Wednesday 30 December 2015

Speech difficulties: do's and don'ts

Hi,

Recently I've been thinking about the impact of having speech and language difficulties in every day life. For me, as well as having CP, I have a minor speech difficulty which has got progressively better due to speech therapy and a lot of hard work, at one point it was so bad that only my mum and carers could understand me and now most people can.

I feel that having a speech difficulty it can be as frustrating as any disability. I mean we all have a natural instinct to voice our opinions and for people who have stammers or can't pronounce certain sounds it can be a massive barrier in every day life.

Now my experiences with disability are mostly to do with my physical disability and not so much to do with my speech so I've had to talk with different people about how it effects them and what they would like people to do differently to be inclusive. So here's a list of 5 things that in our opinion need to be hi lighted.

1. Be patient! Don't talk over them or change the subject before they have the chance to say what they have to say

2. Maintain eye contact! Don't appear to be distracted and not paying attention. Show them you care about what they are saying and that you are listening until they are able to say it.

3.if they ask you to order food for them or introduce them, don't tell them "they need to learn how" or "they need to practice" just help out!

4.DO NOT ask "what's wrong?" Or "are you sick?" You have no idea how downgrading that is.

5.DO NOT laugh or snicker when they can't quite get a word out when speaking or reading in class.

By doing these things you can boost confidence and maybe start to break the barrier of frustration.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee

Thursday 17 December 2015

The wonderful carers!

Hi,

Today I'm going to write about something that is a regular occurrence for many disabled people, including moi, but hasn't really been spoken about from a young persons point of view; having carers.

So what actually is a carer?
Well Google says 'carer-a family member or paid helper who regularly looks after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person.' Now this is true to an point but to so many these people are way much more they are fast thinking, supportive, non-judgmental, a companion; most importantly these people are practically our freedom-givers.

Whenever people, non-disabled or perhaps people who don't need carers, ask me about having carers it's always weird for me, 'cause I know no difference. I can't imagine a time in my life when I haven't gotten support at home or whatever. I'm extremely lucky in that sense, some disabled people have smaller packages meaning less care and less freedom I guess.

In my life time we have had about 50 odd carers. It's a lot I know but some people don't realise how hard this job really is, even I know that. But more recently that I'm more involved in the interview process and helping pick the right applicants for the role;to be honest it's really scary. I mean its a stranger. There's always that subconscious alarm in my head that she will be some sort of crazed axe murderer-it could happen! Anyway for me interviews are weird because the applicants can be dead serious and nervous and that puts me on edge.

One thing that confuses me is other people's perspective on me and my carers. Like I am pretty laid back with my carers but what do other people,who don't know that I have carers, do they think they are my sisters?,cousins?,my aunts? I don't know but it makes me wonder.
I was shopping somewhere with my mum in her wheelchair  and my carer when I was like a toddler and we had to use the staff lift and only my mum could fit in it so me,my carer and the shop assistant went down the stairs next to it. Me being an attached toddler I couldn't bare being separated from my mum so I started crying. the shop assistant said to me 'Don't worry, grandma will be out soon' implying my carer was my mum and my mum was my grandma, but the worst thing-my mum heard everything! Anyway most people do pre judge and that's one of the funniest ones I've experienced.

So in all carers are a life line for many and they really don't get the credit they deserve so a massive THANK YOU from me and I really appreciate and understand how hard and grueling this job can be.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Sunday 13 December 2015

I'll be your clown.......

Hi, 

Okay, I've always loved music, since I was a kid,listening to radio 2 with my mum on the school run for my brother, then playing the piano at school and becoming better every lesson at adapting the music so I can play with one hand and right now, listening to music while I am writing-there's just something captivating about it for me, as if I'm in my own little world with music. I feel that music can explain so much about different peoples lives and who they are. It's so special in that sense- like a conversation between  me and the artist which is unique to everyone. 

There is one song that for me sums up how I feel having a physical disability; it's a song that has no intention to be connected to disability,but it has a deep meaning for me and it's called clown by Emeli Sandé. 

