Operation update

This message is on behalf of Glen... He is in hospital following his surgery today. The operation went well and he is now in intensive care where he will be monitored tonight. He will hopefully be moved on to the ward tomorrow. He seemed in good spirits as he came round and asked me to thank everybody who has sent him good wishes. He will be back blogging as soon as he can so watch this space!

Tomorrow...

Tonight, I will be leaving my home for a while and be moving in to Stanmore. That means I won’t be enjoying the game down the pub with friends but instead on a small screen in my hospital bed. But, unlike those around me, I am not worried or anxious. I’m weirdly excited about the operation. It’s not that I enjoy pain but I just want it over and done with. Plus, I have many DVD’s including glee box sets to get through whilst I’m recovering.

As you would have read on Friday, I went in on Friday and quickly realised the internet connection is fragile to say the least. Also, it’s quite difficult for me to type in bed so I may not blog for a number of days. However, as I know that you’re all so kind, I’ve told my brother to post updates on my progress.

Even though I really want England to win, don’t forget to put a pound on 4-1 Italy to see if it truly is déjà vu.

Bye for now!

Mobiles...

I am coming to the end of my contract (which I got after my first op) and would like a new phone. Surely you just walk (or roll) into a shop, choose the model that best suits you and pick it up on the best deal. It’s not that simple for ‘Wheelchair Boy’ though. I want a top of the range phone with apps just like everyone else but I also would still like to be able to text and navigate around the phone. Mobiles available at the moment are either touch screen which with my shaky hands is impossible, or the mini keyboards which are too fiddly for me.

So, while everyone is sporting the latest iPhone, Blackberry or Android with funky apps which allows a phone to double up as an X-Ray machine, I’m stuck with a Sony Erricson which has the traditional layout. Don’t get me wrong, the W995 was an excellent phone a few years ago but technology has surpassed it. Advancements in the mobile world have also left me behind because I’d like to be able to access all the weird and wonderful facilities that modern day handsets offer.

Just another case of me being a pain in the neck and coming up with problems.

Bye for now!

Test day...

Just got home from the hospital and thought I’d update everyone. I am exhausted even though I didn’t do anything. It was probably all the waiting around and meeting loads of people asking tedious questions in preparation for the big day. Not everyone was new. I saw my physio and social worker from two years ago which was nice. The funniest person I saw today was the blood man, who in 2010 was planning to leave so we were both equally shocked to see each other. On arrival, I was given a name tag which, to my surprise, didn’t have ‘Wheelchair Boy’ on. However, there are quite a few of them in Stanmore. Apart from being boring, the day went OK and my nerves soon settled. The doctor explained that the operation is only on the lower part of the spine this time so at least they haven’t got to open up the whole scar. Last full day of freedom tomorrow and then back in Sunday to watch Italy beat us 4-1.

Bye for now!

Ouch...

I wasn’t going to blog about this but it is a bit out of the ordinary and might make people laugh. Last night, I had a back, sack and crack. I was nervous to say the least but after she tested the wax on my arm (see Twitter); I didn’t see what the fuss was. This soon changed. The never regions are MUCH more sensitive and I soon was feeling the pain. Now, I am telling you about my manscaping not only because it’s a humorous anecdote (imagine my little face wincing) and I want to boast what a brave ‘Wheelchair Boy’ I am, but because it also provides the perfect metaphor for life. To my brothers’ dismay, I did not scream or chicken out. I manned-up and got through the pain which mirrors my attitude towards life. There are times when everything seems to be going against you but, as I did yesterday, take a deep breath and continue. For me, this is the only way that people can live life because pain and heartache will never disappear from the world. It’s just a game that you have to triumph.

I would recommend a wax down below if you have the balls (pardon the pun).

I just hope the ladies appreciate it! ;)

Bye for now!

Growing up...

My visit to Brunel today confirmed that I cannot wait for University, not for the night life or eye-candy although that is exciting, but because I am treated like a real adult. Being a ‘Wheelchair Boy’ has meant that I have got used to being looked down on both literally and metaphorically. A pat on the head is always a nice way to be greeted and not directly addressing me is also favourable. Of course, I must have limited mental capacity and simple concepts such as a Mayor who wears gold chains have to be explained to me through mime (true story). Like I have said before, I do not get angry like my family or friends do. I just accept that ignorant people exist and that is not going to change anytime soon.

