Gotta love Waitrose.

Not only did a very nice young lad called Daniel accompany me around Waitrose whilst I did a ‘big shop’, but the lovely gentleman who delivered it offered to put my shopping away for me. It doesn’t get a lot better than that!

I have to admit that I usually do a Tesco online shop every 6 weeks or so, for all the bulky and heavy items. Hassle-free, I shop on line and then they deliver it not just to my door but right into the kitchen. Over the years I have joked that one day I will get them packing it all away for me. Clearly, that reality is closer than I could have hoped.

However yesterday I thought I’d wander intoWindsor, which is only a 10 minute walk / wheel, and do a big shop at Waitrose which they could then deliver for me. It takes longer than internet shopping however you get to choose what you want yourself.

Last time I did this I kept filling baskets up, one at a time, and then putting them at the Help Desk until I was ready to check out. This time I decided to ask for someone to accompany me; they would push the trolley as I went around and did my shopping.

It’s a bit strange having someone coming around with you particularly when you are not used to it. The first young lad who started with me was well intentioned but I found him a bit annoying. (Ungrateful I know). Everywhere I went he was right behind me; I almost wheeled into him a few times as I was looking for what I wanted. However after 5 mins he was called off somewhere and Daniel came to help me instead. Daniel was a sweetie. V chatty. I found out all about his studies at college, his plans for university, that he had got his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and that he was taking his driving test on Thursday. He also advised me on the size of cereal packet I should choose, and which washing powder I should go for – based on what his mum used. What more could I ask for?!

Well apparently I can ask someone to unpack my bags! My shopping was delivered today by a very charming gentleman. On seeing that he was running out of space on the kitchen work tops to put the bags he suggested that he unpack the cold items into my fridge. He said it wasn’t a problem at all. I was so taken aback by such a generous offer that I said no thank you; I mean – that’d just be taking advantage. 

In hind sight perhaps I should have accepted. Maybe next time.

The Silence

After my ‘Party with a Purpose’ at the House of Lords last Wednesday evening I returned  for another reception the following evening, only this time it was at the House of Commons. The reception was being hosted by John Bercow, The Speaker of the House, in the State Rooms in Speaker’s House. It was in support of Afasic, a charity which support children and young people with speech, language and communication problems.

I have to admit that with this being the 5^th ‘do’ I had attended in as many days I was lacking energy however having been privileged enough to be invited I wanted to attend, if for only for a short a while. On arriving I bumped into a lovely group of people I knew and joined them for a natter. We sat in the adjoining room to the main room as it was much cooler and also less crammed. The only down side was that we were missing out on the canapés!

We moved into the main room for the speeches which John Bercow, as the host, kicked off.  I had a ‘déjà vu’ moment as he recounted the same anecdote about his height that he told at the reception I had attended back in March. It was also retold in an interview with him in The Saturday Times. My advice, Mr Speaker, is to ask your speech write to script a new anecdote.

Before leaving I had a brief chat with a girl called Genevieve Barr, she told she me was an actress and was in a drama series staring on Monday. I didn’t think much more of it until I saw the write up in The Time on Saturday which gave The Silence rave reviews. It’s not normally the type of thing I would watch however since I had met the leading lady I thought I would.

Not that I know the first thing about reviewing Dramas on the BBC, or indeed any Dramas at all, my views for what they are worth are as follows….’Whilst I thought the actual story line was unrealistic, Genevieve gave a stunning performance as a deaf girl in a hearing world. For once it was refreshing to have a deaf actress play a role where her disability wasn’t the main focus, as so often is the case.’

The Silence

After my ‘Party with a Purpose’ at the House of Lords last Wednesday evening I returned  for another reception the following evening, only this time it was at the House of Commons. The reception was being hosted by John Bercow, The Speaker of the House in the State Rooms in Speaker’s House. It was in support of Afasic, a charity which support children and young people with speech, language and communication problems.

I have to admit that with this being the 5^th ‘do’ I had attended in as many days I was lacking energy however having been privileged enough to be invited I wanted to attend, if for only for a short a while. On arriving I bumped into a lovely group of people I knew and joined them for a natter. We sat in the adjoining room to the main room as it was much cooler and also less crammed. The only down side was that we were missing out on the canapés!

