I’m on benefits…

Once again, there is another television  show – this time, I can’t even remember which TV network is showing it, as there are so many -  displaying people on benefits as scroungers, who don’t deserve to be a part of society.

It must be a relief to some people to display men and women on benefits, like me, in a horrible, despicable way.

I wish I can show you a picture of some of the medication I’m now taking, most of it courtesy of Holland and Barrett.

But I cannot do this, so I’ll list to you what I brought this week and why.

Busy B, with victim c-500mg.

This I take because I need the help I get from taking this. It’s timed release so it will help me maintain my health through the day.

Triple Omega 3, 6 and 9.

This I take to help maintain function of my heart, brain and vision. The triple omega is also good for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), like me.

Acidophilus, with Pectin.

The one I take has three billion active cultures. These help me have a decent internal system, as the cultures in this are the friendly bacteria, now that my own  immune system is up the spout.

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO), 1300MG.

This is also known to be good for people with MS. It’s an oil that’s helps women go about their normal lives.

Hemp seed oil

I take this as it helps me with the pain in my body, which would otherwise be constant. Once, when I ran out of this, I decided that it was too expensive to buy any more. The pain came back, so I reversed that decision pronto.

The costs of these items, as it was during their buy one, get the other at half price, is more than £100.00 which I had to get via a shop – not on NHS.

If I didn’t have MS, there is only one of these products that I would buy and that’s the EPO.

Again this product is known to favor women, from that time of the month to the menopause, so I would buy this. I admit, I was taking EPO before the MS.

Sadly, I’m not finished in buying more products for everyday use, from H&B or on prescription but I won’t mention the others, as those details are very intimate.

So please, when viewing such television shows displaying benefit  claimers, please think twice.

Light and Peace

Andria

This is unacceptable!

I feel for PhD student Sarah Metcalfe, who suffers from fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes severe pain all over her body.

Unfortunately there are bad-minded people who think nothing of the long-term consequences of their actions and will write such offensive words that were placed on her window.

Shame on the idiot for writing: 'Being fat and ugly doesn't count as disabled - park elsewhere'.

This reminds me of the abuse I still receive, on the streets and on the buses, from strangers regarding my disability.

Even when I've received a call, when I happened to be on a library computer, despite the fact that I was talking in a near whispering manner, I was still getting abuse, despite the fact that I was discussing the next stage of my multiple sclerosis treatment.

Furthermore, my conversation over the phone lasted 20 seconds. I wasn't eating or drinking at my desk.

The truth of the matter is that there will be people who will be offensive, regardless of the nature of your disability, if you’re not in a wheelchair.

Sarah rightly states: “Not every disability is visible. Just because I'm not in a wheelchair doesn't mean I’m not disabled.”

Ms Metcalfe also suffers with chronic fatigue syndrome and dizziness.

For her 13 year-old son to see that nasty note, aimed at his mum, just makes my stomach turn.

Ms Metcalfe, as you studying for a PhD shows that we are decent people, who want to contribute to society.

Light and peace

Andria

There is no need for this.

Especially in this day and age!

The Chelsea FC club doctor Eva Carneiro is employed to do a job, plain and simple.

 

There’s no need for drama about this or any old fashioned sexist remarks, unfairly aimed at her.

 

I will admit to the horrible fact that there are some women who will be happy at the insulting remarks aimed at Ms Carneiro; and not just by so-called Manchester City and Manchester United fans.

 

It’s times like these that I think of the wonderful British film, The Dammed United, about the late Brian Clough’s unsuccessful and brief time as manager at the then top-flight football team Leeds, in the 1970’s.

 

In those days, it was hard for anyone who wasn’t white and male, to work at a football club, regardless of its rank.

 

But times have changed.

 

To all women and men, we ladies are here to stay, working in and for football clubs and will continue to be apart of this dynamic industry, whether we be cleaners, stewards, serving drinks in a little black dress, football club doctors or maintaining football pitches.

 

IN OTHER WORDS, THE GENIE IS OUT OF THE BOTTLE – YOU CAN’T BUT IT BACK IN!

 

Andria

J

PS, if you want, you can visit a site of my previous cutting by clicking here.

Rest in peace, Dear Grandfather Bowen

It is with great sadness that I write this.


My granddad, Mr Carlise – yes this is the correct way to write his name, despite what the spellchecker says - Bowen, 91 years of age, died in the St Elisabeth hospital, in the Barbados parish of St Michael, on the 31st of December, 2014.

