chronic illness | Stef Benstead

Turning a terrible mess into a toxic one: #Budget2023

The budget today announced a lot of stuff, and most of it I’m not qualified to comment on. I’m interested, because I have a sister with...

SAS: who dares illness?

I recently started watching the series SAS: Who Dares Wins, right from the first series. I’ve found it quite addictive, possibly in part...

Book reviews: Lowborn, Disconnect Youth, and The Least, The Last and The Lost

Lowborn I recently read Kerry Hudson’s 2019 book, Lowborn. I don’t really have much to say about it, because honestly it is so good. And...

Individualism left and right

One of the things that I have been thinking about a bit over the last few years is the balance between individualism and collectivism in...

Depression and faith: is it okay for a Christian to be depressed?

I’ve been thinking about depression and Christianity these last few days as the topic came up in a recent sermon at my church. It’s a...

The Least, the Last and the Lost should include the long-term unemployed

I was recently recommended Mez McConnell’s latest book, The Least, The Last and The Lost (I think that’s the right order!). Church Action...

Standing to worship: does it exclude disabled people?

Yesterday I came across this tweet from Heather Renee Morgan, @H_R_Morgan: “"Stand if you are able" isn't the inclusive statement people...

Ramblings following loss

It used to be that I was part of a team of people with chronic illness who researched and wrote about the government’s actions on social...

Reflections on gardening: sin and relationship

I love gardening. I love sitting on the ground in the sun removing weeds, dead-heading flowers or re-training a clematis. I love pruning...