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Miles on my tyres
I’ve officially had the Jive for three months now. And I’m pleased ro report that I didn’t come anywhere near falling out of my chair in month three so that’s an improvement on the previous two months. I did freak people out on two occasions but I think that’s always going to be the case with this chair because of how the spider-trac suspension works – when i go up a steep ramp it shoves me really down onto my back castors and the front castors come slightly off the ground. I did 93 miles in my chair this month and set a new record for the most miles…
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Going to London
Wednesday, mid morning my mobile rang. It was a friend of mine who works for one of the organisations I volunteer with. She was calling in her professional capacity with good news. A project I organised and ran has been shortlisted for some form of award. The ceremony is in London, in February. Did I want to go? Obviously I said yes straight away. We chatted a bit more and then said goodbye. I spent some time looking up the venue online and being excited and then got on with my day. Yesterday, a bit before 5pm my mobile rang again. It was still in my bag where I’d been…
- 2013, freedom, frustrations, NaNoWriMo, powerchair, Quickie Salsa, so you had a bad day, trains, Uncategorized, writing
A Properly Poorly Powerchair
I’ve got a poorly powerchair. I’ve known for a fe weeks that it didn’t feel right but I couldn’t put together what was wrong with it. Then mum and I went to Oxford to see The Mousetrap and on our way to the station afterwards (I had gone in early for drinks with a friend) she said the back of my chair struck her as wrong. When we got back to the station she had a properly look as we had time before the train and said she wasn’t sure. But I mentioned that I’d thought it felt off and had had a feeling it was something on the front…
- 2013, acceptance, access, awareness, blogging, campaigns, courage, CP related, current affairs, difficulties, disability, disability normal, disability rights, freedom, frustrations, hopes and dreams, I want to change the world, identity, Uncategorized
In which I ramble and am grouchy when it comes to “awareness”
(I was going to title this “why I’m not blogging about CP awareness day” and then I realised that by writing this I pretty much was blogging about CP awareness day just not in the way most people are and that would be a pointless title) So. Word on the street the internet is that 25th March is CP awareness day. i.e. that tomorrow is CP awareness day. Except, to me, it’s not, really. It’s national CP awareness day in the US. I’m not in the US and I sometimes feel like the entirety of the fucking internet resolves around people from the US and that those of us not…
- 2013, attitudes, blogging, campaigns, CP related, current affairs, disability, disability blogs, disablism, freedom, guest blog, interwebs, language, Paralympics, political, press, ranting, sailing, Uncategorized
Disability in the media
I’m paying a second visit over at Bea Magazine this month. I wrote about the disability issues which were raised by the news that paralympian Oscar Pistorius has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. You can read it here: Disability and the Reeva Steenkamp Murder The coverage of disability in the media has always been problematic but I’m really hoping this might be the beginning of it changing. I suspect that it’s more likely that it will change the way violence against women is covered by the media than disability. Still I hope. Last year I was asked to speak to the local paper about my…
- 2012, acceptance, access, discrimination, freedom, friends, frustrations, I want to change the world, influences, Life, mental health, nano group, personal, powerchair, Quickie Salsa, quotes, Uncategorized
Rekindled
I’m reading a good book at the moment. I hope to finish it tonight and I’ll review it for my blog in the next few days most likely. When I flicked to the back to see how many pages it has I noticed that on the page after the end of the story there is the following quote. “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.” Albert Schweitzer I’ve had a tough year I think it’s fair to say. And things are greatly improving and I feel like I’m not in…
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>Just Keep Swimming
>Day 42 of 100. Just Keep Swimming Splash! Straight into the waterIt’s coolNot cold but definitely noticeableSoothing on too hot skinSinking down and downWet all your hairRefreshingAnd then keep your shoulders underSmile at the kids on the other sideSay hi to a friend and chat for a few minutes.Waves waves wavesUp and downUp and downThrown aroundBody surfingThe unexpected stormWatch the aqua aerobics groupTry and fail to copy their movementsSurrounded by waterStretch and savourAnd only thenDo you swimFront crawlA lazy attempt at breast strokeAnd a long float on my backA few kicks don’t achieve muchBut must be doneRight leg more than leftPeople think it’s just a swimBut it’s more than thatA…