Monday 27 January 2014

Benefits Street - It had to happen...

I’m referring to the television show, called Benefits Street.

I can assure you it wasn’t my decision to have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to be on benefits.

Before this illness, I enjoyed the freedom of earing a good salary, using my job skills to ensure I always had good employment prospects, along with a good cash inflow, a luxury car and a lovely private riverside abode.

Now I can only get one placement for part-time work. My health, home, savings, luxury cash flow and car are long gone and I live with my parents – at the age of 40.

Would you like to swap with me?

I’m not complaining about this, as I still feel nobody has a duty to give me a job, regardless of my disability.

I want to emphasise the reality of being disabled and living in Britain today – a situation I wouldn’t have chosen to be in.

I had plans and dreams of the life I was going to live before my disability and it didn't include any of the above.

I live in a London borough that has a nice welcome pack for people who are disabled.

But then there’s the reality that I have endured, particularly people and infants of all races taunting and spiting me when they see me on the street – without provocation.

I can assure you it’s hurtful and humiliating.

I prefer to walk in the road used by cars as the pavements nowadays are so uneven.

I have fallen over many times on pavements to assert that it’s better for me to do this.

This also explains why I prefer to wear a bangle on my wrist as it's the best way for me to conceal the damage caused by the falls.

This tactic was practised by the deceased actress Natalie Wood when she broke her wrist as a child star.

I’m not in a wheelchair but I get people telling me that I’m not disabled enough to qualify for help that I do need - I can't write anymore, not even my own name.

Now, I have a problem climbing the stairs before opening the door of my parents home.

I have fallen over them when I'm leaving the house too, as my legs can't take the strain of me bending my legs.

I could use the banister installed by Brent Rehab services to climb the stairs to my bedroom but now, I've fallen over these stairs many times too.

I've asked if I could make a room for myself downstairs but this isn't possible as the sliding doors that were present when my parents brought that house have long gone.

As a result, I'm heavily reliant on machines, from electronic typewriters (yes they do still exist) to more modern IPAD and the kindness of others to write things down for me.

I can assure you I AM NO SCROUNGER so please have an open mind when looking at someone on benefits, as I claim because I have no choice - THAT IS A FACT.

There are disabled people like me who want to work. The cutbacks affecting disabled people aren’t helping anyone.

I would also like to mention that I don't smoke but I have been told I should ignore the law and take (still illegal) marijuana to help my MS - I won't do this.

I don't live near a dog racing track and my local pub closed down eight months ago, so my money dosen't go to these places either.

I also send my Primark clothes to be amended by a tailor, who charges money, as they too need to eat.

None of this is displayed on Benefits Street, probably because those facts don't make good TV ratings.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A BALANCE!

Light and Peace

Andria

PS to see copies of work I've done, click here.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

I'M GLAD

I’m so glad that former German international and Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger has come out as gay.

Personally I look forward to the day when a top-flight footballer, announcing he’s gay, simply isn’t news.

Nevertheless, I’m glad that someone who clearly has guts, as Thomas has shown, has taken a step in the right direction.

So good on you, Mr Hitzlsperger, for making the decision to come out of the closet.

*******

I'm also glad that retired footballer now actor Vinnie Jones will soon be appearing in the small screen close to you.

The BBC remake of The Musketeers looks exciting, so I look forward to watching this ageless show.

Not just because of Mr V Jones - THE PRESENT DOCTOR WHO IS ALSO IN IT!

Go BBC!

*******

I only have one gripe today.

We should have a video of British performer Lewis Taylor's brilliant song, Lucky.

Yet when I go to the brilliant you-know who tube, I get nothing!


Light and Peace.

Andria

PS, to see cuttings of my other work, click here.