tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65844202024-03-11T16:04:41.287+00:00incurable hippie's musings and rantsAbout me? Mad, disabled, in debt, feminist, radical, angry, pacifist, warrior, radio 4 listener, geek, flower-power chick...
About Hippie blog? Ramblings, photos, fury, giggles and musings about love, peace, friendship, madness, happiness, the state of the world, my life, cool pics, my health and general ranting...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger818125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-24181130574825079332013-12-16T19:06:00.000+00:002013-12-16T19:06:00.017+00:00Coping with Christmas: a survival guide for when festivities are tough<i>This post originally appeared on <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2013/12/coping_with_christmas">The F-Word</a></i>
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It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. The cheerful TV ads encourage spending and the songs blaring out from speakers in every public space tell us stories of loving families and joyful times. But for a significant number of people, Christmas is an incredibly tough time of year.
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A few years ago we published a post about the <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2009/12/the_ghosts_of_c">difficulties of getting through festivities for many survives of childhood sexual abuse</a>. Amongst other things, the writer recommends doing Christmas on your own terms: <br />
<blockquote>
There is an awful lot of societal pressure to 'do' Christmas. Even now, after years of doing it my own way, I have learned that you can never tell people you are doing NOTHING on Christmas day. They look horrified! They invite you to their home, they suggest alternatives. They can't imagine that anyone would want to opt out of the celebrations altogether. Thankfully though, I do do something, but it is so much on my own terms, and so far removed from the traditional family day that I feel more in control, and more like I'm making it my own. </blockquote>
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But it does not remove the memories.</blockquote>
It is a difficult step to take but one that can make a difference to how in control someone feels.
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Of course, there are many reasons why people dread this time of year. I talked with some other collective members, and we thought about the following groups of people, although it is not an exhaustive list:
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<ul>
<li>LGBT people who aren't out, or who are and have difficulties with family and friends accepting them;
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<li>people with a history of abuse, especially if it relates to family or the time of year;
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<li>people who are isolated or lonely;
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<li>people in fear or violent relationships;
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<li>people far from home;
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<li>people with mental health problems or who are disabled or housebound;
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<li>people in poverty;
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<li>people who have been abused within a religious or cult setting;
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<li>people who have been bereaved, especially if the bereavement happened around this time of year;
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<li>people who do not celebrate Christmas;
</li>
<li>people with eating disorders;
</li>
<li>people away from their families;
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<li>people dealing with relationship breakdown
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<li>people with alcohol addictions. </li>
</ul>
Triggers are everywhere. It is impossible to hide from the visual, audio and even sensory reminders of how you are supposed to feel, what you are supposed to be doing and who you are supposed to be with, and it can become incredibly overwhelming.
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So if you would love to be with your family on Christmas day but they don't want to see you since you came out to them, or if you want to see friends but struggle with the absence of public transport, if you would love to celebrate Christmas with your kids but simply can't afford a big feast, a twinkling tree and a pile of gifts, or if you have nobody around who you can safely spend time with, what do you do?
<b>Reach out</b>
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One man, James Gray, <a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pensioner-takes-out-advert-to-avoid-tenth-christmas-alone-29834566.html">took out a newspaper advert</a> to request company in order to avoid spending his tenth Christmas alone. Many readers commented that if they lived nearer to him they'd invite him to celebrate with them, but in fact there are Mr Grays all over the country, he is not the only person who is lonely and wants to share the day with somebody. And while taking out an ad in a newspaper may not be to everybody's taste, if you have nobody to spend the day with and you would love company, ask those around you. It can be scary because you probably don't want anyone to feel obliged, but sometimes you will find that somebody else is in the same position as you are, also looking for a friendly face to be with on the 25th.
<b>Do it your own way</b>
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Our guest blogger four years ago suggested, <br />
<blockquote>
You can also start to create your own rituals. If you want to celebrate Christmas, but not in a way that's inherently linked to a difficult childhood, then imagine what you would really like to do to celebrate, while trying to remove all society's pressures about the season from your mind. The day might start with an early morning stroll. You might write and illustrate a cartoon. You might clear out the clutter from the attic! You could also look at how other societies, cultures and religions celebrate special days, and get some alternative ideas.
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Those also work if you opt out of Christmas altogether. Once you get used to people fretting about your lack of plans, then it's all yours. You can get on with it as if it's no different from any other day, perhaps using some self-made rituals if you find yourself feeling left out of the loop.</blockquote>
<b>Work</b>
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Other people enjoy working or volunteering on the day. zohra has found it uplifting to volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen, and I have friends who do not want to 'do' Christmas so are happy to take the Christmas day shifts at their place of work, allowing colleagues to take the day off and taking the pressure off themselves because they have a 'legitimate' reason to not be at a tense family dinner or a triggering Christmas Mass.<br />
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<b>Avoid self-destruction</b>
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If you're feeling rotten it might be tempting to drink a bottle of Baileys and eat nothing but crisps, but these things will not only not fix anything they could make you feel far worse. Alcohol is a depressant and a lack of nutrients will make it harder to summon the energy to keep going, so limit the booze and try to get some vegetables into your system. Try to get the right amount of sleep, and if you are having urges to self-harm use your most effective coping strategies, reach out to somebody you trust or call a helpline to try to get through it safely.<br />
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<b>Choose your priorities</b>
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Perhaps there are certain celebrations you would love to take part in, whilst dreading other events. The <a href="http://www.diycouturier.com/post/70049302997/christmas-survival-tips-for-the-melancholic-and-the">DIY Couturier</a> recommends prioritising according to your desires, saying, <br />
<blockquote>
If you don't attend to the special seasonal thing that makes you happy, you're going to be absolutely miserable attending to the things that make others happy.</blockquote>
<b>Damage limitation: social media</b>
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Helen tries to stay off social media. She says, <br />
<blockquote>
"I just end up watching half the planet's celebrations spread liberally across the day and that really doesn't help. The only slight light in the darkness last year was running a search for "Christmas is ruined" and watching the updates. If you ever wanted to learn what class privilege and the fetish of consumerism look like in a nutshell, that'd do it"</blockquote>
I watched a similar Twitter phenomenon last year, when somebody retweeted everything they could find that included terms such as "so unfair" and "I hate my parents". It really was enlightening, depressing and hilarious, all at once. If you are likely to be checking Twitter and Facebook on the day, look out for hashtags specifically for people who are alone or struggling. <div>
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<b>Bop</b> </div>
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Are you the kind of person who can change or enhance your mood with music? Maybe schedule an hour or so of sad songs to feel thoroughly miserable to, and then up the tempo or stick on a comedy video to lift your mood. For me, good music and good comedy can make a real difference to my state of mind but you may have a different trick that is more effective for you: a great book, dancing around the room or writing a poem. Whatever it is, if it works for you, do it. </div>
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<b>Give yourself a break</b> </div>
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I am constantly amazed by my mind's ability to make a bad situation worse. If I'm already feeling fragile it can create a barrage of self-defeating mantras and vicious insults. Try to get through Christmas without adding to your distress by bombarding yourself with criticism, too. </div>
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<b>Have an escape plan</b> </div>
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If you can't get out of an event that you don't want to go to, have a clear escape plan so that, when you've had enough, you can get away. Prepare excuses for leaving, and work out in advance how you'll get home. </div>
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<b>Take pleasure where you can find it</b> </div>
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In situations that are incredibly trying we need to grab hold of anything that might help. Whether that's watching a cheesy film, finishing off a box of chocolates, reading 1,800 pages of <a href="http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/">Passive Aggressive Notes</a> or just having an afternoon nap, do what you need to do to keep your spirits up. "Thinking happy thoughts" is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jan/10/smile-or-die-barbara-ehrenreich">not an unproblematic concept</a> but, if it works for you, do some positive affirmations or lists of things you're thankful for. </div>
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Finding positives in the small things and focusing on them can help, so when Helen informed me that, "Christmas Day is four days after Midwinter Solstice so there's about an extra minute of daylight...", it did genuinely make me smile. Find things like that. </div>
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<b>This, too, shall pass</b> </div>
