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Two versions of me
There are two versions of me at the moment. When I get a chance, there is normal, competent, capable me. I am enthusiastic, working my way through lots of volunteering work at an art gallery, as chair...
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DLA reform and the Spartacus Report
Today on Twitter you will see many disabled people and charities saying “I support the #SpartacusReport”. So what is this report and what does it mean? The Spartacus Report is a piece of research,...
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Disability myths exploded
I often read ignorant comments in newspapers – or even whole articles – which clearly do not understand the disabled person’s situation nowadays. Perhaps these commenters do not count any disabled...
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“The Undateables”– nasty concept, poor execution
This week “The Undateables” hit our screens: a channel 4 documentary about 9 disabled people who are looking for love. The trouble is, the show starts off with a bad name and doesn’t get much better...
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I’m touch sensitive!
I awoke from pain last night. The cause? I was lying on a small wrinkle in the sheet. That probably sounds ridiculous to you, but it’s only in recent years that I have realised that not everyone feels...
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Being a flake: Living with a fluctuating condition
I roughed out this article from bed over a week ago. It’s taken this long for me to have both the physical energy and mental stamina to type it up. Ironic, then, that I was writing about how hard it...
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Wheelchair ticketing petition? It’s badly timed and focuses on the wrong issues
There is a petition doing the rounds, complaining that a wheelchair user cannot be seated with their family at the Paralympics because at the time they tried to book, the only available seating was a...
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My dream phone app: a medicine reminder
I take a number of tablets every day. I’ve more or less given up respecting which are due every six hours and which every eight; I take them all every six hours and hope that things even out while I’m...
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My voice from the past
Today I received an unexpected email. Five years ago I’d written this missive to “future me”, and it was delivered out of the blue, completely forgotten. So what did it say, and how accurate was it?...
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Toxic January
I didn’t drink alcohol last night. As a result, I found my pain almost unbearable. I lay awake in bed all night, in agony despite being cushioned by two double duvets, wishing I could sleep, wishing...
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B&Q and the Disabled Parking Debacle
It’s a bank holiday weekend. What are you doing – perhaps some DIY or pottering around the garden? Well, if you’re disabled, chances are you won’t be able to shop at a B&Q because their dedicated...
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My Olympic ticket marathon
I have been through a marathon of my own… in order to buy Olympic tickets. Hooray, I’ll be able to enjoy the celebrations. But why does this matter so much to me? You are probably not aware of my...
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Liverpool Care Pathway? It’s about convenience, not care
The Liverpool Care Pathway has been in the news lately. It’s a care path for people who are dying, whereby invasive treatment is withdrawn and they are left to die peacefully. At least, that’s the...
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Online shopping as a disabled person – who to avoid, who to try
Online shopping can be a lifeline for disabled people. If you’re not able to spend an hour pushing a trolley round the supermarket every week, you may depend upon companies to deliver your groceries....
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The downside of using robotic and other tools to “walk”
This week, the World Cup kicked off. It was ceremoniously started by a paraplegic who wore a robotic exoskeleton. After weeks of practice, he managed to kick the ball a short distance. What does this...
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Breaking the fourth wall: spoony frustration.
Hello, readers. I’m aware that I’ve neglected to post here lately, and I apologise. I’ve had a bad run of health. That in itself isn’t a reason (excuse?) for not writing, but the thing is that while...
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Why loading the dishwasher makes me afraid to open the mail
Definition: Fear of Brown Envelopes – a state of anxiety caused by receiving a dark manila DL envelope, with a return address of the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP). Without exception my...
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Being a flake: Living with a fluctuating condition
I roughed out this article from bed over a week ago. It’s taken this long for me to have both the physical energy and mental stamina to type it up. Ironic, then, that I was writing about how hard it...
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