“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” – Martin Luther King Jr That quote has been a mantra of mine for over forty years. It was eight years after his death before I discovered it. The essence of that sentence became a way of life for me much to the chagrin of those closest to me. I am not known for my quiet servitude. I pride myself on my ability to assess a situation through a number of lenses and then take action. If it is something I consider an injustice I am never “silent”. Activism is in my DNA. If those closest to us don’t get why will anybody else? I was 14 years old when my activism career began. It was a combination of internal development ignited by external events. Fourteen is a difficult time in the developmental process of a teenager. With puberty happening and the Limbic System kicking in it is a precarious time for the development of a psychosocial persona. This isn’t restricted to kids in a hospital but something every teenager faces. In the community an angry teen can act out in many ways but you have limited options in a controlled environment like a hospital. You [...] continue the story
Sparks of Change
25. Mar, 2015 Peaks and Troughs. Ebb and Flow. However much I strive for consistency, it always seems to evade me. Partly because I guess ‘that’s life’. Partly because I seem to like to mix things up! I tend to regularly kick off new challenges. From finishing 2014 tired, living back home, and struggling with a deterioration in my disability. I’m now in a new flat, building my health back up, and fighting (tooth and nail) for improvements on my wheelchair, car, care and housing adaptions. I was lucky to spend time in Fuerteventura and Austria since the New Year began, which helped keep my spirits up for sure. Having ensured that my foundations were supporting my weaker body, and that my diary commitments are within my new limits; I’ve started building life onwards and upwards again. Finally, after 4 years of self employment, I’m earning enough regular income to breath a little easier. I won’t take things for granted, but I feel more able to buy myself a couple of non essential/materialistic treats for once! Believe me, I’ve had some dark moments and thoughts since leaving my London monthly salary in 2011. Whilst having enough money to cover the bills and to ‘live a [...] continue the story