More Able...

There has been some talk in the past few days as to whether we now view disabled people differently as a result of the Paralympic Games and the extensive media coverage. Personally, I would say that this Paralympic Games has done more for disabled awareness than ever before. It would be wrong to suggest that there has been an increase in sympathy - and most disabled people would not wish for this - but there has been an enormous increase in understanding and a realisation that disability should not confine people to their homes. The people we have seen competing in the last couple of weeks have shown us all that disability should not be a barrier and that much can be achieved with determination and hard work.

I also think that young children are more aware, than any other generation before them, of how disability can affect people but more importantly how such disability can be overcome to achieve great things. An example is how my son has sat glued to much of the Paralympics TV coverage and questioned the things he has seen, taking huge interest in those competing and their physical differences. As a result, I am confident he has learnt more in the last two weeks than he would in all his years at school. The experience of the last two weeks has been to educate, raise awareness and instill a profound respect for all those taking part. We often refer to the athletes of the Paralympic Games as being 'disabled', but are they? Would you call a double amputee who wins a 1400 meter race disabled? I wouldn't - they are more able than anyone...

Paralympic Welcome, Tentative York & Longing for Security

Once again, we produced an epic opening ceremony, this time for the Paralympic Games. Though not on quite the same scale as the Olympic opening ceremony, it was nonetheless fully attended and watched by millions across the country. Channel 4 have the broadcast rights to the Paralympics and though their coverage was very good, much criticism has been made of the decision to include numerous advertisement breaks during the event. Twitter was awash with comments deploring Channel 4 for the decision and I have to admit that I was one of those contributing to the protests. Being one of the largest and most significant events Channel 4 has broadcast since it launched in 1982, I would really have expected the channel to forgo the revenue from the numerous car ads in favour of showing the whole event uninterrupted.
For me, the event was very moving. The sight of hundreds of disabled athletes, proud to be representing their countries and being celebrated was magnificent. The choreography was world class and complimented with a commentary by Stephen Hawking. The athletes were proud the be there, and it showed.

Tomorrow, we had hoped to be taking our son to York for the first time. My wife and I have been to York on a couple of occasions and have enjoyed it very much. There's something about the place that you can't quite put your finger on, but I do have a particular fondness for the history, architecture and of course the wonderful Railway Museum.
I've mentioned before the prohibitive cost of rail travel and the return fare being £145 for the three of us. Now, to me this seems expensive. Perhaps I'm simply out of touch with current public transport costs. But when I compare this to the cost of travelling by car, about £35, it really does seem excessive. We are rather hoping that my in-laws will lend us the money until my expenses arrive for my NHS work. This would allow us to get there and back, and a packed lunch would negate the need to buy food. It's touch and go at the moment whether we'll go or not but if we're able to, I know my son will love it.

I've written about having to keep a diary noting activities and my anxiety and depression levels. This is for the CBT therapy I'm having in Spalding. I'm a little concerned that when I have my next session on the 18th September (when my therapist returns from her holiday to Mexico), there won't be a great deal for her to analyse. I've actually been feeling quite good for the last few weeks. I certainly haven't had any depressive episodes and my anxiety levels have been pretty much level. This may be due to the fact that I'm finding things to occupy me, or simply that there haven't been any triggers to set me off. The one constant thing on my mind is the Bank and whether they will allow us to continue contributing to the mortgage. I worry daily that there will either be a letter or phone call requesting me to contact them. If and when it comes, I will need to ask them to extend the period further. My biggest fear is that they will say no. I may be worrying for no reason as I've been told by so many people that provided we are paying something, they cannot do anything and as the house value is decreasing, they are unlikely to try to turf us out to sell on. Common sense tells me this is the likely outcome but I still worry. At least this time round I can tell them I am officially an NHS Volunteer, so I'm doing something productive. Although I'm not being paid anything - just my expenses - I am hopeful that it will develop into something permanent. Working in some kind of mental health support role within the NHS is my current aim. The question is how long we can survive for until something happens?

A Fully Inclusive Games... We're Nearly There

So that's it. Like many, I watched the closing ceremony last night and although it wasn't on the same scale as the opening ceremony, it was a spectacle to remember.
Still to come is the Paralympics which begin on the 29th in a couple of weeks time. The Olympic Games, besides being a showcase of athletic excellence, will be remembered for its diversity and inclusion - the first Olympic Games to include women from all countries of the world.
We still have some way to go, sadly. We still relegate disabled athletes to their own event, far removed from the main games. In my view, the most worthy are left to last, and this has to be wrong. Why can they not perform alongside the able-bodied and their achievements be recognised and awarded on the world stage?
The fact the the word 'paralympic' is derived from the Greek preposition 'para' meaning parallel or alongside, makes it all the more odd that the event isn't run in tandem with the main Olympic Games.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised the first recognised event for disabled athletes known as the 'Wheelchair Games' in 1948. Dr. Guttman's aim was to create an elite sports competition for people with disabilities that would be equivalent to the Olympic Games.

I will certainly be watching the Paralympic Games and I hope a similar level of attention is afforded the event as we have witnessed over the last seventeen days. For me the achievements of a disabled athlete are far greater given their handicap, and this deserves special merit. 

I just hope it isn't too long before all athletes, regardless of ability, are able to compete together. Now that really would be great...