ID…

When I go out, I always get asked for ID to prove I’m over 18. Not a problem to most. In fact, women take it as a compliment that they look so young where as I feel slightly insulted. I’d say it’s a male thing more than being in wheelchair because I have no way of suggesting that I am an adult. Girls can show off a bit of leg/cleavage and before you know it, they’re in the club. However, I can’t really say, “I’ve got loads of hair” (prior to the wax obviously) and whip my pants off to prove my age because that would be highly inappropriate.

As my mum says, being asked for identification should give me a smug feeling that I am the correct age. It doesn’t. I end up feeling embarrassed as if somehow I’m breaking the law. An odd feeling of guilt comes over me and I have to remind myself that I am 19 years old. I awkwardly sit there not wanting to give eye contact and not wanting to look away because both would look suspicious. I also do that when my bags are being checked (even though I’m definitely NOT a terrorist). Part of the reason I lack confidence handing over my ID is the curious reaction it gets.

I can’t drive so don’t have a licence to show my age. Nor do I carry around my passport because that seems ludicrous and a pain in the neck. Instead I have a Validate UK card (given at school), which clearly states my D.O.B. It even has the date when I turned 18 in case any bouncers are too stupid to work it out. Although it is easy to read and has official emblems such as the Hertfordshire Police Constabulary, I’m still getting looks of bewilderment when I get it out. I was nearly turned away from Oceana on Friday night and told to bring a different ID next time.

I’m considering printing the front-page of the website because it clearly explains that the card is legitimate. Chief Constable Jon Stoddart
from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) The Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is the UK's national guarantee scheme for proof-of-age cards. The scheme was launched to bring in a common standard, an easily recognizable identity and a robust accreditation process to help protect retailers of age-related sales, and their employees from the myriad of fake cards used throughout the country. The problem is bouncers obviously need to be told that such a scheme exists.

It’s similar to problems surrounding disability. People are ignorant and need to learn. Hopefully bouncers will read this post (don’t snigger) and become educated so that I don’t have to wait out in the cold and feel like I’m pulling a fast one.

Bye for now!

Money doesn’t grow on trees…

Although I’ve been an adult in the eye of the law for nearly two years (20 on 30^th December in case anyone needs reminding), it wasn’t until I got my car in June that I did a lot of growing up in regards to finance. Up until then, I used to think money was endless and it could fix any problem. Argubly, it can but I don’t have any so can’t go through life anymore without a care in the world. I have learnt to appreciate that I am not a millionaire who can flash the cash and therefore need to be prudent. Although I’m not a student, I am always on the look out for bargains, discounts and ways to get value for money.

An example of me being more aware that money is scarce and wanting to be careful about how I spend is the way that I treat my car. My parent’s question why I am so careful with the Venga yet seemingly didn’t care about the state of the car when they owned it. The simple answer is when you own something; you become extra protective (similar to having a pet) because ultimately you don’t want to spend more money on it. The price of petrol means that I need every penny to fill-up so the less money I spend on cleaning, the better. That’s why I try to stop people eating and leaving rubbish in my car so that it doesn’t have to be cleaned all the time. Although the wind keeps blowing in orange bits so it gets dirty quite quickly.

I used to think money was a commodity people shouldn’t get worried about but it’s a different mind-set when you have little. I guess what I’m saying is modern life is ridiculously expensive and it’s quite depressing how much things have gone up in price since I was a kid. From small purchases such as a loaf of bread to larger items such as petrol, which used to be 50p a litre when I was a cute, little boy. I’m no economist and understand the concept of inflation but the hike in living prices over the past few years alone is ridiculous and it makes life seem impossible.

I’ve written a, some might say, controversial piece on football pundits but I wouldn’t be ‘Wheelchair Boy’ if I didn’t upset a few people: http://fansviewpoint.com/pundits/

Bye for now!

Just can’t get enough pain…

You’d think that having a disability and all the pain I’ve endured as a result, including two major operations on my spine, was bad enough. On top of that, my beloved Arsenal has stabbed me in the heart a fair few times over recent years. Life is full of painful moments and most humans want to avoid uncomfortable situations. However, that is not the case for me evidently. My body obviously doesn’t enjoy comfort so this morning, I decided (with free will) to have a wax. In an area which still stings as I write this. What is wrong with me? Surely, no one in his or her right mind would volunteer to get hurt.

I mean, I’ve had waxes down below before (people who have been reading thing blog since I began writing last summer will be all too aware) so I knew what I was letting myself in for. Or did I? I woke up this morning with butterflies because I knew it hurt but forgot exactly how much pain was involved. All I can say is if there was a camera on me, the faces I was pulling would’ve probably been priceless. The amount of sweat I produced also suggested that the procedure was a bit of a shock to the system.

