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Gaina

Listed below are comments made by Gaina between Monday, 2nd June 2008 and Monday, 9th November 2009.

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Guess the birds 5:23pm on 09 Nov 2009 1 - Barn Owl
2 - Kestrel
3 - Bearded Tit
4 - Male Pheasant
5 Long-tailed Tits
6 - Grey Heron
7 - Juvenile Herring Gull
8 - Male Chaffinch
9 - Reed Warbler
10 - Crested Grebe
11 - Dunnock
12 Ringed Plover
13 Female Kingfisher
Unsprung eye quiz 5:11pm on 03 Nov 2009 Blue Tit
Dragon Fly
Jay
Wild Boar
Grey Seal
Toad
Disability Bitch vs supermarkets 4:59pm on 17 Apr 2009 I am seriously contemplating camping out at my local Asda superstore just to get the first jar opener :P.

"when there's a wheelchair showroom at Porsche and a raised toilet seat department at Harrods. Surely, readers, that's when we'll know we've made it."

That's the point - start small and work your way up. Plus, 'specialist' shops will no longer have the excuse to sell what SHOULD be cheap items like cup holders at outrageous prices because they no longer have a 'captive audience'.
The third name on the Christmas card 9:45pm on 19 Jan 2009 Haha, as long there's a tenner in there for you, say *nothing*!! Haha.

It is quite peeving when people make certain assumptions about what you can and can't do, or what kind of lifestyle you have because you're a disabled person, but that's just an excuse to shock them when they find out what you've gone and done!

I am not usually terribly sensitive about that kind of thing but there was one incident that did get my goat...

A few months ago my dentist stopped sending me private correspondence when it was time for a check-up and put me on my Mum's letter instead. That did make me feel that a certain assumption had been made about my individuality as a human being. So, I politely asked if I could have my own correspondence like I used to. Some people will 'get it' and some people won't - you just have to do what's right for yourself.

So, yeah decide what's really important to you and fight that corner but let it go when it's really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I mean who cares if your Grandma thinks you still wear 'Teletubbies' pyjamas when in reality you're tucked up in bed with your significant other in a fetching little silk number? As long as you know the truth, you're fine :).
There's no such thing as a free haircut 8:37pm on 15 Jan 2009 Laurence, are you mad!? TeefertheCat has it spot-on!

This disability gig has so few perks that if someone wants to give you a discount or an advantage on *anything*, my advice is 'smile sweetly and say thank you!'.

I'm quite happy to be 'patronised' if it's to my advantage - you gotta learn to play the game buddy! ;-).
'Tis the season of inaccessibility 5:30pm on 20 Dec 2008 Wow, I find your parent's insensitivity shocking to be honest.

I think the best solution is to either book a short break for Christmas, just you and your PA or partner, or maybe book a table at a restaurant of your choosing for Christmas day and invite them so you know that your needs will be catered for.
Getting Disability Wrong 9:43pm on 06 Jul 2008 Good, so it's not just me then! :D Getting 'miffy' won't make changes come any faster, will they? If you are anything like me then you will carefully pick your time and place to get cross, but once you do then everyone better stand back! :)
PWD's: SHUT UP! You're not inspirational enough! 7:43pm on 17 Jun 2008 As an English person, I much prefer 'Person with a disability' to 'DISabled person'. The former puts the emphasis on the person first where as the latter is placing you in the negative from the get-go.

I think it's no accident American and Canadian terminology goes hand in hand with a much better (though stil not always ideal) atittuded to people with disabilities - human first, wheels second :).

Having a disability that limits her lifespan is Elizabeths' reality which is why she's blogging about that and it speaks to many people who read her blog, which is why she includes that important word 'probably'.

'And while I may have to take that news sitting down, I don't have to be silent and accept it.'

Somebody should make that into a bumper sticker ;-).
Bill On The Blog 6:46pm on 02 Jun 2008 If children are old enough to ask questions, they're old enough for an honest answer. I think Nature watch is a great first introduction to the facts if life, i.e. sex and death.

I agree with Bill, stay away from the depressing tabloids and go birdwatching!

;-)

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