Access

“Access denied!”

That’s what it often feels like the world is saying to me when it is impossible or complicated to use buildings, services or trying to attend events.

I cannot speak for every wheelchair user or disabled person in the world, but surely I cannot be the only person who finds it frustrating in this day and age or supposed “inclusion” and equality.

Since the Equality Act 2010 services, businesses, and events should make things accessible and if it is not possible then that business should bring the service where possible to us. It’s classed as making a reasonable adjustment. There are exceptions to the rule which include listed buildings, but businesses will get around this by saying that the building is listed which stops them from putting a lift in or if there are stairs saying that they are prohibited from putting a stairlift outside due to it being listed, when the railings are either not or the stairlift will cause no damage to the building. They use loopholes in the law and building listings to great round or just flat out not make any kind of reasonable adjustments as the cost could be prohibited. However, what these businesses don’t realize is that they are losing out on a substantial amount of revenue.

If I want to go anywhere, do anything I have to do research days before, sometimes months before in order to make sure that where I want to go is accessible. How fair is that? Would you do that? Would you think that is reasonable even if all you want to do is go out for a meal with friends or take your children somewhere?

It’s never about trying to get something for nothing, and just like any minority issue, there are a few bad apples who will try and get something for nothing or special privileges and this results in the stories you see in the news and you hear people talking about. Benefit scroungers, pretending to be disabled or ill to get things or extra help, people complain about how people on disabilities or in wheelchairs are jumping queues , however, all I want is to be able to access the same things as everyone else, a point I proved recently at Showmasters London Film and Comic Convention.  One of the days we needed to early so go through the main entrance. I had not bothered to register as needing extra help or a carer as I don’t when am using my electric wheelchair, different story if I had been using my manual wheelchair to some degree as David would have to push me everywhere as I cannot self-propel. Instead, I used my electric wheelchair for the weekend, mainly because I wanted my independence.

 So when we went through the gate they automatically showed me to the carers line for extra help. When I asked if I was in the right queue as I didn’t need the extra help the guy looked surprised and told me, in that case, go through the normal queue which I was more than happy to do, much to the surprise of some of the attendees.

You see the entrance was flat, I didn’t have to self-propel and the lines were maneuverable, so no need for me to skip ahead. I did slow the line down to some degree as my electric wheelchair only goes at a very slow speed, this did annoy some people so guess am dammed if I do (get extra help and special treatment), and dammed if I don’t( and I access I like everyone else). Like I said I cannot speak for another person who has a disability or uses a wheelchair but am happy to access services, events and businesses just the same as everyone else, that’s all I want. Whether its everyday things like going out shopping or going for food, to special occasions like a night out, event or weekend away or even if I feel like treating myself or my husband wants to spoil me and we want something a bit more luxurious these are things I should be able to access without having to spend a ridiculous amount of time on research beforehand.

Transport

Using public transport as someone who is not just disabled but a wheelchair user is daunting.

Taxis, buses, trains all a potential problem, all a potential argument and all a potential nightmare.

Taxis

Now you would think using a taxi would be the easiest option, but not always. Yes there are a lot of taxis companies that now have WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicles), and the fact that in London all black cabs are not accessible (a little thing I just recently found out), but these are usually cabs with ramps that people go in via the side. The biggest problem with these is the cabs have not been lowered, the ramps are all different types and lengths and these are often than not bought off  somewhere like Amazon and therefore not the correct or safest gradient. This makes them unsafe and risks not just for the driver but the user, as the gradient is too steep/ sharp for them to be safe to use, this can result in chairs being too heavy for drivers to push up the ramp and also for them tipping over or going over the edge which is what happened with me.

Not only that but some cabs have two single ones which means that if the driver does not put them a safe distance apart could cause major issues for the person in the wheelchair.

Not only have that but a lot of ramps had no fixing points on the chairs so again not very safe.

Couple that with the fact that a lot of the taxi drivers are not trained to handle vulnerable adults or wheelchairs, unfit to do so due to medical issues are just not fit or strong enough.

That leaves us with a few vehicles that are called “Doppler’s” these are rear loading WAVs with the ramps out of the backs. Again there are still problems with these such as there not being enough room for the wheelchair and the person sitting in them resulting in legs being squished up uncomfortable against the back of the seats. Again though taxi drivers are not helpful accessing these vehicles either and see reluctant to fold down seats or clear the space.

Buses

Although most buses now have disabled spaces and lowered steps, using a bus is something made of nightmares for me. Since having to use a wheelchair, hand on heart and being honest, I have never used a bus and never will, not if I can help it.

Currently, they are heated arguments between bus drivers, people who use wheelchairs, the public and people with prams. Although the spaces are supposed to be kept for people with wheelchairs, often people will use them if they have a pram and some are seats that have to be folded up in order to become a wheelchair space. However when someone with a wheelchair is wanting to use that bus, the driver should ask the person to put the pushchair down or if it is someone sitting there, ask them to move seats or stand so that the wheelchair user can be accommodated. However, a lot of drivers will not do this due to feeling uncomfortable backlash off the people he is asking to move or in some cases threats.

This has often resulted in insults thrown at the wheelchair user, threats of violence but more than often the bus just not stopping. In the time I have been using a wheelchair I have heard horror stories both personally and in the news about some people having to let three buses go past before one has stopped and let them on, or even worse waiting in a queue only for other people in the queue step over them to get on the bus before them as if they are nothing but a piece of luggage instead of a human being waiting in line, like everyone else with a valid right to get on the bus in turn.

Trains

Trains can be hit and miss. Personally, I have had both good and not so good experiences with this both though Virgin and LNER only on the main line from Newcastle to London but have not had the dubious pleasure of using local rail transport, again from what other people have told me, it’s been a blessing that I haven’t as from what I understand it has ranged from trains not having accessible carriages, no useable toilets, no ramps or staff to help and sometimes no lifts or access to or from the stations. My bad experiences include being forgotten about and left at the end destination at Kings Cross, nearly tipping off the ramp due to people crowding and trying to rush me off for them to get on, no access to a toilet due to cases and people standing in front of the toilet and blocking corridors, cases being left near the exit as there was no room on the luggage rack.

In this day and age transport and buildings should be one of the first things that developers, architects, and designers should be looking at when it comes to being totally inclusive. An inclusive transport network would make life much easier not just for anyone in a wheelchair but for everyone.