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While this time of year is all-consuming and overwhelming, remind yourself that it will end. Whether that, for you, will be Boxing Day or at some point in January, the festivities <b>will</b> stop and the world will eventually get back to normal. </div>
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<b>How to support friends who are struggling</b> </div>
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It might be that you are thoroughly enjoying the festive season but you're aware that some people you care about are finding it tough. One of the most helpful things you can do is not make assumptions. Asking, "are you going home for Christmas?" presumes a welcoming and happy family life, as well as access to transport, and telling someone to "treat themselves to something nice" is an unrealistic and insensitive piece of advice for the <a href="http://www.npi.org.uk/blog/income-and-poverty/many-faces-uk-poverty/">13 million people living in poverty</a> in the UK. If someone has an eating disorder, let them choose how much, if any, of a Christmas dinner they eat, and if somebody is on their own then give them a call to see how they are and have a chat. </div>
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If you love the carols and tinsel, it can be difficult to understand why Christmas is so difficult for so many people, but follow your friends' lead and offer support sensitively. </div>
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<b>Further reading</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2009/12/the_ghosts_of_c">The Ghosts of Christmas Past</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.diycouturier.com/post/70049302997/christmas-survival-tips-for-the-melancholic-and-the">Christmas Survival Tips For the Melancholic And The Infirm</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.b-eat.co.uk/get-help/about-eating-disorders/coping-at-christmas/">Eating disorders and Christmas time</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/misc/coping_with_christmas/newsid_3344000/3344517.stm">Dealing with domestic violence at Christmas (for children)</a>
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<li><a href="http://www.gransnet.com/christmas/coping-with-family-stress">Coping with family stress at Christmas (for grandparents)</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/cancer-questions/coping-with-christmas-when-you-have-cancer">Coping with Christmas when you have cancer</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/at-home/coping-with-christmas/christmas-and-autism-spectrum-disorders.aspx">Christmas and autism spectrum disorders</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cruse.org.uk/about-grief/christmas">Coping at Christmas (for bereaved people)</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/12/05/9-ideas-for-coping-with-the-holidays-when-you-have-a-mental-illness/">9 Ideas for Coping with the Holidays When You Have a Mental Illness</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/tis_the_season_for_depression.php">8 Tips for LGBT People to Lower Holiday Stress</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.actionondepression.org/sites/default/files/factsheets/Christmas-2012.pdf">Depression at Christmas - A Survival Guide</a> (PDF)</li>
</ul>
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Are there any tips or resources you would like to recommend? Let us know in the comments below.</b> </div>
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[The image is a photograph of two mockingbirds arguing. It was taken by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mocking_Bird_Argument.jpg">Chiltepinster</a> and is used under a Creative Commons licence]<br />
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incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-67915933656837900622013-06-27T10:43:00.000+01:002013-06-27T10:43:10.640+01:00Nomination for Mind Media Awards 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nominating myself for an award goes against all my self-depracating Britishness, but buoyed on by being named on the list of <a href="http://disabilityhorizons.com/2013/05/the-list-influential-disabled-people-in-modern-britain/" target="_blank">most influential people in Britain</a> I thought I would <a href="http://www.mind.org.uk/media_awards/mind_media_awards-digital_media" target="_blank">give it a go</a>.<br />
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Anyone who knows me knows that I have long-term mental health problems and this is something I write about regularly. I also produce a podcast whose<a href="http://converge.libsyn.com/01-a-place-to-explore-what-i-was-feeling-and-why-i-thought-i-was-feeling-like-that-interview-with-bipolar-blogger" target="_blank"> first episode was dedicated to mental health and stigma, in an interview with Charlotte, aka Bipolar Blogger</a>. The fact that I often write from a service user's point of view does not mean that I feel I can get away with poor research or inadequate information: I always thoroughly investigate whatever subject I am writing about.<br />
<br />
I also try to write about mental health issues in forums which are not dedicated to health or disability issues. In particular, in the past year, I have written about mental health at The F-Word feminist website and for the New Statesman:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/10/women_cant_win_" target="_blank">Women Can't Win: Mental Health in Crisis</a> (The F-Word)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2013/01/this_minimally" target="_blank">This Minimally Sane Lunatic Fights Back</a> (The F-Word)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2012/12/stigma-crisis-mental-health-fear-mongering-and-murder" target="_blank">Stigma, mental health, fear-mongering and murder</a> (The New Statesman).</li>
</ul>
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Challenging stigma is particularly important to me. The discrimination which occurs daily, and the prejudice displayed against people with mental health problems is an incredibly widespread problem and this is made worse by irresponsible reporting in the media. Making sure that I write responsibly is therefore a key priority, and in particular I take care to follow the Samaritans guidelines on writing about suicide and self-harm. I also publicise these and share them when appropriate on social media and with other writers. I also use Trigger Warnings and Content Notes when needed.</div>
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The platforms where my writing is published have considerable reach, and I expand this further by sharing the work on my <a href="http://www.twitter.com/incurablehippie" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PhilippaWrites" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://plus.google.com/118253772702117631294/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/philippawillitts" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/philippawrites/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> accounts. This social sharing means that more people are able to find and read what I write, and can in turn share it with their friends and contacts. </div>
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Being named on the Most Influential Disabled People in Britain list does demonstrate the reach and impact I have. Through my writing and social media work I have made contacts and been able to network with a wide array of people and organisations, and I particularly enjoy having the opportunity to connect with people who would be isolated without social media as a means of communication. </div>
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It is for all these reasons that I am nominating myself for the <a href="http://www.mind.org.uk/media_awards/mind_media_awards-digital_media" target="_blank">Digital Media section of the Mind Media Awards 2013</a>. I believe so strongly that reporting on mental health should be responsible and should have service user voices at its core that I follow these principles throughout my work, and it is because of these core beliefs that I am putting myself forward.</div>
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<a href="http://www.philippawrites.co.uk/freelance-writing/" target="_blank">More of my writing can be found here</a>. </div>
incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-21376515195288134352013-06-26T09:46:00.000+01:002013-06-26T09:46:01.113+01:00Converge Podcast 03 "Zines are a good place for radical hope" - Interview with Zinester Cath ElmsOn this episode of the Converge Podcast, I talk to Cath Elms, feminist and author of feminist perzine Here. In my Head.<br />
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We talk about feminism, longevity, typewriters, relating real life events to feminist theory, the zine community, how and why to start your own zine and much, much more. Enjoy!<br />
<iframe height="75" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2325445/height/75/width/450/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="450"></iframe>
<br />
<a href="http://clicktotweet.com/2n0d4" target="_blank">Say hi to Cath and Philippa on Twitter</a> - the text is populated for you but you can edit it.<br />
<br />
<strong>Show Notes</strong><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://spillthezines.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Spill the zines</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://marchingstars.co.uk/" target="_blank">Marching Stars Zine Distro</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://rebelgrrlzine.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Rebel Grrl Zine</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.catherineelms.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cath's site: catherineelms.co.uk</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://blatantblithe.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blatantblithe.wordpress.com</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.twitter.com/catherineelms" target="_blank">Cath on Twitter</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/SpillTheZines" target="_blank">Spill the Zines on Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SpillTheZines" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaFeministNetwork" target="_blank">Swansea Feminist Network on Facebook</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.vampiresushi.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vampire Sushi Distro </a></li>
</ul>
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Direct Download: <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/converge/converge_ce_zines_3.mp3">converge_ce_zines_3.mp3</a><br />
<br />
<b>Subscribe to the podcast </b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://converge.libsyn.com/rss" target="_blank">RSS</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/converge-podcast/id634534682" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/a-little-bird-told-me/converge-podcast/episode/23063230/refid/stpr" target="_blank">Stitcher Smart Radio</a></li>
</ul>
<br />incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-43027269709345480762013-06-20T09:36:00.000+01:002013-06-20T09:36:00.469+01:00Converge Podcast 02 “Once you open your eyes and see it it doesn’t go away, it gets worse” – Interview with Cath Smith of The Women’s RoomWhen two women on Twitter heard BBC Radio 4′s flagship Today programme host discussions with all-male participants, and the show said they had not been able to find any qualified women to feature, they decided to do something about it. They set up <a href="http://thewomensroom.org.uk/">The Women’s Room</a>, where over 2,000 women have signed up to register their expertise and experience.
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In this episode of the Converge Podcast I talk to one of the site’s co-founders about sexism, Twitter and women’s representation in the media.