 I'm going to give you my interpretation of the song:

 
I guess it's funnier from where you're standing (as in its = cerebral palsy)
Cause from over here I missed the joke (as in CP isn't funny)
Clear the way for my crash landing (you making a joke out of it knocks me back a bit)
I've done it again (I've lashed out about it before)
Another number for your notes ( number = a blog post)

I'd be smiling if I wasn't so desperate (I don't want my disability)
I'd be patient if I had the time (I want to be 'normal')
I could stop and answer all of your questions (I want people to learn about disability)
As soon as I find out 
How I can move from the back of the line (back of the line = not getting recognised for my academic side because of CP and people assuming that I am dumb)

[Chorus:]
I'll be your clown (I guess I'm labelled a 'freak' in some's eyes)
Behind the glass (being put into boxes/labelled)
Go 'head and laugh
Cause it's funny ( you laugh because you don't understand)
I would too if I saw me (I would laugh if I didn't understand)
I'll be your clown (I believe them in when they think I'm a freak)
On your favourite channel
My life's a circus circus
Round in circles (I believe them then I don't and so on...)
I'm selling out tonight

I'd be less angry if it was my decision ( decision = if I could choose to have a disability)
And the money was just rolling in
If I had more than my ambition (if I have more confidence and strength)
I'll have time for 'Please'
I'll have time for 'Thank you' (sorry that I seem ungrateful about my disability)
As soon as I win

[Chorus]

From a distance my choice is simple 
From a distance I can entertain (if you don't really know me I am an outsider and you laugh)
So you can see me
I put make-up on my face (I am not as strong and independent as you think I am)
But there's no way you can feel it
From so far away (you have absolutely no idea how it feels for me)

[Chorus]

I know it is deep but it's how I feel and music can provoke feelings that I didn't even know I had let alone anyone else, the point of this is I feel that music is a really useful tool to help explain how you feel if it's hard to explain or you don't want to even. I guess you find out a lot about people when you put yourself in their shoes and listen to music they like- it brings a whole new meaning to it. 
 
*I have just realised that I've probably broken a copyright law or something, but I would count this as an educational purpose,wouldn't you? Anyways

Hopefully This could help people express how they feel 

Byeeeeeeeeee

Friday 11 December 2015

Self-conscious shopping

Hi,

So this post is going to be about an experience that I've had a certain shopping centre nicknamed meadowhell by many, a righteous name for it,especially near Christmas!

Whenever I'm out and using my chair, which isn't that often anymore, I always get a bit self-conscious about people looking at me and I feel that people,what's the best way to say this? Well,to be honest they think I'm a bit thick, and that's purely based on my physical appearance eg my disability/wheelchair.

Now, for when kids aged 1-5 stares,I don't mind as much, they aren't use to wheelchairs or disabilities but they don't really care about that I'm disabled, so I just smile back. But what gets me is when the parents get anxious around my disability. Just a couple months ago I was wheeling through said shopping Center with my friend and we were sitting in somewhere like Starbucks, and a table over there was a toddler just smiling at us probably wondering 'why is that girl in a buggy (wheelchair) like me?' Anyway we just smiled back, then the mum came back and she turned around; looked at my friend, who is non-disabled,and the mum was fine but when she looked at me she had a sort of look on her face and she got really anxious for some reason. I mean why? Honestly, I don't bite!
Well when I self conscious I do get a bit sensitive but I remember thinking 'what does this kid- to be scared of disabled people?' I don't know

Well that's it 

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Tuesday 8 December 2015

what do I want to be when I'm older?

Hi,
So today I was really stuck on what to post for you guys, I asked someone who reads my blog for ideas, not mentioning disability, and she said what about 'what do you want to be when you are older?' And the more I think about it, I see that disability advocacy comes into my future quite frequently.

