a view from a bridge

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

I can see why some people could get miffed about the special treatment given to people with apparent impairments. I’m not saying they should, mind you. But yes I can see why it could happen. It comes down to a failure to explain the basis of “special treatment”. Jumping of the queue, and carrying of heavily laden bags through a no-bag area through to a bag area two of the way I was encourged to violate the rules in plain sight and to the rightful challenge of an onlooker who was trying to take more in than she ought.

I was rushing to keep up with a rather harassed security guard who was required to escort me through the tradesmen’s entrances to my destination the beautiful Dixson library — where bags are allowed, via the connected Mitchell Library where they are not, complete with security gates and info – desk guy simply says “she’s in a wheelchair”.

Now there was a reverence to my chair indeed. But the shorthand answer wasn’t enough and did nothing for relations between the sitters and the rest

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

Emma from Writer in a wheelchair who lives in the UK had a very similar experience to me with both of us having chair issues. Her list of helpers was a long one. Her summary a good one.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. It feels like it takes much more than that to cope with a broken powerchair.

Indeed. Even if they don’t know you or even how to help. Check out the rest of her post.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

I’m sitting in the Apple store in Sydney city with my iPad and a flat wheelchair battery. I’m literally stuck waiting for about an hour for a friend to finish. I’m sorry for yet another longish delay. There are no really good reasons fir it and there were/are plenty of things I could “talk” about, but I’ve either been out and about, wiped out or just busy online doing other things.

I’m ok though.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

Thanks for sticking with me while I took a week off.

It was a good week. I;

• did get some reading done, including disability related stuff I will share here at some point,
• caught up on what was almost an over supply of unplayed podcasts, and unsubscribed from a few
• was reminded that Sydney can get four seasons in one day, just like Melbourne, and that summer is still trying to pop through
• saw that there is a very nice and dignified way to close a blog (very sad),
• learnt that customer service is only as good as your last experience,
• ate good food with great people,
• re-discovered that I’m shy, and tire more easily
• lost some make-up brushes and make-up pencils under a table,
• found some rest and health, and,
• committed to being happy as a project

I also worked out that my readers don’t like surveys, but it will stay for a few more days. I have made a couple of changes that might help load times. The coffee cup is gone from the sidebar (but if you want to you can find it under any post), and I’ve turned some widgets into links in the sidebar as well.

So there you go …. I’m back

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

Donations to TVFDH will go towards internet, hosting and domain registration. Any extra will be donated to Guide Dogs NSW and/or Amnesty International. I’m putting this up because I’m taking the advertising down but people have asked how the can donate.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

?Which was your favourite post on the view from down here this year? You’ll have a chance to review the archives while I’m gone…

I have a few favourites but I’m curious about yours. The poll (with a couple of extra questions to see who you are and make sure I’m not too boring) will be open for a week while I take a week off and go low tech. When I come back I’ll profile the winning posts and see where that takes us.

Hope you don’t mind responding If you know other readers of the blog in your circle can you let them know as well. Its anonymous unless you want to leave your details

[SURVEYS 1]

See you all in a week, and happy new year

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”

I try an write 750 words a day  in addition to anything I do here when I’m up to it. This is an extract from today’s entry. It happened yesterday after tha International Human Rights lunch and Awards.

“Then came the really outwardly surreal bit. While I was on the phone with FM, sitting at the corner of the flight of stairs in the queen vic building  facing away from the foot traffic so I could be heard I got two gifts in the space of 5 mins. Very different. A cigarette from a guy who looked like it was much more precious a resource to him than it ever was going to be to me even in the days when I smoked. He just walked up from behind me, and with a gruff “Here ya go” dropped a single cig into my slightly opened green guess bag. I tried to protest and he was gone. There it sat. More precious in its intent than its usefulness. I can honestly say I have had no temptation to light up which is interesting and reassuring. I’m not sure if that if as much about the story of that particular smoke or generally.

While I had been talking to FM I had had a woman in her 50′s “pop her head” in front of me and say ok you are on the phone. After the cig delivery while I was still sorting that and the recent  conversation in my head, she returned carrying  a plastic bag and reaching in she produced a neatly wrapped gift and introducing herself as Lois she said she wanted to give away gifts just to spread some joy and let people know that Jesus loves them. I normally reject these gifts immediately particularly from people who “appear” to pity me. But in the spirit of the cigarette guy and International Day of Human Rights and after the mental gymnastics of sorting out Monday I was more open. I’m glad I was. She was out to care and encourage, not pray for two working legs and condemn. She was lonely. I was stressed. It was nice. I reassured her that I “knew Jesus” and we talked of Joni Eareckson Tada and her motivation. I was able to gently dismantle some of the dear woman’s assumptions about my level of impairment and care needs. I was able to be company and reassurence. The gifts were soap and chocolate. And she gave me a copy of Joni’s latest book.

I rolled away from Lois, initially alarmed that complete in dress heals and makeup direct from the Sheriton that I had seemed needy. Did I look extra crippled today?

Then I stopped. Lois was right. It was an answer. Despite the great day., I was feeling sore and stressed and overwhelmed lonely and cynical as well as everything else. Before I learned in that moment to enjoy the friendship of humanity.”

Possibly Related Posts:

• Happy mother’s Day
• I’ll be back
• it was a time
• The solution to writers block; talking.
• Perhaps the “best thing”