Finding out about what I was dealing with, that I never imagined I would know this side of life, and starting The CP Diary are part of my personal success.

I set up my own secretarial business putting my office and admin skills to good use. I did that for a couple of years and it was enormously successful. But by far, my biggest success has been family life and making sure my children have the right support, help and guidance to enable them to grow into self-confident and happy adults.

My children have gone on to become successful in their own right, excelling in school and both attending St Andrews in Scotland. I could not be prouder of them both.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “My greatest success”

  1. I agree completely. Our success is measured by what we leave behind and there can be no greater success than ensuring that we have done the best by our children.

    Not that any of us intend to pop off anytime soon, but you know what I mean! But given what you've had to deal with over the years and what you've come through, it seems to me that you've achieved quite a lot.

    Under the circumstances I think you should be enormously proud of everything you've achieved.

    1. Thank you. When you say it like that it's easy for me to see my achievements, but not something I easily recognise.

      Telling my story from the beginning up until now is something I felt compelled to write. It's a truth that helps me come to terms with my experiences.

      I tend to find it easier to bring closure that way.

  2. You were very successful in making sure your kids had experiences different from your own. You did not let the intensity of your upbringing affect their lives. In fact, you provided a safe haven from that.

    Of course, that is among a long line of accomplishments, including the CP Diary and paving the road to endless possibilities for others.

    You've come a long way Ilana.

    1. Thanks Tim. It helps for us to have the reassurance, particularly when we've lived such a negative life. I think the Diary has helped me document a lot of positives as well as negatives, which is why as part of 'My story' I am able to see my accomplishments.

      As ever Tim, thank you for your support. You are part of the success of The CP Diary too and your positive attitude is a breath of fresh air. I believe we all must take time out to recognise our accomplishments.

      It's easy to just to hone in on and just see the negatives. The negatives cloud our judgment on anything positive, which is why I think writing 'My Story' at this time helps.

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