Mainly,I sort of want to be a disability writer, maybe on this blog or something bigger even, I feel that in this day and age and in the future,media will be a key way to voice my opinions because quite frankly not many people will fully take me seriously, whether that's because my speech is slightly impaired or they don't understand what I'm on about ,when I speak in front of them- it's always been that way and for the foreseeable future I don't see much change too that sadly. But blogging is something that even if it's not my main job it's going to be a side project (also 2500+ views WOW!) the more I write on here, the more confidence I gain which is vital if I want to be a somebody one day.

Also, I feel that people can read this blog,let it sink in but then forget the message. This is probably because most of the people reading this don't know me so they don't have that association with the fact that there is a person who writes this instead of a robot, meaning that they don't have a personal connection between me and them away from the blog. That is why I want to when I'm older, maybe even now, talk to people about disability for example the ways of patronising people, how to act around disabled people and the fact we are the same as anyone else. 

Even if it is just my own school that I may have a talk with, it will hopefully mean that people can put themselves in our shoes and they will have a better understanding of disability because its not taught that much at schools today, so when it comes down to it my generation won't have a proper understanding and that's when the problems start for many people.

So I bet you weren't expecting that, but that's what I want to do! It may not be a 'proper' job in some people's minds but I guess I want to make a living out of something I can't change about myself which is understandable when you have to put up with it every day,you may as well.

Byeeeeee 

Sunday 6 December 2015

patronising people


Hi,

Right. This really annoys me; not a lot actually makes me want to scream at people but this does. People who know me well,will know this already, when it comes to patronising someone, I get angry with a deep passion.

If I asked you 'who do you think patronises people the most?' You may say bullies or ignorant so or so's but what if I said it was (some) teachers? I know it sounds weird but from what I've experienced teachers can be the worst patronisers or they can be really understanding and nice- there's no in between.

For example my old Y6 teacher was really patronising and I know she didn't mean to be but it always made me feel like, I don't know what else to describe it, but weird and sort of cold. She would always say something like 'you're an inspiration.' For doing something ordinary- she wouldn't say that too my class mates when they were doing exactly the same thing. The worst thing is I didn't realise what it was until the day I left that school,by then it was to late for me to say something. So I didn't. 

Since then, things have changed a bit. Most of the teachers at my secondary school know the way I am and sort of leave me to get on with the ordinary work and they know if I need help, I will just ask! But there's still a minority of them that treat me like I'm four. Normally it's the teacher who is a supply/student or a teacher who hasn't taught me/hasn't read my blog before. 

I'm not blaming anyone but in today's society we are subconsciously judging people's mental capacity on their looks. So for me, having right-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy, the first judgements aren't that good. I love proving people wrong. So if a teacher was to be patronising I would do my absolute best work and show them, honestly some reactions are priceless, they can't believe that a SEN kid can do level 7 work. But I prove them wrong every time. 

I do wish that some teachers would try to have an open mind but I can't change their opinions, which sucked at first; not everyone can change I've expected that now.


I could go on about different patronising people but this was the most dominant one that sprung to mind.


Byeeeeee

Tuesday 1 December 2015

Why I am so open about my disability?

Hi,

I thought I would write this post because there's a lot of stigma attached to disability and I try to be as honest with people about my condition as I can because I feel people need to educated in the way they treat people with ,especially physical, disabilities.

One of the main reasons why I'm so open about my condition is cause its every day thing for me and I know no difference. In my family, I'm not the only one who has disability, my mum has bilateral dysplasia which affects her hips,so I've grown up around people who also are disabled, so its something we talk about a lot at home, I feel this gives me the courage to talk to people about how disability affects me from two perspectives: as a disabled person myself and as a daughter of a disabled person which is very Important.

I choose to be open. It's not like I am being forced to be or anything, I could just get on with it by myself but that's not who I am. The world is full of ignorant people- I could of called them a lot worse, a whole lot worse- but the point is I want my generation to learn now so when they are in the big bad world they aren't afraid to ask questions and more importantly not to be discriminative against us or indeed anyone. In my opinion That should just everyday common sense; what hurts the most is that it can come from people who you are friends with and they don't even know what they are doing to you in your head, I learnt that the hard way in PE. 

