HOP BLOODY HOP - the life of a one-legged-man - THIS IS MY MAIN BLOG!!

Morning all

2008-10-09T06:41:00.002Z

Just realised that I haven't blogged much recently.

Don't you often find that you have 101 things to do, and blogging is often last on the list???

Well, this morning I've had a good look through lots of other interesting blogs and have ready many brilliantly written posts.

That's spurred me on to think about writing something cool and interesting myself.

As soon as I thin of something mind blowingly cool, I'll be back - LOL :-)

This could certainly be useful!

2008-07-19T18:04:00.002Z

Here

Britains Missing Model

2008-07-01T14:01:00.006Z

Don't miss this!!

The series launches this evening at 9pm on BBC Three. Below are some official images.

Disability Bitch will start twittering tonight as well, and will continue to do so throughout the series, during and in between the six week series. You can catch her on:

http://www.twitter.com/missingmodel/

Main site here.

I see New Labour are in the Unions pockets

2008-07-01T11:58:00.000Z

If you earn £40,000 you can afford to pay higher taxes, say unions.

TRADE union leaders are drawing up a shopping list of policy demands - including tax hikes for the middle classes - in exchange for rescuing Labour from bankruptcy.

Senior union figures are highlighting 'cuddly' measures such as more flexible working rights and free school meals for all primary school children.

But behind the scenes they are also pressing for new rights to strike - and, most explosively, National Insurance hikes for middle earners.

Here.

Miami police pull over the world's first 'brothel-on-wheels'

2008-06-29T16:05:00.003Z

An alleged brothel-on-wheels that authorities said they busted over the weekend gives a whole new meaning to keeping the party moving.

Miami Beach undercover detectives who paid a $40 entry fee and boarded a stretch limousine bus Sunday found women onboard offering oral sex and lap dances for money, authorities said....

Story here.

Traveling with Disabilities

2008-06-29T11:44:00.000Z

I've just come across this excellent article.

Traveling beyond a person's community, for business or pleasure, is often part of a cherished lifestyle. It can be both invigorating and a respite from the humdrum of daily life. For people traveling with disabilities, however, it can be full of challenges. Disabled travelers face a host of problems, both in planning and during the trip, that include:.........

It is well worth a read!

Get yourself on Tv!!

2008-06-21T16:01:00.001Z

I've been contacted by the PR agency who are dealing with Britain’s Missing Top Model. They have told me about another opportunity for those of us that don't fancy the modelling world.

You also might be interested to know that BBC Three is now looking for disabled viewers to share their opinions, creativity, humour, and talent to Be on TV. The Be On TV initiative, launched today, aims to find new presenting talent and is linked to Britain’s Missing Top Model.

I wondered if anyone would be interested in going for it.

Click here for details.

Good luck!

I bet she did!

2008-06-12T18:34:00.005Z

Coleen McLoughlin - now Rooney - burst into tears of joy as she finally wed her multimillionaire footballer fiance, Wayne Rooney in rain-soaked Italy today.

Story here.

Unemployed people forced to take training or lose benefits

2008-06-12T18:31:00.003Z

Will this scheme be applied fairly - i.e. will disabled people have the proper safeguards in place to protect them?

Jobless people will be forced to take training or face benefit cuts, the government will announce today.

Those with gaps in skills like reading, writing and computer literacy will face cuts in their benefits if they turn down training courses.

With 678,000 vacancies, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell will argue there are jobs for everyone who wants one, and it is the responsibility of the unemployed to ensure they have the skills they need to secure work.

As long as there are safeguards for the more vulnerable in society, I'm quite happy; after all, why should I have to work when others can sit on their backsides??

Silly arse!

2008-06-12T18:29:00.002Z

Ok, pretend you are a teacher. Would you do this?

The one-horned deer that could solve the mystery of the unicorn

2008-06-12T18:26:00.001Z

Wow - check this out!

A deer with a single horn in the center of its head - much like the fabled, mythical unicorn - has been spotted in a nature preserve in Italy, park officials said today.

'This is fantasy becoming reality,' Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Center of Natural Sciences in Prato said.

Blogging Against Disablism Day will be on 1st May 2008

2008-04-27T10:29:00.002Z

Blogging Against Disablism Day is an annual event in which disabled and non-disabled bloggers throughout the world unite in the cause of equality. On May 1st, bloggers shall write about their experiences, observations and thoughts about disability discrimination (disablism, sometimes ableism) and what we might do about it.

Go to the Goldfish - here

I like this idea - A LOT!!

2007-12-27T15:29:00.000Z

For disabled people in Japan dependent upon caregivers, it must have seemed like a dream come true. Just imagine if you will, a small fleet of wheelchair-accessible minivans decked out in luxury appointments available to pick you up and take you wherever you want to go. Oh, did I mention, the vans were piloted by comely young ladies dressed as French maids?

Here.

Rhydian should have won the X Factor!!

2007-12-16T21:04:00.000Z

It is a travesty he didn't win!

I do hope he releases an album, I and many others would buy it!

You can comment on Rhydians MySpace site here .

New Site I Like

2007-12-15T16:10:00.000Z

Check it out.

Happy Christmas to everyone - especially my friends at Ouch!

2007-12-14T13:09:00.000Z

A rather large Merry Christmas to you all.

It's come round rather quick again (quicker every year), but I'm certainly looking forward to some festive fun :-)

Take care, and peace to all of you!!

Thanks to everyone who has joined the Ouch! out of hours board -

http://ouchoutofhours.8.forumer.com/

Wishing you all the best for 2008 and a Happy New Year.

