Debut...

My first newspaper report was published today in the Herts Ad. As many of you will know, I have been in the local paper more than once before but this is a landmark because it is the first time my name has been printed as a by-line. Unfortunately, the article is not available directly online but you can sign up for free and read this weeks edition. It is on Page 23 and will soon be framed on my wall no doubt.

As students, we’ve been told that most of the time, stories just fall in your lap. This was certainly the case. I came home from University late Friday evening and read a letter explaining that a film starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost was using the building site near our street as a setting. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Ideas of how I could get a story were racing through my mind. By the time I decided to ring the production team.  I apologized to the woman for calling late and then asked if I would be able to get some interviews. She said it was unlikely and told me to ring back in the morning.

I did but was told that I’d have to go through PR and only established magazines such as Empire were allowed. This didn’t deter me as I went down to the front gates to see what was happening. Vehicles were constantly driving in out so I decided to chance my luck by going on set. I thought security would send me away but they didn’t. My sister and I were able to take pictures and speak to crew without any trouble.

I had done my research so wanted to meet the cast or director but this didn’t happen as they were busy and I had other commitments in Norwich (damn you Arsenal).

I am so grateful to the Herts Ad Editor Matt Adams who printed the piece with my name accompanying. Hopefully, this will be the first of many printed articles I can put in my portfolio.

Bye for now!

Guess who?

I'm back... and this time for good. I'll post on heree every evening unless there's a real emergency so please pester me if I forget. The same applies to Twitter. I've neglected my account and regret that I have been out of contact with people. I want to show the world why I was voted Twitter king at Sandringham leavers 2012. Sally Hitchiner gave an insightful lecture yesterday and told us young journalists that we need to keep up our online profile and get our name out there.

It got me thinking about my image and how people percieve me (to be honest, I think about that quite a lot). But this time, I was thinking about how to sell myself. Sally said about picking a memorable part of your make-up to get yourself noticed. Obviously, disabled people are in the minority so being a Wheelchair Boy is quite unique, especially in the media.

What also has become clear to me is the importance of personality. My passion is the Arsenal and I should make that clear by embracing GOONERGLEN as a tag. I'm not going to be a boring, impartial journalist. I have views on a whole variety of issues including football and I'm not afraid to share them.

I am a staunch atheist but I should take what I was born with and turn it into an advantage. Who knows, my disability may help me on my future career path.

Bye for now!

Hello Hillingdon Hospital...

My love affair with the NHS continued this week and I can now add Hillingdon to my growing list of hospitals I have had the privilege to stay at. I was only there for three nights which doesn’t sound long but it felt like a lifetime, especially as it was a pretty grim place. It’s only up the road from Brunel which my mum thought was a plus when deciding which University I should go to but neither of us knew that I would be using the facilities within the first month.

It all started on Monday at an annual appointment I attend at the Ataxia clinic in London where they examine me and record how I have deteriorated over the year for the database. Before all the tests were done, the doctor decided to check my pulse and was slightly concerned that I had a quick heartbeat. He couldn’t have been that alarmed as he told me to visit my GP the following day. I went along to the Medical Centre after my lectures feeling fine so just expected to be given the once over and sent on my way. This was not the case. Her face changed to one of sheer panic when she listened to my heart. I was given a letter and sent immediately to A + E.

When I arrived, I was impressed that, unlike Watford, I didn’t have to wait around but perhaps that suggested this was quite serious. I had a few tests such as bloods and an ECG before they decided to move me into Resus. This was scary as I was hooked up to a monitor which was making loud beeps. It really was like an episode of Casualty but this was real and I was beginning to have rather dark thoughts, particularly when they gave me an Oxygen mask. The drugs they had given me were obviously working as my heart rate had gone down from 180 to 140 and as a result, I was transferred to a ward. Things were looking up.

I was wearing a monitor full time so doctors could see if my heart was improving. It was and there were even talks of me being discharged on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, my heart was playing up again so after my ultrasound, I was told that I couldn’t leave and go to my beloved Arsenal (in hindsight, this was good as we lost so it would’ve only added to my stress.) The next couple of days were basically me laying in bed, waiting. Finally there was positive news; the doctor told me that the pills were doing their job and my condition was stable. He discharged me and a few hours later when the pharmacy handed over the tablets, I was able to return home.

They still don’t know the cause of my irregular rhythm but will follow me up and investigate further. It might have been the anger I felt after travelling to Norwich last Saturday to watch a poor Arsenal side lose. I know I shouldn’t get that upset about football but it’s a possible cause…

Bye for now!  

Apologies...

I don’t know if many people have noticed but I have not been blogging lately, mainly because I have not had the time to stop and compose my thoughts. Ever since I moved in a few weeks ago, my life has completely changed… and not just with all the parties and late nights. I have met some great people with similar interests to me and I love the course. I’m sorry if people have, for some reason, missed my blog but I’ll try to post as often as possible. The good thing about being busy is that my life is never dull and I have lots of ‘adventures’ to report on.

 It is not until you begin University that you realise that, even at A-Level, school still treats you like a child. My favourite aspect of Brunel is that I am now a journalist. Obviously, I still have to complete academic work for assessment but it’s in my hands to shape my career. It’s up to me to secure work-placements, discover stories to write about, find interviews and build up an overall portfolio to show to future employers. There is an overall buzz surrounding journalism and looking forward, this excites me.

