Daily mail comment...

I have been reading the daily mail for a little while now. Online you understand, and of course completely in jest. And to keep an eye on them. So I am pretty used to the vile comments, but this one deserved its own blog post. I am shocked and horrified at this.

"I'm afraid I can'tjoin in the chorus of encouraging comments. I'm glad this little girl and her parents are having some joyful times, but they are being used as propoganda. The problems with Down's children don't happen at such a young age, it's as they grow older that their mental limitatuions become more obvuous and affect their, and their familes, lives. There are allways stories like this which push the view that Down's children are more-or-less normal, just needing some extra support. It's not true, and is cruelly misleading to parents dealing with the disaster (and yes it is a disaster) of discovering their newborn child has Down's. Down's children can, generally, have happy lives because family and carers and society take good care of them. It is the parents and siblings who suffer, with worry, especially what happens after the parents die. Down's is a life-wrecking occurence for many parents, and it is shameful that the media glosses over this with this kind of story.

- Saddened, Portsmouth, 26/11/2011 12:17

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2066344/Smile-melts-misconceptions-How-Taya-born-Downs-darling-modelling-world.html#ixzz1eqh8lIXR

This person's attitude is exactly the thing that condems these children to a life of misery. It is these people who don't see the value in disabilty. It is a disaster, a DISASTER!!!!! how is it a disaster exactly? Because they need a bit more support to get through life, because they might need more medical attention than the norm? 

How about we create a disability friendly society? Where it doesn't matter the level of support you need, and where it comes from? I would love to see a society where peoples attitudes towards disabled people is truely hollistic, and supportive. That disabled people who cant work contributions are seen as equal to those who work, or contribute economically to our society. 

We are not economic units, we are human beings.

impairment is only a disaster if people see it as a disaster. Disability is only created through other peoples attitudes towards others. Lets not forget, our disablist society is man made.

rant over.

I need HELP

aka cooking for crips.

Does anyone have a list of rules when it comes to the kitchen? They might be unwritten, but they govern your cooking habits. well these are mine.

and I need help, because now, its become even more restrictive as to what I can eat...

1) No knives. I have the eating type knives and a lettuce knife but apart from that nothing else.

2) no hob. After many fires, accidents and disasters i no longer use the hob

3) No grater (see above)

4) tins.. questionable? I'm left handed, so the tin only opens sometimes.

5) I have a microwave saucepan, which is great! but i only have one.

6) I have a electric food processer, but only have the grater and slicey type attachement (see rule 1)

7) I dont like using the oven, but when I do, I have massive oven gloves and an oven timer or i will forget.

8) I can't wash up, so anything used has to stay used for that cooking session. I have a dishwasher that takes 2 hours.

9) Peelers are the same as graters

10) (i live on my own, so no extra hands to help)

11) i do have a kettle Yipeee!

12) i have a thing about useby dates. and i also have a thing about shopping, so that sometimes means interesting meals come from my kitchen

13) I cant concentrate for a long time, or follow a recipe. Mainly because the recipece usually has to be adapted for me, or its too hard to get my head round what they mean.

14) I have limited space, thanks to the landlords decentless home scheme...

15) I wont buy un cooked meat. I will only buy cooked meat, its too risky.

I think thats all of them. And then, as of last tuesday I have very little in the way of teeth and chewing capability. So far the only things i have found to eat are mash potato, pasta and scrambled egg...

I NEED HELP, anyone?

for Soul Caffiene

 I wrote this in January 2009. Your latest tweet has the same words. I needed to share. These were written directly by God to me...

Wherever you go,
I’ll be there already, waiting for you.
Whatever happens,
I’ll be with you.
Whatever you’ve done,
Doesn't matter to me.
Wherever you end up,
I have prepared it to happen like this.
However long it takes,
I’ll be with you, I won’t leave your side.
However much it costs,
I’ll give you what you need.
Whoever you meet along the way,
I have put there to meet you.
Whatever experiences you face,
You wont be going it alone,
I'll be there.
However hard it may seem,
Nothings impossible with me.
Whatever worries you face,
I have already got the solution
all worked out.
(no matter how strange it may seem

Dear Government

Dear Government and anyone who believes the scrounger rhetoric,

We, disabled people feel the need to remind you that we keep you in business. You know all that DLA benefit you 'give' us (the reality is that we have to put our lives on the line to even claim it never mind prove entitlement, but thats another story) well, I have a little secret to pass on.

Disabled people use it in the economy. Thats right, we are not just getting this money and stuffing our mattresses full of the lovely stuff, we actually use it to live on from day to day. DLA, its designed for the extra costs of living as a disabled person. So if you extend that argument, we spend MORE money than your average person. DLA enables us to have a decent life. That again, means paying back into the economy.  What non disabled people consider luxuries, disabled people consider essentials. Active consumers in need of stuff to simply survive. So why are are you taking away our means of propping the economy up? After all, you will get your money back in the end.


And thats just the mainstream areas of life, the people such as taxi drivers, marks and spencers (best ready meals yay!), clothes shops, supermarkets, technology shops are all indirect recipients of DLA. Lets take a moment to think of all the indirect recipients of DLA that have a bit more of a direct link. The companies and businesses specifcially set up for the needs of disabled people.

