akitu festival & the vernal equinox, signifying the beginning of the Assyrian calendar”.
ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܿܬܐ ܐܫܘܪܝܬܐ
#Assyrian #Akitu #AssyrianNewYear
April 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“Happy Assyrian New Year 6775!
The Akitu festival marked the Assyrian New Year in ancient Mesopotamia.
Today April 1st marks a conclusion of the 12-day Akitu festival & the vernal equinox, signifying the beginning of the Assyrian calendar”.
ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܿܬܐ ܐܫܘܪܝܬܐ
#Assyrian #Akitu #AssyrianNewYear
The Akitu festival marked the Assyrian New Year in ancient Mesopotamia.
Today April 1st marks a conclusion of the 12-day Akitu festival & the vernal equinox, signifying the beginning of the Assyrian calendar”.
ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܿܬܐ ܐܫܘܪܝܬܐ
#Assyrian #Akitu #AssyrianNewYear
👇photo from 3 years ago came on my feed: my son recording his rap song that tells the story of his sudden relapse after 5 months in hospital & what was seen as a miraculous recovery. Everything reversed & more💔 Keeping #hope was hard but he did. We did. This is Twice:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c2S...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c2S...
March 23, 2025 at 8:14 PM
👇photo from 3 years ago came on my feed: my son recording his rap song that tells the story of his sudden relapse after 5 months in hospital & what was seen as a miraculous recovery. Everything reversed & more💔 Keeping #hope was hard but he did. We did. This is Twice:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c2S...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c2S...
My attempt to wear black & white to support the Toon in #Parkrun I was among the last runners but does it matter? For me parkrun is about social connectedness in a world that needs it more than ever. My message “Just be kind”, including to oneself-a lesson I recently learnt the hard way #selfcare
March 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Earlier: volunteered at my local Parkrun-my happy place (Notable lack of fashion in photo; hugs from a colleague as we mourn the loss of a mutual friend who tragically died last Saturday; walk at Whitley Bay-breathing the sea. Gratitude🙏 for living in a special place. Now I take nothing for granted.
March 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Earlier: volunteered at my local Parkrun-my happy place (Notable lack of fashion in photo; hugs from a colleague as we mourn the loss of a mutual friend who tragically died last Saturday; walk at Whitley Bay-breathing the sea. Gratitude🙏 for living in a special place. Now I take nothing for granted.
#InternationalWomenDay
🙏 to the women who inspire me everyday. Thank you to colleagues who nominated me to be among 100 inspirational women in Newcastle just for being me. Bitter sweet feelings I wrote about yesterday👇
Heartbroken. How to keep hope? ‘Hope & fear cannot the same space’-Maya Angelou
🙏 to the women who inspire me everyday. Thank you to colleagues who nominated me to be among 100 inspirational women in Newcastle just for being me. Bitter sweet feelings I wrote about yesterday👇
Heartbroken. How to keep hope? ‘Hope & fear cannot the same space’-Maya Angelou
March 8, 2025 at 12:06 PM
#InternationalWomenDay
🙏 to the women who inspire me everyday. Thank you to colleagues who nominated me to be among 100 inspirational women in Newcastle just for being me. Bitter sweet feelings I wrote about yesterday👇
Heartbroken. How to keep hope? ‘Hope & fear cannot the same space’-Maya Angelou
🙏 to the women who inspire me everyday. Thank you to colleagues who nominated me to be among 100 inspirational women in Newcastle just for being me. Bitter sweet feelings I wrote about yesterday👇
Heartbroken. How to keep hope? ‘Hope & fear cannot the same space’-Maya Angelou
Thank you. Absolutely agree. I can’t believe it has taken me so long & a recent ‘health’ scare to intentionally prioritising adequate self-care time. The quote was from my recent experience. By the way I recently read your book on burnout. It is excellent. I liked it for being succinct & it helped.
March 1, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Thank you. Absolutely agree. I can’t believe it has taken me so long & a recent ‘health’ scare to intentionally prioritising adequate self-care time. The quote was from my recent experience. By the way I recently read your book on burnout. It is excellent. I liked it for being succinct & it helped.
Happy new year
Wishing all health in 2025
Praying for peace and love to prevail over violence, revenge and hate.
My hope is for a reunion with loved ones in my homeland after my long absence.
Wishing all health in 2025
Praying for peace and love to prevail over violence, revenge and hate.
My hope is for a reunion with loved ones in my homeland after my long absence.
December 31, 2024 at 10:39 PM
Happy new year
Wishing all health in 2025
Praying for peace and love to prevail over violence, revenge and hate.
My hope is for a reunion with loved ones in my homeland after my long absence.
Wishing all health in 2025
Praying for peace and love to prevail over violence, revenge and hate.
My hope is for a reunion with loved ones in my homeland after my long absence.
#NewYearsEve As 2024 draws to a close I look back, especially over the last 4 years & note how far my family have come.This year attending two work colleagues’ funerals reminded me again how fragile life is.
I pay tribute & quote Katie’s daughter words in her eulogy:
“Broken Crayons still Colour”.
I pay tribute & quote Katie’s daughter words in her eulogy:
“Broken Crayons still Colour”.
December 31, 2024 at 2:35 PM
#NewYearsEve As 2024 draws to a close I look back, especially over the last 4 years & note how far my family have come.This year attending two work colleagues’ funerals reminded me again how fragile life is.
I pay tribute & quote Katie’s daughter words in her eulogy:
“Broken Crayons still Colour”.