Philip
www.disabled-help.org

Now Government admits 10,000 illegal immigrants could be in security jobs

2007-11-14T10:27:00.000Z

The scale of the latest immigration shambles could be twice as bad as the Government has admitted - with almost 10,000 illegals cleared to work in security jobs.

Official figures forced out of the Government suggest that one in every four licences given to security workers from outside the EU could have gone to someone with no right to be in Britain.

Home Office officials were insisting on Monday that the figure was only 5,000.

Dragged to the Commons to explain herself, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith admitted that ministers became aware of the problem eight months ago.

What an incompetent government we have here; a pack of liars who should hang their heads in shame.

I really can't wait for the next election to come along so that we can vote this pack of lying, mediocre fools out!

Here for story.

The benefits of having one leg - part one

2007-11-08T12:13:00.000Z

I intend to make this a running series.

Everytime I discover a benefit of being in a wheelchair, I will post it here.

After time it may prove that I am so much better off for only being able to hop :-)

Todays benefit is Take That.

My better half loves Take That. Those of you that also love them will know that there recent concert tickets sold out even before they were printed. They're on ebay now at silly prices!

Well, I decided to phone the manchester Arena to check for wheelchair and carer tickets; guess what, they had them available for a number of dates. So, yours truly bought some for December 23rd.

My better half was chuffed to bits - extra brownie points for me!! The other benefit was I was allowed to take two carers so I bought and extra ticket for my better half's daughter - even more brownie points!!

All in all, it's good being in a wheelchair :-)

I've since though of hiring myself out to the able bodied as a companion so that they can get tickets. I see money to be made here - LOL.

Anyone else any good reasons to be disabled?

Haven't blogged for a few weeks!

2007-10-31T13:32:00.000Z

What a lazy sod I am!

Can you read this?

2007-10-13T11:00:00.000Z

It shows the power of the mind. Firstly, thanks to Whitetea from the Ouch! boards for this.

Only great minds can read this.

This is weird, but interesting! This is a cool thing check it out.

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Went to see Rush...

2007-10-13T10:11:00.000Z

........ at the Newcastle Metro Arena on Friday night.

Wow, they may have started off in the early 70's but they sure do know how to rock!!

The place was jam packed and the atmosphere was fantastic. The show was long, load and the lighting was brilliant.

Long may these older rock groups continue; I'm off to see Alice Cooper, Motorhead and Joan Jett later in the year and will be going to The Police consert in Manchester next week.

I really want one of these!!

2007-10-02T11:13:00.000Z

Sony are going to release a revolutionary tv, less than the thickness of a coin - here.

Looks fantastic!

Uuurrrggghhhhhhh!

2007-09-29T06:47:00.001Z

Madonna - please don;t try to look fitter and younger, it just does not work!

Here.

New blog to read

2007-09-22T06:56:00.000Z

Just been made aware of this blog.

It looks interesting so I'm off for a read of it.

It is about a 1500+ mile ride across half of the U.S. to raise money and awareness for MS research and treatment. Sean was diagnosed with MS in 2003, and figures if he is ever going to do something like this, sooner is better than later.

Any Vicair support cushions users in the UK??

2007-09-19T07:50:00.000Z

I've just received an email from Graham Jeffery of Gerald Simmonds:

I am in the process of filming and producing an educational/training DVD for Vicair, featuring their range of pressure relieving and support cushions. I've already filmed an introduction by Bengt Engstorm, the Swedish seating expert, and with the Dutch inventor and manufacturer of the Smartcells which are the basis of the Vicair system.

I now need to talk to and film a range of about five users of Vicair cushions who can tell of their experiences using the cushions, especially where they have made a difference to their daily lives. I would visit them at their homes, or somewere else suitable, to film an interview, which shouldn't take more than a couple of hours in total. I hope it wouldn't be too unpleasant an experience, and they would be contributing to a useful and informative programme.

Could I ask you to publicise this to as wide an audience as possible through your various web outlets. Anyone interested can contact me by email on graham@xpositionltd.com (my separate production facility), by phone on 07905 430139 or by mail to Graham Jeffery, 53 Meadoway, Steeple Claydon, Bucks MK18 2PA.

So, if anyone can offer their time, I am sure he will be most grateful :-)

Funny cartoon!

2007-09-15T17:28:00.000Z

This is funny funny funny!!

Thanks Shaymus.

Welcome to the UK - why not come here and get everything for free.

2007-09-14T14:46:00.000Z

EU chiefs want to let in an extra 20 million immigrants from Africa and Asia

Why is this country such a soft touch?

Time to stand up for ourselves and leave the EU!!!

Story here.

No doubt I will be called a racist.

I'm not, I'm just sick of my taxes going to pay for people who have never worked here in their lives.

Nuts!

2007-09-13T18:40:00.000Z

Just found this photo and it REALLY made me laugh :-)

Credit here for the photo.

I can't believe David Cameron would even considerf charging for parking at supermarkets!!......

2007-09-13T18:13:00.000Z

.........unless he really wanted to loose the next election.

Am I being cynical, or are most politicians out of touch with the general public??? (said with rather a large does of sarcasm).

All I want is a government that doesn't waste my taxes (paying pregnant mothers £120 to buy veg springs to mind as bloody stupid), keeps control of illegal immigration (I don't mind hard workers, but not scroungers) and keeps me safe from scum (lock the buggers up)!

It's not much to ask!

Why don't Council's produce an accessible brouchure fot their area?

2007-09-13T18:10:00.000Z

When I went to Wales I knew that the places I was visiting were accessible.