I’ve always kept my eye on the news but now, I am obsessed. I regularly watch Newsnight, purchase the i every morning, and listen to Radio 4’s Today Show plus surf the net to uncover the latest stories. My passion for spreading news has increased so I have started a second blog at www.weknowmorethanyou.wordpress.com . The new page will include news and views from across the world whereas ‘Wheelchair Boy’ is, let’s be frank, about me and my escapades. I plan for ‘we know more than you’ to become a group blog so if you’re interested in writing/commenting on the news, let me know. Feel free to read both if you want.

Once again, sorry for the disappearing act but I’ll make the effort to be more active. I have many stories to catch-up on so I won’t be struggling for ideas.

Bye for now!

My interview...

While I was enjoying the Olympic Park, Amelia Gentleman stopped me to ask some questions about the Paralympics. The article was printed in the Guardian on Saturday the 8^th of September but here is the link if you didn’t see it: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/sep/07/disabled-visitors-paralympic-bubble-reality

Only six days until I move in so I can’t blog much. Getting everything ready and I’m also too excited to think properly. So, normal service will return soon.

Bye for now!

The greatest show on earth 2...

The Paralympics did not end for me when I left the Westfield car park. My friend had booked tickets to see Boccia at the ExCel. Most people will not have heard of this sport but in essence, it is bowls sitting down. I play when I can and I am a huge promoter of the game in general. It is fun and addictive to play as well as very interesting to watch. So, I was very excited to watch top players from around the world in semi final action. I was not disappointed as we saw thrilling matches including Brit David Smith who sailed through to the final (he got a Silver medal in the end). This was obviously the highlight of the day but another memorable part was crossing the River Thames…

Previously, when visiting the O2, I have had to drive through a tunnel or across a bridge to get to Greenwich. Now the Emirates Airline is open, I can opt for another mode of transport: A Cable Car. I have only ever been on one once before but this was better. The weather was beautiful and the sun reflecting off the water made for spectacular views over my favourite city. And, unlike most transport in London, the cars were accessible (the seats could even flip up if necessary). I was suitably impressed and wish they could make more across the UK.

On both occasions, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Paralympics, watching the sports in an all-round upbeat and positive atmosphere. I really am missing the whole Festival of Sport but it has left a long lasting memory and has actually inspired me. I want to try and perfect my Boccia skills because who knows what the future will bring? Rio perhaps if I put my mind to it.

Bye for now!

The greatest show on earth...

Some people saw the Paralympics merely as an opportunity to enjoy the park after missing out on ‘the real Olympics’. To share in the euphoria after the success of British athletes such as Mo Farrah and Jess Ennis. While these feats were amazing, I’d argue that Sarah Storey and David Weir picking up 4 gold medals each was far more impressive. The outstanding achievements of athletes like these who have had to overcome disability made the Paralympics of 2012 ‘the greatest show on earth’.  And ‘Wheelchair Boy’ was there.

The sun was out and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen. It was not your typical London weather so as the crowds entered Stratford; it really did feel like a holiday somewhere on the Mediterranean which was being taken over by tourists. But, one look in the murky River Thames confirms you are still on British soil. After taking a few pictures for Facebook, my first stop was the largest McDonalds in the world. It was nearly lunchtime so very busy but the amount of tills and staff meant that there was no queue. Impeccable service at McDonalds? That’s a first.

Our event was Goalball in the Copperbox but it didn’t start until 6 so we had hours to kill. The ticket allowed us entry into Eton Manor, the Basketball Arena and the Riverbank Arena providing there were seats left. We decided to go and watch some football (well I did because I can’t get enough). As we made our way to the Stadium, we were able to soak up the warm, friendly atmosphere as well as opportunities for some more photos. It was great to see and hear fans from other countries coming together to celebrate sport. The great thing was that everyone was smiling and seemed happy to be part of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the football. The two teams, Ukraine and Brazil, were made up of players with various levels of disabilities, from Cerebal Palsy to brain injuries. The quality of football on display was second to none, particularly Brazil’s magical counter-attack to make it 1-0. For me, it was like a dream. Superb football, a great view, lovely arena and the sun was shining down on the pitch. All that was needed to make it perfect was some barely dressed women, burger, chips and unlimited drink.

By the time we got an expensively priced Ice-Cream and enjoyed the live entertainment on offer (three piece Mexican band), it was time to watch the Goalball. You probably haven’t heard of it (I hadn’t) and it is a little different from any other sport. Basically, there are four mini goals stuck together at either end of the pitch which is about the size of a volleyball court. The aim is to throw the ball in the opponent’s goal. Simple enough. But, the players are blind. It is interesting because there is a bell in the ball so the crowd have to stay quiet. However, some games can be too tactical with hardly any goals and so get a bit boring to watch. So, after the second match, we decided to leave.

Before setting off for home, we went up the Coca- Cola Beat Box which was disappointing at first. All you do is touch things and they make a noise. Plus, most of the ‘instruments’ were too high for me to reach so I was not that impressed. But, the top was worth it because you get a picture with an Olympic torch. Coming down was good aswell because you get a Coke (even though I hate fizzy drinks) and a break dancing/rap show. The best thing was that it was all free and everyone loves freebies, even if it is an extravagant marketing ploy.

I am so glad I went to the park and shared in this historic occasion. I didn’t get to see any of the 120 medals for Team GB but that didn’t mean I enjoyed myself any less.

My Paralympics adventure didn’t end there. Look out for some more blogs about the ExCel and my interview.

Bye for now!