WOW HOW TIME FLY WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN....NOT.

I hadn't actually noticed how long it had been since I had actually submitted here and a lot ...I mean A LOT has happened.

So as a quick catch up (try to keep up), going to quickly go through every thing now....

Finally finished University after having some resits to do. Unfortunately due to family circumstances ( which will become clear very soon), I had to leave with out my honors..which is sad.

My sister has been back and forth to the hospital with various cancer scares and at one point they thought the brain tumor she had had removed was back but it was a false alarm.

Then my husband collapsed in November whilst at the gym and was rushed to hospital. At first it was thought he had epilepsy so they carried out various MRI scans only to discover that he had a tumour in is right frontal lobe. That was just before Christmas. He went into hospital on the 2nd of January and had the tumor removed. Luckily the results came back as a grade 1 and we are just waiting on his next scan and appointment to make sure it hasn't returned or bits haven't been missed.

However we then found out he had a heart issue as well and has to undergo various heart tests only to find out that he has a hole in the heart and now has to undergo more tests with possible open heart surgery...yea that

The piece da resistance came when my dad took bad and stopped eating and drinking. Within a matter of weeks he could not walk or swallow and became agitated. He died on Mothering Sunday 11th of March, his funeral is on the 4th of April.

So there is a very quick overview of what has gone on in my life since the last I wrote.

Why am I writing now? Well to be honest I have had enough of the way society is now. I want to be a  person who speaks out , people with all kinds of disabilities are not being heard. Everything in this world is catered towards people who do not need to think about the same things we do before they go somewhere..anywhere. When you are a disabled person that all changes. there is so much you have to think about.

Too many people are affraid to speak out about disability for what ever reason, I want to be that one person who does. it is time the world and society as a whole took notice that there are disabled people in the world, in society. we do exist and we want to work, have a life, we want to do things that every one else does. We understand that there are going to be some things that we just can not do due to various reasons and that is fine, but the things that can be adapted we should be able to do and we can't...that's not fine, society, the world should start taking notice of that.

There are always protests for something, at the moment its gun control in America so there are protests against the NRA, protests from planned parent hood and these get huge media coverage. What about what is happening to and against disabled people? where are the protests, the media coverage? equality in wages is being debated and gets news coverage, what about the inequality that disabled people suffer from? There is protests and huge media coverage around the #MeToo campaign, Black lives matter, and then the coverage at the Oscars over how not enough black actors are getting the recognition they deserve...but hold on...don't disabled lives matter? Yes they do ,isn't there disabled actors, screenwriters, producers, directors etc out there that deserve recognition as well?Yes there is, but .. oh hold on no because Hollywood and the film industry in general would rather disable up an actor then actually use some one with a real disability instead of giving disabled actors a chance or up and comings their first break,  or just CGI the damn character altogether.(Don't get me started on this topic !!!), but "black" up a character well all Hell breaks lose. Double standards much??

So I ask again, where is the media attention on protests for people to get care in their home or to go out to work or have a life? There is none. I am talking about people who need care just so they can get out of bed in a morning, help to go to the bathroom, dress, shower and have a hot drink and meal more then once a day (I know us disabled we take the piss asking to eat and drink more then once, but what can I say? we are rebels). This is just to do the things that the majority of people take for granted, day in and day out. Now that care is being stripped away. Not only are we being isolated from society and activities that everyone else does, (God forbid we would want to have fun or a social life ) because business, shows and events have ousted us or forgotten to cater for us but we are now being shut up in our own homes or worse yet forced to leave. Sometimes if feels as if society and the world are forcing us to be housebound, the whole "out of sight out of mind" thing from the 40s 50s and 60s. I have gone weeks with out leaving the house , not being able to interact with anyone outside the people I live with and not being able to take part in social activities.

The hassle that most disabled people have to go through to  go out even for a couple of hours can be a nightmare and that is another thing that puts you off. I need to think about how to get there, is there stairs or do they have a lift, do they have disabled toilets and if so are they big enough for a wheelchair, is there steps to get into the building and if so will they have a ramp? I have been to restaurants before where I have had to enter by the kitchen,down a very steep ramp that the delivery's are taken in by, that has had a huge 6ft drop to one side and through the tiny kitchen and to my table. Do you have any idea how that feels when you are going out to a posh, expensive restaurant and you are wearing a lovely expensive dress and its meant to be a special occasion?Any idea how degrading that makes you feel? No you wont and more then likely never will. 

Business, shows, events will only provide what they have, to the letter of the law and no further. Don't get me wrong they are companies out there that do go that extra mile and God bless them , for one am eternally grateful and thankful, but unfortunately the majority wont and dont.

I have had a hotel tell me, and advertised they where disabled friendly but had 3 steps up to the entrance and no handrail or ramp, there answer wast to send some porters out to carry me up......no ..nope..not happening mate.

I have had a cheaper hotel chain who's idea of disabled accessible room is to have wheels on their beds so they moved instead of raised solid legs and their idea of accessible bathroom meant a lowered bath and handrails every where....great am in a wheelchair with no legs soooo tell me how this works? It means that short stays when its not really necessary do me to have a shower there its meh but any longer then one or two nights and the cheapest option is ruled out. I have traveled by train and been left sitting at the end of the line waiting for some one to help me off with a ramp or been put on a carriage that was not wide enough for my wheelchair to get to my space or even better having to go into a carriage with no disabled toilet and no way of getting my wheelchair through to the carriage it was in.

Luxury brands are even worse ! Apparently being disabled stops you form wanting to be romantic with someone or splashing out on yourself for a special occasion or is it just because the people that go to these places all the time might be offended or upset by "gasp" "horror" a disabled person? 

Business of all types are loosing out on a fortune in sales and potential customers due to not paying attention or going the extra mile. I can not be the only disabled person out there who just point blank refuses to shop at or go into certain shops? 