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<iframe height="75" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2286777/height/75/width/450/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="450"></iframe>
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<b>Show Notes</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://thewomensroom.org.uk/" target="_blank">The Women's Room</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/TheWomensRoomUK" target="_blank">The Women's Room on Twitter</a></li>
</ul>
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<b>Music (Creative Commons Licences)</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Holloway Holiday by Scragfight (This is what feminism sounds like)</li>
<li>I dunno by Grapes (ccMixter)</li>
</ul>
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Direct download: <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/converge/02_Converge_The_Womens_Room.mp3">02_Converge_The_Womens_Room.mp3</a><br />
<br />
<b>Subscribe to the podcast </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://converge.libsyn.com/rss" target="_blank">RSS</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/converge-podcast/id634534682" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/a-little-bird-told-me/converge-podcast/episode/23063230/refid/stpr" target="_blank">Stitcher Smart Radio</a></li>
</ul>
incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-70508887743970015592013-06-14T09:17:00.001+01:002013-06-14T09:26:44.858+01:00Converge Podcast 01 "A place to explore what I was feeling, and why I thought I was feeling like that" - Interview with Bipolar BloggerMental health service users face regular discrimination and are misunderstood and misrepresented by public opinion and the media. In this first episode of the Converge Podcast, I talk to Charlotte Walker, also known as the Bipolar Blogger, about her experience of mental ill-health, and how she has developed her blog and social media presence. We compare notes, share similarities and offer hints and tips to anyone listening who wants to better understand the issues surrounding mental illness and stigma.<br />
<iframe height="75" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2278568/height/75/width/450/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" width="450"></iframe>
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<br />
<b>Show Notes</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mind.org.uk/">Mind</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1592407323/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1592407323&linkCode=as2&tag=purplestar1uk-21">Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir by Ellen Forney</a></li>
<li><a href="http://purplepersuasion.wordpress.com/">Charlotte's Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/BipolarBlogger">Charlotte on Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BipolarBlogger">Charlotte on Facebook</a></li>
</ul>
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<strong>Music (Creative Commons Licences)</strong><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Terminal by Drained Glory (Mansplaining on the Dancefloor</li>
<li>I dunno by Grapes (ccMixter)</li>
</ul>
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<br />
Direct download: <a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/converge/01_Converge_Bipolar_Blogger.mp3">01_Converge_Bipolar_Blogger.mp3</a>
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<br />
<b>Subscribe to the podcast </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://converge.libsyn.com/rss">RSS</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/converge-podcast/id634534682">iTunes</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/a-little-bird-told-me/converge-podcast/episode/23063230/refid/stpr">Stitcher Smart Radio</a></li>
</ul>
incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-17233184592881862472013-02-24T10:18:00.000+00:002013-02-24T16:13:30.300+00:00Inked!Hello, long-neglected blog, I have missed you! There is lots to say and update.<br />
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A year and a bit ago I became self-employed as a <a href="http://www.philippawrites.com/">freelance</a> <a href="http://www.socialmediawriter.co.uk/">writer</a>. I didn't think I was going to be able to make it work, but somehow it went from strength to strength and I do seem to be holding my own in this business.<br />
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In seemingly unrelated news, I have wanted a tattoo for 15 years. My inability to make a decision about what it should depict means I have never done it. I would make a decision and change my mind and choose something else and change my mind. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever settle on something to actually get one done.<br />
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Back to the business... when I'd done it for a year, this felt super significant. Despite illness, disability, and sometimes feeling completely like I was floundering, I'd done it. It felt really important to mark it in some way. Of course, a tattoo came to mind, but that endless question - what would it be?<br />
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My eyes came upon a sign I have had by my desk for the whole year, which had encouraged me whenever I felt like I just couldn't do this thing. It reads, "She believed she could so she did". When I needed a confidence boost, I would look at the sign and realise I could do it. Not only did it help me, but I'd also looked at it most days for a whole year and still liked it...<br />
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So there I had it, the tattoo. I had it done yesterday and I love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydxXc74FqZiM-LYmllHIhBPMe81V7YoyZ5XaHKsa6k7gr3YA2iSRjQPz0QtrOKP3znAHQHmYBX1v24HWTRvd5oOPyDRBZJzRvwTSTHO-WFK8sDeLRFC8OuLkB3R2gta8Eyoo76w/s1600/IMAG0011_BURST002_COVER-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydxXc74FqZiM-LYmllHIhBPMe81V7YoyZ5XaHKsa6k7gr3YA2iSRjQPz0QtrOKP3znAHQHmYBX1v24HWTRvd5oOPyDRBZJzRvwTSTHO-WFK8sDeLRFC8OuLkB3R2gta8Eyoo76w/s320/IMAG0011_BURST002_COVER-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Did it hurt?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Well, yes. However it was a lot, lot better than I'd imagined in that respect. It was sore, kind of like being scratched again and again and again. I wouldn't call it painful, although some spots were worse than others.<br />
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<b>Where did you have it?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
My left inner forearm. I've always known that my first tattoo would go there, for some reason. I think partly it's because when I used to self-harm, that part of my arm took the brunt of my frustrations, so this was a way to reclaim it somehow. The old scars means that the ink might not be entirely uniform, but I can live with that.<br />
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I also wanted it to be somewhere where it would be seen. I didn't want a tattoo somewhere like my back where neither I nor anybody else would ever see it, I wanted it to be visible.<br />
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<b>Any regrets?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Not even a tiny one.<br />
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<b>Who did it?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Nikk at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GoodVibrationsTattoo">Good Vibrations Tattoo</a> in Crookes, Sheffield.<br />
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<b>But what about when you're 94 and it's gross?</b><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/46161964902986574/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="550" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/b1/96/cf/b196cfb8d093f6fa19b009edd4f28a8a.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6584420" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/philippawrites/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Philippa</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-2201857905145793092012-05-23T11:18:00.000+01:002012-05-23T11:18:49.621+01:00Love SheffieldI love Sheffield. This morning I had an idea of simplicity and beauty, and created the Love Sheffield design. With encouragement from <a href="http://www.twitter.com/andlavendercats">@andlavendercats</a> I added it as a <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890720-love-sheffield?p=t-shirt">t-shirt range</a> on <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie">RedBubble</a>, including on <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890720-love-sheffield?p=kids-clothes">baby clothes</a>, then also as an <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890720-love-sheffield?p=iphone-case">iPhone case</a> and a <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890732-love-sheffield">greeting card and postcard</a>. Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890720-love-sheffield?p=t-shirt">"Love Sheffield" T-Shirts & Hoodies by incurablehippie</a>: <img src="http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.11964691.0720/fig,white,vneck,ffffff.jpg" /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890720-love-sheffield?p=iphone-case">"Love Sheffield" iPhone & iPod Cases by incurablehippie</a>:</div>
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<img src="http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.11964702.0720/ic,x350,iphone4_deflector.png" /></div>
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<style>
.adslot-overlay {position: absolute; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.65); border: 2px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.65); color: white !important; margin: 0; z-index: 2147483647; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;}.adslot-overlay-iframed {top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;}.slotname {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px 0 3px 6px; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.45); text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden;}.slotname span {text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-transform: capitalize;}.revenue {position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0; font-size: 11px; padding: 3px 0 3px 6px; vertial-align: middle; text-align: left; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.45); font-weight: bold; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap;}.revenue .name {color: #ccc;}.revenue .horizontal .metric {display: inline-block; padding-right: 1.5em;}.revenue .horizontal .name {padding-right: 0.5em;}.revenue .vertical .metric {display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;}.revenue .vertical .name, .revenue .vertical .value {display: block;}.revenue .square .metric, .revenue .button .metric {display: table-row;}.revenue .square .metric {line-height: 1.5em;}.revenue .square .name, .revenue .square .value, .revenue .button .value {display: table-cell;}.revenue .square .name {padding-right: 1.5em;}.revenue .button .name {display: block; margin-right: 0.5em; width: 1em; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: clip;}.revenue .button .name:first-letter {margin-right: 1.5em;}a.adslot-overlay:hover {border: 2px solid rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}a.adslot-overlay:hover .slotname {border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(81,132,210,0.9); background-color: rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}a.adslot-overlay:hover .revenue {border-top: 1px solid rgba(81,132,210,0.9); background-color: rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover {cursor: not-allowed; border: 2px solid rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover .slotname {border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.9); background-color: rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover .revenue {border-top: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.9); background-color: rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}
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<a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/incurablehippie/works/8890732-love-sheffield">"Love Sheffield" Greetings Cards and Postcards by incurablehippie</a>: </div>
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<img src="http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.11964709.0732/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" />
