I am a mum to two children (8 year old son and nearly 2 year old daughter) currently not working as looking after the youngest one (who has Down Syndrome) full time, I home school my son 2 days a week. I am interested in alternative methods in helping children and adults with special needs. I am a neuroscientist by profession but not working at the moment as helping my daughter to get strong and confident. I am also interested in nutrition and herbal remedies. I play violin, in a band when I have time (which doesn't happen very often at present). I love to read, but don't have much time at present either, and mostly read on parenting and alternative approaches to helping kids with special needs, and Russain kids books to my son.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet families from other places around the world.

Interests

• crafts
• alternative medicine
• alternative education
• other cultures and languages
• travel.
• herbal medicines
• music (i play violin and piano)

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Buena Vista Social Club, Classical, Hem, Great Lake Swimmers, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, bluegrass, Irish jigs, Russian bands - Secret, DDT, Chaif.
Books by Neil Gaiman, George MacDonald Fraser, Alexander McColl Smith, Boris Akunin, Russian Classics - Dostoevskiy, Pushkin, Lermontov.
Russian old films - comedies about Shurik, films with Mironov, Москва слезам не верит, old Russian kids films and cartoons.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Survived 4 weeks in neonatal unit after my daughter was born - the care was amazing, it was just very difficult emotionally.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - Russian, English,
Share - what I know about neurodevelopment, nutrition, home-education and herbal remedies.
Learn - any alternative methods of healing and help, French, Spanish.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My experience growing up in Kazakhstan before and after Soviet Union break up, Siberia (where I have many relatives), living in England, doing an Open University degree while working at different jobs, bringing up bi-lingual children and part-time home schooling, being a neuroscientist, working part-time in academia, what I know about neuromovement therapy. Any advice I can offer on visiting South of England.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Gambia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kazakhstan, United Kingdom