WHY did i after all these years of not writing a blog , i decided to do so today?. The cornish scenery may have not changed but my life has , not involved in theatre anymore but it did lead to the ultimate theatre experience. My life has certainty become more painful, both physically and mentally yes i’m getting older.Yes i occasionally go to a yoga class. The pandemic and Lockdown hit my body and wallet, like many others out there. i have new challenges and unfortunately the prejudice of the past is beyond mum’s front door. but i’m probably wiser then before though i still hate the burning fires of injustice. .They seem much deeper and entrenched then before. Pop Culture is a lifesaver and in the last few years been having adventures outside of Cornwall. But the reason why today i wanted to write is because of work. Work is still a major block for disability. i have just about stayed in work but haven’t been able to earn enough to pay my national insurance (having to pay it out of my wages separately). i still live in the same house since my 12 birthday. .Governments have tried and tried again to get more of disability into work, .( New Deal more recently Disability Confident) And the consequences of not more disability in the workplace is everyone else not experiencing disability directly in front of them. Exclusion from life events which doesn’t lead to the types of weddings which are happening in Cornwall today. Also leads to people being afraid of disability, which from personal experience can be extremely hurtful. i would like to continue in work but i,m fully aware how big a challenge this really is.(for starters l have the challenge to continue to cover the cost of going to work on a low wage, i manage it currently by running a £500 pound car, as the end the combustion engine start to appear this may not be possible anymore ) The real concerns start when you think about those who have found work being closed off to them through a disability or illness. Currently if you can’t work your life ends and neglect becomes a permanent companion. It’s constant thought in the back of my mind, when thinking on how i,m going to stay in work.The situation we have where disability is only talked about in certain situations or specific circumstances has to end.(A conversation which only half the world’s population is participating in isn’t going to generate the opportunities and support which people need) has learning disability ever been the guest of honour at the Ritz hotel in London?but there is one ray of hope that is the European Space Agency”s Parastronaut programme.
bekindtodisability 