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.adslot-overlay {position: absolute; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.65); border: 2px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.65); color: white !important; margin: 0; z-index: 2147483647; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;}.adslot-overlay-iframed {top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;}.slotname {position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px 0 3px 6px; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.45); text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden;}.slotname span {text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-transform: capitalize;}.revenue {position: absolute; bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0; font-size: 11px; padding: 3px 0 3px 6px; vertial-align: middle; text-align: left; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.45); font-weight: bold; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap;}.revenue .name {color: #ccc;}.revenue .horizontal .metric {display: inline-block; padding-right: 1.5em;}.revenue .horizontal .name {padding-right: 0.5em;}.revenue .vertical .metric {display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;}.revenue .vertical .name, .revenue .vertical .value {display: block;}.revenue .square .metric, .revenue .button .metric {display: table-row;}.revenue .square .metric {line-height: 1.5em;}.revenue .square .name, .revenue .square .value, .revenue .button .value {display: table-cell;}.revenue .square .name {padding-right: 1.5em;}.revenue .button .name {display: block; margin-right: 0.5em; width: 1em; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: clip;}.revenue .button .name:first-letter {margin-right: 1.5em;}a.adslot-overlay:hover {border: 2px solid rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}a.adslot-overlay:hover .slotname {border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(81,132,210,0.9); background-color: rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}a.adslot-overlay:hover .revenue {border-top: 1px solid rgba(81,132,210,0.9); background-color: rgba(58,106,173,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover {cursor: not-allowed; border: 2px solid rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover .slotname {border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.9); background-color: rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}div.adslot-overlay:hover .revenue {border-top: 1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.9); background-color: rgba(64,64,64,0.9);}
</style></div>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-36421659082834944522012-04-04T18:26:00.002+01:002012-04-04T18:36:01.281+01:00UpdatesI was interviewed for two fab articles with <a href="http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/">Women's Views on News</a>:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2012/04/crawling-off-a-train-disability-in-the-uk-in-2012/">Crawling off a train: disability in the UK in 2012</a><br /><li><a href="http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2012/04/disability-the-cinderella-of-feminism/">Disability: the Cinderella of feminism?</a></ul><br />I also, amusingly, turned up on the <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-04-02/twitter-users-hit-out-at-tell-dave-everything-plans/">ITV News website</a> and a Canadian News site, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/04/uk-tell-dave-everything-protest-in-morning-trends.html">CBC.ca</a>, over a twitter hashtag game about the government's plans to snoop on every email we send, amongst other things.<br /><br />Some posts I've done at The F-Word:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/is_it_any_surpr">Is it any surprise?</a>, about rape culture<br /><li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/are_you_a_neigh">Are you a neighbour from hell? You might be surprised</a>, about poverty and disability.<br /><li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/03/dennis_waterman">Dennis Waterman: "It's not hard for a woman to make a man hit her"</a> about, well, about Dennis Waterman saying that.<br /><li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/03/cinderella_ate_">Cinderella Ate My Daughters</a>, about a great podcast I listened to.</ul><br /><br />Personally, things have been busy. I'm missing writing for <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com">Where's the Benefit?</a> but since the Welfare Reform Bill (oh, sorry, Act) came into law I've felt entirely powerless over it. I need to get beyond a place where every possible action seems pointless, in that respect.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-33624881070476646402012-02-22T21:34:00.002+00:002012-02-22T21:47:05.088+00:00"Got another forgery then, have you?"The last few weeks I've been on two crutches rather than one. This started when I tripped and tore a toenail off, then continued when I got new neurological symptoms in a rather large new section of my left thigh. <br /><br />While I am normally all in favour of the wonder of mobility aids, because they give people freedom and independence and, well, mobility, I get seriously less enthusiastic when I need two crutches rather than one. It means I am hurting my elbows and wrists on both arms instead of just one, it makes doing nearly anything a nightmare. I have to ask for help a lot more, it hurts, I hate it.<br /><br />If it turns out to be long-term I'll just have to get the hang of it, but in the meantime, I'm seriously unimpressed. <br /><br />This morning I got on the bus. It's a local service where it tends to be the same drivers most of the time, so I know some of them. Today, on spotting that I had two crutches and not one, a driver I know reasonably well said, "got another forgery then, have you?", and laughed.<br /><br />It was banter. That bloody word. Can't I take a joke? <br /><br />On top of feeling distinctly unimpressed with the two crutch situation already, this idiot added a whole other layer of fed-up-ness to the mix. For the rest of the day I felt self-conscious. Do all these people think I'm faking? <br /><br />If he had thought about it, even for a millisecond, he would perhaps have realised that an increase in the number of crutches perhaps corresponded with a deterioration in my health. He would perhaps have realised that I might not be overjoyed about that. <br /><br />Today was so painful. My arms are completely wrecked, and my right hand is considerably worse than usual. I don't know if that is a progression of the condition, or just a reaction to too much crutch use today. <br /><br />It's not funny. It's not banter. It's thoughtless and fucking cruel, if you take even a second to think about it.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-73596056937589613172012-02-20T20:49:00.000+00:002012-02-20T20:49:00.381+00:00Gay marriage is really very scaryA terrified umbrella group has been set up who believe that because of the gays, that teetering, vulnerable institution which is heterosexual marriage, is under threat. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPy6P0-EXXmH1ALwNL2jYOfhoADNU03ZxU8W8I_0NCVDoEyLQklb0Z_61FriHO23QWRiKCjnuGUNB2O322apU361v-VB4YyB-SkJoArZO2pjPFjfjtdT91krgZ_Cuhwa8Zd05dw/s1600/Coalition+For+Marriage-115900.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPy6P0-EXXmH1ALwNL2jYOfhoADNU03ZxU8W8I_0NCVDoEyLQklb0Z_61FriHO23QWRiKCjnuGUNB2O322apU361v-VB4YyB-SkJoArZO2pjPFjfjtdT91krgZ_Cuhwa8Zd05dw/s400/Coalition+For+Marriage-115900.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711199451169872530" /></a><br /><br />Warning of the Profound Consequences of legalising same sex marriage, the <a href="http://c4m.org.uk/">Coalition for Marriage</a> fear that, "if marriage is redefined, those who believe in traditional marriage will be sidelined". They also, somewhat inexplicably, warn that "People's careers could be harmed, couples seeking to adopt or foster could be excluded". Because presumably, if the gays can marry, this will cause widespread redundancies and it will mean that social services will no longer accept heterosexual married couples as potential adopters or foster carers. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zrtMrmA2aADegl0rLqVTrFk2KANYkOnp8ZDHLN7oHfZ2g8MD9W_IO6H8FE4KrwELu720sx-FjSZoL8T0TQjwmqh7GiAtpdutFqQAdIfAYNnPWXwNKuq7z3mlqlmMM9VhOVlukA/s1600/slippery_slope_color.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zrtMrmA2aADegl0rLqVTrFk2KANYkOnp8ZDHLN7oHfZ2g8MD9W_IO6H8FE4KrwELu720sx-FjSZoL8T0TQjwmqh7GiAtpdutFqQAdIfAYNnPWXwNKuq7z3mlqlmMM9VhOVlukA/s400/slippery_slope_color.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711199187932012786" /></a><br /><br />Following is that infamous slippery slope, "If marriage is redefined once, what is to stop it being redefined to allow polygamy?". I'm surprised they didn't carry on to the usual "or what is to stop people marrying their pets?". Are the Coalition for Marriage so fearful that if same sex relationships get equal rights, heterosexual people will abandon traditional marriage in droves, to marry their gay best friend instead?<br /><br />The Coalition for Marriage are running a petition which, they say, "demonstrates that there is broad public opposition to redefining marriage". They may have jumped the gun with this statement, as the 'broad public support' currently stands at 124 signatories, the vast majority of whom are Bishops, Rectors, members of the General Synod of the Church of England, vicars, Ministers and Pastors. Three Labour MPs and four Conservative MPs <a href="http://c4m.org.uk/signatures/">have also signed</a>, but the people who have signed can be considered to be neither numerous nor broad in range at this stage.<br /><br />They begrudgingly promote Civil Partnerships as justification for now allowing same sex marriage, before pointing out that "It's not discriminatory to support traditional marriage", going on to say, "People should not feel pressurised to go along with same-sex marriage just because of political correctness. They should be free to express their views". So, I'm expressing my views.<br /><br />Quite why allowing same sex people to marry fills these people with such dread is not something I can understand. If I marry a girlfriend, it doesn't have to be karmically balanced out by a straight couple getting divorced. Heterosexual marriage is one of the most established institutions in the whole world - just what do they imagine might happen if I could join in? It's almost flattering that they think equal marriage rights would be such a powerful move that the entire heteropatriarchal institution would be under immediate threat. I would be quite happy if it would, but I fear it is overestimating what two men or two women getting married would actually mean.<br /><br />(Clue, it would mean they were married, then got on with their lives like everyone else)<br /><br />The Coalition are asking for people to sign up to the following statement, <blockquote>I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it.</blockquote> Personally, I support the rights of same sex couples to marry, and of mixed sex couples to get a Civil Partnership.<br /><br />Mind you, having just watched this video, maybe the Coalition for Marriage is right: gay marriage could in fact end humanity.<br /><br /><center><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NrSkmpHp_T0?version=3&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NrSkmpHp_T0?version=3&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center><br /><br />In all seriousness, however, many people struggle greatly with the inability to commit to marriage within their relationships. A video of Kitty Lambert in New York expresses powerfully just how ridiculous the current laws are. <br /><br /><center><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V5t233AUh8s?version=3&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V5t233AUh8s?version=3&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center><br /><br />You can see the full-length version of that video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4oYQvi8VZM">here</a>.<br /><br /><strong>[The first image is a screenshot of the Coalition for Marriage website. The second is a cartoon from <a href="http://leftycartoons.com/slippery-slopes/">Lefty Cartoons</a>, used under a Creative Commons Licence. Hat tip to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bhiggi">@bhiggi</a> for helping me to find the second video. This post originally appeared at <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/gay_marriage_is">The F-Word</a>]</strong>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-17251709986043700232012-02-20T10:33:00.000+00:002012-02-20T10:33:35.906+00:00SchtuffSome things I have written elsewhere but have not cross-posted here for one reason or another.<br /><br />Most excitingly, I wrote in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/08/disabled-people-abuse-peoples-panel?INTCMP=SRCH">The Guardian Comment is Free</a> about getting abuse for being disabled.