Next time (yes, I’d go through the extreme discomfort again so I hope women appreciate it), I need to remember how fresh it makes me feel and that it is less uncomfortable now . I am proud that I didn’t chicken out or shed a tear being the true metrosexual I am. Many of my female readers will point out they go through pain all the time, either with a bikini wax or childbirth but I am a mere man. What else did you expect than moaning?

Bye for now!

On the buses…

I have read a lot of news articles regarding buses and disabled people over the last few months but the stories have been in the local media so I assumed any issues with bus services only occur in the Hertfordshire area. My thought was backed up by the fact that when I have used the bus, it has always been in London and I’ve encountered no problems. However, the link I keep mentioning (http://www.buzzfeed.com/louisebruton/things-youll-know-if-youre-a-wheelchair-user) spoke about ‘when a buggy is waiting at the bus stop, war is about to commence for that sacred space reserved for wheelchairs’ which made me chuckle before I realised it must be common.

As you will have probably guessed, the issue that has been in my local press lately and I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention involves mothers refusing to move buggies from the reserved area so that a wheelchair can board. This is the first article to help illustrate my point: http://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st_albans_bus_driver_turns_away_disabled_girl_1_2309440

It’s not just shocking but utterly disgraceful. Both the Uno driver and the toddler’s mum should be ashamed of themselves. Not allowing a disabled person on because a pram is in the area. Make the mum close the buggy and the child get out, something a wheelchair user cannot do.

Shortly after the outrageous incident in St. Albans, I read of a similar occurrence in Watford: http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/10614446.Disabled_man_refused_entry_on_buses_takes_legal_action/?action=complain&cid=11904194

This time, a disabled man was taking legal action against Arriva for the way various drivers have mistreated him. I think the driver should have made the mum move in the first example but driving past a wheelchair user because you know it takes longer for them to get on is completely out of order. That is almost as bad as nasty taxi drivers who refuse to pick up wheelchairs because they’re lazy! Who on earth do I mean?

Now you have read the stories, imagine ‘Wheelchair Boy’ in both scenarios. I have played through the first one in my head and this is what I’d do. When the driver says the bus isn’t going anywhere until the wheelchair gets off,  I would stand (sit) my ground and refuse to move. Then, I’d begin chanting Arsenal songs loudly until the toddler wakes up so that there is no issue about a sleeping child anymore. Simples.

The second example has an easy solution too. If the bus deliberately stopped away from me so that it was unable to pick me up, I’d drive in front so the bus would have to call the police or other passengers would get frustrated by the delay and demand that the driver let me board. I’d just want to let the world, including bus drivers, know not to mess with ‘Wheelchair Boy’. They won’t get off lightly. I’ve said this before but I should begin using different routes to see if there are any rogue drivers who need confronting.

Bye for now!

I’m down here…

I’m going to use another point from Louise Bruton’s list (http://www.buzzfeed.com/louisebruton/things-youll-know-if-youre-a-wheelchair-user) as the basis for tonight’s post. I’ve spoken about how ‘sometimes, people talk about you like you’re not there’ but I’d like to discuss the problem further as it happens on a regular basis, more so than being patronized come to think of it. In an ideal world, everyone would treat me as a standard human being but that’s not the case. This doesn’t apply to my readers but there are different ways people converse with me. I must add that it is preferable to be addressed as a complete idiot rather than not at all.

Whenever someone ignores my existence, I am filled with rage but the person can’t tell because they don’t look down. At least when I hear a patronizing tone directed at me, I can blame ignorance but I have no respect for people who speak above me. It’s so rude. If I stared at a woman’s chest instead of talking to her, I’d get a slap. Yet, certain people see my carer as a mouthpiece who speaks on my behalf. Wrong. It may sometimes be difficult for me to talk clearly but I can make decisions and communicate my thoughts.

Another similar issue that stems from people not talking to me is assumption. I can’t think of an exact example right now but I have been out and people say to my friend or whoever’s with me ‘is it OK to do X with him?’ Hold up. Why is that question not being directed at me? I am not a child who needs a chaperone. I am an adult (in case you don’t know) who can answer questions. I know that’s hard to believe sometimes. Don’t assume that wheelchair=no brain. Find out first.

Remember to check out http://fansviewpoint.com/premier-predictions-7/ and laugh at how rubbish I am at guessing football results. They’re almost as bad as my FIFA skills.

Bye for now!