Little by little...

As the 3rd anniversary of this blog is nearly upon us, I thought it was the right time to start getting reflective. Now I've assessed the impact of 'The Adventures of Wheelchair Boy' before and concluded that unfortunately, my posts don't reach as many people as a my own TV programme would  (hint, hint commissioners) so there seems to be no change. However this post has made me think about wider society and how attitudes towards the disabled have definitely improved in recent years. You can tell from my infrequent of late posts that life is not perfect and society still has a long way to go on a variety of issues but in the main, disabled people are STARTING to lose their invisibility cloaks.

The emphasis is on STARTING because (without sounding like an X Factor contestant) disabled people are on a journey to become equal and receive recognition from their peers. Sadly though, some parts of society are either too selfish and don't want to know or just plain ignorant which is no longer a valid excuse in 2015. Like I said though; things have definitely improved. Watching back Celebrity Wheelchair Challenge from 2003 makes it clear both how much attitudes have changed for the better in the last 12 years as well as highlighting that there are problems that won't go away.

The two examples that demonstrate the improvements/lack of in recent years are to do with Public Transport. The majority of buses are now completely accessible and have their own ramps.Whereas, the issue of obnoxious taxi drivers who will not pick up disabled passengers is which, I and probably all my regular readers are all too familiar with (as it's an issue I have raised a few times), still happens today. The fact I still have that problem 12 years after the show was broadcast clearly shows the treatment of disabled people is still not great and  one solitary episode cannot make  everything better..

I still feel Channel 4 or any channel for that matter who would like to tackle disability should use  the idea again but with a modern spin. It's a fascinating concept and would help to educate society about the difficulties disabled people face on a daily basis. Those inside the media bubble do not believe  factual programmes about disability work but I would strongly argue the British public are ready to be informed on the subject.

Bye for now!

This is also hear...

After getting the ‘Carony Classic’, the rest of the money that was donated/raised at the quiz night went towards a new hearing system. In actual fact, I had to use all the additional money to buy the two ‘FM receivers’ and the ‘Roger Pen’. Again, I thought I’d share a few pictures so you can see how your money has been spent (apologies that I look like a sinister wizard about to cast a spell in some of them).

I am very pleased with the acquisition as it sits in my ear perfectly and is much better than the old model I trialled at the University of Manchester. It is also very discreet and unless you come really close (one at a time ladies), you cannot notice it. Not that I’m image conscious…

The pen is good too as I can either point it in the direction of the speaker like a microphone or my carer can wear a lanyard around their neck and it will pick up their voice. I can always just lay it in the middle of the table if I go out for dinner (like tonight) and, according to the instruction booklet, it will pick up the voices of the people on my table. Fingers crossed anyway!

So, money well spent on both counts. I can now get in/out the car without standing and will be able to join in conversations when I’m in a crowded area now. Another massive thank you to everyone who contributed and has therefore improved my life significantly.

Bye for now!

It’s here…

Thanks again to all the generous pledgers who paid for my new chair!

I am pleased to announce that the ‘Carony Classic’ my friends and family (as well as some wonderful people I have never met) kindly bought me has finally arrived. As regular readers will know, simple transfers were becoming increasingly difficult because my condition is constantly deteriorating and I was even afraid to go out in the car in case I fell over. Now, I have only had this new system a few days but already fell much more confident as I know I do not have to stand at all. It means that if I want to go into town, I can without the stomach wrenching feeling that I might lose all dignity and end up on the floor like a drunk…AGAIN.

For those intrigued about how it works, I have took loads of pictures (see below). I must say it probably looks and sounds complicated but it’s not. After you get familiar with the system, it takes under a minute to get me in the car. Much quicker and safer than when I used to fall. The chair simply pumps up so that it is level with the vehicle, clicks into two rails then slides back and spins into a normal passenger seat position. It's honestly that easy once you know what you are doing.

My only regret is that I didn’t listen to mum and get the system months ago but what can I say? ‘Wheelchair Boy’ is as stubborn as Arsenal holding on to the Top 4.

Bye for now!

Go vote...

'Wheelchair Boy' has voted so seriously, what is your excuse? You will all know from my last post how I voted but whatever your persuasion, please have your say before 10PM. Obviously, those who have been to the polling station already can ignore this 'call to arms' but those who haven't should STOP reading this post and immediately GO to your local school/parish centre/community hall. It will take less than a minute to put a cross in a box and, if you're sad like me, it will give you a lovely sense of satisfaction that you have done your electoral duty for another 5 years (unless of course the new coalition collapse).

See you when we have a new government, I'll do a proper post then :)

Bye for now!