A friend of mine sent me this to watch. And it's amazing. What makes it all the more amazing, for me anyway, is the simple message.....

PRESERVE AND CHERISH.

Watch and see what you think.

http://consciouslifenews.com/single-mind-altering-photograph-analysis-carl-sagan/

Every now and then, I get frustrated at the hand life has dealt me. But also, every now and then, people pop up like glowing beacons and I am grateful to them.

The first up to get my thanks is Danielle Sheypuk and Carrie Hammer. Carrie is a fashion designer who wanted to use role models in her shows. Danielle has a Phd and is a practicing psychologist. She earns her money, and wants to spend it too. She enjoys fashion, and like she said, disabled people wear clothes too. And she has cerebral palsy, and is a wheelchair user.

It makes financial sense, that if you sell a product, to appeal to as big an audience as possible. Businesses have been tapping into the pink pound and the grey pound for a wee while now. It makes financial sense to tap into the *disabled pound too. However, I go to the shops, and it's rare that I see other wheelchair users. And it's not because we don't exist, or need stuff. I believe, and through experience too, that places aren't particularly accessible. Even new places. I bet you some person in a hard hat had made a decision about what would work, without EVER getting in a wheelchair and trying it for themselves. If you're going to drop a kerb, drop it so it's flat!


My second thanks go to Francesca Martinez. She is a comedian, actress and campaigner. She also has cerebral palsy. I like what she says, and you too can read it here.....please do.....

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/26/francesca-martinez-comedian-welfare-cuts-disabled-people

To the unknown person that gave me the present of books.....I'm getting to them I promise you, and I can't wait! I am a slow reader these days and I'm still working through, and enjoying, The Casual Vacancy. You have probably given me a years worth of reading, and the pile is patiently waiting, and your card is permanently displayed too, and these things still make me smile.

*I have a problem with the word disabled. All words pre fixed with dis signify being without. In this case, without being abled. I have difficulties, yes, and things are different now, BUT I am NOT without ability.

I have been absent due to sickness bugs and news that has occupied my mind, and now I emerge, it's to find chaos....

Sochi
Syria
Egypt
India
Ukraine
Venezuela
Flooding
Fighting
Bloodshed
Death

What is going on? It's all very unsettling. Where is the care?

Aristotle is often quoted as saying,

 'You can judge a nation by the way it treats it's most vulnerable citizens.'

And whilst this is true, it's just a starting point. Because I would also add that it's about equality and money too.

  'Seven Deadly Sins

Wealth without work

Pleasure without conscience

Science without humanity

Knowledge without character

Politics without principle

Commerce without morality

Worship without sacrifice.'

Mahatma Gandi.

Don't be without. Because otherwise you are just a taker. And sadly, we all know people like that. People that are only there when there's something in it for them. But when the tables turn, they are nowhere to be seen......

And all's gone quiet on the North Korea front. And the nuclear reactors at Fukushima in Japan. Are we so occupied that we've forgotten? Because that's when things creep up and surprise you, and that surprise will not be good.

First they came for the socialists, 

And I did not speak out,

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, 

And I did not speak out,

because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

And I did not speak out, 

Because I was not a Jew.

And then they came for me, 

And there was no-one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemoller

And this man knows what he's talking about, as he spent 7 years in a concentration camp as he was outspoken against the Nazi party. 7 YEARS!

We all have a duty of care to speak out about unjustness. Don't fail to speak out.

I've lost count of the amount of times that people have said, 'But they help you, don't they.' These people are referring to my physical predicament, and how my home no longer works for me. These people, when pressed, cannot tell you who 'they' are, and what qualifies as 'help.'

So, I'll tell you about my experience of the 'help.' Several years ago I contacted my local home improvement agency (HIA) based at my local council. I was finding the steps at the front of my property difficult, so a handrail was installed. The same was done inside, alongside the stairs. Magic! Thank you! And for a while, that was enough. But as time passed, I degenerated, and I needed more help. An occupational therapist (who'd been hired by the local council) wrote a report saying I needed a downstairs bedroom and bathroom. And she was right.

Let battle commence......

The council denied me this help because they said....

a, my house was too small.

It's a 3 bedroomed house. If I applied for a council house, I would be eligible for......a 3 bedroomed house.

b, my house is excessively cold.

This said without the council measuring the temperature. Ever. Not once. Let alone over a period of time. 

c, my house is uninhabitable.

d, my house is worth £47,000.

I am linking c and d, because my house was valued recently by 3 estate agents with an average of £180,000. And ALL of the estate agents said I didn't need to do a thing to prepare for sale, as it was presented beautifully. And what bearing does the value of my home have on my needing help?

Never once did the council back up what they were saying with facts. Probably because they didn't have any. We, in our fight back, provided facts, professional opinions of builders, architects, surveyors, solicitors and Foundations, a government body set up to oversee all HIA's. We had to go through 3 stages of complaint, and then on to the ombudsman. I had faith that here, at least, we would get a balanced view. Well, that bubble popped when it became apparent that the ombudsman dealing with our case, didn't know that disabled adaptions are VAT exempt. I wouldn't expect the average person on the street to know this, but if it's what you're dealing with in your job, then yes! You should know it!