What I would like though, is to be able to contact a council or Tourist Information, and get them to send me a pack showing how accessible places are, list accessible walks generally show me where I can visit without getting pissed off when I find it is not wheelchair friendly.

Wouldn't you have thought in these days of the DDA that such literature would exist???

Just been on holiday to Wales

2007-09-13T18:07:00.000Z

Had a great time!!

Lovely weather.

Nice people.

The bits I went were accessible :-)

Snowdon Railway was excellent.

Chester Zoo (went on the way there) was fantastic!

All in all, a lovely 4-day break.

Oh yes, I ate too much :-) - Who cares!

I'll write a bit more when I have a chance.

Right training shoe for sale.

2007-09-05T21:07:00.000Z

Bought a new pair of trainers today.

The right hand one will never get used.

It will stay in it's box, feeling lonely.

So, if anyone has a size 9 right foot and would like a particularly nice Diadora training shoe, then please feel free to contact me :-)

I like tennis (for the boys)

2007-09-04T16:19:00.000Z

If you're a red hot blooded mail, check this story out.

You can't blame the ballboy :-)

I hear today is the last day of Big Brother.

2007-08-31T11:59:00.001Z

Thank God for that.

It's a pile of rubbish!!

Add a slide show to your blog!

2007-08-31T06:22:00.001Z

Just found this site -

http://www.slide.com

Looks pretty cool so I am going to have a good look at it and add it asap :-)

What is the world coming to?

2007-08-24T07:04:00.000Z

Mobility scooter taken from charity

Police appeal after thieves break-in to Shopmobility store in Newbury's Northbrook Street

POLICE are tracking-down thieves who stole a mobility scooter from a Newbury charity.The £2,000 fold-away scooter was taken from Shopmobility in Northbrook Street on Friday night.....

Would it be wrong of me to hope that these theiving scum one day have to rely on a wheelchair? Perhaps then they will appreciate what they ahve done.

Full story here.

Watching bears from a wheelchair

2007-08-21T15:35:00.000Z

I hope it was a fast chair!!

Matti Anttalainen from Vantaa is sitting in his wheelchair deep in the pine forests of Northern Kainuu. He is staring out at six male brown bears, each weighing in at around 200 kilos. They slide into view in front of him from the forests, like ghostly apparitions.
The massive beasts are hanging out around twenty metres from Anttalainen's viewpoint, and in all probability they know he is around somewhere.......

Story here.

Bastard!!!

2007-08-21T15:33:00.000Z

Teen robber threw victim out of wheelchair

A TEENAGE prostitute who robbed a disabled pensioner for tobacco by throwing him out of his wheelchair has been locked up....

Full story here.

For what it is worth, I would birch the culprit!

Fancy something completely different???

2007-08-20T06:30:00.000Z

Check out this blog for weird bathrooms of the world. Here's an example -

Weird or what!!!

Here.

I'm assured this is a true story.

2007-08-09T13:14:00.000Z

What small steps are taken to achieve freedom for us all.

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa & London .

A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man.

Very disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "You obviously do not see it then?" she asked. "You placed me next to a black man. I did not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied.

"Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."

The hostess went away & then came back a few minutes later.

"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy Class. I spoke to the captain & he informed me that there is also no seat in Business Class. All the same, we still have one place in First Class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued.

"It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy Class to sit in First Class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

She turned to the black guy & said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class."

At that moment, the other passengers, who'd been shocked by what they had just witnessed, stood up & applauded.

WELL DONE, British Airways

What would you do if you took over the world??

2007-08-01T17:50:00.000Z

Straight away, credit where credit is due; I stole the idea from Insidious Truth.

Here's the link.

Saying that - she stole it off another blog :-)

So, what would you do if you took over the road.

Personally, I would tie one leg of every able-bodied person behind their back so they could see what it was like to have to hop all day :-)

Has summer finally arrived...........

2007-07-31T15:44:00.000Z

............or is the God of Weather just having a laugh???

Finally, some sunshine and a little bit of heat.

I'm so damn sick of all the miserable wet weather we have had recently although I should count my blessings that I haven't been flooded out like countless other unfortunate people have.

Please, let the sun stay :-)

Check this tongue out!

2007-07-25T18:51:00.000Z

Wow :-)

Here it is.

Sex, lies, and anesthesia

2007-07-24T11:33:00.000Z

Firstly, I credit this post to here.

Now that I’ve got your attention….let’s look at some of the voodoo and snake oil misconceptions that are out there about anesthesia....

A really good post!!

Jobless couple with 12 children are given a £500,000 home

2007-07-24T11:07:00.000Z

.......It has been revealed that the couple - neither of whom work and who receive an astonishing £44,000 in benefits a year - have been housed in the £500,000 property by their local council.......

Here for the full story.

So, a couple who appear to have nothing better to do than breed are given a £0.5 million free of charge to live in by the State. Apparently looking after the children is a full time role so they don't even bother considering working.

Saying that this makes my blood boil is an understatement to say the least!!

Why do we put up with these scroungers sponging off us? I certainly don't want my hard earned taxes going to a couple of lazy layabouts!

Weird fetish blog (harmless)

2007-07-07T18:55:00.000Z

Whatever flicks your switch :-)

Here

If you ever feel like sponsoring a few pounds this is the time....

2007-07-07T18:21:00.000Z

Click here for the full story.

Three-year-old Haydn Weymes cannot walk or talk and has never been able to eat a solid meal. He has an extremely rare chromosome disorder - 18q deletion.

Every cell in Haydn's body has genetic data missing, giving him serious disabilities, including mental impairment, poor muscle tone, bad hearing and eyesight, and digestive problems which mean he cannot take food by mouth.

