I’m Bipolar, But Don’t Call Me Crazy with Catrina Lowri
11/14/24 • 74 min
**Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning.**
Psychosis, hallucinating, depression, mania.....did you know these are all symptoms of bipolar disorder? Living with this condition can be terrifying, not just for those who experience it, but also for their family and friends.
Catrina Lowri joins Dale today for a candid discussion on her journey with bipolar ‘I’m bipolar, but don’t call me crazy’. Catrina starts by explaining what bipolar is and the profound impact it has had throughout her life, from her studies and career to her experiences with fertility treatment. The conversation delves into the complexities of medication management. Catrina outlines her struggles with various medications, highlighting the importance of finding the right treatment plan while managing side effects and the impact on daily life.
“I don't want to not be bipolar; I just don't want it to scare the living daylights out of me.”
Catrina Lowri
Don’t miss this insightful episode that sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar.
About Catrina LowriCatrina is a neurodivergent former SENCO and Advisory Teacher with a dual diagnosis of bipolar and dyslexia. She created her company; Neuroteachers to support schools and businesses with simple solutions to improve Neuro-inclusion.
Contact Catrina Useful LinksNeurodivergent Teachers Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001669034065988
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
**Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning.**
Psychosis, hallucinating, depression, mania.....did you know these are all symptoms of bipolar disorder? Living with this condition can be terrifying, not just for those who experience it, but also for their family and friends.
Catrina Lowri joins Dale today for a candid discussion on her journey with bipolar ‘I’m bipolar, but don’t call me crazy’. Catrina starts by explaining what bipolar is and the profound impact it has had throughout her life, from her studies and career to her experiences with fertility treatment. The conversation delves into the complexities of medication management. Catrina outlines her struggles with various medications, highlighting the importance of finding the right treatment plan while managing side effects and the impact on daily life.
“I don't want to not be bipolar; I just don't want it to scare the living daylights out of me.”
Catrina Lowri
Don’t miss this insightful episode that sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar.
About Catrina LowriCatrina is a neurodivergent former SENCO and Advisory Teacher with a dual diagnosis of bipolar and dyslexia. She created her company; Neuroteachers to support schools and businesses with simple solutions to improve Neuro-inclusion.
Contact Catrina Useful LinksNeurodivergent Teachers Network:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001669034065988
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
Previous Episode
Reflections On How To Promote Positive Mental Health For SENCOs with Angela Scott
The current Ofsted inspection frameworks acknowledge the vital responsibility educational leaders have for the wellbeing of their staff. However, anecdotal evidence from SENCOs in schools and settings suggests they are at particular risk of poor mental health, and that increasing workload over the pandemic has exacerbated this.
Angela Scott, Regional Lead for SEND, joins Dale again to discuss ‘Reflections on how to promote positive mental health for SENCOs’. Angela tells us that gaining an awareness of the risks and protective factors linked to the role of SENCO is necessary to ensure stability and job-satisfaction within this important workforce. Angela discusses:
- What is mental health? International and national research.
- Mental health in times of crisis; for example, during a pandemic: current research.
- Mental health risks and protective factors for SENCOs
- Strategies for promoting positive mental health for SENCOs.
Listen in for a deeper understanding of mental health and to discover practical strategies that can empower SENCOs to fulfil their leadership roles in SEND while protecting their own mental well-being.
About Angela ScottAngela Scott is the Regional Lead for SEND for the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) and is programme lead for the National Award for SEN Coordination, Advanced SENCO and SENCOs as Leaders Awards. She is steering the development of the SLCN and SEMH level 4 qualifications and is author of the transformative audit and planning tool known as aptGO; designed to help schools work within Ofsted judgements Good and Outstanding. She is a member of a number of national working groups for SEND and has created and delivered the professional development programme for the introduction of SENCOs into Hong Kong primary and secondary schools.
Contact Angela Useful Links- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
Next Episode
Time Saving Tips for SENCOs with Ginny Bootman
SENCOs have a notoriously busy role spinning many plates. Ginny Bootman, a SENCO working across four schools, joins Dale in this episode ‘Time saving tips for SENCOs’ to provide insights on how to work smarter, not harder.
“ We want to actually be with the children, so by saving time in other ways, we get to spend more time with them, which is what it's all about.”
Ginny Bootman
Here are some highlights from our conversation:
- Maximising efficiency: Ginny’s experience of going paperless, which allows her to access vital information anytime, anywhere - essential for managing multiple schools.
- Tech tips: The benefits of using dual monitors for increased productivity, and how organising your digital files can save you time in the long run.
- Email management: Strategies for keeping your inbox organised with rules and folders, as well as the importance of using unread and flagged email search folders.
- Note-taking techniques: How live notetaking in meetings can enhance transparency and streamline your workflow.
Whether you're a seasoned SENCO or just starting in the role, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you reclaim your time and enhance your effectiveness.
About Ginny BootmanI have been a teacher longer than I haven't, as a Headteacher, Senior Manager and Class Teacher and now as a SENCO of 2 Primary schools in Northamptonshire. My passion lies within all things concerned with empathy and the role which empathy plays in ensuring that all of those in school settings feel valued and listened to. I am an Associate of Undiscovered Country a team who help individuals manage change.
Contact Ginny Want to hear more from Ginny?Ginny joined Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:
1. Making meetings work: for children; parents; SENCOs and schools 2. How SENCOs working across more than 1 school can benefit: children; parents; schools and SENCOs
Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school.
Useful LinksGinny's Book - Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO: 113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – [email protected]
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
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