Also what's the point of hiding your own disability from others? People who are ignorant will Become discriminative towards you, even if they can't tell that they are and that's just hell to be honest. Having a disability, you need to learn to stand up for yourself! Part of that for me is to tell people about your disability and how they need to understand how to treat you. In September,our first English lessons were about writing a letter to our teacher to tell her about us and in my first paragraph I was talking about cerebral palsy,my blog and the way I adapt to different things in class. That really helped me to get across it to her or for other teachers I have talked about my blog and they read it and that helps as well. So basically don't be afraid to talk about disability because it only educates people and that's a good thing.

I hope you liked this 

Byeeeeeeeee 

Wednesday 25 November 2015

awkward arm anecdotes

Hi,

So today I don't feel like writing a serious post on disability rights and stuff like that so I've decided instead to tell you some tales about my psycho right arm. Why not? 

Okay then, imagine the scene, year 7 me in PE. I was parked at the end of the bench in my chair and to my right one of my friends was sitting next to me on my right hand-side. She was happily talking to another girl in our class; I don't really remember what I was doing. Then my arm began to jerk about a bit and WHACK! I bumped her on the head. Looking back on that,it really molded our friendship in a weird way and we now see the funny side of it but she does seem a bit terrified when my arm jerks nowadays :\ . 

One of the most memorable things my arm has ever done (and not for a good reason) was on the morning of my 11th birthday. By morning I mean 5-stupid-AM. So obviously my arm wanted to wish me a happy birthday and the best way to do that,in it's mind,was to knock over a cup of freezing ice cold water all over me. Surely NOTHING says happy birthday like that, thanks psycho arm thanks a lot! 

Another thing which makes me laugh about my arm is that I honestly have no control over it at all really,so in lessons it can jerk in the air and look as if I want to ask a question. with student or supply teachers especially, they assume I want something so they say 'yes,Ruthie?' and I'm like 'Sorry,wrong arm' and they look really confused and inside, at this point,I'm laughing my head off.

So there is 3 different arm stories and I have plenty more. Hope you enjoyed them. 

Byeeeee 

Sunday 15 November 2015

Do I actually like PE?

Hi,

Okay then, I've been thing about this for awhile now- 'Do I like PE or not?' And to be honest I have no idea so I thought why not blog it (disability does come into this so its not really just a random trail of thoughts.).

I feel that I'm split on how I feel towards PE, half of me just screams 'DO I HAVE TO DO IT' and the other half is saying  'give it your best shot' and whenever I get ask the question at school I just freeze because I have no idea what to say.

One of the main reasons why I don't like PE is because its the only subject that my disability can stop me from doing exactly what I want to do,if that makes any sense? Like for example I have to take breaks from doing PE and it can bother me because why does CP mainly effect me more in PE than any other subject? 
This gets me annoyed further because my motto is 'I will never let my disability hold me back' and I guess PE is the only thing which I sometimes have too let it in a way.

However, I feel this year is a bit different;that is because this is the first year that my teacher has come to me first to ask something instead of getting a generic answer from someone like 'A child with CP can't do this because......' which I feel makes PE more somewhat comfortable for everyone like me. Also because Miss teaches me RE as well (weird combo,I know) she knows I'm not dumb and she treats me like a non disabled Kid which makes me feel more confident. That shows teachers can make a difference!

I'm the sort of person who wants to have good grades and strives for them but, I hate to say this, I'll settle for alright in this subject,which even then seems impossible but I'll get there.......someday...........

 byeeee

Friday 6 November 2015

The Hairy bikers!!!!!!!

Hi,

Tonight (06/11/15), I met two of my cooking heroes who I can only describe as 'two northern blokes' ............The legendary hairy bikers!

You may not know this about me, but I LOVE to cook/bake/create random things in the kitchen. Anything between a Victoria sponge to my own chili recipe whenever I get the chance I'm doing something in there, like now I'm writing this post in my kitchen.

So This morning, at school, I completely forgot I was going to see them and in RE my arm was playing up and it set the tone for the rest of the school day: rubbish :(
When I got home, to be honest I was feeling (well I'm not going to swear but you probably get the word I would use) Anyway Mum had a massive grin on her face, so I asked her why and she said two words 'hairy bikers' and almost instantly I felt better.