Instead, he must be fed into his stomach by tube and now needs equipment costing thousands of pounds to improve his life.

His father Richard Weymes, 35, a BT engineer, and mother Alyson, 35, care for him at home in Hindley Close, Crawcrook, Gateshead, but are hoping to move to a new property they can modify.....

Why's Wembley half empty?

2007-07-07T12:42:00.000Z

Tell me why Wembley is only half full for the LiveEarth concert??

Are people not bothered or are these large events old-hat now?

p.s. Genesis are just starting - fantastic.

Can't wait for Spinal Tap!!!

How about saying hello

2007-07-07T09:57:00.000Z

Go on, I'll start -

Hello :-)

Alan Johnston free!!

2007-07-04T06:22:00.000Z

Finally, thank goodness they have let him free!!

It's wonderful news. I'm sure that I join many both here in the UK and worldwide in wishing him and his family well.

He's been incredibly brave throughout this - a fine example to all of us!

Full story here.

Cool widgets to add to your blog...

2007-06-30T12:46:00.000Z

.....check them out here :-)

Another tax on the disabled!

2007-06-29T11:46:00.000Z

The popular mobility scooter, which has given many elderly and disabled people a new lease of life, has fallen prey to an EU-imposed tax, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

Here for the full story.

Two things - tell me why we should be taxed at all on scooters and what the hell is the unelected EU doing imposing such crap on a nation state???

Apparently drinking tea can burn off 3lb's of fat a day!!!

2007-06-24T07:41:00.000Z

Yeah, like I really believe this will work - LOL

Inclusion - bugger all!!

2007-06-19T07:54:00.001Z

This really pisses me off. Big time!!

So this is summer!!

2007-06-19T06:04:00.000Z

Grey, miserable, damp, dark - yuk.

Welcome to a British summer day.

What's it like where you live?

If you would be so kind :-)

2007-06-16T09:47:00.000Z

A good friend of mine has a book of his up for nomination.

If anyone feels like voting for it I would be most grateful :-)

The address for voting is here and the book is North Yorkshire 199 - Richard Jemison et al

Many thanks in avance.

Philip

I am such a nice man!

2007-06-15T13:03:00.000Z

I've just offered to buy my better half a new iron and ironing board.

Considerate or not!! :-)

What kind of blogger are you???

2007-06-15T12:24:00.001Z

Click here to find out.

Adsense on my website and blogs

2007-06-15T12:00:00.000Z

Someone emailed me saying I was making money off the back of my disability through the use of adsense on my website and blogs.

Well, I'm not!!! OK, I set up a lot, but they hardly bring in a fortune!

I use the money I raise (not a lot, may I say) to pay for the site fees and to promote my site in hospitals and the like (posters and cards) in the hope that other disabled people find it useful.

I hope everyone else who reads my blog and looks at myself doesn't think the same - i.e. I proffit 'cos I am disabled :-(

Glad to have got that off my chest!

Paris Hilton

2007-06-14T17:31:00.000Z

YAWN!!!

Enough said!!!

Quality of blogs

2007-06-14T17:26:00.000Z

I read so many blogs that have brilliant posts, some of which go into fine detail on the subject matter.

I often feel ashamed because mine are often just blabberings.

So, does it matter? Does a blog always have to be intellectual or can it be just random thoughts and gobbledygook???

Rain, rain and more rain

2007-06-14T17:25:00.000Z

It's raining here.

It's bloody miserable.

So much for the summer.

I'll say no more on this miserable weather.

Disabled Parking Demonstration - Out the Able-Bodied, Feeble-Minded

2007-06-13T11:44:00.000Z

This is worth checking out!!

Disabled Parking Demonstration - Out the Able-Bodied, Feeble-Minded

We want to inform you about a peaceful demo that’s about to take place (20 June, central London location rife with offenders) that’s happening to SHOW-UP and SHAME all of those arrogant drivers that think it’s OK to park in disabled bays without a blue badge, and to stop them doing it, once and for all.

This is a small minority of SELFISH people, and it’s about time someone made a noise about it. Whether you know someone who has a blue badge, are a holder yourself… or it simply gets right up your nose – all welcome.

We, Seabrook, has joined forces with a niche group of London based protesters who have alerted us to their intentions to try and get some attention from the media and the public on this disgraceful practice. They saw our TV adverts, liked what we stand for, and asked for our help.

The War on Error Has Begun…”you’re in the wrong space, mate”.

We’re a brand that feels strongly about speaking out – in fact, our strapline is A Right Proper Gobful - so this puts us in a perfect position to support and add our weight to the protest to make it as attention grabbing as possible.

We have a dialogue with the public, and we can say, with authority, that one of the nations major bugbears is people taking-up blue badge holder spaces – when they shouldn’t be!

What do you think? Is it about time the able-bodied, feeble-minded be called into question?? Do you feel as passionate about this as us???

Let us know. Even better, join us in our protest in London on 20th June, in Soho Square, 11am. Call Jane, now, on 07920 047 081 for more info on the demo and materials.

Jane Worsdall

PR Senior Account Executive

Revolver (Part of the Propaganda Group)

Just found this blog and I like it :-)

2007-06-09T19:31:00.000Z

Why not go and have a read yourself - here.

have you ever had a problem booking tickets for a show?

2007-06-02T16:54:00.000Z

An avid fan of The Police says wheelchair-bound concertgoers are treated like second-class citizens because they're not permitted to book tickets online.

But Calgary's Janice ter Borg, her brother Glenn, a brother-in-law and a friend, won't miss the reunion concert in Edmonton tonight.