For me the biggest pet peeve is Claire's. Sometimes its a double whammy, you struggle into and around these shops/events/venues only to have staff ignore you, pretend to be busy or talk to the person with you as if you are an idiot all because the company couldn't be arsed to do a quick course on disabled awareness. It seems the only way to get help is to draw unnecessary attention to yourself by either shouting across the shop or knocking things accidentally off shelves as you try to squeeze past, therefore drawing ( some what embarrassingly) attention to the fact that the person you have been ignoring for the past ten minutes by picking your nails intently or finding a piece of thread to pick off something or a box to move somewhere else, actually does need help. In the meantime not only have you drawn attention to your desperate need for help but lots of nosy, interested shoppers who will mill around to see what is going on and then whisper to their companions, sometimes not quietly about you or tut tut as they walk away. (it seems to be that companies also forget to train their staff to offer help as under the Disability Act 2010 ALL business should offer disabled customers access to ALL of there goods, this means that if you have something I want and its upstairs with no lift then you should offer to get it for me or if am not sure but give you a rough idea then staff should bring me a selection if I can not access it  ie along the lines of a personal shopper but with out the bossing around having them run around for you all day, yes some disabled people are wankers too).

It seems to get any media coverage on these things we have to degrade ourselves to the point of wetting ourselves on a train or being stranded for hours before anyone is interested, then once the shock value has worn off , pretty much like the shoppers, interest dwindles until the next disabled person has a shock value, media interest story to tell.

 I have been to events where photo shoots/ props for shoots have been up on  a stage and no way for any one with mobility problems or in a wheelchair being able to access that and no way for these props to be brought to them....thats discriminating as it could have been organised better so that it was accessible to every one who might attend. I have also wanted to attend events that have had a themed bar upstairs but again no access for some one who cant use stairs and again no way of bringing that experience to them.....again discriminating. All it takes guys is a little thought, not only are you discriminating but you are losing business and so is the stall or provider.

People who have the blinkers on only care when it happens to them or someone in their family then its "ooh we should have this and we need that and its not fair " You know what mate you didn't give a flying one before until it happened to you. I have been living with one form of disability or another since the day I was born nearly 49 years ago ( only recently been accepted into the grumpy git club lol).

Companies/business/event organisers should think about how much potential revenue they are losing now and how much in the future as disabilities are on the increase. Think about the customer and what they need not just profits as my Granddad used to say " look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves" How about when you are designing a building you actually get committy of disabled people together to look at the specs? what about if you are redesigning a shop you actually get some one disabled in to  go around it to see if it works? what about if you are kitting out a hotel why not bring in disabled consultants who can go through everything that could be possibly needed such as bath boards, hoists and raised beds? If you are organizing an event or show look at the spaces available to you then look at where you are placing stalls, guests and props.

All I want to do is to be able to go out with my friends, be romantic with my husband or have fun with my family and am sure that's what all disabled people want at the end of the day. so listen up and wise up....

All we want..is to be heard

All we want is to be seen

Disabled Access vs Disable friendly - there is a difference.

There are times when you just get so fed up of trying to fit in to peoples boxes or ideas of what being disabled is supposed to look like, feel like or how it is supposed to affect you.

Being born with talipes I thought I knew what it was like to be disabled, different from everyone else and the difficulties that went with that…..I was wrong, so very wrong! It wasn’t till I had my amputation and got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that I found out what it was like to be disabled.

It’s so depressing and soul destroying when all you want to do is go out and enjoy yourself whether it’s for a meal, drink or shopping, holiday or stopping somewhere over night and you can’t or it’s just too much trouble to organise. Why? Because everything has to be planned in advance.

Is it accessible? Will I be able to get through with my wheelchair? Are the toilets downstairs? Do they have a disabled toilet? Would someone be able to push me up/down the bank safely? Is there a lift? Could I reach the bar? Am I going to be ignored/ stared at/ treat differently to everyone else? Can I get into / on to/ out of that?

These are just some of the things that I have to take into consideration every day when I want to leave the house to do anything. Gone are the days of just being able to get up and go without worrying.

You see people who don’t have to live with someone or who aren’t disabled themselves, things like this don’t even cross their minds or come into the equation. It creases me when shops, business, hotels etc have things on their websites like “disabled friendly” or “accessible” but when you turn up what they meant was they have a lift but you need to get up three or four steps to get into the building, or the door ways are maybe a little wider but still not wide enough for a wheelchair to get through or they are wide enough but there is a 90 degree angle to negotiate as soon as you get through the door.

What people and companies don’t seem to understand is “disabled access” does not mean the same as “disabled friendly”. For instance take my university. The psychology department has been moved into another building which is supposed to be disabled friendly, I say supposed to be as I haven’t used it as all my lectures are in other buildings. These other buildings are old, fair enough a grade II listed building means there are limitations to how it can be adapted if it can at all, I get that, but it’s as if the people they get in when adapting, updating or building these buildings have their heads up their arse. One building where the majority of my classes are they have literally took it to the letter of the law. They have made reasonable adjustments but just because they have made it accessible does not mean I can use it. The entrance is ether the service entrance, where I have to find someone to let me in or up a bank that you would need to be a strong man or marine to push me in my chair up the bank or back down safely. The lecture theatre is small with no disabled space for a wheelchair and if I was to use it I would be sat at the front of the class like a pleb in front of the only entrance/exit…can anyone say health and safety?

The inside is a horse shoe shape and is corridors with two or three steps up or down every so often so it means getting into a lift to go half a floor every time I change classroom, so much carry on, inconvenience and effort. All I want is to be like everyone else at uni..The only effort I want to worry about is getting out of bed in the morning and being arsed to attend!

It’s made me realise that everything I want to do, everywhere I want to go and everything I want to experience I have to work harder, or take longer or worse yet become a performing monkey while others stop to stare at the antics you have to go through just to do something that is taken for granted by everyone else.

And this seems acceptable, as a disabled person your dignity, pride and self-respect doesn’t seem to matter anymore because “we have made reasonable adjustments”. Reasonable adjustments is more than making sure there is a bloody lift!

