OK so it's been a while...

I've kind of been a hermit the last few months due to health issues. Christmas was still fun though, Pippin really loved ripping into his presents! Also I have found some activities to do at home, first I'm getting used to using my new power chair. It is so cool and the lift option puts me higher than my mum standing up! Second I have been training the family pet dog pippin while watching dog related TV. On the assistance dog front: I've spoken to dogs for the disabled a few times and hopefully I'll be able to start the actual application process in the summer. As to the future: in the next couple of weeks I will hopefully feel well enough to start work-experience at Coalville jobcentre also at the end of Febuary I will start evening classes in SAGE computer accounting. Hopefully now that I'll be doing things again I'll remember to post more often.
Thanks for reading
DMU_girl

Since my last post

Well several things have happened in last few weeks. First I had my graduation ceremony, that was an interesting day... First I am so glad I didn't have to wear that hat and gown for more than 1 day, the hat fell off every 5 mins and the gown kept getting caught up in my chair. I sat on the side of the stage during the ceremony with my note taker, when my name was called I was suddenly terrified, which was then immortalised in a photo. You would not believe the queue for the professional photos it was endless, we were there for over an hour. Then on Saturday my family threw a party to celebrate my achievement, my note taker came and I had a wonderful time. I even got my favourite orange chocolate cake covered in sparkler candles, though I did have to blow out the candles twice as one of my Aunties missed it the first time. Also as you may know I have recently started the process to get an assistance dog to get ready for this I have been looking at electric wheelchairs and after testing it out I have decided to purchase the Quickie salsa m. Finally I went to visit dogs for the disabled in Banbury last Saturday it was a really beautiful place and everyone was really friendly. The whole event lasted about 2 hours and gave an overview of all aspects of the charity we even got to pet the dogs and a gorgeous little black Labrador puppy named Onyx. Now all I have to do is stay patient until the waiting list opens up again, wish me luck.
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Really really upset!

Just last week it occurred to my dad that it might be nice to get me a present for graduation, never mind the fact that my graduation is this week. Anyway he suggested jewellery of some kind and mentioned something called an achievements bracelet. At first I couldn't find out what the hell it was  but after several google attempts, out of desperation I clicked on a link about jewellery for gymnasts and discovered he was talking about Italian style charm bracelets. Which are bracelets made of square links which can each be swapped out and replaced resulting in unique bracelet. Personally I didn't like them, so I began looking at other jewellery options. I found some charms I liked from a really well known brand but when I looked today the 2 that were on sale were gone (which I sort of understand since they seemed to be getting rid of remainder stock) but also the one I really wanted designed specifically for graduations seems to be gone too. I am oddly heartbroken considering I only came up with this idea on Wednesday and I wish I had just ordered them myself and asked the family to get me more charms (that will teach me- next time I'll nag mother and get her to buy things straight away).
Thanks for reading
DMU_girl

Graduation!

It's my graduation this week, I got a 2:1 in psychology. Also this coming Saturday my family is throwing a party to celebrate. While university was a good experience for me it is nice not to have assignments due or anything to revise.

Last night my mum nearly killed the cat

First I need to tell you that we have three furry family members in the house: two cats Sophia (aka psycho) and Rosie (aka yowler) and our mad pet cockerpoo Pippin (aka nightmare). While Rosie and Pippin get on, Sophia hates him and has on several occasions threatened to leave home. All three animals sleep in my mum's room, the cats on the bed, the dog on the floor and as a result of recent hostilities mum now has a litter tray in her her room. Now last night mum went to a friend 50th Birthday and got back at near 11pm at which point she let Sophia, who spends most of the day outside, back in to sleep. Then at about 11.15 mum heads upstairs and I hear a great deal of shouting/swearing it turns out that Sophia had decided to do her business on mum's bed rather than the litter tray! So mum had to clean it up and then strip and remake her bed she also had to make my bed which she had stripped earlier in the day and forgotten about. As a result mum didn't go to bed till 12.30, personally I think Sophia is lucky mum only kicked her out for the night rather than strangle her.
Thanks for reading
DMU_girl
p.s I have reserved a place on a visitors morning to see the training centre for dogs for the disabled.

The joys of disabled access

Last Thursday I had to go to a private doctors for an insurance claim, now I presumed that since private doctors earn the big bucks the building it was in would be light, airy and modern and as a result almost flat. It wasn't, instead there was a single door, some steps and a sign saying ring bell for ramp. Now the moment I saw the sign I had a bad feeling this was compounded by the fact that the receptionist who came out asked me if I was waiting for the ramp! No I was just waiting for my wheelchair to start levitating itself up the steps! Then she fetched the "ramp" I'm using quotations marks because what it actually was was a bit of wood. When my mum went to straighten it she just kept saying it would be fine, nope wrong again, first of all I couldn't have got up it on my own as even my mum couldn't manage it, instead a nice couple wondering by offered to help. So by this point the wife and my mum are holding the "ramp" and the husband is attempting to push me up (I say attempting as the first time one of my wheels went off the edge of the ramp) once we reached the top there was the next problem, there was a small drop after the top of the ramp, now the nice man pushing me did very well but I hate the sensation of dropping and feeling like I'm about to fall out of my chair. All in all I felt like I'd taken several years off my life. When we got in we were allowed into the doctors straight away even though we were early  and when we told the doctor about the issues we had all he said was that it met disability access requirements. If I was in charge of these requirements it wouldn't have. Which for me raises questions why aren't disabled people in charge of disabled access to all public areas, you can tell we aren't as if we were all portable ramps would be like the ones the trains use. Also hand dryers wouldn't be right next to toilet while the paper holder is out of reach, you could get most people off incapacity benefit by getting them to test out disabled toilets and whether ramps are too steep. Maybe I should send an email to Mr Cameron.
Thanks for reading
DMU_girl

Decisions, decisions

I have only recently become aware of the existence of blogs. All the blogs I have read thus far are on the same subject, that of assistance dogs. This is mainly due to the fact that I have recently decided to apply for an assistance dog. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy around the age of 2. Then when I was 12 my legs were broken and then reset. I use a manual wheelchair at all times outside and crutches and my wheelchair at home. Since I live in the UK there are three organisations to which I could apply: dogs for the disabled, canine partners and support dogs. I have been in contact with both dogs for the disabled and canine partners. Since dogs for the disabled is the most local to me I am now trying to get a place on a visitors morning. I will keep you posted on my progress through the application process.