It seems that Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend - on purpose or by mistake - either way it's a tragedy.
I get the feeling that some of the people passing judgement on the case have no real insight into the crime culture in South Africa - shootings, car jackings and the like.
Sadly levels of violent crime in South Africa are very high - the country has one of the highest rates of gun murder in the world with over 8,000/year. What I'm trying to say is that if Pistorius thought there was an intruder in the house that it's quite feasible that that would have push him right to the edge. And it's impossible to know what you'd do in that state.
Whether forensics can back Pistorius's version of events, or disprove it, remains to be seen. Cremating the body of the deceased so soon seems a little hasty but I guess these people know what they are doing...
This is the story of a disabled man who had it all, a National and International hero at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Whatever happens it's probably going to be very hard for him to get back onto that pedestal.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Moving the disability benefit goalposts
The Government's reform of Disability Living Allowance into Personal Independence Payments is of great concern to many disabled people, check out my latest article for Disability Now on the subject:
http://disabilitynow.org.uk/article/moving-goalposts-pip-eligibility
http://disabilitynow.org.uk/article/moving-goalposts-pip-eligibility
Friday, January 25, 2013
Ellie Simmonds - what a role model
It's just brilliant seeing Ellie Simmonds popping up on the TV - I've spotted her on Sports Personality of the Year [where she spoke with huge confidence], A Question of Sport [where she got a lot of the answers right and was on the winning team] and this week on The Great Comic Relief Bake Off [where she was made Star Baker].
Her inclusion in these programmes is just so natural, and it's simply great to see a young disabled person [she's just 18 years old] with so much confidence, life and charm.
I hope she realises what an inspiration she is. I know a lot of disabled people hate the 'i' word but take my son who is also short statured - the only other short statured person he sees is me, so it's just fabulous for him to see someone else who is short not only on TV but right up there with other sportspeople and celebrities.
Let's hope the inclusion of more disabled people like Ellie on TV continues as the norm and doesn't disappear as the memories and intentions following London 2012 fades, what a great legacy that would be.
Her inclusion in these programmes is just so natural, and it's simply great to see a young disabled person [she's just 18 years old] with so much confidence, life and charm.
I hope she realises what an inspiration she is. I know a lot of disabled people hate the 'i' word but take my son who is also short statured - the only other short statured person he sees is me, so it's just fabulous for him to see someone else who is short not only on TV but right up there with other sportspeople and celebrities.
Let's hope the inclusion of more disabled people like Ellie on TV continues as the norm and doesn't disappear as the memories and intentions following London 2012 fades, what a great legacy that would be.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Never too late? My quest for gait analysis.
Well it's another New Year and top of my list is to go to the doctors to see if they will refer me for 'gait analysis'.
Gait analysis involves someone looking at the way you walk. They use their observations to establish whether there's anything that should be done to improve the way you walk and your balance eg adjustments to shoes, wearing of insoles, recommending wearing [or not wearing] particular types of shoes etc.
Last year I saw a podiatrist - they diagnose problems with the foot, ankle, lower extremities [that's legs to you and me] - she couldn't believe I had never been referred to a podiatrist and said that if I had seen one in my childhood it could have been very beneficial potentially improving my walking, balance, maintaining joint mobility/flexibility and even reducing the curvature of my spine....
In a way hearing that was a bit of a bitter blow to me because what is done is done but I've always felt that more could have been done to improve my mobility/flexibility or at the very least help me maintain it.
But having to leave those thoughts aside I'm now determined to look after myself. Particularly because as I get older I can feel my joints moaning every now and then and my flexiblity is probably slowly decreasing.
Even though the podiatrist I saw prescribed insoles which I now wear in my shoes all the time, the wear on the soles of my shoes is still not even. I'm also getting some 'locking' in my hips if I bend over which is hugely painful and means I can't walk until I've 'unlocked' the hip.
So today I've, at last, booked the doctors appointment to make the gait analysis request. At the very least I'd like to maintain the mobility and balance that I have, if they could be improved that would be a huge bonus but I'm not expecting miracles this far down the line.
Watch this space.
Gait analysis involves someone looking at the way you walk. They use their observations to establish whether there's anything that should be done to improve the way you walk and your balance eg adjustments to shoes, wearing of insoles, recommending wearing [or not wearing] particular types of shoes etc.
Last year I saw a podiatrist - they diagnose problems with the foot, ankle, lower extremities [that's legs to you and me] - she couldn't believe I had never been referred to a podiatrist and said that if I had seen one in my childhood it could have been very beneficial potentially improving my walking, balance, maintaining joint mobility/flexibility and even reducing the curvature of my spine....
In a way hearing that was a bit of a bitter blow to me because what is done is done but I've always felt that more could have been done to improve my mobility/flexibility or at the very least help me maintain it.
But having to leave those thoughts aside I'm now determined to look after myself. Particularly because as I get older I can feel my joints moaning every now and then and my flexiblity is probably slowly decreasing.
Even though the podiatrist I saw prescribed insoles which I now wear in my shoes all the time, the wear on the soles of my shoes is still not even. I'm also getting some 'locking' in my hips if I bend over which is hugely painful and means I can't walk until I've 'unlocked' the hip.
So today I've, at last, booked the doctors appointment to make the gait analysis request. At the very least I'd like to maintain the mobility and balance that I have, if they could be improved that would be a huge bonus but I'm not expecting miracles this far down the line.
Watch this space.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Christmasy guest blog on Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
Check out my latest guest blog 'London Calling at Christmas' on the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain:
http://www.accessibleguide.co.uk/daysoutblog/#
Complete with very festive photo of me, Archie and Ben as well as some top tips on visiting London, including don't forget to register your car for exemption from paying the congestion charge if you are a Blue Badge holder, it would surely knock out your Christmas stuffing if you were fined instead...
http://www.accessibleguide.co.uk/daysoutblog/#
Complete with very festive photo of me, Archie and Ben as well as some top tips on visiting London, including don't forget to register your car for exemption from paying the congestion charge if you are a Blue Badge holder, it would surely knock out your Christmas stuffing if you were fined instead...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)