However, they might have to sit in different sections.

"It's really unfortunate. My poor brother is embarrassed and feels bad that it's because of him that we can't all enjoy the concert together," ter Borg told Sun Media.......

Here's the story in full.

By the way, I prefer to do it by phone and am lucky enough to be going to see The Police this coming October :-)

Something for everyone here :-)

2007-06-01T21:33:00.001Z

Lazy buggers!

2007-05-31T06:33:00.000Z

Check this out.

Tourism in Las Vegas has sunk to a new low and to such a low one can only wonder “how low can you go”!

Once the prized symbol of a smidgen of normalcy for the paralyzed, disabled American, whether a veteran missing both legs, or a grandmother victimized by multiple small “vascular incidents,” the Mobility Scooter is being rented at $40 a day by (quote) “normal” able bodied tourists......

What men would do if they had a Vagina for a day

2007-05-27T18:17:00.001Z

I read this somewhere and it made me laugh.

What men would do if they had a vagina for a day -

10. Immediately go shopping for zucchini and cucumbers.

9. Squat over a hand-held mirror for an hour and a half.

8. See if they could finally do the splits.

7. See if it's truly possible to launch a ping pong ball 20 feet.

6. Cross their legs without rearranging their crotch.

5. Get picked up in a bar in less than 10 minutes ... BEFORE closing time.

4. Have consecutive multiple orgasms and still be ready for more without sleeping first.

3. Go to the gynecologist for a pelvic exam and ask to have it recorded on video.

2. Sit on the edge of the bed and pray for breasts too.

1. Finally find that damned G-spot.

As I bloke, I can't possibly comment - LOL

ILL Divo

2007-05-27T13:34:00.000Z

Went to see them last night.

Lots of screaming women.

I think they're pretty ugly - LOL

They can bloody sing though!

The Importance of Correct WC Facilities for Disabled People

2007-05-24T05:57:00.000Z

Another great article from Robin of Access Auditing -

The Importance of Correct WC Facilities for Disabled People

As a disabled person, I find it disturbing that many hotels, restaurants and shops that offer disabled WC facilities are not only failing under their duties of the Disability Discrimination Act but are in fact putting disabled people at risk of accident or injury.

Disabled WC’s have very specific requirements under the DDA. These requirements are not pie in the sky over the top rules and regulations implemented by those upstairs in government.

A disabled WC compartment has to meet the needs of all disabled people and offer safe transfer both on and off the WC for wheelchair users. The serious lack of facilities such as drop down grab rails and support rails not only makes using these facilities difficult if not impossible, it makes them dangerous and puts the disabled person as risk. Further more it puts the company that offer such facilities responsible and ultimately to blame should any claim of injury arise!

The regulations of disabled WC’s and the facilities offered are very extensive and should never be installed without professional instruction or advice.

Apart from offering safety those installing such facilities need to remember that the DDA requires that for personal hygiene reasons it is important that lavatory accessories such as wash basins, dispensers for soap, toilet paper and paper towels should be installed and readily accessible to a person in a wheelchair and from the WC seated position. Emergency pull cords need to meet specific requirements and be reachable from both the WC seated position and the immediate floor area.

The above only touches on the many requirements of disabled WC facilities, they are extensive and need to be in place and correctly fitted to offer those using such facilities safety and those offering the service protection in the event of a claim against them should an accident happen.

Maybe the needs of disabled people wont make those responsible think, I guess not even the 64 billion pound per year spending power will make them think, but maybe, just maybe the threat of a massive court settlement should an accident result will?

More info see www.access-auditing.com/disabled-wc.htm

Robin

www.access-auditing.com

www.ableize.com

Bringing wheelchairs into the 21st Century

2007-05-24T05:51:00.000Z

I have to thank Robin of Access Auditing for this excellent post.

Bringing wheelchairs into the 21^st Century

I recently part in research to create accessible footpaths made out of recycled chip bark and the testing of their level of usability for wheelchair users. I came to one very important conclusion. Let me firstly explain the research conditions:

Trials involved attempting to push/be pushed in a wheelchair through 100mm in depth of varying thickness woodchip. If like myself you are a wheelchair user you will already know what the result was! Yes, you got it the front wheels simply sunk in and refused to budge. Any forward motion was impossible (with or without assistance)

In an ideal world wood chip or bark would be the best possible surface in woodland pathways, cheap to produce, convenient to acquire and very soft to fall or walk on also hardwearing, environmentally friendly and of course cheep! But unfortunately not at the slightest wheelchair friendly. So what is the answer? Do you car? Well here goes anyway.

To find the answer we first need to go back in-time (No, not Dr Who style) we need to look at the wheelchair as it was designed many moons ago in 1932 in fact.

Engineer, Harry Jennings, built the first folding wheelchair. (The design very much the same as we know it today) That was the earliest wheelchair, as I say, very similar to what is in use today.

The chair was built for a paraplegic friend of Jennings called Herbert Everest. Together they founded Everest and Jennings, a company that monopolised the wheelchair market for many years. (Taking us for a ride as it were) An law suit was actually brought against Everest & Jennings by the Department of Justice, who charged the company with rigging wheelchair prices. The case was finally settled out of court. (Surprise surprise)

Anyway, that’s your history lesson for today but what this tells us is that design has not really changed that much for nearly 80 very long years! Yes, there are lighter versions but the basic style remains. Two big wheels at that back, two little wheels at the front.

Again going back in time we need to remember that in the 30’s wheelchair users were mainly institutionalised and having access to the outside world (let alone woodland areas and any public areas) was not expected or even considered necessary, let alone a legal right as it is today.