<br /><br />And at The F-Word I vow to <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/11/exceptional_exc">refuse to attend events with an all-male line-up on the panel</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/12/gauge_your_vict">Gauge Your Victim-Blaming</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/01/privacy_and_pre">Privacy and Prejudice</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/when_is_an_affa">When is an affair not an affair? (Trigger warning)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/fat_ill_dont_yo">Shocked Headline as Fat Disabled Woman Has Fun</a>.<br /><br />I have other big news which I will update the blog with as soon as I can!incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-57922034311871878072011-12-22T22:29:00.002+00:002011-12-22T22:33:35.749+00:00Adult SleepwalkingI sleepwalked last night. It is something I have started doing this year, for reasons unknown. It is horrible, and I wake up too freaked out to get back to sleep. I'm writing this because it's bedtime again and I'm scared now.<br /><br />It's not even just sleepwalking. Last night I got to sleep about 2.30am. I woke up at 4. I was downstairs, and had sleepwalked. Not just that. I woke up vomiting, because I had eaten tonnes of food in my sleep. I have no idea where my glasses are (I have spares now, thankfully, mainly because of this very thing). <br /><br />I woke up vomiting over myself, after 1.5 hours sleep, because I had eaten so much. In my sleep. <br /><br />It is foul, I hate it, it scares me.<br /><br />Can't imagine this post will stay up long, because it's all quite humiliating. But maybe writing it down will help me to freak out less in anticipation of sleeping tonight.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-68460915174702382352011-12-19T12:57:00.002+00:002011-12-19T13:11:01.781+00:00Subscribe to hippie blog on KindleIn exciting news, as well as subscribing <a href="http://incurable-hippie.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">by RSS feed</a>, you can also now subscribe to incurable hippie blog on your Kindle!<br /><br /><center><iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=incurabhippie-21&o=2&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B006N5IE8Q" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=incurabhippie-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B006N5IE8Q" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></center><br /><br />As far as I can tell it is only available <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006N5IE8Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=incurabhippie-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B006N5IE8Q">in the UK</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006N5IE8Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=incurabhippie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006N5IE8Q">the US</a>.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-77551983438254317432011-12-04T19:52:00.000+00:002011-12-04T19:52:00.117+00:00You're Frightening Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YkyXEcL_1CG9JmfghyQ8D1vcFSR5u3jub2lXp69kw7IWwh5nTDg5lOq9NdQYRLCp_tdz0YzB_BVE3zmw_SgwY7WbWVcMnScRWh3lEag345EBAIfKCAgHFkh0tisPin6In-S9LA/s1600/fear+more+hope+less.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YkyXEcL_1CG9JmfghyQ8D1vcFSR5u3jub2lXp69kw7IWwh5nTDg5lOq9NdQYRLCp_tdz0YzB_BVE3zmw_SgwY7WbWVcMnScRWh3lEag345EBAIfKCAgHFkh0tisPin6In-S9LA/s320/fear+more+hope+less.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682275474793585650" /></a> It started with <a href="http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2011/12/01/on-being-demonized-a-disabled-38-degrees-members-perspective/">a blog post</a>, where David Gillon challenged 38 degrees about why, despite a disability benefit cuts campaign receiving lots of votes, it never reached the 'call to action' stage. <br /><br />Then there was an article (<a href="http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/03122011/58/gb-storey-wins-able-bodied-gold.html">now amended</a>) which described an athlete's move from Paralympic to Olympic competition as a "move up". <br /><br />I then read in <a href="http://jezebel.com/5863635/the-awesome-sex-worker-who-loves-disabled-clients">Jezebel</a> about a sex worker who is <em>awesome</em> because she works with disabled clients, which apparently makes her <em>intriguing</em>. <br /><br />And I started to wonder, what do you think of us? Of me? In these three stages, the mainstream, and the left-wing, tell me that I am inferior, and I am other. So very, very other.<br /><br />Then <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/12/not-ok-triggerwarning.html">Lisa Egan wrote a post (trigger warning)</a> about suicide, and her despair at the lack of support from even campaigning organisations, and I still, somehow, didn't cry.<br /><br />Then, finally, the article that did make me cry, in which I learned that <a href="http://www.4-traders.com/BT-GROUP-PLC-4003616/news/BT-GROUP-PLC-Two-Thirds-avoid-disabled-people-13916624/">2/3 of people avoid disabled people</a> because they don't know how to act around us. In addition, <blockquote>A third of those questioned demonstrated hardened negative attitudes towards the disabled. Reasons cited for this ranged from disabled people being seen as a burden on society (38%), ill feeling around the perceived extra support given to disabled people (28%), and the personal worries and sensitivities which rise to the fore during a recession (79%).</blockquote> It went on, <blockquote>Some 60% of Britons admit to staring at disabled people because they are different, with more than half of people (51%) admitting they feel uncomfortable when they meet a disabled person for the first time, with more men (54%) admitting to being uncomfortable compared to women (50%).</blockquote> At a time when cuts are <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/search/label/suicide">actually killing disabled people</a>, we are also experiencing more negative attitudes, perceptions of being a burden, an additional cost, especially during a recession. How very inconsiderate of us to not wait to attain crippled status until the economy is fixed. <br /><br />If you're questioning whether this is a feminist issue, then the point is being missed. I am a woman who 38% of people polled consider to be a burden. I am a woman who 2/3 of people polled admit to avoiding for reasons of prejudice. I am a woman who 50% of <em>women</em> polled admitted to being uncomfortable to meet. I am a woman who is witnessing her friends become more and more afraid to leave the house, for fear of government- and Daily Mail-inspired abuse in the street. I've experienced it myself. <br /><br />There are so many issues at the moment which are putting us all into a state of crisis. This is one of many: people are starting to frighten me. Is the person I'm talking to one of the 38%? Or the 50% Or the 65%? <br /><br />Given that <a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/213401.html">women are the hardest hit</a> by spending cuts, and <a href="http://thehardesthit.wordpress.com/">disabled people are the hardest hit</a> by spending cuts, disabled women are being overlooked, avoided, resented, marginalised and othered. It takes non-disabled people, at this stage, to make some of the changes that need to happen. <br /><br />(Cross-posted at <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/12/youre_frighteni">The F-Word</a> and <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/">Where's the Benefit?</a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">[The image is a photograph of handmade print next to one of the stencils. They read "FEAR MORE HOPE LESS". The photograph and artwork are by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/benmurphyonline/5792425250/in/photostream/">Ben Murphy</a> and are used under a Creative Commons Licence]</span>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-32240472237826727292011-11-20T20:51:00.002+00:002011-11-20T20:51:00.200+00:00Divide and rule works both ways<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cXZQ9kGNUjtTN5V2USNLnu36XrZypnXfLNzjPGmdXUuFywtcK8ROzmGJNbSP3vBvFfF85z3QGbylzRZ00wiX7YVu85SPs03QWsYrTWJQD_95qjTSjZRn6tHMWxuj921NTvHPew/s1600/21686590_a821f3c026_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cXZQ9kGNUjtTN5V2USNLnu36XrZypnXfLNzjPGmdXUuFywtcK8ROzmGJNbSP3vBvFfF85z3QGbylzRZ00wiX7YVu85SPs03QWsYrTWJQD_95qjTSjZRn6tHMWxuj921NTvHPew/s320/21686590_a821f3c026_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677122593581352802" /></a> When I <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/10/we_are_the_49">complained about Julian Assange speaking at Occupy LSX</a>, I was told I was being divisive. When I drew attention to zohra moosa and Chitra Nagarajan's <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/zohramoosa/status/135384703007080448">experiences</a> of <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/zohramoosa/status/135384909576548353">racism</a> at the <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/zohramoosa/status/135388538144428032">same occupy camp</a>, I was also told I was being divisive. Complaining about the Labour Party, about the Lib Dems, about rapes at other Occupy camps, about inaccessible feminist meetings, and about issues being ignored under the heading of #solidarity, all get me called divisive.<br /><br />The idea is that if you complain about something, you risk dividing the movement, at which point the opposition - be it the patriarchy, the 'right', the rich, the government - can move in and rule. And I understand this concern. When a movement is struggling for a voice, the last thing it needs is the people within it arguing amongst themselves, instead of against the people they are uniting to fight.<br /><br />However, there comes a point when supporting a movement whose ideology or aims you broadly agree with becomes one painful compromise too many. And if you speak up, the 'divisive' accusations pour forth. But in my daily, lived experience, the division does not come from me raising awareness, the problem comes from the issues arising in the first place.<br /><br />Because if I cannot physically get into your occupy camp, it is not me who has divided the movement. There is a very literal division between the non-disabled people who can get in, and the disabled people who can't. And because if there have been rapes at your occupy camp, or your occupy camp produces a document telling anyone who is raped at the camp to not go to the police, it is not me who divides the movement by drawing attention to it, it is those who rape, and those who attempt to suppress legal redress against rapists who cause a division. And because if disabled people who can't leave the house spend hours and days and weeks live tweeting events to take part in, and raise awareness of, a demonstration, and then those same disabled people actually <em>plead</em> with the protesters to add benefit and social care cuts to their banners and chants, and are ignored at every turn, the division is being created by them, not me.<br /><br />I understand that in a broad movement, gathered together ideologically but not always agreeing, compromises will need to be made. I am becoming less and less understanding, however, about how often the white, heterosexual, cis, non-disabled men are asked to compromise, in comparison to the rest of us. Because being called divisive is sometimes very similar to being silenced.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This was originally posted at <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/11/divisive_works_both_ways">The F-Word</a>.</span><br /><br /><strong>[The image is a black and white close-up photograph of a person's mouth, with piercing, with a finger held up against it in a 'shush' position. It was taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko_an/21686590/in/photostream/">Ko_An</a> and is used under a Creative Commons Licence]</strong>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-5934066057656881082011-11-19T12:22:00.001+00:002011-11-19T12:24:49.204+00:00Today I will mostly be listening to<object width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://freemusicarchive.org/swf/playlistplayer.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="playlist=http://freemusicarchive.org/services/playlists/embed/album/10400.xml"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="sameDomain"/><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://freemusicarchive.org/swf/playlistplayer.swf" width="300" height="250" flashvars="playlist=http://freemusicarchive.org/services/playlists/embed/album/10400.xml" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" /></object><br /><br /><a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/CSC_Funk_Band/">CSC Funk Band</a> via <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/">freemusicarchive.org</a>.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-67048183101372288192011-11-18T18:53:00.000+00:002011-11-18T18:53:00.192+00:00Procrastination Podcast and Book<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNCa2PhP_8J4SEZax_h-ikHLyMGgY4bX0SEiNNZj1O3K5WLUqq5yZEgedwjivScPCYDg_UThcf1bgv9ZFSeQgltEapY2j1o21JdWeqYpvQt4d8MajVpjQ22Vhd1w2SVNUosjOXg/s1600/clocks.