It’s the same with shops that you can’t access for whatever reason “reasonable adjustments” means that if you can’t access their goods/ services then these should be brought to you. I ask you do you always know what you want to buy when you go to a shop. Or sometimes do you just want to browse? Especially if that said shop is new/ just opened. I don’t so when I go to a shop that I can’t access and someone eventually realises they have to help me access their goods this means I have to know what they have in the shop, what I might want to look at /buy….hey I am studying Psychology not bloody telepathy ! How the hell do I know what you have in your shop? That’s why I want to come in and have a look!! Hey don’t even get me started with the not being able to shop in privacy like everyone else instead of having my buying habits scrutinised by all to see. The temptation to go to Anne Summers and ask them to bring out various items from the back of the shop for me to view…..“I would like to see the 12 inch strap on with the deluxe gimp mask but not the ball gag…”

This is one of the reasons I started doing what I do with The Psych Twins if you are to redesign a shop, building new premises, holding an event etc get someone in who is actually disabled for god’s sake, not someone with a degree in technical drawing who “thinks” they know what it’s like to access these places in a wheelchair.

These people who design the buildings to be “accessible” or make the “reasonable adjustments” have no idea how much of an impact on someone’s life in so many different areas their decisions make. Why would they? After all am alright jack.

It’s not just the pain in the arse advance planning that has to go into everything I do or go, nor is it the fact that there are things I just can’t do/access or the fact that family/friends/colleagues stop inviting you places due to the “hassle” but the being put on display trying to access/ do whatever it is, the loss of dignity not to mention the self-loathing and depression that goes along with it.

Don’t get me wrong am a strong person (well I think I am), but am not made of stone, eventually these things do effect you and upset you am only human. Things such as anxiety, panic attacks, social exclusion, isolation and depression. The feeling that you are continuously on the outside looking in watching everyone else living their lives and having fun. Hotels I can’t stay at, beautiful rooms that I can’t stay in, holidays I can’t take, excursions I can’t go on, experiences I can’t have, Luxuries that aren’t accessible. The list goes on.

Then we talk about jobs. Another area that boils my piss. I want to work but am what you would class “unemployable” due to my health issues. Companies need to think about money and time and keeping backsides on seats and I get that. Another reason I started my own business. But I always feel guilty for not having on my CV or telling them (if it’s an agency) that am disabled and in a wheelchair before being put forward for an interview. It’s like turning up and shouting “surprise !!!” at them, the look on their faces is like the Christmas present you get of your least favourite aunty of the horrible jumper or your parents finding your porn stash…yea that look.

HELP! I NEED SOME ONE- BUT It SHOULDN’T COST ME MORE

With being a below knee amputee and in a wheelchair with many other health issues, the first thing I do before going anywhere new is check the website for help, carers discounts, disabled facilities and access points.

Why?

Because unlike before where me and my husband or family could just go out somewhere if we wanted too, these days it’s like planning a military operation. I need to be prepared and find out what to expect when I get there. Is it accessible to wheelchairs? If its not then that pretty much rules it out for us, does it have disabled toilets? Is there a lift? Is everything easy to get too from a wheelchair? Will my wheelchair fit through the doors? If going on my own are the doors automatic or will I struggle to manage them? These are things that before I never had to worry about or even give a second thought to.

The other thing I look for is discount or free carers tickets. Now I know that a lot of people have took advantage of these schemes. And still do! which makes it really difficult for those like myself who need this help to be believed without jumping through hoops and I know a few people who think it’s unfair that just because am disabled I get “ preferential treatment”.

So why do I look for carers tickets or disabled discount?

Simple. If am going somewhere that the fee or ticket is for a seat reservation or the ticket price includes this then it is useless to me – I bring my own with me. If I can’t access half the event or venue or business because you have not catered for wheelchairs or people with mobility problems or half the shop/ event is on an upper level and the organisers have booked a venue that can’t or doesn’t have a lift, then why should I pay the same as people who can access that? Or what if your services or some of your services are not accessible by myself? Is it fair I pay full price and not receive the same as everyone else? Is any of that fair?

The other reason is sometimes, just sometimes I do like to go out without my husband (who is my full time carer) and go out with friends (yes, I do have a few who still bother with me and want to socialise and be seen with someone in a wheelchair and don’t mind checking places out before booking or going out.) It’s amazing how many friends and family drop you because you become disabled and an inconvenience…but that’s a blog for another day…Any way back to this blog. So what if I want to go out with a friend or own my own but need someone to go with me to help and they don’t want/like/or into what I am? Is it fair that they have to pay full price to accompany me because I need the help? Or worse again what if am paying for a carer or helper to accompany me should I have to pay twice as much as everyone their as am not only paying for my carer to accompany me but then having to pay for them into the event etc.

This is just one of the reasons why carer’s discounts and tickets are important. The other reason is if you have a family member who is your carer and they can’t work the money they get for working over a 40 hour week most of the time is less than the living wage. Is that fair?

To be honest and fair most places these days either have free or discounted tickets and /or are accessible. Examples are wheelchair spaces on trains ( as you don’t use  seat), carers tickets for showmasters for entrance but still paying full price for autographs and photo shoots, cinema card where your carer gets a free ticket. However there are still places that don’t see the need to make either the accommodations/access or the discount available. Conventions where they will not give out a carer’s ticket and if you register as a carer you cannot have photo shoots or autographs or the only other choice is to fork out over £1000 for a PA for the weekend on top of my ticket!

So let’s say you have checked the website, there is nothing saying it is accessible or (this ones my fav) they say it is disabled friendly and you arrive to find that either half of it is not accessible/ the disabled toilets are upstairs and there Is no lift/ the whole building is accessible as long as you can get up the front steps or you either can’t see a damn thing i.e. concert or the upstairs part of the venue is only accessible by a stair lift and once up there is no room for your wheelchair. Not to mention how do you get your wheelchair up there any way if you are on your own or even better, if you can’t stand up, have no legs but can’t transfer on and off the stair lift!!

So you see, in my opinion and am sure am not the only one, companies need to start really looking at how they operate and improving a few things and why:

1.    Free or discounted tickets, we shouldn’t be charged twice to get half the show or event or get the same benefits that others get.

2.    If you are saying you are disabled friendly then check that you actually are, think about how it would affect you if you were in a wheelchair and what would help

3.    For events and shows make sure as much as you can that it is accessible to everyone that includes people in wheelchairs, with other disabilities and people with prams. I get that it is not always possible or that the venue or building is listed or there is another good reason why they can’t be disabled access or lifts, but try to limit the effect it will have on the person’s enjoyment. Have a special viewing area, have staff available to help etc.

4.    Put information up on your website. I am pretty sure I can’t be the only one who has to pre plan everywhere I go.

5.    Get an expert in to do a full review of the business, event or venue. It’s one thing to say you understand how certain things will effect someone, but unless you have actually experienced it you don’t.