So the answer to the problem of gaining wheelchair access in not only woodland pathways but beaches, grass, gravel etc etc is very simply, redesign the wheelchair so that it meets the needs of today’s users, not those of 70+ years ago!

I never promised the answer, simply stating the problem, one that is maybe not immediately obvious.

Robin

www.access-auditing.com

www.ableize.com

Anyone selling a left shoe???

2007-05-21T11:43:00.000Z

So, it's time for me to buy some new footwear as mine (apparently, according to my partner) are too out of date. So, it's off to the shops for me.

Trouble is I am an amputee and only need a left trainer as i don't use a prosthetic.

So, my question is, does anyone know of a shop which just sells single trainers.

Or, are you a left leg amputee who feels like going halves with me - you must be size 9 though :-)

Wow - I've had 5 minutes of fame - LOL

2007-05-12T09:12:00.000Z

Well,

I've just been filmed for my employers diversity dvd's which they are going to provide to prospective employees.

There were 16 of us filmed, with each of us answering about 8 questions and also showing us working around the office.

Overall they shot about 7 hours and the total length of the dvd's will be about 20 minutes. This is getting me a bit worried as I really don't all of my Oscar performances confined to the cutting room floor.

So, watch out for the future release of a classic film - diversity in the workplace.

I'll be signing autographs at the opening.

Fame's gone to my head - ROFL!!!

Life without a computer

2007-05-07T18:23:00.000Z

I was just thinking back to the 70's and 80's - reminiscing after I had heard Video Killed The Radio Star on my local station and I wondered how we ever managed without computers, email and the internet. God, life must have been so boring, our evenings and weekends must have been so unfulfilled. How on earth did we fill our time before MSN, gmail and blogging became widespread??

All in all, our lives must have been dull!!

Well, mine wasn't at all. I look back to those years with a sense of regret that they still aren't here. Not just because I was endowed with two legs in those days but because everything seemed much more innocent. Music was better and to a great extent so was the tv.

So, if anyone ever invents a time machine, please email me an invite back to '79

Check this out, you'll like it :-)

Blogging Against Disablism Day, May 1st, 2007

2007-05-01T06:54:00.000Z

So, May the 1st has come again and it's time for me to have a deep think about what being disabled, and particularly in my case, what being a wheelchair user means.

Well, the simple thing is that without my wheelchair I wouldn't be able to go to many of the wonderful places I do now. OK, I can walk with crutches, but not for far at all, but, in my wheelchair, as long as the terrain is good, I can go as far as I want.

Speaking of terrain; that is one of my biggest bug-bears. Why oh why don;t local councils make more of an effort to make footpaths smoother and install more dropped kerbs? Why don't they stop having footpaths with ski-slope cross falls? I seriously think that council officials should get there backsides in a wheelchair for the day and try to negotiate their local roads and footpaths!

I occasionally get peeved that shops, restaurants and pubs are not as accessible as they should be, but things are getting better. OK, not perfect at all, but better. If only people in these places started looking downwards when they walk though, instead of bashing into me.

So, all in all, the wheelchair is a damn good invention, and many many people would be far worse off without it!

Oh, here's a gripe - why do manufacturers charge so damn much for a few tubes and a set of wheels?? Come on you suppliers, give us a break and start charging realistic prices.

Time to sign off and enjoy all the riches that DLA gives me, time to use my discounted railcard, time to use my cinema card which allows my partner in free and off to brag about the reduction in council tax I can have (a massive 10%). Yes life as a disabled person is sweet (or at least so many non-disabled people think)and all I had to do was have my leg chopped off!!

Table Handcycle

2007-05-01T06:26:00.000Z

Those of you who have glanced up at my picture may have come to the conclusion that I need to loose a few pounds.

Back in the good old days when I had two legs, I could easily exercise. One of the best ways of doing this for me was walking. For obvious reasons, I can't do this anymore.

So, I have been looking at getting a table mounted hand cycle such as the one shown in the picture.

Trouble is, I can only find them in the USA.

So, if anyone can help me out by pointing me as to where I can buy one here in the UK, I would be most grateful.

Philip

Whitby and the Goths

2007-04-29T12:36:00.000Z

Just spent a lovely weekend in a friends caravan at Whitby.

It was totally peaceful and I did less than nothing for the two days - nice!

We popped into Scarborough for fish and chips - not bad but I think they gave me the tiddler of the catch - and went into Whitby on the Saturday evening.

We didn't realise it was Goth weekend but it certainly added to the weekend to see all the 'weirdos' in their darkened costumes wandering around.

For those of you who fancy going to a future event here is the link.

Wheelchair man bags a Osceola gobbler!!

2007-04-29T12:28:00.000Z

Just shows that being in a wheelchair doesn't stop people doing what they want.

Link to story

Wheelchair Rocker

2007-04-22T08:50:00.000Z

I went to see Deep Purple last night who were supported by Styx and Thin Lizzy.

I have to say that it was one of the best gigs I have ever been to in my life!!!!!!(too many exclamations? - no!!)

For me, Styx stole the show - they were fantastic. Purple and Lizzy were brilliant but Styx were better!

It's the first time me and my wheelchair have been to a gig by ourselves but I had no problems at all at the Newcastle Telewest Arena. The staff were great and it's very accessible.

Back to the gig. The only shame to me was that I couldn't be at the front, but still, I was close enough.

FANTASTIC NIGHT!!

Blogging Against Disablism Day, May 1st, 2007

2007-04-20T20:38:00.000Z

Check it out at the fantastic Diary Of A Goldfish!!!!!

