Articles Tagged ‘Independence’
Hi readers. Another week has passed already. I am keen to tell you about a new project I am working on for Sunnier Days (my social enterprise). Therefore I will share Thursday nights debauchery and this weekends fun in a separate blog over the next couple of days on my site.
Sunnier Days is the very personal name I have given to the ‘vehicle’ enabling me to make some of my ideas around disability a reality. Those close to me refer to my positive attitude, my love of sunny holidays and because my projects (the blog, work with Hackney council and DisabilityLib) are about improving things – Sunnier Days felt right and was born!
So what is this project about? You may …
Read all of Sunnier Days launches 1st Online Disability Seminar with JTSMA
As always my life has been fast paced and on the tiring side. I am glad to say despite winter and general work tiredness, I am feeling good and looking forward to xmas. Due to things being busy, this blog on the recent Independent Living Fund (ILF) proposals is not the heavily researched or laid out as an intellectual thesis, as I would usually prefer 
In some ways this is no bad thing either. You can easily google for what the ILF is, their history and for policy documents on independent living. What is more difficult to find is the real way in which recent events affect an individual such as myself. While I am going about my intricately balanced …
Read all of Worries and conerns about the end of the Independent Living Fund
With current political news on benefits and social care funding cuts, my recent trip and more fundamental parts of my life would be compromised. I am now turning my thoughts to halting such political nightmares for disabled people and ensuring everyone can live a full, independent and self directed life, as I have done up until now. Without the government foundations underpinning my care, life would be very different for me and many others. Lets hope the recent announcements are questioned and stopped. More to come!
The drive to our hotel in LA, near to LAX airport took 4 hours. This would have been sizeable, but it flew compared to San Fran to Vegas. I was kind of glad to leave Vegas in the end. I would go another time with a bigger budget to gamble and maybe one crazier drunk night, but while our trip ticked everything I hoped for, I did find it a little over bearing and claustrophobic. It definitely had a big thumbs up on accessibility though.
Arriving at the Best Western hotel, which Srin booked while we were in San Fran, we hit the same initial problem. Yep, the shower was not a roll in. On asking at reception there was nothing …
Read all of California dreaming – teething problems and Jack Black
First of all do not fear! This is not a “I went away for 12 days and found myself” blog. I am still the same old me. However probably due to the time away I did gain some clarity on my blogs.
I know people follow my blogs because there is some fun stuff and inspirational pieces from time to time, but I have appreciated others would like more detailed information. For example in the holiday video I shot how I am lifted from the plane to my wheelchair. The trip also highlighted the many extra things I have to plan and think about. Therefore my new beginning starts with the coverage of the California and Vegas road trip by giving …
Read all of A new beginning
So the long awaited and highly debated spending review finally took place. I was asked by Scope if I would mind watching the coverage, write some tweets and have them fed into their website. It was a pleasure to take part in such an event and interact with others on the issues. The first wave of emotion I felt was relief, just at the realisation we could finally hear the plans and not have to wait any longer. The normal prime ministers questions were a non event and a definite calm before the storm.
At 12.30 the chancellor took to the floor and began. The next feeling I felt was confusion. The …
Read all of A message to Mr Osbourne – the CSR from a disabled perspective
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a book by Daniel Goleman, which I could suggest everyone should read. We all live in a world where hard facts and figures are valued much more than a pleasant hello and a nice thank you. But which are more important in real life?
Yes there are aspects of life and careers that require absolute knowledge. For example, a neuro surgeon would rarely be required to have a good bedside manner with their patient on the operating table. I for one however, will never be a surgeon, nor do I wish to be. It would involve to much responsibility for one such as myself who couldn’t handle …
Read all of How to make friends and influence people
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?
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!