Finally never underestimate how it can make someone who is disabled or who is in a wheelchair feel when they can’t access something and they have to ask for assistance because it is not available and they are looked down on with pity and told “am sorry, we can’t accommodate wheelchairs “or you try to compromise and it becomes a farce and the disabled persons dignity has been shot to ribbons or they are made to feel that they are an inconvenience or their business is not wanted.

My favourite pastime is going in shops and trying to get through the displays, or look at clothes or even navigate to the till to end up knocking things on the floor or looking like a rolling clothes rack! Even better is when the staff ignore you because they haven’t been trained how to handle these things, stare at you and not offer help, walk away or tut. Great way to make sure I won’t shop there again.

So business owners and event organisers we need the help and discounts because you may not be aware but you are losing a lot of potential customers and revenue. To the moaners and the “it’s not fair” people would you put up with this kind of treatment? Would you pay more for less and be happy about it? I think not.

DISABLED TRAVEL - THE FINAL FRONTIER

This year’s LFCC was held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre Kensington in London. The Psych Twins / Amputee diaries were lucky enough to be invited down to review the event over the three days, as well as the opportunity to interview guests, cosplayers and attendees.

Showmasters, who organise these events all over the UK and now in Germany and Amsterdam, class the summer convention as their showcase piece, with some of the biggest names in Film, TV and Comic book genre attending.

We wanted to know how this worked for people wishing to attend who had mobility issues, disabilities, mental health issues or issues such as ASD, ADHD, Anxiety or panic attacks. Previously we have reviewed these conventions held at Newcastle and Glasgow. Although Showmasters are not responsible for the facilities that each venue they use provide, we feel that these things are important to take on board when organising events such as these, especially something as huge as the summer LFCC.

I am in a wheelchair full time with very limited ability to get out of the chair and walk and unable to self-propel. So it was me and my husband who went down to review the event.

We travelled down by train on the Virgin East Coast line from Newcastle central station to London’s king cross. This was my first time using a train for this type of journey since having my amputation and being in the wheelchair full time, so I was very apprehensive and nervous about this journey and how it would work.

According to Virgin it should be pretty straight forward to book passenger assistance for travelling as well as discount being available. After ringing to find out what the discounts where, and being passed around as no one seemed to know what I was on about I spoke to one customer service representative who was extremely rude, who even after being told I needed to stay in the wheelchair and their website offered discount for that, got nasty wanting to know what my disability was and telling me I was wrong. After referring her to the company website, she got loud telling me I did not need to read out the full page, passing me onto someone who deals with the website. I am pleased to say that this person was more than helpful sorting everything out and finally managed to get the tickets booked and passenger assistance booked for the journey.

Arrived at the station in plenty of time as requested and reported to the Virgin customer help desk. Shortly before the train pulled in a very polite gentleman arrived and pushed myself whilst my husband dealt with the luggage across to the platform our train arrived on, up to the carriage. He then got a ramp to put in the door way and pushed me onto the train wheeling me to my designated wheelchair spot in first class. We were assured that they would ring ahead so when we arrived at Kings Cross they would be someone to assist us off the train and to our car we had booked. The carriage they put us on was wide enough for the wheelchair to fit through the doors and access to a wheelchair accessible toilet. As some carriages have different dimensions, this is something that is taken care of at booking to make sure the journey you have booked is suitable for the dimensions of your wheelchair. After a very smooth and uneventful journey, we arrived at King’s cross station and no one there to meet us. After waiting for nearly ten minutes on a completely empty train, my husband had to go and physically get help to get me off via a ramp. This was done but we were then dumped on the platform and left with a case, two bags and me in the wheelchair to manage off the platform and out of the station to the car. The return journey was just as complicated. Although we had access to the first class lounge at Kings Cross which offered free charging stations, soft drinks, hot drinks and snacks and someone came to collect us in plenty of time there was still issues. Upon arriving at the platform and being wheeled up the ramp on to the train, it soon became apparent that the carriage was not big enough for my wheelchair. There was no turning space and the wheelchair did not fit through the automatic door at all. The representative for Virgin had no idea what to do, so I had to stand from my wheelchair and in quite a bit of pain manoeuvre into the carriage so my husband could fold the chair to get it through the door and into the wheelchair space. However due to the fact of the aisle not being big enough and the chair fitting through the door nor was there a accessible toilet on the carriage, I had to spend a three and a half hour journey with no toilet break.

The company we used was Addison Lee which you could very easily download their app on to your phone or access it by tablet, pc or laptop to pre book journeys. The website was very easy to use and once you entered all the journey details even give you a price for the journey before you booked! The driver we had was very polite and friendly with no issues on using the car they sent.

We were staying at the Hilton Olympia in Kensington, which was only five minutes by foot away from the exhibition centre which made it the ideal accommodation. Once checked in we were told that the original room we had booked had steps leading to it, which was not something mentioned on their website. The staff member checked for other rooms available that would be accessible as again there was no option to book an accessible room via the site using the HH honours system, ( this gives you preferential rates and better deals when booking on line and is free to sign up to), but there was an option to list any requirements that you might have. There was nothing with an accessible bathroom or wider doors so we opted for a normal room minus the stairs. So after being  given our room key we went to put our luggage way before heading to the restaurant for tea, but on arrival at the room found out that it was not easy to move around with the wheelchair even though we had booked a king executive room. David went and spoke to one of the staff members who very kindly upgraded our room to a suite to give us the extra space for the chair, but again this was not an accessible bathroom or wider doors.

The restaurant had a specific lift to the restaurant which was big enough for the wheelchair and two other people at a push. There was an ample size disabled toilet and the restaurant was very spacious and the tables easy to get to and reach.

The Olympia Exhibition centre is a huge, ornate, beautiful building on Hammersmith road and easy to get to via road or tube. They have a few disabled entrances to the building, the lifts are manned and internally there are a lot of lifts to get between the floors if you cannot use the stairs for whatever reason. There were plenty of disabled toilets, which included baby changing facilities but no adult changing facilities if someone needed personal care. However these where well sign posted and the space was amazing. The Olympia sets out the spacing of all exhibitors and traders at the various shows it hosts so this means that there is plenty of room to get around the venue if you are in a wheelchair or with a pram, even on a busy day and each event can book out different floors and sections of the building depending on how much space they require or want. This includes any side rooms or conference rooms that where on those floors that where hired by the event. It did occur to me if this was something that maybe Showmasters could have adapted in some way into an adult changing area for personal care needs.