Last year on 1st May, with the invaluable help of Lady Bracknell and with the support of many other bloggers, I hosted the first Blogging Against Disablism Day where almost a hundred and fifty people joined together to write about disability and rail against the discrimination that disabled people continue to face. Both disabled and non-disabled people wrote about all manner of subjects, from discrimination in education and employment, through health care, parenting, family life and relationships, as well as the interaction of disablism with other forms of prejudice......

Adsense

2007-04-18T15:29:00.000Z

Why do my sponsors adverts have nothing to do with disability products???

I mean, most people who visit here are disabled in some way.

I can't expect them to generally want to click a sponsors link unless it is something they want to buy or look at.

Seeing as the costs of my blog and website are part paid for by the (small) amount of money raised by having sponsors adds, I'm pretty annoyed that they aren't targeted to disability products.

Rant over!! :-)

Disabled product / services reviews wanted.

2007-04-18T11:40:00.000Z

If you use a product especially designed for disabled people, I would really appreciate it if you could provide me with a review for my website -

http://www.disabled-help.org

I'll publish reviews on anything at all - wheelchairs, scooters, adjustable beds, stair lifts, disabled cars, motability, walk-in-showers, disabled holidays, accessibility, - in fact anything that makes disabled peoples lives easier.

Please email me through my site or at -

philips.disabled.help@gmail.com

Wheelchairs in cars

2007-04-18T11:36:00.000Z

Got my self a Ford Cmax about 4 mionths ago. It's an automatic with a left-foot acellerator conversion.

When I drive I put my wheelchair in the boot of the car and walk to the front using crutches.

All well and good but the boot has a lip which makes putting the chair in pretty awkward.

Why didn't I check my wheelchair in the boot when I forst got the chair?? Good question which I must act on when I get my next car!!

Mobility scooters, wheelchairs and power chairs

2007-04-17T05:40:00.000Z

Don't you think they are getting more and more common nowadays?

I seem to see more wheelchairs and especially mobility scooters than I have ever done so.

Admittedly, many are used by older people who are using them, not perhaps because they are disabled, but because it makes life easier for them – and why not!!

Surely all these wheelchairs make the general public more aware and understanding of disabled people. As more and more of us wheel around the pavements people will just tend to ignore us (in a nice way) and let us get on with our daily lives.

Have you seen more wheelchairs where you live?

A blog for wheelchairs

2007-04-16T18:04:00.000Z

Here's a blog which promises to only cover wheelchairs -

Wheelchair Blogger

I fed my nuts to a group of squirrels!

2007-04-15T17:38:00.000Z

Went out for a lovely trip around my local park in my shiny wheelchair this afternoon - damn fine weather we're having at the moment.

There's quite a lot of wildlife so my better half and I took a bag of monkey nuts.

Well, I've never seen so many squirrels; at one time there must have been around 9 or 10 happily scoffing the nuts we threw to them. There was even a pair of jays which occasionally swooped in to pinch the nuts.

There's even a disabled squirrel in the park - the poor thing is missing a tail. I wonder if he gets DLA????

Other wildlife - robins, ducks, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits, pigeons, crows, sheep, a lama, a rabbit and deer (there is a small 'zoo').

So, had a lovely time. Isn't spring great!!

I wish I had two p.c.'s and four hands!

2007-04-12T20:32:00.000Z

If you're like me you don't just stick to posting on one site at a time and flit between Ouch!, youreable, ebay groups (hi to all my great friends in the North East Group!!!!!!!!) any many others.

All I can say is thank god for Firefox and it's 'tabs' which allow me to easily go between one page and another.

Even that isn't enough for me now, I want to work on two simultaneously which leaves me the options of hiring a secretary or growing an extra pair of arms.

Off to see Doctor Octopus - take care all!!

I wish they had invented a miracle cream to grow back legs

2007-04-11T08:19:00.000Z

It's a particularly nice spring day up here in the north east of England -the sun is shining and there are very few clouds around. All in all, just the type of day to go for a walk in the countryside.

Trouble is, I have the bottom half of my right leg missing which makes walking not too easy at all. It would be possible if I had a prosthetic, but seeing as my quads are dead and I can't lock my knee, it's not really not possible to have one made.

So, I won't be going walking but may have a wheel around my local park in my wheelchair - not the same as a good stroll but still pretty nice on a day like this :-)

Please someone, invent the magic cream for us poor old one-legged disabled people!!

Are you as nosy as me??

2007-04-09T18:58:00.000Z

When I'm bored I sometimes log into tinypic and click on the images page to see what others are posting. Does that make me a really sad person???

http://tinypic.com/images.php

Willy facts

2007-04-09T14:10:00.000Z

I got onto the subject of animal penises on youreble (don't ask me how) and then googled for some facts. Check these out -

The record for the world's largest penis is held by the world's largest mammal, the blue whale, which has an organ just over ten feet long and one foot in diameter.

Among land mammals, giraffes have erections reaching four feet long, while elephant erections can reach five or six feet.

One enterprising biologist has even gone as far as to calculate the average weight of an elephant penis--59.5 pounds (with testicles at 4.4 pounds each).

Pigs have corkscrew-shaped penises; the male pig makes semirotary motions to literally screw himself into his mate.

Dragonflies have shovel-shaped organs designed to scoop any previously deposited rival semen out of a female.

Male bees (drones) have alarming-looking genitals. Even more alarming is the fact that they explode. Once the drone has mated with a queen bee in flight, his genitals burst with a pop that can be heard some distance away.

This one I particularly like this one -

Barnacles have developed a penis to help solve their immobility problem. Once it's glued itself to something solid, a male barnacle is stuck for life; however, its penis is commonly 150 percent longer than its body and is able to snake out and molest any female within striking distance.