So at mums Uni the bikers were doing this book tour I guess for their autobiography 'blood sweat & tyres' and they told lots of stories from in the book ad one really touched me.         

The story was about Dave's Mum, when he was a boy his mum was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and sort of became a young carer with his Dad for her.  This was really eyeopening for me because my mum is disabled as well as me and if there is no carer or anything I help out doing stuff that she can't necessarily do and vice versa, so it was really nice for Dave to talk a little bit about it. its something that's really stuck in my mind and made be think that anyone could be in a similar situation as you - even a TV cook! 
I suppose you should never judge a book by its cover

thanks for reading, 

Byeeeeeeeeee

So now I have a walking stick............

Hi,

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now, but I never really got round to it. 

If you read my blog a lot then you will probably remember my 'yikes or yay' post about the minor operation I had in the 6 weeks holidays, well it worked and I'm doing physio which will stretch the muscles - so it's all good!

Anyway, I was at a physio appointment a couple of months ago and my physio said instead of using my chair she wanted me to walk more so she measured me up for a stick. SEVEN weeks later my stick finally arrived and I've used it ever since!

Personally, I feel that getting my stick has really boosted my confidence to walk, especially around school,which makes me extremely happy when I walk all day.

I feel that every person has the natural instinct to walk and when you can only just mange to walk to the local stop without support having that stick really makes the difference for me.

Hope you all have had a good week. 

byeeeeeeeeeeee

Sunday 1 November 2015

Happy halloween!

Hi,


 HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

Although I Didn't go trick and treating,I did carve a pumpkin and no spooky faces this year I did a .................... wheelchair! 
What were you expecting the mona lisa out of pumpkin?

Before you see my version - I based it on this:


And my version:


And with just one hand if I do say so myself I did pretty well! 

the mess.......



well sadly its back to school tomorrow so a 6:45 am wake up and I can't wait not.

Good night 

Byeeeeeeeeeee

Tuesday 27 October 2015

How does disability affect YOUR life?

Hi,

So today I thought I would mix it up a little by instead of me writing a post from a disabled person's point of view,I would let one of my non-disabled friends write one.

I gave her one topic 'How does disability affect YOUR life?'

This is what she came up with.........  

"I have grown up with a range of different people. I have always been around disabled people. In this I will share how disability has affected me.
    

 My parents wanted me to grow up with a range of different people. I have always had contact with someone who is disabled from the age of 5. In infant school, there was the boy in my class called Joe. I can't remember what disability he had but I know he couldn't walk without a frame. Also, he was deaf, so we had to learn sign language to communicate with him.  He had a really good sense of humour and lightened the mood every day.
       

My dad was a school governor at the time, and we always used to see him in the playground. He would walk up to our classroom window and start pulling faces. The whole class would laugh and we would sign back to my dad, naughty.  This always made us laugh, and when he laughed we all laughed. Unfortunately, I had to move away, and up to Sheffield.
      

 It was that year that I met Ruthie (Me). We were in year 2. I remember when I first saw her, she was the size of the year 5s, huge smile on her face. She walked towards me. I can remember being terrified of her, but as I got to know her I realised she is just a real life version of the BFG. We became friends. However, it wasn't till around y4 when all the girls fell out, that me and ruthie became best friends. Ruthie a sense of humour is better than anyone I can think of. She makes me laugh, cry (for good reasons), and love. We have helped each other through really tough times. I have no clue what I would do without her.
       

 There was another person in our class, who had a disability. He was called Jude and had autism. At first he had to have his lessons away from us. However, overtime he behaved a lot better and by the end of y6, you could barely tell he was disabled.
       

Then, a few years ago, my auntie had a baby. From very early on, there we complications and we found out that he would have Cerebral palsy. He has had speech therapy, and therapy on the movement of his arms and legs. Now, he can talk perfectly and is amazing at football. His is only 4 years old but to us thinks like a 6 year old. He is so clever and is hilarious.
     

