RSVP, Please
I’ve still not had a response to my letter to Transport for London. It’s been over two weeks since I wrote to complain about how I was treated by a member of the Underground staff at Old… read more
View ArticleReply
I’ve had a reply to my letter of complaint to Transport for London (TfL) and I’m not sure how I feel about what they say. While the letter was generally apologetic, I felt it made excuses for the...
View ArticleWhat happens if you swear in Barnsley?
Simple. You risk getting an on the spot fine of £80. During June, Barnsley police are having a crackdown on swearing in public. I’m one of the 10% of people with Tourettes who swear involuntarily, so I...
View ArticlePassing the Baton
Organising my support over the last few weeks has sometimes felt like choreographing a never-ending relay race. I’ve had to make sure there’s always someone to take over from the last person who’s been...
View ArticleCouncil Tax - Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
The hateful Bedroom Tax, which is forcing many disabled people who rent their homes from local authorities to pay more rent because they need extra space due to their disability, has been in the news a...
View ArticleIDS Syndrome
Some people might see me as an ‘acceptable’ sort of disabled person. I work, pay tax and generally feel pretty positive about my life. But I’ll let you into a secret: this isn’t because I’m saintly or...
View ArticlePride, Shame and Independence
It’s American Independence Day today and it’s strangely appropriate that I’ve had my personal budget review this morning. My personal budget is the amount of money I get from my Local Authority Social...
View ArticleCouncil Tax - Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
The hateful Bedroom Tax, which is forcing many disabled people who rent their homes from local authorities to pay more rent because they need extra space due to their disability, has been in the news a...
View ArticleIDS Syndrome
Some people might see me as an ‘acceptable’ sort of disabled person. I work, pay tax and generally feel pretty positive about my life. But I’ll let you into a secret: this isn’t because I’m saintly or...
View ArticlePride, Shame and Independence
It’s American Independence Day today and it’s strangely appropriate that I’ve had my personal budget review this morning. My personal budget is the amount of money I get from my Local Authority Social...
View ArticleIn Plane Sight
We’re on tour with Backstage In Biscuit Land again. We’ve been performing in Sarajevo for the last few days and at 4:00 this morning we left for Ireland. Sarajevo is a beautiful city, full of generous,...
View ArticleTake Your Tears To Work Day
I’ve just had a day of great meetings about really exciting projects and coming events. They’ve been in incredible places across London, including Tate Modern, the Wellcome Trust and Battersea Arts...
View ArticleCouncil Tax - Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
The hateful Bedroom Tax, which is forcing many disabled people who rent their homes from local authorities to pay more rent because they need extra space due to their disability, has been in the news a...
View ArticleIDS Syndrome
Some people might see me as an ‘acceptable’ sort of disabled person. I work, pay tax and generally feel pretty positive about my life. But I’ll let you into a secret: this isn’t because I’m saintly or...
View ArticlePride, Shame and Independence
It’s American Independence Day today and it’s strangely appropriate that I’ve had my personal budget review this morning. My personal budget is the amount of money I get from my Local Authority Social...
View ArticleIn Plane Sight
We’re on tour with Backstage In Biscuit Land again. We’ve been performing in Sarajevo for the last few days and at 4:00 this morning we left for Ireland. Sarajevo is a beautiful city, full of generous,...
View ArticleAccess to Work - Now You’ve Made Me Angry!
Access to Work is a vital equalising scheme that provides the practical support that disabled people in employment need to do their jobs. For me this means covering the cost of my support worker and...
View ArticleBrown Envelope
I knew it would happen sooner or later. I’ve watched friends go through the same difficult and time-consuming process over the last few years, and I knew my turn would come. Today’s post brought a...
View ArticleIn Celebration Of Social Workers
A couple of days ago I got an unexpected call from my Local Authority’s Adult Social Care Community Review Team (what a mouthful!) The woman I spoke to was very friendly and explained that she needed...
View Article#INeedStraws
Back in March I wrote about the threatened ban on plastic straws. In it I responded to a lot of the questions non-disabled people were asking when disabled people told them they really do need straws....
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