The Friday was very quiet which meant there was lots of space and made it very comfortable to get around and easy to access all the traders, autograph queues and photo shoots. Once again for London they had out done themselves with stars such as Jeremy Renner better known as Hawkeye from the Avenger movies, Rutger Hauer from Blade Runner, Mad Mikkelsen from the new Marvel film Dr Strange and Hannibal from the TV show of the same name, just to name a few, not to mention cast from the popular TV show Game of Thrones, various power rangers and Wrestlers from the world of WWE. Access on the Friday was very confusing as no one seemed to know where they were supposed to be. Security were unaware of where desks were or where to collect extra help passes from, there were other members of the public trying to find out where to collect gold passes and diamond passes from and the staff did not know. I actually had to give one team of security staff my print out of the map of the event, which turned out to be of no use as exhibits had not turned up or things had to be moved.

 We ended up spending the first twenty minutes trying to find which entrance to access the building, which may not seem like a huge deal, but when you take into account how many people are rushing to get virtual queue tickets for some of the bigger names, the lower the batch number the best chance you have of fitting more autographs/photo shoots in that day especially if you are not down for the full duration. Also if you have a higher batch number there is a chance that you will not get to see that star as they may need to leave early, which is what happened to us on the Saturday.

We then spent another half hour trying to find out where to collect the extra assistance wristbands and walked the length and breadth of the downstairs of the exhibition hall. Finally we found a pit boss who issued us with extra assistance band and carer’s band but did not ask for any paper work as proof.  Speaking to other families who were in attendance over the weekend, both with and without extra help assistance, it became apparent that this was a common issue, with one family whose daughter suffered with MS having to also walk the length and breadth of the hall to find where to collect the extra help bands from. Not everyone who was there or who needed extra assistance where aware that help was available or that there was a free carer’s ticket available upon sending proof into the extra help team.  Although there was plenty of space so people could sit on the floor, there was no seating area for anyone who may have difficulty getting on or off the floor, nor was there an offshoot or separate room where any one suffering an anxiety or panic attack or a sensory overload could go that was quiet and cool so they could calm down.

Another great thing about the venue was the fact that there were plenty of places to grab something to eat, but like most venues of this type it was overpriced for what you got at £5 for a sandwich or £4.50 for two cans of coke. Although all places to eat where accessible to myself.

If you have the extra assistance wrist band and have paid for photo ops or wanted autographs then help was available to do this so you did not have to wait too long. Although some staff in the blue t shirts who were volunteers and not showmasters staff, seemed confused regarding what you could or could not be helped with. With regards to the photo ops, staff are meant to feed you into the queue with the first batch so there was no waiting and with the autographs if the queue was too long then provide you with a virtual queue ticket, which would allow you to return later and be added to the end of the queue, which should mean that you wait no longer than five minutes. Personally, I experienced no issues with gaining access to the photo queues or autographs, although it meant going to the pit boss to clarify what I was to do or where to wait and as stated earlier the blue shirts were unsure or just told you no,   as there seemed to be no queuing area for any one going in on an extra assistance band. There was only one occasion over the entire three days where I was moved to the front of the que upon returning or told by a blue shirt that they were not sure what help was available or what they had to do, claiming they had not been given training for that particular issue. Funny enough something that some of the security were saying as well.

Interviewing some of the amazing Cosplayers that were attending the event the general consensus was MCM London was better, especially when it came to cosplayers attending and being looked after, but in my opinion not regarding accessibility to guests or photo ops. Showmasters might not have it right, but they have at least gone some way towards making it better.  Most people we talked to said that compared to the is

sues that they had last year with heat, overcrowding and bad organising, this year was a big improvement, but still have a way to go. The YLAC area was easy to access, once you could navigate which lift took you where as the signage was not clear. The comic book alley, props, gaming area and retro gaming area where all accessible to someone in a wheelchair and never too busy and over all a lot cooler!  Speaking to the people who were crewing the props such as the Iron Throne etc all said that if someone was unable to get out of the wheelchair to access those for a photo shoot they would work around it which I was very impressed with.

The Saturday was mayhem. It was very intimidating being in wheelchair and even though I do not suffer from claustrophobia or personal space issues, I could feel myself panicking and feeling out of my comfort zone, with people not paying attention, stepping over or falling into you and walking in front of the chair. Because of how busy it was on the Saturday people sitting on the floor with their legs outstretched, especially in narrow walkways upstairs where they had erected temp walls for photo shoots to take place made it even more difficult to get round and in my opinion a danger and accident waiting to happen.

The staff although frazzled on the Saturday, I thought handled themselves very well. Although queues ended up merging and people didn’t seem to know where they were supposed to be queuing, which was the beginning of one queue and the end of another or for what star, they did the best they could to deal with any issues that came about or answer any questions that you had.

Sunday was a mixture between the two, busy but not to the point of not being able to move and the autograph queues were a lot easier to navigate and access as well. Both staff, attendees and stars seemed a lot more relaxed. With a majority of the cosplayers being there on a Saturday and not many around on the Friday, there was still plenty kicking around on the Sunday for photos. Most people we spoke to on the Sunday had just came down for that specific day with it being a much calmer day then the Saturday but not as quiet as the Friday and all the A listers still being there as well. By the late afternoon on the Sunday most of the traders where offering discounts on stock hoping to reduce the amount of stock that had to be packed back up and taken home.

So overall thoughts? Well from a disabled point of view help was offered once you could find the right person or indeed anyone to ask due to the crowds swarming around. Sometimes though this meant grabbing some ones attention or just having to wait patiently. Personally I would recommend plenty of rest in-between shoots and if viable taking a break from the event for a short period of time to get fresh air, lie down or just to rest in general and going back later on in the day as it is a very long tiring day which just increased my mobility issues and pain control and ended up having a knock on effect for the next day. Access was good but not impressed with the lack of knowledge from staff or security staff about where to get the appropriate wrist bands from to access the extra help.  More training would be advantageous for volunteers who do not work with showmasters on a regular biases and coordination from all team members would have also been a big advantage, so that every member of staff from pit bosses, showmasters permanent staff and volunteers where all singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak.