To me I look at disabled people and think that they are no different from you or me. I find them more amusing than most others and they are very switched on."

Personally, I believe we all have some sort of connection to disability in some shape or form, even people who are reading this now - i'm disabled sharing my views on the the internet and you are reading and hopefully thinking about it, that's a sort of connection to disability.

I would love to hear your stories! Comment them below.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee  

Tuesday 6 October 2015

World Cerebral Palsy Day.............

Hi,

So sorry that I've been so inactive recently,school happened-I can't help that.

I don't know if you guys know but it is world CP day on the 7th of October, and for me it's a very special occasion as its my first proper CP day.
As it is such a momentous day, why not tell you lot my Cerebral Palsy story?

So it all started on the 16/04/03 the day that changed the world......my birthday.....(what can I say, I'm very modest.) Anyway, I was born at 28 weeks and for the first 10 weeks of my life, I lived in the Neonatal ward of Scunthorpe general hospital.




By the way it was a 12 inch doll dress
4 days after I was born
When I was about 8 Months,my Mum bought me a toy which you sit in and had different activities.It was bright green from what I remember.More to the point,Mum saw whilst I was playing my right arm got stuck in the activities. So she booked a hospital appointment.The Doctor basically they said there was nothing wrong.But but but mum knows best and a few months later they changed the diagnosis and I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

But after all that I'm here,It wasn't easy, but i'm here. And I am so thankful to everyone, my family for supportive, my teachers for letting me doing stuff and the doctors that have help me understand my disability.
link to World CP day website: https://worldcpday.org/   

   
 Thanks for reading 

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Friday 28 August 2015

Things that people say just make me..............

Hi,

So, mostly  being disabled is great. Like for example having that 5000000000000000000000 mile long queue at primark and I'm just whizzing past everyone and seeing the utter anger have the people who having being there for so long they are turning into primark zombies. LOL!  But Primark is bae doe hehe! 

So that's one of the positive of being disabled but there are always some negatives. For me, people saying little things that annoy me that I need to let the world know.

So here is the list:


  1. 'OMG, let me help you!'
  2. 'Are you ok'
  3. 'Are you sure'
  4. 'You're an inspiration.' (now this is only if I'm doing something that I do normally and if they wouldn't say that to a non disabled person if anyone understands that)
  5. 'how do you do that?'
 These are just some of the things people have said to me or people I know. Most of these seem alright, don't they? yes is the answer. But the tone and the way you say things makes all the difference. It starts to become patronising-and that makes me angry. I mean I maybe disabled but I haven't got the mental age of a toddler.

Leave a comment if anything like this as happened to you.

Byeeeeeeeee    

Thursday 27 August 2015

I am Inspired by Kim

Hi,

Now this post is a post that comes from my heart because I have been involved with IBK for 2 years and I see the wonderful work they do when ever I’m going to a workshop or group or family tea etc. IBK is an organisation which helps include families with a young person who is disabled into groups for both child and parent and most importantly give them a voice to the outside world. IBK stands for inspired by Kim who was the founder of the organisation, Pippa Murray’s, late son-who was disabled. Having the experience of being   mum of a disabled person, Pippa knows that with the right support makes all the difference, so she started IBK.

Personally, I want to thank IBK for helping me feel confident in my disability and treating me like you would any other child. I feel I need to give a special thanks to Pippa, Gabriella and keria for having the drive and energy to help grow IBK into a thing that impacts so many people’s lives, because for some parents who care for their child most of the time, IBK gives them a well need break by letting the young person, no matter what disability, participate in the groups.  I feel like after a group the young people are happy and have felt included.