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNCa2PhP_8J4SEZax_h-ikHLyMGgY4bX0SEiNNZj1O3K5WLUqq5yZEgedwjivScPCYDg_UThcf1bgv9ZFSeQgltEapY2j1o21JdWeqYpvQt4d8MajVpjQ22Vhd1w2SVNUosjOXg/s320/clocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676043551568583090" /></a> Anyone who knows me knows that I am a chronic procrastinator. In an effort to improve this really stressful trait in my life I have been reading up and studying all about it, and one of the best resources I have found is the <a href="http://iprocrastinate.libsyn.com/">iProcrastinate Podcast</a>. I have been listening to the whole back catalogue over the last couple of months, and trying to implement some of the strategies that Dr. Tim Pychyl recommends and explains.<br /><br />Since my year in France, as part of my degree, I've always wondered why French people apparently do not procrastinate. They don't even have a word for it (dictionary said, "faire quelquechose demain qu'on devrait faire aujourd'hui" - do something tomorrow that you should do today). So, as Tim sometimes answers listener queries on his podcast, I decided to email him. To my very pleasant surprise, he responded quickly and has now <a href="http://iprocrastinate.libsyn.com/webpage/procrastination-across-cultures">made a podcast episode all about it</a>.<br /><br />I am very much looking forward to listening to it, and you should go listen too! Go on, it'll be good, I promise.<br /><br />Tim has also written an awesome book, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1453528598/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=incurabhippie-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1453528598">The Procrastinator's Digest</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=incurabhippie-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1453528598" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />, (also <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003U8ACTS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=incurabhippie-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B003U8ACTS">on Kindle for only a few pennies over £2!</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=incurabhippie-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B003U8ACTS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />) and you can see <a href="http://www.procrastinatorsdigest.com/pages/table_of_contents.html">his website here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">[The image is a photomosaic of 36 clocks. It was taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/3546392439/in/photostream/">Leo Reynolds</a> and is used under a Creative Commons Licence]</span>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-16384800575795321052011-11-17T18:32:00.001+00:002011-11-17T18:33:52.662+00:00Disability and Sexuality ResourcesI have been doing some research on sex and disability, and thought I would share some of the links I have found. This will be useful for me in the future as a resource, and hopefully to others too.<br /><br /><ul><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Disability and Sex General Links</span><br /><li><a href="http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/disability_dharma_what_including_learning_from_disability_can_teach_everyone_about_sex">Disability Dharma: What Including & Learning From Disability Can Teach (Everyone) About Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/disabled/how-to-meet-date-and-have-sex-when-youre-disabled/menu-id-66/">How to Meet, Date and Have Sex When You're Disabled</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/sexual-pleasure-the-disabled-adult">Sexual Pleasure & the Disabled Adult</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/disability-and-body-image">Disability and Body Image</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/disabled/sex-and-disability/menu-id-66/">Sex and Disability</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/good-sex-positions-for-disabled-sex">Good Sex Positions for Disabled Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/media/Corey_Silverberg_sex_sexual_positions_disability">Let's Get Physical</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/disability-and-orgasm-your-orgasmic-potential">Disability and Orgasm: Your Orgasmic Potential</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/practical-sex-tips">Practical Sex Tips for Disabled People</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.scarleteen.com/article/politics/no_big_deal_sex_disability">No Big Deal: Sex & Disability</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/2.html">Self-Advocates Speak Up About Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/disability/p/disability_sex1.htm">Sexuality and Disability Myths and Facts</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/disabled/disabled-and-no-sexual-pleasure/menu-id-66/">Disabled and No Sexual Pleasure</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/16.html">Sex, Disability and the DSP: Ethically Supporting Sexual Choices</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sex_and_disability/a/disability.htm">Sex and Disability: Impacts of Disability on Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/10.html">Sexual Expression for Adults with Disabilities: The Role of Guardianship</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/disability_and_sexual_activity.asp">Disability and Sexual Activity: The Mechanics of it All</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/contraception-with-disabilities">Contraception for People with Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/disabled/disabled-discovering-your-sexual-self/menu-id-66/">Disabled? Discovering Your Sexual Self</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/practical-suggestions/lesbian-gay-bisexual">Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/disabled/talking-about-sensitive-topics/menu-id-66/">Talking About Sensitive Topics</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/personal-relationships-and-people-physical-disabilities">Personal Relationships and People with Physical Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/female-sexual-dysfunction/physical-problems/menu-id-66/">Physical Problems and Female Sexual Dysfunction</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/talking_about_disability_hints.asp">Talking about Disability on a Date</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/lovers-with-disabilities-become-liberated-with-tantric-sex">Lovers with Disabilities Become Liberated with Tantric Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/my-partner-is-scared-to-try">My Partner is Scared to Try</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/getting_assistance.asp">Getting Assistance: Having Sex and Using Your Sex Toy</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/physical-disability-and-sexual-intercourse">Physical Disability and Sexual Intercourse</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/15.html">A Sexuality Policy That Truly Supports People with Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/two-lovers-with-disabilities-need-help">Two Lovers With Disabilities Need Help</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/how_to_when_youre_disabled.asp">How to Meet, Date and "Do It" When You're Disabled</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/docs/sex_disabilitywebliog.pdf">Sex and Disability Webliography</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexpeopleprofiles/a/eli_clare.htm">Eli Clare - Challenging Our Differences</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Sex, Disability and Young People</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/sex-education-physically-disabled-teenagers">Sex Education for Physically Disabled Teenagers</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.cafamily.org.uk/pdfs/GrowingUpTeachers.pdf">Growing Up: A teachers's guide to Sex and Relationships Education for Young People with Physical Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/sex-and-your-child">Sex and Your Child with a Disability</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies/archiveuk/change/final%20report%20read%20copy.pdf">Talking about sex and relationships: the views of young people with learning disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.albany.edu/aging/IDD/docs.htm">Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh/Articles/SexualitPersondDisabilities.html">Sexuality and Persons with Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/3.html">Sexuality Meets Intellectual Disability: What Every Parent Should Know</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/assets/files/pdf/Sexuality_and_CF_adolescentsE.pdf">Sexuality and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adolescents</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Medications and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualsideeffects/a/sexsideeffects.htm">Sexual Side Effects of Medications: How prescription and OTC medications can have sexual side effects</a><br /><a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/sex/female-sexual-dysfunction/variables-affecting-female-sexual-function/menu-id-66/page-3/">Effects of Medications on Female Sexual Response</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualsideeffects/a/researchsideffe.htm">Researching Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualsideeffectprofile1/Sexual_Side_Effects_of_Prescription_Medications.htm">Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualsideeffects/ht/managesideeffec.htm">How To Manage Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualsideeffects/a/physicalsideeff.htm">Physical Sexual Side Effects of Medications</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Disability and Sex Toys</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/disability/tp/adaptsextoys.htm">Top 10 Ideas on Adapting Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/making-sex-toys-accessible/">Making Sex Toys Accessible</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/sex-toys-and-disability">Sex Toys and Disability</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/sex_toys_and_disabilities.asp">Disability and Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/research-before-adapting-sex-toys/">Research Before Adapting Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sex_and_disability/a/Accessible-Sex-Toys.htm">Accessible Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-toys-for-decreased-sensation/">Adapting Toys for Decreased Sensation</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-toys-for-increased-sensation/">Adapting Toys for Increased Sensation</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/disability/qt/fatigue.htm">Fatigue and Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-toys-for-mobility-and-motor-control/">Adapting Toys for Mobility and Motor Control</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/paraplegic-sex-and-quadriplegic-sex-good-vibrations">Paraplegic Sex and Quadriplegic Sex: Good Vibrations</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-sex-toys-for-privacy/">Adapting Sex Toys for Privacy</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/adaptingsextoystips/a/sex_toy_access.htm">Sex Toy Accessibility Checklist</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-sex-toys-for-fatigue/">Adapting Sex Toys for Fatigue</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/sex-toys-and-allergies/">Sex Toys and Allergies</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Fatigue and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/sex_and_disability/a/Sex-And-Fatigue.htm">Sex and Fatigue: How Do You Stay Sexual When You Have No Energy for Sex?</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/fatigue">Sex and Fatigue</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2011/05/16/your-sex-drive-with-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm">Your Sex Drive With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/disability/qt/fatigue.htm">Fatigue and Sex Toys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.stanleyducharme.com/resources/sex_fatigue_depress.htm">Sex, Fatigue and Depression</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/sex-tips/sex-and-disability/adapting-sex-toys-for-fatigue/">Adapting Sex Toys for Fatigue</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Multiple Sclerosis and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/multiple-sclerosis-ms-symptoms-sex">Multiple Sclerosis & Sex</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ms.about.com/od/forfriendsandfamily/f/husband_ms_sex.htm">My husband has MS and doesn't like sex anymore. Why?</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ms.about.com/od/forfriendsandfamily/f/ms_wife_sex.htm">My wife has MS and doesn't want to have sex anymore. Why not and what can I do?