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.

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

Becoming an adult

In my 1st proper post I want to consider what makes someone an adult. I believe that being disabled gives me unique perspective on this this transition. I remember when this topic was discussed during one of my psychology seminars, it became obvious that most of my fellow students did not feel like adults yet even though they were all 20 or older. I know that until recently I certainly didn't feel like an adult even though I had had a taste of what it would feel like while traveling around campus on my own. I currently live at home with my mum and it is only now after I have finished my degree that she is giving me more responsibilities such as cleaning. I am now also signed on at the job center (what a mess that was) which means that the idea of getting a job is no longer theoretical (I may do a separate rant just about the phrase "previous experience necessary"). Also I am now preparing to start driving lessons (I wanted to wait till after I had completed all academic exams). These things in combination make me feel like I am starting to become an adult. I think what it comes down to is level of independence and responsibly.