We moved into the main room for the speeches which John Bercow, as the host, kicked off.  I had a ‘déjà vu’ moment as he recounted the same anecdote about his height that he told at the reception I had attended back in March. It was also retold in an interview with him in The Saturday Times. My advice, Mr Speaker, is to ask your speech write to script a new anecdote.

Before leaving I had a brief chat with a girl called Genevieve Barr, she told she me was an actress and was in a drama series staring on Monday. I didn’t think much more of it until I saw the write up in The Time on Saturday which gave The Silence rave reviews. It’s not normally the type of thing I would watch however since I had met the leading lady I thought I would

Not that I know the first thing about reviewing Dramas on the BBC, or indeed any Dramas at all, my views for what they are worth are as follows….’Whilst I thought the actual story line was unrealistic, Genevieve gave a stunning performance as a deaf girl in a hearing world. For once it was refreshing to have a deaf actress play a role where her disability wasn’t the main focus, as so often is the case.’

A party with a purpose

Last night I found myself at the House of Lord’s for the Employer’s Forum on Disability’s (EFD) summer drinks reception for their gold members. The EFD hosts two such receptions a year and this was the first time I had been invited having recently become an Associate.

On arrival I promptly bumped into Tanni Grey Thomson who told me where the accessible route was. I’ve met Tanni before when we swapped stories about how our respective schools coped with us being wheelchair users: mine put a lift in whilst hers employed two people for the duration of the seven years she was there to carry her up and down the stairs. Surely it would have been more economic to have put a lift in???

When I entered the reception what really struck me was how many people I actually knew. And I love it when that happens! I had to remind myself that this was work, and not simply a party with all my friends! I rather liked the way that Susan Scott-Parker, the Chief Execute of the EFD, summed it up; she called it a ‘Party with a Purpose’. She urged us to network, share what we were doing, and to have fun whilst we did it. And that’s pretty much what we did.

I have to admit that as well as a room full of really amazing people, it was also a superb setting – the large balcony overlooked the Thames, the weather was divine, the canapés scrumptious and the wine flowed.

Knowing I was at the House of Commons the following evening for once I wasn’t the last man standing and instead left at a respectable time. I left at the same time as Stephen Duckworth, another Associate of the EFD and someone I have found inspirational since the very first time I met with him. Inspirational and a truly lovely person. And to add to that I can also now say that he’s a true gentleman. Stephen uses an electric wheelchair and since we were heading in the same direction he told me to hang on to his chair and I could have a ride. At first I declined saying I was okay, and to be honest also feeling a bit self conscious. However Stephen was persistent so I gave in and held on and it was fabulous. Absolutely brilliant.  Travelling through London has never been so enjoyable. Stephen gave me a ride all the way over Westminster Bridge at which point he turned off to go to his flat and I carried on to Waterloo Station – leaving the steep bit for me to navigate on my own!

What I can I say – a perfect evening. Really wonderful. Just hoping the House of Commons tomorrow evening will be just as enjoyable.

It’s all about line dancing!

Last night it was my friend J’s 40^th birthday party. Country and Western style – yeehaaaa! And what a totally top party.

I don’t normally like fancy dress parties – normally because I leave it too late to suss an outfit. However it’d be rude not to make the effort so there I was in my checked shirt, bandana and cowboy hat.

Buying the hat had been somewhat embarrassing. The toy shop I originally went into directed me to a nearby party shop. However when I arrived at the said shop there was a huge step at the entrance which I definitely couldn’t do. The door was propped open so I was just going to call in for someone to come and help however there was no one around. In the end I asked a passerby to go in for me and find someone.

The assistant was hugely helpful and told me they did indeed sell ‘cowgirl’ gear and went and found a selection of bandanas and hats whilst I waited out in the street. Here’s where the embarrassment started – realising that if I was going to try the hats on I had no option other than to do so whilst sitting in the street with everyone going passed. So that’s what I did! And yes – I did feel very self conscious and totally stupid!