Over all a fantastic weekend with a great atmosphere, great guests and lots to see and do. I would have found it impossible to do everything I wanted to do had I just went for a day.  Not sure and could find no information on what, if anything was available if you were attending on your own and needed assistance to get around or access anything (Rogue events for a fee can offer an assistant if needed).

 So in conclusion as long as you didn’t mind the crowds and mayhem on the Saturday, bring your own food to avoid being over charged, plenty to drink, you can keep your calm and remember the staff and stars are human too so treat them with respect and what the crew member says when dealing with his or her area is the final word, then you are in for a treat. As with all these events, it is a logistical nightmare for the organisers and nothing, no matter how much you try to control or plan these things will run 100 %. There are lots of things that would and could be incorporated into some of the other events and that I would especially like to see happen in Newcastle, including bigger and better guests.

SHOWMASTERS FILM AND COMIC CONVENTIONS

SHOWMASTERS FILM AND COMIC CONVENTION MANCHESTER

21^ST – 22^ND OF MAY 2016 EVENT CITY.

Review by Darren Green photography by Annabelle Clark.

Written by Jennifer Clark

Yet again Event City played host to Showmasters Film and Comic Convention in Manchester.  We sent down two volunteers to scope the venue out, review the event and talk to the cosplayers, attendees and the guests. So off went Annabelle and Darren on the Megabus early on a Saturday morning at 6 am to spend the day at the convention.

The venue was very spacious and easy to navigate for someone in a wheelchair. There where spare wheelchairs near to the entrance of the venue along with the toilets which were very spacious and also extremely accessible. For a change at an event like this there was also plenty of room in the aisle to access vendors, making it relatively easy for wheelchair users or families with prams to move around and view the wares on display.

As usual Showmasters offer free carer tickets upon application (good idea to send a copy of a carer’s letter for proof) for their events which allows one person to access the event for free when accompanying someone who needs assistance to attend an event like this due to ill health or disability. Like other events Showmasters have ran there was no area where someone could take a break if over stimulated, over stressed due to sensory overload and no changing facilities were noticed for older children or adults who may need personal care other than the standard baby changing facilities. Also there was no indication of anywhere for someone in a wheelchair or unable to stand for long periods to obtain a slip giving them preference or return time for autographs and pictures.

This ever popular event was very busy with queues lasting all day for guest’s autographs with the line-up including Michael Biehn best known for his role as Kyle Reese in Terminator and corporal Hicks in Aliens, Ken Kirzinger from Freddy Vs Jason, Noel Clarke from Dr Who and Star Trek and Dave Prowse best known as Darth Vader in Star wars along with many others. Staff where plentiful and available at all times coming across as very calm being able to direct you to where you needed to be and how to help with any issues you might be experiencing. Everything at the event was very well signposted so easy to find and as cosplaying is becoming ever more popular Showmasters had set aside an area for people to change and store their bags and was easily accessible for any one in a wheelchair. Both Darren and Annabelle got changed at the venue into their cosplay outfit and set out to brave the  crowds to look into every nook and cranny, interview attendees cosplaying and non-cosplaying and hopefully some guests to find out what they thought of the event, cosplaying and services on offer.

So Darren managed to talk to some fellow cosplayers regarding their views on the event.

He asked what people liked the most about cosplaying and attending the event and the general consensus was the atmosphere and how friendly everyone was, meeting new people who like the same things. Darren then asked how cosplaying made them feel. Again there were mixed answers to this but feeling that they are popular and people like them, giving them the confidence to approach people and ask questions were some of the most voiced reasons. Encouragement all round from cosplayers that he spoke to on anyone who is thinking of attending a Showmasters event in or out of cosplay and for those people who have always wanted to give it a go a resounding try it. I myself have attended conventions ran by Showmasters in cosplay in my wheelchair and have felt part of one big family where you are accepted no matter what.

So With the thumbs up from the cosplayers it was the turn of the general attendees and what they thought.  There was a mixed reaction regarding Cosplayers ranging from families who attend to see the costumes and the children who look forward to coming face to face with their heroes and posing for a picture and think they add to the event to people who thought that showmasters aimed to much towards the cosplaying community and not enough in providing bigger named stars outside of London or getting comic book artists to attend.

They managed to grab two minutes with legend Dave Prowse before leaving for the long lonely ride home on the mega bus. He was asked his opinion on people cosplaying as Darth Vader and cosplaying in general, if he thought it added to the conventions, “Yes it’s great to see someone dressed as Darth Vader and it is very flattering. Makes me feel like I have achieved something if I have instigated them to cosplay as a character I have played. Cosplaying is an accepted part of these conventions and I love seeing all the different costumes people attend in and all the hard work that has gone into making them.”

So as the sun sets over another successful day for Showmasters in Manchester our two intrepid reporters get changed and wearily tread off for the bus leaving fame and their adoring fans behind them to return to real life. When asked their personal opinions of the convention, services, staff and venue it was a huge thumbs up and well worth the early start.  So still room for some tweaking here and there and work on coordination, but definitely on the right path to make these shows more accessible to everyone.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

****WARNING IF YOU ARE OVER SENSITIVE AND VERY PC YOU MAY FIND THIS A BIT CONTROVERSIAL*******

I have seen a lot of posts by people lately regarding how to address some one who is disabled or what to say /not say to them

 To be honest I find it all a bit silly

 Am not the most Politically correct person out there but as far as am concerned calling me by my name is fine. Honestly I will even answer to "thingy" or "you" even "Fred" just try not to use Jennifer too much as when I get my full name it usual means am in trouble.

I get it, some people feel that being called "wheelchair bound" "disabled" or "handicapped" (too be honest although am not fussed I try to refrain from the last one as it seems a bit degrading). They feel that these terms and others define them or that they are being defined by their disability. I am an amputee because I have had an amputation, but that does not define who I am. Am lots of things (play nice now), am a mother, wife, daughter, student, blogger, Therapist as well. I am however bound to my wheelchair to some degree, without my wheelchair I would not get very far at all or get out so the term "wheelchair bound" is accurate as far as am concerned. Disabled to me is accurate as well there are lots of things I can not do and I am not abled bodied either.

why do people get so bent out of shape by these terms and the use of them?