</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/multiple-sclerosis/managing-symptoms/sexual-problems.htm">Multiple Sclerosis and Sexual Problems</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ms.about.com/od/livingwellwithms/a/sex_tips_men.htm">Top 10 Sex Tips for Men with Multiple Sclerosis</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/sex-and-ms">Sex and Multiple Sclerosis</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Arthritis and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://arthritis.about.com/cs/sex/a/lovesexarth.htm">Love, Sex and Arthritis</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.orthop.washington.edu/PatientCare/OurServices/Arthritis/Articles/SexandArthritis.aspx">Sex and Arthritis</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Spinal Cord Injury and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/article/abc%E2%80%99s_sex_after_spinal_cord_injury">The ABCs of Sex After Spinal Cord Injury</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/orgasm.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Orgasm</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/fertility.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Fertility, Childbirth and Contraception</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/sexbehavior.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Sexual Behaviour and Activity</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/best-sex-positions-for-spinal-cord-injured-women">Best Sex Positions for Spinal Cord Injured Women</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/article/users_guide_paralyzed_penis_sex_after_spinal_cord_injury">User's Guide to the Paralyzed Penis: Sex after Spinal Cord Injury</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/paraplegic-sex-and-quadriplegic-sex-good-vibrations">Paraplegic Sex and Quadriplegic Sex: Good Vibrations</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/erections.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Erections</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/ejaculation.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Ejaculation, Orgasm and Coitus</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://calder.med.miami.edu/pointis/sexdrive.html">Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Sexual Drive and Activity</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/intercourse_pleasure_with_a_spinal_cord_injury">Intercourse & Pleasure With a Spinal Cord Injury</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/sexuality-and-fertility-impact-on-men-with-sci">Sexuality and Fertility - Impact on Men with SCI</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/sexuality-and-fertility-impact-on-women-with-sci">Sexuality and Fertility - Impact on Women with SCI</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Cancer and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/cancer-and-sex">Cancer and Sex: How Cancer Affects Your Sex Life</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/c">Intimacy and Sexuality for cancer patients and their partners</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Diabetes and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/sad">Sex and Diabetes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/diabetes-does-it-have-to-doom-your-sex-life">Diabetes and Sex: Does It Have to Doom Your Sex Life?</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sexuality.about.com/od/disability/a/sexdiabetes.htm">Sexuality and Diabetes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/erectile-dysfunction-treatments-for-patients-with-diabetes">Erectile Dysfunction Treatments for Patients with Diabetes</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Fibromyalgia and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/fibromyalgia-and-your-sex-life">Fibromyalgia and Your Sex Life</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Parkinson's Disease and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/parkinsons-disease-and-your-sex-drive">Parkinson's Disease and Your Sex Drive</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/parkinsons-disease-and-sex">Parkinson's Disease and Sex</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >ALS / Lou Gehrig's Disease and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.disaboom.com/sexuality-and-disability/als-your-sex-life">ALS & Your Sex Life</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Learning Disabilities and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies/archiveuk/change/final%20report%20read%20copy.pdf">Talking about sex and relationships: the views of young people with learning disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/pld-leaflet">Sex and Learning Disabilities</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/232/3.html">Sexuality Meets Intellectual Disability: What Every Parent Should Know</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ostomy and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/sex-and-ostomy">Sex and the Person with an Ostomy</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Continence and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.outsiders.org.uk/leaflets/continence-and-sex">Continence and Sex</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Cystic Fibrosis and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/assets/files/pdf/Sexuality_and_CF_adolescentsE.pdf">Sexuality and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adolescents</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/assets/files/pdf/Sexuality_and_Fertility_AdultE.pdf">Sexuality, Fertility and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adults</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Back Pain and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://backandneck.about.com/od/sexuality/tp/sextips.htm">Sex Tips for Back Pain Sufferers</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://backandneck.about.com/od/sexuality/tp/enjosexhelpback.htm">Ways to Enjoy Sex While Helping Your Back</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Sex</span><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accpc.ca/Speak_Up/Speak_Up_Brochure.pdf">Promoting Healthy Sexuality and Safeguarding in Youth who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accpc.ca/Speak_Up/resources-sex_health_ed_aac.htm">Sexual Health Education for AAC Users - Speak Up Findings</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accpc.ca/Speak_Up/resources-promoting_healthy.htm">Promoting Healthy Sexuality and Safeguarding in Youth who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accpc.ca/Speak_Up/resources-sexhealthk&saac.htm">Sexual Health: Knowledge and Skills for People who Use AAC</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accpc.ca/Speak_Up/resources-sexhlthissuesaac.htm">Sexual Health Issues for People who Use AAC</a><br /><br /></li></ul>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-46877577896554272362011-11-15T12:58:00.001+00:002011-11-15T13:00:19.586+00:00A well-loved man.Earlier this year, a friend of several of my friends died. He was young, and the circumstances were tragic and, at the time, somewhat newsworthy. But the news media can all too easily lose sight of the very real grief and sadness surrounding someone's death, by getting caught up in the 'story'.<br /><br />Some months later, and this 'story' has re-appeared in the local news, because his inquest has taken place. The real loss facing his friends and family has been overlooked in favour, yet again, of sensationalised details of his death.<br /><br />Because he died by suicide, even more care than usual should be taken when reporting his death. According to the Press Complaints Commission's Editors' Code of Practice, "When reporting suicide, care should be taken to avoid excessive detail about the method used.". This is also backed up by the Samaritans, who say that <blockquote>certain types of suicide reporting are particularly harmful and can act as a catalyst to influence the behaviour of people who are already vulnerable.[...] Research suggests that media portrayal can influence suicidal behaviour and this may result in an overall increase in suicide and/or an increase in uses of particular methods.</blockquote> They also specifically advise the media to "Avoid explicit or technical details of suicide in reports". <br /><br />On a more personal level, this man's friends and family are devastated at his loss. In particular, it is felt that reports like the one in today's Star not only dramatise a tragic situation, they also ignore that this was a person who was loved, and whose life amounted to so much more than what was portrayed. In addition, the mention of his child is worded in such a way that his friends are concerned that this could cause her to blame herself for his death when she is older. <br /><br />This man died because of depression, and responsible reporting should include information on how people who are feeling depressed can seek help. Ethical reporting should refrain from including unnecessary, distressing details of his last moments. And respectful reporting should take into account the feelings of those who loved him, who will read this news report with a pain that is difficult to describe, but devastating to experience.<br /><br />I did not know this man, but have seen similar newspaper reports on the suicides of two of my friends, so I know this pain well.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-69057631200661404932011-11-14T00:21:00.001+00:002011-11-15T00:22:36.473+00:00Disabled people occupy the UK / Occupy Sheffield access info<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz-u3jjOMb1srchL2326YKx3EPZIoUzrElS4bkCqZquKeilpl6Xc3wLR-pMrOC4O-JI9oM_xoguAvIAvWBqpxVblDhosJE2vr6MFl-v1pAHqg_SQOrWvNkc37eFl4geHeoiC36g/s1600/6343941771_6c53a65dd7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz-u3jjOMb1srchL2326YKx3EPZIoUzrElS4bkCqZquKeilpl6Xc3wLR-pMrOC4O-JI9oM_xoguAvIAvWBqpxVblDhosJE2vr6MFl-v1pAHqg_SQOrWvNkc37eFl4geHeoiC36g/s320/6343941771_6c53a65dd7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675010384134513954" /></a> While I hadn't been able to <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/10/disabled-people-occupy-uk.html">join an occupation on a Sunday</a>, I went to my local occupation this afternoon and spent an hour or so there drinking tea and putting the world to right. What follows is not an in-depth access survey, but is rather the impression I got, based on the information I was told or observed.<br /><br />The Sheffield Occupation is in front of the Cathedral, so trams and buses stop nearby. It is on a flat courtyard and while there are some steps to access it from some directions, there are sloped alternatives alongside them. <br /><br />The Occupy Sheffield has one portaloo, which is not accessible. The local <a href="http://www.sheffieldquakers.org.uk/node/7">Quaker Meeting House</a> is offering the occupiers use of their toilets, and they do have wheelchair accessible toilets on each floor (with lift access to each floor). Once they close from 9pm - 9am, use of the portaloo begins, excluding many disabled people from using it.<br /><br />The closest <a href="http://www.changing-places.org/find_a_toilet/location_search_results/10/distance.aspx?address=sheffield,uk#map">Changing Places toilets</a> to the site are at Sheffield Town Hall and at Ponds Forge Sports Centre. <br /><br />They have generators for electricity, but try to only use these at night. They also have gas heat, which is basic. If you need electrical power for any of your equipment, this could be problematic at the Occupy Sheffield camp. If you have a need to keep warm that would go beyond wrapping up really well, then again it may be an inaccessible protest for you in that respect too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNJVBu-kdXpfvm4UioS-HfvZP6NMhxN0vGA9Ei_eWPZ96kFyGtv0yy_BfC9KNYnd8AKVFshdOi4ftC9hVivTHa4ypuRtrT9EMnMiYqcA6qVjOYgTRbTyc68vCSaCu9YVpF9lgPg/s1600/6343945231_5d8e5f78d8_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNJVBu-kdXpfvm4UioS-HfvZP6NMhxN0vGA9Ei_eWPZ96kFyGtv0yy_BfC9KNYnd8AKVFshdOi4ftC9hVivTHa4ypuRtrT9EMnMiYqcA6qVjOYgTRbTyc68vCSaCu9YVpF9lgPg/s320/6343945231_5d8e5f78d8_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675009839633969282" /></a> There is a good supply of food and hot drinks. I was the only visibly disabled person at the camp when I was there, but talked to a man who was a mental health service user. Another disabled person had clearly been at the camp at some point too. This photo is of a piece of paper taped to the main tent, which reads "I am one of the few disabled people who has a job. I am mad about what our society has become. I am the 99%". <br /><br />The photo at the top of the post is of the main tent. It has a large banner on it, reading "Occupy Sheffield", and another fabric banner reading We Heart NHS. Both were taken by me.