Articles Tagged ‘Disability’
To the unconcerning eye and the casual observer, many might think of me being in my mid 20’s. Well for the ladies of the world, I give you a confession – I’m actually 31 and will turn 32 on the 6th December (Amazon wish list available on request!) The problem with being 31 or 32 is not that you feel any different, or act differently; it is simply the fact that people expect you to do so and expect you to have achieved a level of success.
Success. A word that can mean so much, it can instil power within people, instil security, financial or otherwise and it can also ironically be quite the opposite. Being a disabled man and having …
Read all of Oh s**t, I’m 31! What will I be doing when I’m 40?
The last blog was actually a week ago. When I first realised I was concerned as I take pride in my regular contact. Then I realised partly ‘quality beats quantity’ and partly it was a sign of my new found self honesty. There have been many times the past year I have pushed my body a little too far. You will remember the recent blog on how I had realised my health must come first. So in slowing down, there has been less to report. Furthermore I have felt a little tired to conjure up a good article.
Also I have been busy and preoccupied this week with my annual sleep study. To some extent I could say “please see blog …
Read all of Quality beats quantity: my health comes first!
It has been a long-time since I last wrote a blog article. Better late than never I guess to start again! I recently finished my training contract as a trainee solicitor, and decided to take some time off before I resume my role as a qualified solicitor in January. During this period of time off I have embarked on a few travels and intend to do a few more trips before I head back to work. In August, I went on separate trips to Edinburgh, Brussels and Warsaw to see friends that I having in those cities.
For me, travelling can be a concoction of challenging adventure and painful ordeal. I have many things to take with me such as my …
Read all of Travels: challenging adventure and painful ordeal!
I am always asking people whether they prefer the day to day blogs I write or some of the more political ones. The feedback is – both. For some, just seeing a guy in a chair (with all the add ons I bring, lol) is cool. Whether showing younger kids I work, drive, enjoy my social life (live a ‘normal’ life) or visually seeing how I manage transport, bars and cinemas has a positive effect. However the broader feelings I have as a disabled person and interpretations I gleam from news items and policy decisions shows how these events affect many disabled people.
I have always said that I would love the readers to engage with my blogs more. My awareness …
Read all of What are your views on disability, the CSR and personalisation?
Since my quickfire video on last weeks travels I had a great meeting at Spurs, my new PA Gabi started Thursday and I finished the working week. Friday night I was energised enough to manage a few drinks and a later night. Always nice to finish the working week with friends and good times. Had 2 massive lie ins over the weekend, saw mum and Claire Saturday and enjoyed a nice night in that evening with tv and curry. So into Sunday I met Vik, Srin, their PA’s and later on my other PA Beata (B). To clarify B and her sister Gabi are now both my PA’s. David does weekdays and they do alternate weekends. B just breezed through …
Read all of We’re similar, but different – and we need a common voice!
I thought I had better write a blog tonight before the birthday celebrations kick off this weekend. 27 tomorrow and I have felt both 17 and 37 through parts of the past year, guess it averages out hey. Its been a mega year:
I was pretty unwell for the first prolonged time of my working life in the winter months
The car was an absolute nightmare throughout winter too
I picked myself up with an amazing trip to Mexico – dolphins and scuba diving
I started a new job at Scope straight after
I setup my first ever disability event (‘Sunnier Days’ starring Natasha Wood and Sophie Morgan)
I also carried out some consultancy projects around Personalisation and social media
Had articles published on these subjects in …
Read all of My Priorities – now I’m 27!
This is an article I have written for an international medical journal. It acts as a reminder of why I keep this website flowing. It also shows the amazing support the JTSMA and Scope have given me and others. Furthermore being quite sensitive I do like a reminisce! Hope you like it.
Having read the article written by Patrick Moeschen I was inspired to contribute to the social model discussion and how this perspective also enhanced my story. My name is Martyn Sibley, I have type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), I live in London and I am now 26 years old. Like Patrick, my upbringing was ‘normal’ and very much a can-do approach. Having used a wheelchair since 3 years …
Read all of My disability is not the problem
Anna has always wanted to be a schoolteacher: “I’ve just always known that’s what I want to do. My friends don’t know what they want to do, but for me it’s always been clear.” To get an idea about what this would involve, Anna has been volunteering at a local school over the summer, working five days a week.
This commitment is even more inspiring given that Anna, who has cerebral palsy, needs a powered wheelchair to provide her with independent mobility. Her previous power chair, provided through local contacts would break down frequently, often leaving her stuck for several hours until her parents could arrange to pick her up. In March, Priority, working with Newlife funded a new powered wheelchair …
Read all of Anna’s ambition: to be a Schoolteacher
Hannah from Dorking loves cycling, swimming, music and social occasions involving cuddles and attention. Hannah has Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk, or weight bear but has some use of her arms. Her Cerebral Palsy affects her trunk strength so that the only two activities where she can feel totally free are swimming and cycling.
Hannah already has a tricycle which she received in 2003 and which she absolutely loves but she has now outgrown it and it is also extremely worn on several parts such as the knee supports. Following a major operation in 2005 a trike is more important than ever to Hannah because she …
Read all of Hannah’s getting out and about
Whether you are a disabled person, a family or friend of a disabled person or employed within the social care world, the word ‘personalisation’ has probably started to enter your vocabulary. For those not fortunate enough to have even brushed past this concept here is a story to assist you.
Once upon a time, disabled people lived in a small part of town known as medical model ville. With efforts to cure or keep disabled people away from society, one could say it wasn’t the best part of town. Gradually over time disabled activists and campaigners have spread the good word of social model ville. Here, ramps were invented, friendships forged and careers blossomed. Now, this move isn’t quite the end …
Read all of Personalisation – a happy ever after story