To sell or not to sell???

2007-04-09T08:59:00.000Z

So, the papers today are full of the personal sories of the captured marines with sources (whoever those sources are) saying that the woman involved has been paid over £100,000.

So, is it a good or bad thing, should they or shouldn't they be allowed to profit or is it all in bad taste?

I can't yet make up my mind as to where I stand. I appreciate that there is free speech but kind of think it is a bit demeaning.

Not saying I wouldn't do it though if some old hack offered me £100k for my story!!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2007160267,00.html

Bloody con man!

2007-04-08T21:40:00.000Z

Check this out -

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,31200-wheelchaircon_040407_0800,00.html

How to beat the telemarketer

2007-04-08T13:23:00.000Z

I must admit that I have pinched this text from a poster at youreable. It was so good, I had too :-) Thanks, madhu!!

How to beat the telemarketer - Three Little Words That Work!!

(1) The three little words: "Hold On, Please..." Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt.

Then when you eventually hear BT's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know
it's time to go back and hang up your handset. You have efficiently completed your task.

These three little words could help eliminate telephone soliciting.

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?

This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. This technique is then used to determine the best time of day for a "real" salesperson to call back and get someone at home.

What you can do after answering: If you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialled the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer!!!

3: When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope. Most of these come with postage-prepaid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular postage "IF" and when they are returned. It costs them nothing if you throw them away! In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-prepaid return envelopes?

Send an advert for your local chimney sweeper to American Express - they might need one! Send a pizza coupon to HSBC ... in case their canteen packs up. You get the idea. If you didn't get anything else that day, then just send them back their blank application form ... after all, it is their form! If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn't on anything you return.

You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to just to keep them guessing. It still costs them, and it is their envelope after all - you are just returning it!

The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk back in the post, but folks..... We need to OVERWHELM them, in order to stop them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it ... Twice!

Let's help keep Royal Mail busy. Since the Royal Mail is saying that e-mail is cutting into their business profits, let's help them so they will not need to increase postage costs again.

You get the idea!

If enough people follow these tips, it will work ---- maybe you'll get very little junk mail anymore.

Finally, a sport I could join in!!

2007-04-08T13:13:00.000Z

My blog of the week....

2007-04-08T09:52:00.000Z

......has to be -

http://amputeehee.blogspot.com/

Love the name, love the posts and, oh yes, I'm an amputee too so it's close to my heart.

Go on, pay it a visit and say hello.

Very piss&d off!

2007-04-08T09:27:00.000Z

Sorry for the swearing!

So, I was sitting on my pc last night when an email flashed up saying I had just purchased a £1200 tv through ebay and paid by paypal. Trouble is, I hadn't.

So, pis**d off as hell, I contacted paypal, ebay and my credit card company straight away, saying in the strongest terms that some tw*ty bast*rd sh*t eating scum bag had accessed my account.

I was told by paypal it would take about 3 or 4 days to look into. I was told by ebay someone I know must have accessed my account. I was told by my credit card that they would send out a fraudulent claim form within 12 - yes 12 - days!

So, I went to bed a pretty annoyed person. Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning, checked my email, and found that paypal had resolved it and credited the cash back to my credit card (well it takes 3 working days to get to my account but at least it has been sorted).

So, today, I will close my paypal account as I don;t want this to happen again. Still don't know how it happened though as no-one knows my password and I NEVER fill in fake emails requesting my details.

Have to say that I truly hope the person who tried to scam me looses his nuts in a particularly nasty way!!

Have a nice day :-)

Disabled Parking Bay Excuses

2007-04-07T22:02:00.000Z

I have saw this on Apparelyzed and it made me laugh as they are so true -

You are parked in a space clearly designated for disabled persons. Please circle the statement which best describes your handicap :

1 - I don't read good.

2 - I suffer from terminal laziness.

3 - I have Attention Deficit Disorder. Huh?

4 - My inner child was bugging me for ice cream.

5 - My shoes are too expensive to walk in.

6 - Wheelchair symbol? I thought it was a rocking chair!

7 - My religion forbids acts of common courtesy.

8 - I ignore OTHER laws, why not this one?

9 -I AM disabled... by a painfully swollen ego.

Here's the original link -

http://www.apparelyzed.com/cgi-bin/jokes/guestbook.html

How things have moved on

2007-04-07T07:56:00.000Z

Found this on Flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/58285552@N00/5673106/

made me realise how much wheelchairs had moved on.

Too P.C. - are you? Are we all?

2007-04-07T07:41:00.000Z

A comment on a previous post made me think about political correctness and how everything has to be that was nowadays.

To me the PC world has gone mad; OK, it's unfair to blatantly discriminate against a particular group of people but to have a laugh occasionally, well what's wrong with that?

I mean, many of the blogs here are 'crip' this or 'gimp' that - both being nasty generalisations about disabled people but do we kick up a fuss about it and boycott their blogs??? - do we heck as like, we have a laugh with them.

I think it's time for people to calm down before we are not allowed to even open our mouths anymore.

Some people seem to see everything said as a racist/homophobic/disablist/sexist etc.etc. comment when all too often it isn't.

I think we should all relax a bit, stop being so uptight and learn to laugh a little :-)

Itchy right foot - well it would be if I had one!

2007-04-06T21:05:00.000Z

Strange thing the nervous system.

I mean, I can wiggle my toes, feel itchy and get cramp in my right foot.

Trouble is the damn thing was chopped off a year ago.

Like I said, strange thing, the nervous system.