<br /><br />There is a lot more I could say about the experience at #occupysheffield and maybe I will, but for now, this is a very basic accessibility survey for the site.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-48824709645162702392011-11-12T21:07:00.000+00:002011-11-12T21:07:40.906+00:00What I've Been Up ToThe main thing I've been up to is setting up a <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHRUVE12eWE1dER4NndrM2xMRDliUUE6MQ">massive database to link feminists on twitter with similar interests</a>. It's been a lot of work, but 258 people have already signed up and filled it in, and that's in 24 hours!<br /><br />If you are a feminist on twitter, <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHRUVE12eWE1dER4NndrM2xMRDliUUE6MQ">fill in the form</a>, then <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AnBu5Vrdr86gdHRUVE12eWE1dER4NndrM2xMRDliUUE&output=html">find others on the spreadsheet</a>. See <a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/free-beer-offer-snares-suspects-000704160.html">my blog post about it here</a>.<br /><br />Other things I have been doing, have been:<br /><ul><li>a post about <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/11/ladiyfest_sheff">LaDIYFest Sheffield</a> at The F-Word<br /><li>a post about the renewed <a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/11/murder_appeal_t">Michaela Hague murder appeal</a> at The F-Word<br /></ul><br /><br />My favourite things today have been <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ehlw_phys">this video</a>, and <a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/free-beer-offer-snares-suspects-000704160.html">this news story</a>.<br /><br />As usual I'm <a href="http://www.twitter.com/incurablehippie">on twitter as me</a>, and my writer / social media self is also there <a href="http://www.twitter.com/PhilippaWrites">@PhilippaWrites</a>. There will be more news on this in a few weeks. I also run <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thefworduk">the F-Word twitter account</a> and sometimes post from <a href="http://www.twitter.com/wheresbenefit">Where's the Benefit? account</a> too.<br /><br />And I may as well list everything while I'm at it, eh? So you can see the daftness I post <a href="http://incurablehippie.tumblr.com/">on tumblr</a>, find me <a href="http://plus.google.com/118253772702117631294/posts">on google+</a> and on <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/philippa-willitts/37/519/706">Linked In</a>.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-62476124697600124012011-11-09T21:18:00.000+00:002011-11-09T21:18:04.091+00:00Not In My Name.Yesterday I wrote about <a href="http://incurable-hippie.blogspot.com/2011/11/workfare-exploitative-and-cruel.html">why Workfare is exploitative and unfair, especially for disabled people</a>. Today I want to talk about something insidious and disturbing within the plans for rolling this system out, and this is the details of who stands to benefit. <br /><br />Firstly, there are big companies who have signed up, unsurprisingly, to get people to work for them without a need to pay them, such as Poundland, Matalan, Tesco and Primark. <br /><br />Secondly, there are public sector organisations who want to benefit from unpaid labour, such as the local councils of Barnsley, Blackpool, Bromley, Chester, Dudley, East Riding, Gateshead, Greenwich, Hartlepool, Islington, Kensington, Medway, Neath Port Talbot, Newham, North Lanarkshire, Northumberland, Portsmouth, Renfrewshire, Stoke-on-Trent; numerous further education colleges; and several NHS trusts.<br /><br />And thirdly, and perhaps most disappointingly, is the depressingly large number of charities and third sector organisations who are seeking to benefit from people being forced to work without pay, at threat of loss of their benefits. <br /><br />Just some of the organisations who the DWP state will be involved in delivering the Work Programme, are:<br /><br />Action for Blind People<br />Autism West Midlands<br />Disability Information Bureau<br />Disability Works*<br />Enable<br />Hammersmith and Fulham MIND<br />Leonard Cheshire Disability<br />Papworth Trust<br />Remploy<br />RNIB<br />Rochdale and District MIND<br />Royal Mencap Society<br />Royal National College for the Blind<br />Scottish Association for Mental Health<br />Shaw Trust<br />The Mind Consortium (Hull and East Yorkshire MIND)<br />Warrington Disability Partnership<br /><br />These are the organisations from <a href="http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?page_id=16">the list</a> that stood out to me as disability organisations. Organisations ostensibly to represent and fight for the rights of disabled people. <br /><br />Last year I wrote about <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2010/12/disability-works-does-it.html">Disability Works</a>, a "collaboration of national third sector disability organisations including Leonard Cheshire, Mencap, Scope, Mind, Action for Blind People, United Response, Pure Innovations, Advance UK and Pluss". I argued <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/05/hardest-hit-demo-pros-and-cons.html">in May</a> that the Hardest Hit organisers could not represent me or fight for my rights when they also <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2010/12/disability-works-does-it.html">stood to benefit from the proposed changes in welfare reform</a>.<br /><br />Now Disability Works are amongst all of the above voluntary sector disability organisations who are seeking to benefit from workfare. Along with all the other charities above, and with <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/11/workfare-exploitative-and-cruel.html">all the problems Workfare will cause for disabled and non-disabled people</a>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">we simply cannot trust these organisations to have our best interests at heart</span>. They, along with Primark and Tesco, aim to profit from labour which is unpaid, unfair, and is carried out against a threat of a loss of benefits. <br /><br />These big disability charities do not represent me, they do not have my interests in mind, and they do not speak for me. <br /><br />Not in my name.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><ul>See also:<br /><li><a href="http://www.boycottworkfare.org/">Boycott Workfare</a><br /><li><a href="http://unemploymentmovement.com/forum/welfare-to-work/278-bandits-of-welfare-to-work-program.html">Bandits of Welfare to Work Program</a><br /><li><a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/09/485235.html">Benefiting from workfare - 'It's exploitation and it's repellent'</a><br /><li><a href="http://gridlock.gn.apc.org/gmtxt.htm">As promised workfare on its way</a></ul></span>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-43994868552331942072011-11-08T22:05:00.000+00:002011-11-08T22:05:00.224+00:00Elsewhere TodayThings I have done elsewhere today:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com/2011/11/cuts-kill-again.html">Cuts Kill. Again.</a> at Where's the Benefit?<br /><li><a href="http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2011/11/women_firefight">Women firefighters to lobby MPs tomorrow</a> at The F-Word</ul> <br />And others' posts I have liked elsewhere:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://disabilityhorizons.com/when-%E2%80%98accessible%E2%80%99-is-not-acceptable">When 'accessible' is not acceptable</a> at Disability Horizons<br /><li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/features/a_user_guide_to_falling_over.shtml">A user guide to falling over</a> from BBC Ouch<br /><li><a href="http://purplepersuasion.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/ready-for-work-thatd-be-an-it-depends/">Ready for Work? That'd be an "it depends"</a> from purplepersuasion </ul>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-2157777956972219772011-11-08T17:30:00.000+00:002011-11-08T17:31:25.481+00:00Workfare: Exploitative and cruel, especially for disabled people<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8EXlsjGtp-l16XHdcUUKasilExi14cc5EXDnpntk3VxaDa80FCV7Qv0DrHVV_8VLnciPPdLHfStYXq7FKzHmht73Ct3H7vgUGPbcdyEr_vryxvlhG5AI3T7tsXNVWJ46Xvk4Cg/s1600/workfare.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8EXlsjGtp-l16XHdcUUKasilExi14cc5EXDnpntk3VxaDa80FCV7Qv0DrHVV_8VLnciPPdLHfStYXq7FKzHmht73Ct3H7vgUGPbcdyEr_vryxvlhG5AI3T7tsXNVWJ46Xvk4Cg/s320/workfare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672677390349142402" /></a> Some disabled people are completely fit for work, but cannot find any, so claim Jobseekers' Allowance. This is particularly an issue because disabled people face many barriers to work, including inaccessible workplaces, employer prejudice and employers being ignorant of, or refusing to adhere to the Equalities Act in relation to reasonable accommodations.<br /><br />Increasingly, however, disabled people who are not fit for work are finding themselves claiming Jobseekers' Allowance, when they are reassessed and fail to meet the limited criteria for ESA. The result of this is that more and more people are signing on, but also unable to work, for health reasons.<br /><br />The Guardian has published a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/nov/08/politics-live-blog-andrew-sparrow">press release from the DWP</a>, which states, <blockquote>People who have been unemployed for more than two years and haven't secured sustainable employment could be referred onto compulsory community work placements under plans being considered by the government. <br /><br />Under the proposals people who have been supported intensively through the Work Programme for two years yet have still not entered sustainable employment, may have to do community work or ultimately they could lose their benefit entitlement. <br /><br />Ministers believe a minority of jobseekers struggle to engage with the system fully, are unable to hold down a job and therefore require a greater level of support. <br /><br />The government is to test compulsory community work coupled with more intensive support through Jobcentre Plus in four key areas ahead of rolling out the scheme <br />nationwide in 2013.</blockquote><br />This is fundamentally unfair. We are in a position as a country where unemployment rates are rising, and job opportunities are shrinking. If someone has failed to get a job in 2 years, it is most likely to be due to circumstances outside their control, and to then force them into unpaid labour, against the threat of losing their pittance of an income from JSA, is exploitative.<br /><br />For disabled people, even moreso. People who are disabled but genuinely fit for work will still require adaptations, accommodations, and accessibility. These people are less likely to have found a job in 2 years because of the reasons I explained above. And will the people who are happy to take unpaid labour also be happy to accommodate people with complex needs and requirements?<br /><br />And those who have been found fit for work but are, in fact, not at all fit for work, will be in the most trouble. All of the above, on top of not being well enough to do it. Will their regular sickness absences or inability to be reliable cause them to lose their benefit entitlement? I would imagine so, according to what the press release says.<br /><br />Workfare is exploitative and unfair to everybody who is forced to do it. For disabled people it has added layers of unfairness, which have the potential to leave, yet again, the most vulnerable abandoned without financial support.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cross-posted at <a href="http://wheresthebenefit.blogspot.com">Where's the Benefit?</a>. Thanks to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/m_s_collins">@m_s_collins</a> for prompting me to write this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">[The image is a black and white photograph taken at a protest in New Zealand against a Workfare programme. There are numerous people with placards saying, "The rich get rich at the expense of the poor" and "Real jobs not workfare". It was taken by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/socialistworkernz/4570220296/in/photostream/">SocialistWorkerNZ</a> and is used under a Creative Commons Licence]</span>incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6584420.post-6458896628094942132011-11-07T11:17:00.000+00:002011-11-07T11:17:28.670+00:00Miss you, Dad.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KJzQCWQF6zE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />There's nothing I wouldn't do to hear your voice again.<br />Sometimes I want to call you, but I know you won't be there.<br /><br />Are you looking down upon me? Are you proud of who I am?<br />There is nothing I wouldn't do to have just one more chance<br />To look into your eyes and see you looking back.incurable hippiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13064136978198714689noreply@blogger.com5