IBK is more of a community than anything else. You really feel this when you go to a family tea, which are held every 6 to 8 week. As soon as you walk in the room there are people chatting and eating curries and pizza. (Not together who would eat that- well Shaun does sometimes. He is a PA to someone by the way!) Anyway the word community sums up IBK  as a whole: the trips, the groups, the families, the people who volunteer and the full time workers all come together as a community, simple yet it changes lives.
Check out the website: http://www.ibkinitiatives.com/home
Byeeeeeeeee

Monday 10 August 2015

LEGOLAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi,

So the reason why I didn't post this on saturday was I wanted to get the best possible first hand information,which came a little late- but at least you're getting a post. Do you guys remember my post on 'Ron'? Well since it's the summer his Grandma, let's call her 'K', has took him to LEGOLAND. (lucky kid) Anyways, she was telling me how the staff reacted to his autism.

When I asked 'K' how did the staff treated 'Ron' she told me," once we were in LEGOLAND the staff were really great. We didn't have to queue to get on things and the environment was really low sensory. it would have helped to have wrist bands but once we had told a few people 'Ron' had autism they made sure that all the other staff knew about him and also knew his name, that helped loads." I think that it's very important that tourist attractions go the extra mile to support, not only the disabled child,but the Parents and carers too because it can be very stressful for the carer/parent constantly trying to keep the disabled child as calm as possible in an unknown environment for them,so just the staff making the child feel safe is a massive weight of the adults shoulders.       

I then asked how 'Ron' reacted to being in a new environment and how did the staff help 'K'  said  " 'Ron' was quite anxious anyway and quite aggressive as he always is in new places but the staff helped a lot because they  understood and didn't bombard him with questions. they seemed to really like their jobs and children and that is essential with 'Ron'. It is really the first time we have been in a cinema and 'Ron' has actually been able to sit still for a period of time. We watched 4d movie which was about 15 mins long and it was awesome." Again I feel that disabled children feel more at ease when the people around them are calm.   

Finally I asked her if any improvements could be made,what are they? and 'K' answered  "If there was anything that they could do better the two things that i would say are 1) wristbands to identify autism or other issues so that a conversation doesn't have to take place between parents/carers and staff to get them to the front of the queue. 2) letting people with disabilities in without having to queue at the entrance. This was too hard for all of us." I think these ideas should be adapted to the experience so for disabled people its more enjoyable.

tell me what you think in the comments. 

byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Saturday 1 August 2015

Yikes or Yay...........

Hi, (Yes my friends I'm changing my intro,sorry!)

Firstly, yes I know I haven't been online for 2 weeks. I have just finished my first year at secondary school and I wanted a little bit of time off from writing and enjoying spending time with my family. But I'm back now so yayyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

This is more of life update then a disability blog because on Monday I am having a minor operation (so don't worry) on my right leg and arm (that's the side which my cp affects) and I think you guys should know.

So whats happening on Monday?

Basically they are going to put me under general anaesthetic and put Botox in my calf muscle which is tense,because of this my right foot is turning outwards and that's impacting the way I walk. As for my arm/hand, they are putting it in my tricep to relax my arm and I'm not to sure where they are putting the Botox in my hand but the end result will make the muscles less tense. this operation will also determine what operation/s I might need in the future. 

So thats what happening in the next few days for me - wish me good luck  

byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee    
    

Sunday 12 July 2015

SEN :/

Hi,

RANT TIMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you might know I really don't like the term SEN(aka special educational needs). Personally I feel that in the society we are taught not to label people as one thing or another,so why is it in schools perfectly acceptable to label children with physical or mental disabilities? 

Now I know that the term SEN mostly used between teachers so they can give the right support etc, but I my opinion it makes me more self conscious about how I act in school,like for example- when on earth do you hear about a SEN kid questioning what the teacher just said? Ok,that time in science was different, but anyway its not very often, and I Think I Know why it is because people think that just because you are disabled it means you are introverted and to be honest a little bit thick and psychology proves that if a lot of people around  you think something, you are going start believing it too, so in theory  if people who work around disable people and assume that they are introverted then most likely the disabled person is going to believe that they are. so what im trying to say is the SEN term is holding disable children back. 

Is this really ok? comment what you think down in the comments bar, I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Byeeeeeeeeeeee        

Saturday 4 July 2015

Cultivating mad cow

Hi,
My Mum has written a review on new author Kathryn A Littlewood's book about having bipolar and experiencing mental health distress (illness).