There is the big ones, such as motability, and the care sector. There are the adaptive technology companies who will suffer because Disabled people will no longer be able to afford them. There are the shops that stock all the wheelchairs and the commodes and scooters and other such stuff. All these will suffer when they take away peoples spending power.

DLA enables disabled people to work. Thats right, disabled people on DLA can and do work. In fact, it makes a difference between being able to work and not being able to for many disabled people.So, DLA supports the economy directly as well as indirectly. Lets not forget that. DLA doesn't discriminate on means, only on disability and partially compensates for the extra costs involved. Disabled people are directly contributing to the economy...

Lets not forget the indirect recipients of DLA, and that is the British people, and the British economy.

i got my dla because i have a cat. In fact she filled the forms in #ibelievethedailymailday

 I tweeted this earlier.

 i got my dla because i have a cat. In fact she filled the forms in #ibelievethedailymailday

It is actually true. my cat did actually fill in my DLA form....

Statement from someone who knows you best...


"My Mum needs me. I wake her up every morning at 7:30 am. If she doesn't wake up, I sit on her until she does. She gives me breakfast (I do TRY and get her to have some to) and then I take my position next to her so I can keep an eye on her all day. She never goes out you see. Once an hour I will stretch and wake up to go and make sure she takes her ten minute break from the computer by giving me a big hug. This also ensures that she remains calm throughout the day. Lack of hugs results in lack of calmness.

I take my crunchy snacks at about 12:30 pm, which again requires me to prompt her. This is the only way I can get her to eat lunch, (and it means I get some too, bonus!)

This pattern continues through the day until 4:30pm when I give her an hours warning for the upcoming tea time.

At 530pm I come and sit on the keyboard. It is time to get off the computer and it is time for our tea.

At 11pm I will also emerge and ensure that she turns off the computer for bed time. I have to supervise her at night very closely, all night long. If she gets up in the night I follow her, and will sit on her when she gets back into bed until she falls asleep.

I also have the added responsibility of being aware of her moods. I don't like it when the wet stuff comes from her eyes and I will keep special eyes on her then. I also rub them away with my cheek when I give her hugs. She needs more during that time.

My Mum is very special. I know that sometimes she has to go out, but I do not think this is a good idea sometimes so I will sit by the front door to remind her of this. When she comes in I need to know all about whats happened while she has been out unsupervised. I think she appreciates this.

Signed.

The cat.

(further evidence added) (3 pictures of my cat helping to me to write)

We are marching on your behalf

When Disabled people marched all across the country on the 22nd October 2011 and in our day to day life of campaigns against the cuts we are also doing all this on your behalf.

That is the whole point of the campaign I feel. and that is how we should promote it. In placing ourselves as separate entities affected by the cuts in different ways we are in some way alienating the rest of the population to our cause.

But I think for the one of the first times in history we are equal to non disabled people, and I think it needs to be highlighted.

After all, disabled people are affected by similar benefit cuts, the cuts in education, public services, etc etc. as everyone else, albeit disproportionately.

However, I think we should take a leaf out of the ideology of the social model and focus on the similarities rather than the differences. The differences will only divide us and provide society with a scapegoat to blame for being a drain on the system.

If we unite together and fight those cuts that affect us all then surely we have a better chance of opposing them and countering the effects of them?

I know this still leaves us with our own specific battles to fight about disability specific services but then it shares the burden out?

thoughts?

Hardest Hit, October 2011

I am not copying the famous poem, but using it to make a point, and to blog about my experiences from saturday. I have spent some time thinking about how I would like to record what I experienced andI think this is best. 

First they came for those on JSA

But that didn’t affect me, because I wasn’t on that benefit.

Then they changed sick benefit to ESA

But that didn’t affect me, because it was new claimaints only.

Then they changed housing benefit

But that didn’t affect me because I have a lower rent

Then they started to migrate everyone onto ESA

So I stopped claiming benefits, so it didn’t affect me.

But then I was reminded of Martin Niemöller’s poem.

And I stopped, and thought, no one will be left when they come for me (which they will)

So I changed the poem

And I took action.

And I wrote, and emailed, and signed petitions and supported where I could.

And on Saturday 22^nd October 2011, I marched with those hardest hit.

I listened to the stories, I made a lot of noise, I took photos and publicized them widely.

So I hope when they come for me, other people will be there to do the same.

First they came for those on JSA

But that didn’t affect me, because I wasn’t on that benefit.

Then they changed sick benefit to ESA

But that didn’t affect me, because it was new claimants only.

Then they changed housing benefit

But that didn’t affect me because I have a lower rent

Then they started to migrate everyone onto ESA

So I stopped claiming benefits, so it didn’t affect me.

But then I was reminded of Martin Niemöller’s poem.

And I stopped, and thought, no one will be left when they come for me (which they will)

So I changed the poem

And I took action.

And I wrote, and emailed, and signed petitions and supported where I could.

And on Saturday 22^nd October 2011, I marched with those hardest hit.

I listened to the stories, I made a lot of noise, I took photos and publicized them widely. (http://photobucket.com/hardesthitleeds11) 

So I hope when they come for me, other people will be there to do the same.