Neither my husband nor I were happy to feel as unwell as we have over recent weeks – but we certainly picked a good time to be ill.

In fact, I am now wondering if my employers will believe I am relapsing for the next couple of weeks!

When we felt too miserable to do anything else, we sat slumped in front of the television watching the Olympics.

I have so many “moral” stances. In fact, with the number of high horses onto which I climb, I get more exercise than I would ever need.

For instance: I believe in internationalism, not nationalism.

I was absolutely opposed to Brexit because I firmly believe in unity there is strength. More importantly, in unity there is peace.

I believe all men, women and children were created equal and none are better than any other.

I also believe winning is not as important as taking part and blah, blah, blah!

Then, every four years, the Olympics come along and I abandon all my morals, all my principles and nothing matters more than win, win, win!

I always boast I can’t lose. I can support Soctland (land of my birth), Zambia (land of my childhood), South Africa (land of my education), New Zealand (home for 30 years) and England (where I have lived for the past 14 years).

This Olympics, for the first time, I discovered where my heart is now.

Zambia didn’t win anything so that was fine, but even when Team GB was competing with New Zealand my heart and soul was firmly here!

I haven’t been sleeping very well despite being exhausted all the time – all part of our illness.

But when I woke at 2am, my first thought was to turn on my iPad and find out how we were doing at the Olympics.

Before breakfast I would check the medals table. And didn’t we do well!

There were so many exciting moments and so many wonderful triumphs for team GB.

And now it is the turn of the superheroes – and they include Maryport’s Simon Lawson who will be taking part in the wheelchair marathon.

London 2012 had much to be proud of. But, proudest of all, was the attention given to the Paralympics. Congratulations, too, to Channel 4 for giving us some fantastic coverage.

And, by the way, congratulations, too, for introducing us to Adam Hills, Josh Widdecombe and Alex Brooker. Their brand of humour, ability to ask the questions most of us would shun, has done so much to educate us about disability and to marvel at the records achieved in the Paralympics.

But, most importantly for the viewing public, the combination of the TV coverage and the satirical show gives us the opportunity to see the most amazing sport.

And if you feel you need to watch the Paralympics to patronise the “poor disabled people”, think again.

There is no way I would try wheelchair rugby – or murder ball as it is more aptly called!

The wheelchair races, the running races, swimming, cycling – I could go on and on. All I am saying is the last Paralympics was the most amazing sporting event I have ever seen.

It was so sad to hear of money problems in Rio affecting the number of teams taking part. The richest countries should be helping the others to come.

There have been so many lead-up problems to the Paralympics, including Russia being banned, venues closing because of money issues and the teams not able to come because they haven’t been funded.

But the Paralympics are now under way and I am sure they are going to be fantastic. Please watch. You’ll be glad you did!

Just two more things: Good luck Simon. The whole of Cumbria, I am sure, is backing you!

And, to my editor: I am having a relapse. See you in just over two weeks!