Cutbacks

Now I could be wrong, and I'm very happy to have my opinion disproved but I really feel that tolerance of, and provision for, people with disabilities and their familes and carers, is about to take a big whacking. This is due to current financial constraints. In a time of plenty, everyone is more than happy to empower disabled people and trumpet loudly when an autistic man is manipulated by so-called friends and killed by them, or be horrified when a mother and her disabled dughter die in horrific circumstances in a buirning car after decades of abuse from neighbours and indifference from the police but I wonder how much all this will fade away with the tightened budget now proposed by the current government? DLA mobility removed from those in long-term residential care, for example. Well, I suppose they don't wat to upset the normals do they, with their inconvenient demands to move about in society. Really, shame on the PM, you'd think he'd know!

I'm telling you now, all the advances disabled people have achieved in the last few years are about to fade away, slowly but surely. Fortunately disabled people are often a mouthy lot. They may not be able to get out and about (and for some, that freedom will be constrained still further) but they can use the internet. Over on Twitter @bendygirl is a locus for protest. I urge you to follow her and her #BofB campaign. Let's protect the hard-won rights that disabled people currently (I was going to say enjoy) but really, I mean NEED in order to live their lives in the way they choose.

That is all. Rant over.

On My High Horse.

I'm getting pretty fed up with people who, with the kindest of motives, are often to be heard saying 'how you must suffer/worry/wish it had never happened to you' etc., ad infinitum. Ad nauseum actually.

It's not that I'm rejecting the kindness/blindness of strangers but I really am up to here with the pessimism of the 'normals'. By which I mean that band, that happy band who either don't come across disabled people that much in the course of their daily lives (what sheltered lives they lead!) or if they do, immediately adopt that pitying attitude that assumes we sit about quietly martyred and suffering and waiting for social services to take up the slack.

I don't do martyrdom. Fearfully ageing, don't you know. I do having a laugh. I don't think anyone with neurotypical children must be living the life of Riley. No one is. I'm fortunate to have a close family and some good mates who are happy to rock up and be with Jordan when I need to go out. Strictly on the understanding (imposed by the boy) that they don't actually talk that much to him or cramp his style. I pay them too. Above the odds because I value their help. None of that minimum wage malarkey here thank you very much.

My disabled son is a delight. There I said it! He has exceeded every single one of my expectations. I'm really looking forward to the next decade with him.

And so, into 2010 my friends. Having a laugh, cracking jokes, getting annoyed occasionally. JUST LIKE THE NORMALS! Gosh, who'd have thought it..?