TIIRoaC

my first stupid day in a while

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:27:36 +0000

Bugger - I failed! I was trying to see how long I could keep u blogging every day, and was about a week a way from having posted a blog entry every day for two months, but didn't get round to making an entry yesterday. It's a shame, but at least I ca still say that I've posted one entry at least every two days for over two years. Yesterday was a busy day: the right front wheel of my main wheelchair is broken, and I was trying to get it fixed. So off I went to ask chopper if he knew someone with a van who could drive us and the chair to the mobility shop inn welling...

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what Sunday night is for.

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:07:50 +0000

Lyn and I are just having a lazy Sunday. There is rather thick snow outside, so it's a perfect day to stay in, catch up on TV we missed, watch time team and top gear, and so on. I have been trying too organize a trip to my parents in march, which is proving harder to get my head round than perhaps it should. There are so man different parameters and logistical factors to take into account: if I can get a degree surely I can get two crips and their PA to Cheshire and back. I'm sure it'll become easy once I put my mind to it, but that can wait till tomorrow: now, it's time too grab a drink f something nice, put my feet up, and look forward to watching three idiots talk bolloks and drive cars. After all, that is what Sunday night is for.

pssibly the first of many, I'm afraid

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:59:24 +0000

I take no pleasure at all in directing you here. It would seem a guy with MD, no longer wanting to be burden his family, committed suicide by driving his electric wheelchair into a stream. From what I read online, it seems, as the cuts bite, more and more people are starting to feel that way, even if this particular tragedy was not related to them. Poor sod.

Right-wingers are less intelligent than left wingers - evidnce at last!

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:58:13 +0000

Once again I don't have much to contribute to the general discourse other than to direct you to some article or webpage I have found online. I seem to have been doing rather a lot of that recently. The article I want to direct you to tonight, however, is noteworthy due to two things: firstly because it is firm evidence of something I have long suspected, and secondly because it is found in the last place I thought you would find such an article. this article in the daily mail (YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT) states that scientists have found a possible link between conservatism and low intelligence. It states: '' Cognitive abilities are critical in forming impressions of other people and in being open minded,' say the researchers. 'Individuals with lower cognitive abilities may gravitate towards more socially conservative right-wing ideologies that maintain the status quo. 'It provides a sense of order.' '' I knew it - Tories are morons!...

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leading lights

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:21:38 +0000

A couple of days ago I wrote on here that the disability rights movement does not appear to have a figurehead. I still think that's true, but what it does have s various leading lights: there appear to be various charismatic figures in our community who have the ability and authority to speak for the rest of us. While it appears to be something of a fashion to brand yourself with a title like 'disability consultant' and try to persuade people you are some kind of expert on disability issues, the true leading lights of our community do not overtly seek such positions. They get to where they are through their actions, and because what they have to say is true...

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patronising i tone but supportive in intent

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:41:57 +0000

I just came across this video of a seemingly very nice fellow in his car taking about 'our' protst on saturday. Although I find his tone ever so slightly patronizing, and I'm not sure what he would like to replace the government with, it's good to know we crips have at least some support in the general public.

interesting research which may have advantages for users of AAC

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:44:59 +0000

According to this, scientists are getting closer and closer to directly decoding the brain functions which form speech. In other words, they are getting close to being able to map which parts of the brain we use when we want to say certain things. I don't have much time to write abou it in full now - what is there to say other than ''go read the article'' anyway - but this may have profound and exciting implications for people who use augmentative and alternative communication.

''Letter to my old master''

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:13:19 +0000

This letter, from a former slave to his old master, must be, if authentic, one of the most remarkable documents I've ever come across. It's well worth a read, and was simply too fascinating for me not to flag up. I especiaally like the line ''Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.'' To be honest, though, I'm in two minds about what I think of him asking for his back-paid wages: on the one hand, I think he had every right to do so, but on the other, it does seem a tad cheeky, but perhaps that's just me being a bit British.

what dan is

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:53:37 +0000

in part reply to my blog entry yesterday, Claire/Dennis has written this this on her own blog. It would seem there was much I misunderstood about DAN and its relationship with the greater disability rights movement. I obviously have much to learn, but the truth is, as the Tories start cutting harder and deeper, and start making crips suffer for no clear reason other than sheer malice, this stuff matters more than ever. Disabled people must fight back!

I'm a member of DAN, but I'm not sure I know what DAN is.

matthew@matthewgoodsell.co.uk — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:58:25 +0000

This may sound kind of stupid, but I realized earlier that, despite now calling myself member, I know next to nothing of DAN. What it stands for is clear enough: on it's Facebook page, it states '' The UK disabled people's Direct Action Network, DAN, is a grassroots network of proud, angry & strong disabled people from all backgrounds and of all ages, who use non-violent civil disobedience as a means to fight for freedom and equality. DAN has taken action AGAINST: patronising charities who profit from and perpetrate disabled people's dependence, the warehousing of disabled people in institutions, welfare cuts, care charges, assisted suicide and euthanasia. DAN takes action FOR: equality and freedom, such as independent living, inclusion, accessible transport, fair access to work and welfare.'' That is clear enough, and those aims are broadly my aims too. Yet I find myself asking - purely out of curiosity- what is dan, and how is it organised? Is it a pressure group? Does it have a leadership or hierarchy?...

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