I have a theory ( and no its not about bunnies! and if you get that reference high five.).

From most (not all and am by no means taring every one with the same brush here), of the articles I have read there seems to be three types of people that find this terminology offensive:

"The do gooder" - People who have never suffered any kind of disability or health concern in their life but think they have the right to voice an opinion on this subject as an expert.

"The world owes me" - People,  who for what ever reason,  have become more and more bitter over time due to their disability or illness. They feel, rightly or wrongly,what has happened/wrong  to/ with them that it is every bodies fault ( I get this to some degree, its not easy to keep a positive outlook going every single day when you feel so useless and / or limited by whats wrong and the world will not accept you for you and most activities or places are not accessible, every one has their off days). But really? The world doesn't owe you jack squat mate! Yes maybe a helping hand now and then to do things or access places.  Use what you have to your advantage, make the most of it and start living because before you know it life has just passed you by.

"My life is over or why cant this have happened  to some one else"  -  People who have ended up with an illness or becoming disabled later in life through no fault of their own. Again I understand. One minute being healthy and able to do any thing or go any where, your future looking bright and shinny and the world at your feet, to within 24 hours having all this ripped away from you. It is a hard pill to swallow. It is also a bloody hard thing to get used to and come to terms with -  fighting pain, depression, friends walking away because they don't know how to react or cope, people staring, suddenly having limits put on as to what you can do, places you can go or even things you can wear.  ( I went through all of this for nearly a year and a half then decided I had enough. Now I wear what I want, I pimp my prosthesis and rock Darth Vader on one of them, wear shoes that make people stare and generally make the world bend to me.) I understand that this takes time , but some people just never adjust, adapt and learn to live with it they are too busy lamenting what they have lost.

How about instead of trying to define what we should and should not be called or what "boxes" "abled" bodied people put disabled people in, or in fact whether or not people should or should not help us with bags or opening bloody doors for us , why don't we just agree that we are just people with a difference? What terminology is used really doesn't matter does it? not unless it is meant in a bullying, nasty, creepy kind of demoralizing way. Unless some one is deliberately putting you down you define who you are, you put the limits on yourself its not a "us" and "them" thing, or at least it shouldn't be. The government have already tried to turn society against us people do not need to be helping them to do that. The next time some one asks what you like to be called make a joke or light of it , it an only offend if you choose to let it. The next time some one offers you help be grateful and smile, the next time some one opens a door for you say thank you you ungrateful git. The barriers are there and they will never go if people start to make other people feel uncomfortable to approach or help, terrified to say anything to us or engage with us or even invite us some where in case they offend, upset or seen to discriminate.

IS THIS THE LONGEST AND WORST JANUARY EVER?

Being an amputee one of the biggest issues I have apart from not having access to places is the weather. I wasn't steady on my feet before but now that I have what effectively feel like stilts, its a whole lot worse.

The main issues are rain ( living in the UK is 80% of the time), ice/frost and snow. Apart from the issues of the cold causing problems with the joints due to other health issues I have, this weather turns me in to a virtual recluse or risking a serious fall. Because I do not have a flexible foot or ankle and the prosthetic comes up to my knee cap, it makes balance and bending in them very difficult.
The weather since Christmas has been all over the place. High winds that caused issues with balance and asthma for me, torrential rain which meant a huge chance of slipping every time I went in doors, snow which means no outside at all, and now the media is telling us that it is all to start again with server snow due to it the UK.

As if already having a list as long as your arm with health issues isn't enough it looks like more will be added to it this year as mentioned in the last blog. I am struggling with university already and as well as missing  a second deadline now,  we have only been back a week and have already missed two days being in for lectures, with more to come due to all the appointment's I have coming my way. Dad is having money going out of his account with nothing to account for it as due to the dementia he is forgetting to pay his bills. this is going to mean more appointment's with social services ( for what good it will do).

So as well as struggling with my own demons (my depression, which is not uncommon for people with serious health issues or amputations to battle with), my health issues and university but I have my dads ill health to deal with and lack of control of pain. I can't speak for other people who are disabled but the hardest thing I  am finding at the moment is trying to do what every one else takes for granted, sometimes just keeping my head above water is a struggle. Being disabled to me means having to work harder to be "normal" like every one else. Things I used to take for granted and most of you still more then likely do, can be the biggest struggle for me.

Just getting up in the morning is a battle. Moving to sit up and get out of bed can be so painful it makes you cry. Getting ready can be a struggle so you need someone to help getting things on or off. Don't even talk to me about the shower ! The act of showering and the pressure of the water on my skin can sometimes be so painful that just having the show can set off a major fibro flare. Not to mention dropping stuff on the floor or things out of reach you just cant reach as you have no balance to do so ( weebles wobble but they dont fall down....unless you have no legs on and reach for something and go  face first into the floor ).  Then we should talk about the holding cups, forks and dropping everything, pins and needles in the hands, not being able to pick things up......the list goes on and I still push myself to attend appointments, university, sort out my dad and working on The Psych Twins. Can't wait for the new additions from the things am waiting to hear about.( thats sarcasm by the way, just in case you missed it).

These are what I suffer from at the moment :
amputee with phantom limb pains and nerve damage
Fibromyalgia
sleep aneapa
chronic fatigue syndrome
Arthritis - rheumatoid and osteo
rynalds
circulation problems
IBS
depression
and waiting on news about heart and cancer......I think thats everything, comes to something when you cant remember everything you have been labeled with.

With everything going on with me and my family, the amount of famous people who are loved by society dying, the news is full of death, disasters and the government screwing us over even more,but trying to stay positive so looking forward to what is to come this year.

The Psych Twins will be attending Walker Stalker in February to do reviews for access, Newcastle comic con reviewing March, Hero conventions in Edinburgh in April reviewing access, Asylum 16 and City of Heros 2 promoting ourselves in May, Metro unleashed promoting ourselves in June and Screen Con in Tynemouth promoting ourselves in July and as long as there are no more financial disasters the main thing am looking forward to is my  three week holiday to Florida in the USA.

so even though reading through the list of aliments I have makes me wonder how I function or even get up at all, I still have things to look forward to. Now if I could just work out how to stay upright in the snow.....