When you work, you have no choice but to pay into the pot. When misfortune befalls you, in my case in the form of a bad luck illness, you believe the pot you paid into will be there, to support you. What you find instead, is that someone is holding the pot lid on REALLY tightly. We put up a really good fight with that lid, but sadly, the grip was not loosened. And we left the fight battered, bruised, disheartened and empty handed. But proud of the fight we put up.

'They help you, don't they?' I can honestly say, no, they do not. They have, however, made me feel like a worthless piece of shit.

So, what now?

Today I cried. And the reason for my tears was because someone had read my blog about my New Years Resolutions, and that the desire to read more, was one of my resolutions. So, three books were delivered to my daughters work with a covering note. They had read my Resolutions blog and hoped the books would get me going, then they wished me Happy Reading! And then they didn't sign it....

So, to whomever you are......thank you so much! Even though you made me cry......THANK YOU!!
I am unfamiliar with two of the books, but one I did know about, and I wanted to read it, so again.....THANK YOU! That is one resolution that I can firmly tick off now. Happy days!


My daughter, who the books were delivered to, also came across this quote....

The best moves in life are made in silence. Don't talk about it. Just do it and let everyone else talk about it.

Well, we are definitely talking....

Sometimes the kindness of strangers is overwhelming.....

We are having to raise money to make adaptions to our home, and this weekend was also the weekend of the pub quiz fundraiser at our local pub. The couple organising it, are not strangers to me. But as I entered the pub, I was more than amazed by the amount of people present. And they were, for the most part, strangers. Garden furniture had to be bought in as the seats were running out. All these people filled not one, but two bars and the restaurant too. There had been generous donations also, for the raffle. So generous in fact, it seemed a never ending task for my friend to get through!

The bar was drank dry of beer, vodka and wine, and the leaded windows got steamed up by the boozy breath.....so a good night, all in all!

So the last few days have served to make me feel as though I'm not walking/wobbling/wheeling the journey that is ms alone. There are life rafts and leg ups aplenty....and for that I am grateful beyond belief.

Congratulations to me! Resolutions are going well so far.......ish.

1, Listen to more music......And right on time to help me out, Elbow release another album. I have pre ordered it, so that will be a good surprise in a month or two, when it plops on to the door mat. Guy Garvey is a bit of a genius, so he will always have a place in my heart. So until I get his latest offering I best get busy with the music that I already have.

2, Read more......I am cracking on with my new purchase. Purchased with these resolutions in mind actually, and with a desire to succeed, I chose Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling, and very good it is too. It is a novel aimed at a more adult readership than her previous incredibly successful offerings. I didn't jump on the Potter band wagon (unlike my daughter, who has extensive knowledge of all things Hogwarts).

Rowling and Garvey notice the little things, and report them back beautifully. Be they the heartbreaking or the ordinary things, the way they pitch those things is to make the ordinary extraordinary.

3, To get out more.....not an easy one, as I can't do this independently, but out I have been. The good man and I went out for lunch the other day, and I have plans with friends this week too, and the pub quiz to attend that's being put on on my behalf too.

4, To enjoy being in more......I had friends round last night....wine, crisps, chocolate and chatting. I've know those friends for an awful long time....pretty much a lifetime actually, and there is always news to share, and ideas to discuss.

5, To laugh more......hhhmmmm.....this is the tricky one, as despite the many good things I have, life is like a set of scales, and there is a bag of crap dumped on the scales, that is tipping the balance. MORE WORK NEEDED HERE.

6, To notice more......and with Garvey and Rowling as my inspiration.......how can I fail? It's the little things.....notice the little things, and verbalise them. I am fond of saying to the good man, the little things are the everyday glue. And we all need help in keeping it glued together.

7, Just be more........Doing all of the above and getting no 5 sorted, how could I be less?

I have also been continuing with the grand clear out. And I'm enjoying the space that this has created for me, my family, and my walking, inquisitive little man.

Here's to being more. Best get cracking on with no 5 then, and back to my book.....

Until next time....

In my last post I mentioned that MS was my nemesis/redeemer, because along with the horrific crap, there have been many good things that I've gained/learnt because of it. That said there are a few people, amongst the many, I'd like to say thank you to for their metaphorical leg ups. I am blessed to know many people that are forthcoming with help and friendship, and I'm grateful to them all. But right now, these two get the first two virtual hugs.

My first shout out is to a lovely lady who helped me with all things blog related, and her assistance was much needed, especially in the early days. Computers and I are not the best of friends, so tears and frustration were regular features, as were cries for help from this lovely 'if she doesn't know it, it's not worth knowing' lady.

Her blog is exquisite and mainly focusses on the delight of what we put on our table, with her writing oozing with personality, and experiences, charm and it entices you to read more. Click on the link below the photo to read her blog, the photo was sourced from one of her blogposts.

theviewfromthetable

Also, a local lady, and her family, are also putting on a pub quiz event. All funds raised from this, will be going to me. This lady has a nothing but kind nature, a trait that is often devalued in today's society, she makes me laugh, and her hard working, charismatic personality rubs off on you and makes you feel warm inside. You would want her on your side, in a pub quiz, or just in life.

Without doubt, MS is hard to live with. But what makes it easier to live with, is the people around you, and the leg ups they readily give you. And for that I say THANK YOU!!