J had got a band for her Country & Western party, complete with a caller who was absolutely brilliant. Everyone got up to docey-do their partner. Including me. And it was fab fab fun. The only bit that was a bit of a challenge was the kicks to either side – but you just kind of join in. Haven’t laughed so much in ages.

Apparently the band are playing at Guildfest – might just have to go alone for another go.

I’m sorry – no chairs allowed this evening

Yesterday I enjoyed my final birthday present which was actually 6 months ago however totally worth waiting for. One of my longest standing friends, E, treated me to lunch at Maze which is one of Gordon Ramsay’s many many establishments.

I knew there was access since I had checked it out before hand and so wasn’t hugely concerned by the flight of steps up to the front door. I presumed there would be an alternative entrance round the side. And there was – through the adjoining hotel. It was just a shame that none of the reception staff who could clearly see me at the bottom of the steps came out to assist. Instead it was another diner who went in for me to get help.

The gentleman who came to help was charming (and blindingly handsome) and took me round the side and up in a lift to the restaurant. Once there it was all easy wheeling. The meal was superb, as was the wine. Wonderfully delicious and exquisitely served.

We then had a couple of hours to kill before the England match started. We found a pub nearby and on entering one of the staff came up to us and confirmed they would be showing the match however they weren’t ‘allowing any chairs that evening’. Having clocked that the tables had all been pushed to one side and there wasn’t a chair in sight I presumed that this was what they were referring to. They had cleared them away to make more space. It would therefore be up to E if we stayed since she would have to stand for the match. Clearly I was alright Jack.

However E interpreted this as they weren’t allowing people in wheelchairs in. And she turned to me for my reaction, probably waiting for me to give this woman a ‘bit of a talking to’. E and I have known each other since we were 17; growing up we probably encountered more problems getting into clubs and bars than we had success. Back then we were frequently told that I wasn’t allowed in since I was a ‘fire hazard’. Interesting since to my knowledge I’m not actually combustible. And that was it – no arguments, no reasoning, we were simply not let in.

Fortunately, my interpretation was the correct one. The woman was quite concerned that we might have thought that they would turn me away because of the w/chair.  So much so that they cleared the way for us and found us an excellent spot. Just a shame about the score.

I’m sorry – no chairs allowed this evening

Yesterday I enjoyed my final birthday present which was actually 6 months ago however totally worth waiting for. One of my longest standing friends, E, treated me to lunch at Maze which is one of Gordon Ramsay’s many many establishments.

I knew there was access since I had checked it out before hand and so wasn’t hugely concerned by the flight of steps up to the front door. I presumed there would be an alternative entrance round the side. And there was – through the adjoining hotel. It was just a shame that none of the reception staff who could clearly see me at the bottom of the steps came out to assist. Instead it was another diner who went in for me to get help.

The gentleman who came to help was charming (and blindingly handsome) and took me round the side and up in a lift to the restaurant. Once there it was all easy wheeling. The meal was superb, as was the wine. Wonderfully delicious and exquisitely served.

We then had a couple of hours to kill before the England match started. We found a pub nearby and on entering one of the staff came up to us and confirmed they would be showing the match however they weren’t ‘allowing any chairs that evening’. Having clocked that the tables had all been pushed to one side and there wasn’t a chair in sight I presumed that this was what they were referring to. They had cleared them away to make more space. It would therefore be up to E if we stayed since she would have to stand for the match. Clearly I was alright Jack.

However E interpreted this as they weren’t allowing people in wheelchairs in. And she turned to me for my reaction, probably waiting for me to give this woman a ‘bit of a talking to’. E and I have known each other since we were 17; growing up we probably encountered more problems getting into clubs and bars than we had success. Back then we were frequently told that I wasn’t allowed in since I was a ‘fire hazard’. Interesting since to my knowledge I’m not actually combustible. And that was it – no arguments, no reasoning, we were simply not let in.

Fortunately, my interpretation was the correct one. The woman was quite concerned that we might have thought that they would turn me away because of the w/chair.  So much so that they cleared the way for us and found us an excellent spot. Just a shame about the score.

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