I pay tribute & quote Katie’s daughter words in her eulogy:
“Broken Crayons still Colour”.
What was your biggest learning in 2024? Mine👇 I learnt the hard way after #Burnout To give time to #Selfcare every day & not wait until nothing is left. It is not selfish.
I disagree with the self care metaphor: ‘to put one’s oxygen mask 1st before helping others’ as suggests it only in emergencies
I disagree with the self care metaphor: ‘to put one’s oxygen mask 1st before helping others’ as suggests it only in emergencies
December 30, 2024 at 10:28 PM
My last solitary walk this year at the coast. I really needed to be near the sea today. Lucky to live near such beautiful coastline #Cullercoats #Tynemouth #NorthEastEngland
Wishing health, happiness & peace to all in 2025.
Wishing health, happiness & peace to all in 2025.
December 28, 2024 at 8:25 PM
My last solitary walk this year at the coast. I really needed to be near the sea today. Lucky to live near such beautiful coastline #Cullercoats #Tynemouth #NorthEastEngland
Wishing health, happiness & peace to all in 2025.
Wishing health, happiness & peace to all in 2025.
I had not been to Cullercoats & Tynemouth for some time but today seeing👇 & families with young children cycling was positive. I observed a few with mobility limitations or disabilities walking or pushing wheelchairs. The new pavements on the seafront felt safer to do so #SeafrontSustainableRoute
December 28, 2024 at 8:09 PM
I had not been to Cullercoats & Tynemouth for some time but today seeing👇 & families with young children cycling was positive. I observed a few with mobility limitations or disabilities walking or pushing wheelchairs. The new pavements on the seafront felt safer to do so #SeafrontSustainableRoute
And that is a wrap: my final #Parkrun #JesmondDene of 2024 #Volunteering helps with each of the 5 components of mental #wellbeing
1) connect with other people;
2) be physically active;
3) learn new skills;
4) give to others;
5) be mindful
Look out for my blog re-parkrun soon Happy new year all
1) connect with other people;
2) be physically active;
3) learn new skills;
4) give to others;
5) be mindful
Look out for my blog re-parkrun soon Happy new year all
December 28, 2024 at 12:12 PM
And that is a wrap: my final #Parkrun #JesmondDene of 2024 #Volunteering helps with each of the 5 components of mental #wellbeing
1) connect with other people;
2) be physically active;
3) learn new skills;
4) give to others;
5) be mindful
Look out for my blog re-parkrun soon Happy new year all
1) connect with other people;
2) be physically active;
3) learn new skills;
4) give to others;
5) be mindful
Look out for my blog re-parkrun soon Happy new year all
No matter how I try memories of this day will stay with me forever.
27 Dec 2020: my son was paralysed within the hour, admitted to PICU & in hospital 35 weeks.
27 Dec 2021: 2nd day on holiday to Abu Dhabi UAE he was admitted to ICU with COVID-in hospital for 5 weeks 💔
A better day today #hope 🙏
27 Dec 2020: my son was paralysed within the hour, admitted to PICU & in hospital 35 weeks.
27 Dec 2021: 2nd day on holiday to Abu Dhabi UAE he was admitted to ICU with COVID-in hospital for 5 weeks 💔
A better day today #hope 🙏
December 27, 2024 at 10:03 PM
No matter how I try memories of this day will stay with me forever.
27 Dec 2020: my son was paralysed within the hour, admitted to PICU & in hospital 35 weeks.
27 Dec 2021: 2nd day on holiday to Abu Dhabi UAE he was admitted to ICU with COVID-in hospital for 5 weeks 💔
A better day today #hope 🙏
27 Dec 2020: my son was paralysed within the hour, admitted to PICU & in hospital 35 weeks.
27 Dec 2021: 2nd day on holiday to Abu Dhabi UAE he was admitted to ICU with COVID-in hospital for 5 weeks 💔
A better day today #hope 🙏
Gorgeous sunset today. Lucky to have quality green space & nature on my doorstep #PaddyFreemanPark “Originally the farm & mill of Patrick (Paddy) Freeman in 1795. The lake is used by the Heaton & District Model Power Boat Club who celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2010-still active until today”.
December 26, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Gorgeous sunset today. Lucky to have quality green space & nature on my doorstep #PaddyFreemanPark “Originally the farm & mill of Patrick (Paddy) Freeman in 1795. The lake is used by the Heaton & District Model Power Boat Club who celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2010-still active until today”.
Teamwork👇with my 16 year old. 1st time he helps. It turns out he is good at it & has mastered the skill of preparing vine/cabbage leaves fast. I convinced him it’s a good skill to have 1. impress his future girlfriend & 2. can sell by piece in the future if he needs to #HomeCooking #HeritageFood
December 26, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Teamwork👇with my 16 year old. 1st time he helps. It turns out he is good at it & has mastered the skill of preparing vine/cabbage leaves fast. I convinced him it’s a good skill to have 1. impress his future girlfriend & 2. can sell by piece in the future if he needs to #HomeCooking #HeritageFood
Last picture of my son walking with his dad at Cullercoats, Christmas Day 2000. Two days later at home he was suddenly paralysed from the waist down & spent 8 months in hospital. He was an avid runner & loved #parkrun None in 2000 because of COVID. I missed him today. Now I take nothing for granted.
December 25, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Last picture of my son walking with his dad at Cullercoats, Christmas Day 2000. Two days later at home he was suddenly paralysed from the waist down & spent 8 months in hospital. He was an avid runner & loved #parkrun None in 2000 because of COVID. I missed him today. Now I take nothing for granted.