He's on the left of this picture, with noted family friend Mr Basil King.

No amount of words can describe my sadness at his death. One of the many comforts I have of him is that he was a wonderful, brilliant man, who was always a joy to be near.

Whatever the circumstances, he always knew how to bring out the best in people, young or old.

His funeral was held on Saturday 10th January, in the same district of the beautiful country Barbados.

Granddad, Mr Carlise Bowen, rest in eternal peace.

AS YOU’RE IN HEAVEN NOW, AS YOU DESERVE TO BE.

Light and Love

Your granddaughter Andria Greaves

X

Ms Billie Whitelaw, Rest in peace.

It’s with sadness that I realise that I have to say a fond farewell to a remarkable British actress, Billie Whitelaw, who died on the 21st December this year.

I was introduced to this remarkable actress in the 1990, when she played the Violet Kray, the mother of the Kray twins, who were gangsters in Britain, during the 1960s.

Ms Whitelaw’s performance helped make this film worth watching, which also shows that a good woman, like a good bottle of wine, gets stronger, appealing and inquisitive every year.

So I say it, with full admiration, many thanks Ms Whitelaw, for your years on this planet.

See just how good she was in this video, by musical group Simply Red, by clicking here.

Light and peace

Andria

CONGRATULATIONS ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND!

Being English, it’s not surprising that I’m happy at the result of yesterday’s match:

England 3 Scotland 1 - the English goals celebrations were a jolly sight to see, especially Wayne Rooney’s many cartwheels, after scoring the last goal.

Personally, I think the goal of the match was scored by Scotland’s Andy Robertson, whose goal in the 83rd minute was superb.

But I’m glad to say that the real winner of this match held in Scotland’s Glasgow – a place I would love to visit as a tourist – was the non-violence aftermath.

As of November 2014, the teams have played 112 matches; England has won 47, Scotland 41, and there have been 24 draws.

Sadly I also remember the violence that tended to go hand in hand with these matches during the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s.

I also remember the unacceptable behaviour of some, not all, of the England fans on 15 June 1996 in Wembley Stadium, when the Scottish national anthem was drowned out by the booing of so called England-supporting spectators.

So I’m pleased with the outcome of the recent match, for this was exciting. I hope will remain a shinning example for how matches should be played, regardless of whom the ‘Auld enemy’ is.

Go Great Britain!

Light, Peace and hair-grease (a must for black Afro-Caribbean women)

Andria

X

PS, to see past copies of my work, click here.

Because they’re not worth it…wrong!

Before I say anything else, so I don’t get sued, I did see the apology made by the Conservative’s Lord Freud regarding his recent comments about disabled people.

As a black woman with a disability, under no circumstances do I find his earlier comments acceptable – if anything, I find them offensive.

Saying remarks like: “because they’re not worth it” - when explaining why some disabled people should be paid less than the minimum wage, is totally unacceptable.

At the same time, many disabled people are being treated badly in England, this is including Labour and LibDem run councils, where many disabled men, women and children have been kicked off the housing list, as they’ve made a bid but then rejected a flat/home when they find it inhospitable to live in, due to their condition.

Lord Freud, a direct ancestor of Sigmund, one of the most brilliant thinkers of the 20th century, shows that intellect isn’t inherited.

But what Lord F did state is what many employers think, which helps to explain why so many disabled people find it so hard to get and maintain a job.

Even if we get a job, many of us find it hard to maintain because of the amendments we will have to make to keep it.

I’m prepared to do this, from getting to work early, to using mini-cabs and paying to get changes made to my uniform, which includes having zips placed on my shirt, as I can no longer use buttons.

However, there are issues I can’t help, such as us being badly affected by illness, that means we have no choice but to take weeks off, in order to get well.

When I am able to work, I feel that it is right that I should get the same salary as the rest of the staff.

Anything less, in my view, is unfair.

So I’m not going to give a lecture to Lord Freud, as there are issues regarding disabled people that concern me regarding all the main political parties.

*******

Please don’t attack Chloe!

I know that what her mum, television pioneer now Loose Women co-host Judy Finnigan said, regarding rape, was unnecessary but two wrongs don’t make a right.

Let me make this clear: ALL ACTS OF RAPE ARE WRONG. This includes one man forcing a sexual act on another man, without the person's consent.

So please don’t have a go at her daughter, Chloe Madeley, as she’s not responsible for her mum’s temporary moment of madness.

I still intended to sparingly watch this show, hopefully with Ms Finnigan still in it!


Light and Peace

Andria

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