BOOK REVIEW: LOVE & JUSTICE BY DIANA MORGAN-HILL

How would you cope if you suddenly became a double leg amputee? In Love and Justice* we follow the true story of Diana Morgan-Hill. It’s at times incredibly difficult to read. The details of the train accident are truly horrific and I found it doubly hard due to the car crash I had. If you’ve been through any traumatic event this book might bring up a lot of feelings. I recognised some of my own thoughts after the accident such as the feeling of being in an episode of ER and annoyed that they wanted to cut off my good clothes, I had just bought them! Having said this it’s also inspiring and at times funny, the type of gallows humour that people develop when they’re in bleak circumstances.  

Diana Morgan-Hill had a flourishing career ahead of her. She had just created her media PR business and was enjoying a full social and love life, if complicated at times. At the age of 29 she fell under a train and lost her legs but remarkably her life was saved. The actions of British Railway were abhorrent and I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like to deal with while trying to recover. British Railway took court action against Diana, adding further pain to injury. 

Diana Morgan-Hill touches on some really important issues for people with disabilities: do they lose their worth once disabled? do people still see people with disabilities as sexual beings? Her insights reveal the way society treats those with disabilities.

I hope Diana writes another book as I felt the last chapter was rushed. She writes of some of her charity work and her appearance on Dancing on Wheels, I would have loved to have read a bit more about this. Or maybe I just didn't want to leave Diana's world. She's a witty and warm writer, sharing her darkest hours with us and her brightest. The book is an inspiring read of how someone dealt with a horrific accident and found a way to rebuild her life.

For more information and the free first chapter please follow this link Blackbird Press.

You can purchase from Amazon

*I received this book for review.

DISABILITY: Beauty Products I Use For A Boost

Firstly, you don't have to be disabled or long-term sick to enjoy these products, it's all inclusive here. I definitely have a little 'emergency-kit' of seemingly frivolous products that can help ease, in my case, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and all that goes with it such as fatigue.


FACE MASK- These are simple and easy ways to give myself a little bit of a pamper. I'm currently using REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask and REN One Minute Facial (full review of these coming soon) . The one minute one is perfect for a quick pick me up, especially in the morning while the Glycolactic is perfect for a longer treat, still only ten minutes though. I also like My 7th Heaven previously Montagne Jeunesse) especially Hot Spring Sauna, this is a great budget mask with excellent results and it feels lovely and relaxing due to it heating up.


BATH PRODUCT- I love baths, they're vital in helping ease pain and relaxation. I understand though that many have problems getting into baths but if you can I really recommend a good bath product that will help ease muscular pain and/or joint stiffness. Regardless of the disability, if it affects mobility you most probably have aching and painful joints too. I really love bath salts, I use a variety and I always find that they help easy aches and help relaxation. I'm also a big fan of Lush's bath bombs.

FOUNDATION AND CONCEALER- Ah the perfect base to help hide a multitude of ailments. This is entirely personal but I do like the fact that I can wear foundation and concealer to make ME feel better. I don't always want to see the toll my disability has on my skin when looking in the mirror. My current favourites are Estee Lauder's Double Wear and Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.


COMPLEXION BRIGHTENER- A good highlighter can really make a difference. One of my favourites is Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Tranquility, it feels and looks beautiful on the skin. A budget highlighter I currently love is Botanics Radiance Balm, an excellent dupe of MAC's Strobe. (Review coming soon)


RED LIPSTICK- Definitely one of my favourite beauty product for a variety of reasons. It's a strong look but also, more crucially, it can really brighten up the complexion when you're feeling ill/fatigued/run down. I have lots of favourites, too many to mention!


FACE OIL- A face oil suits almost all skin types and the rather lovely Trilogy Rosehip Oil is suitable for even the most sensitive. There's just something very luxurious and relaxing about applying an oil to your face in the evening. Trilogy's offering gives moisture while tackling wrinkles and caring for your skin.  It absorbs quickly and leaves no oily residue.


NAIL POLISH- I go through phases of wearing nail polish, when I do choose to wear it I find the application can be meditative and therapeutic. I haven't worn nail polish on my toe nails for ages but since it's sandal season I decided to put red on both my finger and toe nails. Afterwards I felt all fancy. This may seem like such a small thing but it's small things like this that can really have a positive effect on your mood. It all matters. Then there's the actual application. Doing my toes is really quite hard, the damage to my spine means bending isn't easy and it's also painful. So actually being able to apply the nail polish is quite an achievement in itself.

Do you have any beauty products that you turn to in tough times?

Affiliated Links:

REN Glow and Go Kit (contains decent sample sizes of Glycolactic Mask and One Minute Facial)

Essie Nail Polish

Westlab Pink Himalayan bath salts 

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Collection Concealer

Botanics Radiance Balm

L'Oreal Color Riche Extraordinaire in Ruby Opera 

Trilogy Rosehip Oil