That is why University will be so refreshing. I have met with various people at Brunel, from lecturers to students, and all have seemed to completely ignore the wheelchair and treat me like a human being. They speak to me (not my parents) and most importantly (with my speech problems) listen to me. That is all I want, for others to forget the wheelchair and treat me like a person from the outset without having to build up a relationship. So next time you meet a wheelchair boy or girl, please remember they’re just like you.

Bye for now!

Thank you...

Just a quick message before my main blog of the day. I am overwhelmed by the response I have received since ‘The Adventures of Wheelchair Boy’ went live on Monday. I never honestly thought anybody would actually care but seems some of you are interested for some reason. Still spread the word so more people can read my posts and be educated as well as taking a nose into the life of ‘Wheelchair Boy’. Keep your eyes peeled for my blog this evening on Growing Up…

Bye for now!

6 days...

And counting! My summer is not going to be as planned. From finishing my last A Level exam last Friday to beginning University life on the 23^rd September, I had over 3 months to spend going on road trips with friends, buying kitchen utensils and saying goodbye to life in St. Albans. I was even looking into going on holiday (for the first time in seven years) with the family before entering the big, wide world. Then one X ray ended mine and my family’s summer.

The summer of 2010 was very similar to now in so many ways. I finished my exams in mid-June (GCSE’s), was enjoying an international football tournament on the TV constantly (World Cup), the sun was shining and I would be embarking on a new stage of life in September (Sixth Form). First of all, I would have to undergo major spinal surgery to correct my scoliosis. Basically, my spine was curved so I was starting to look like the Hunchback of Notre Dam but it also was impacting on vital organs, causing problems with breathing. The procedure involved surgeons bolting a metal rod from the top right down to the bottom of my spine. The actual operation was a success but there was a persistent issue with the lower part of the wound healing. After a month in hospital, which included going to theatre again for a wash out and staple, I came home thinking I am glad the worst part of my life is over… or was it?

I had been suffering from back pain in the lower left area for a few months but I convinced myself it was a cyst and would soon go away. It didn’t and eventually my mum found out and booked an appointment at Stanmore Orthopaedic. When the doctor called me in to discuss, both my parents and I noticed that he looked a bit on edge. I explained the pain and my humble opinion (because I’m an expert) but he flatly denied that the cause was a cyst and turned the computer to face me. My mum said my face visibly dropped and I remember, so did my stomach. The x ray clearly showed that the rod, which we thought and was told could never break, had snapped at the bottom.

Now, I’m not sure how long I will be in hospital this time but it will definitely be a minimum of 10 days. I’ve got a pre-op on Friday to have tests ahead of the big day Monday. Before I go, can I just recommend that you put a bet on England losing 4-1 on Sunday because the day before my last op, we got knocked out by Germany in the match involving Frank Lampard’s ghost goal. Enough about football.

Bye for now…

My blog...

Before beginning my blog, I had a conundrum to solve. I could have easily started a blog about football, or more specifically the Arsenal but there are so many of them in cyber space already. Another passion of mine is politics but it seems everyone nowadays has an opinion on that subject. Anyway, people may argue those two interests are rather questionable in the first place. It was back to the drawing board for me. As anyone who knows me will testify, I am not afraid to be different which got me thinking, what makes me unique? It’s because I am a ‘Wheelchair Boy’.

I do not in anyway define myself by my disability. My Facebook and Twitter photos are mostly of my top half and conceal the fact I am wheelchair bound. I rarely cry about it or ask for sympathy. I just get on with life. It’s not me who labels myself as a ‘Wheelchair Boy’ but instead society. People have never called me names but I know that there is an inherent prejudice towards disabled people which bubbles beneath the surface. I do not blame anyone or get angry because if I was able bodied, I’d take the exact same view.

The world is not going to change over night but hopefully, by reading this blog and finding out about my life, people will become slightly more aware and less ignorant.

Bye for now!

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Glen Shorey. I am an ordinary 18 year old boy who has recently finished my A Levels and come September, will be embarking on the next stage in my life: University. I have considered blogging before but decided against it partly because I was not sure what to write about and partly because I am plain lazy. Family and friends have also advised me to start. Now, with a full summer ahead, I thought it was time to finally begin.

So, strap yourself in and hopefully you will enjoy…