(Please note: This book is for Adults because of how the subject area and topic is described, but is comical none the less!)

Review by Ali Hayward

'I'd like to share something very special with you all. Yesterday, Wednesday 1st July 2015, was the launch of a new book from a new Sheffield author, Kathryn Littlewood. 'Cultivating Mad cow' is a personal narrative of a woman going through the trauma and confusion of a psychotic episode. Author, Kathryn Littlewood, recounts life from eleven years ago when she became very ill. With each turn of the page the reader gains a unique insight in to the depths of desperation, confusion and loss, mixed with the intensity of love, laughter and positive energy, only someone experiencing a Bipolar psychotic episode understands.

This book is as important to professionals, academics, and those in training for example, Counsellors and Therapists, Social Work, Medicine, Nursing, just as much as those who have an interest in life, caring, society and mental distress.

Whilst there are many books and journal articles on Bipolar, mental distress, trauma and/or psychosis, there are few written with the dedication and insight Kathryn shows. This important narrative, written in a style that is accessible to all, opens the door on a subject and experience that is ordinarily private or disregarded - giving the reader the privilege of understanding rarely available.'

Available to buy from Troubador:

http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=3237

Kathryn's links:

Twitter: @FlippinMentBooks 

I hope you enjoy this book

Byeeeeeeee 

(not so) Happy Fathers Day

Hi.

So this post is about Fathers Day, it's late I Know,to be honest this Day is quite hard to talk about for me so if this post is short that's why. My Dad was called Alan Wood and liked profiteroles, I have inherited that trait for sure, anyway I don't have any memories really of him (he died in 2006,I was 3 before you judge about what a bad dad he must of been to not have given his daughter any precious memories of them together, I have had them but I can't remember them !!!!!) so the word 'Dad' hasn't really got any emotions, apart from the way I miss him,to associate with him. So FD (Father's day) is very depressing,all the stands with cards saying "#1 dad" on ect, I feel a sadness that I won't be able to buy him one. Luckily my good old Grandpa is still around so I still get to celebrate 
with him. YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!  

If you read this post text your dad/Grandpa/Brother and say I love you because one day they won't be here and it's scary to think that.


Byeeeeee 


My Dad R.I.P

sooooooooo sorry! :'(

Hi,

I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in a while.(bad blogger!) 
Let's blame it on my teachers, they are the ones who give me loads h homework. If any teacher of mine reads this I love doing work but please I have pots to write, just kidding it's just a casual blog so give me as much homework as you like. Anyway the plan is to binge write a lot of posts Try and post on Saturday.  

Hope you think this is ok 

Byeeeeeeee

Saturday 13 June 2015

London town!

Hi,

This post is going to be about when I went to London with a group called IBK,which is a Sheffield-based group which provides young people with disabilities with groups and a support network of people who know that having or caring for someone with a disability is like.
Rant time! Ok then, over all the trip was great but there was one incident that,for me,soured the trip a little.So we were walking to the Natural History Museum and we were walking past a few stalls selling stuff on the way there. One boy in the group shall we call him 'Gary'? (I'm great at thinking of names as you can see!) Well, 'Gary' has some sort of autism and is sight impaired as well I think because he carries a white stick, I'm not sure though don't quote me,anyway His exact Disability isn't that important to this story. So where was I, the group was walking by the little stall things, with 'Gary' leading the pack with his carer next to him- we had to turn around because we missed a crossing or something, as we turn around 'Gary' fell into a stall and knocked the scale bowl on the floor by accident. The guy running the stall went absolutely ballistic! The guy on the stall was effing and blinding at poor 'Gary's' Carer and saying " THIS BOWL COST £500" and "YOU BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON HIM!" ect. I think 'Gary' was very distressed after this happened. The stall guy I think was very immature because that 'Gary' had Autism and that fact that someone with that  condition could lash out or something. It angers me that people don't even have a basic understanding about disability, especially store/shop/market sellers. That said, this is a small percentage of people.

Rant over 

bye