Control The World

Today, an engineer came from Possum to install an environmental control system for me. Now w/ one controller and switch I control my entire room – A/C, telly, lights, fan, phone, and a pager to beep the carers when needed… Amazing!

Dreams of Africa

Last night, I watched the FIFA Confederations Cup final between Brazil and USA in Johannesburg. What an interesting game! Though, thankfully Brazil won 3-2, but the USA should quite proud of what they achieved by coming 2nd just to Brazil in a major international competition…

Day with my Cousin

Yesterday, my cousin from Manchester came to visit w/ her two sons and her new husband. It is the first time that I’ve met her since she got married back in January, and it was really nice to see them all and catch up. We spent the whole day together, just having a wonderful time and eating mum’s amazing food…

Uni Update

Wow, time is just flying by… Just 77 Days, 19 Hours, 44 Minutes and counting until the first day of uni!

King of The World

Sadly, yesterday the legend that is Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him for all he achieved: being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as well as his other achievements that include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide.

He influenced so many bands more than anyone else I can think of (from rock to pop and everything in between), and what I find most interesting is the brand of Michael Jackson and how he had probably the biggest impact on global popular culture as a whole of a personal brand. This is quite fascinating, indeed.

May he R.I.P. and may his music live forever…

Day at The Office

This afternoon I went to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign HQ (where I’m doing my work experience) in Southwark, London. I went there to meet w/ the Trailblazers Project Manager to get some guidance/support about troubles I’m having w/ my local authority (rather not go into it as it’s way too stressful and emotional to talk about right now) from the charity. Hopefully, we can get it sorted quickly as possible.

Anyway, it was just so nice to see everyone and chat to them all at the office today as well. I cannot tell how happy I was to meet them after quite a long time and hopefully I can start coming in to the office more to be helpful to the charity rather than stuck at home (and not being so useless to them) now I have my new wheelchair. They’re all such amazing people that every time I come into the office I'm so energised and inspired to keep fighting and campaigning for important issues relating to neuromuscular diseases / disability rights. So, keep up all the excellent work guys (and ladies)!

Stay tuned for more good times at the office…

BALLS AHOY!

Today was the first day of the Wimbledon 2009 tournament. And what a day it was! Cannot wait for the final now…

Saturday Family Night

After a much long unforeseen break, last night we watched “Push” directed by Paul McGuigan, which stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou and Ming-Na.

This was a really fascinating film that I really liked a lot. I especially loved the soundtrack and some of the visuals, though I thought the ending was a bit disappointing and the concept could’ve been worked on a bit more…

Quite an interesting film; must see. *** FOUR STARS ***

UCA Farnham Day

Yesterday, I spent the day my uni (University for the Creative Arts at Farnham) to get the final details sorted for me to start in September. It was a very exciting day, indeed; and I’m so glad Sarah came too.

Upon arrival, when I got out of the van I couldn’t believe how sunny it was compared to up north in London and how much pollen was in the air at uni like giant dandruff everywhere, which stick to everything; well, the campus is on about 16 acres with lovely trees all around. So, I quickly walked out of the parking lot and into the main reception.

Anyway, I first met my Learning Support Assistant (LSA) who is like a note-taker but will be helping me with everything I need for my course and she seems very nice. We then met the Senior Accommodation Officer to check out my accommodation at uni. My dormitory is quite a good size with an en suite and a separate room for my carers. Just needs some posters and it should look much better. Next, we went Student Services Office and met with the Disability Support Manager to discuss in detail what support I’ll need during my course duration.

Once we finished there, we went to the cafeteria to eat some snacks. It was a good opportunity to start to get to know my LSA and to just hang out.

Also, after everything we met with my Year 1 Head tutor of my course (the one who interviewed me and offered me a place back in January) in a conservatory type structure with chairs and a sofa, which next to the cafeteria. He also introduced me to the other course tutor, as well. Sadly, I didn’t get meet the Course Leader b/c he was in a meeting, though hopefully I’ll get meet him soon in the future. But, the two course tutors were great to talk to and we discussed the course in greater detail. It was quite interesting to hear all the wicked things I get to in my course, even Sarah thought it was really cool. So happy that I got accepted on this course!

The day was just a wonderful experience and I’m glad I got everything sorted for uni; all I need to do now is prepare my mind for September. Well brilliant…


FYI: For you reference the course in September that I’m starting is BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Communication at UCA Farnham

Uni Update

OMG, less than three months left until I start university! 89 Days, 23 Hours, 44 Minutes and Counting to be precise…

A New Life, A New Me

Things feel like they’re starting to get better for the first time in my life. It totally is actually feeling as though I will be able to start achieving the goals for myself… Life’s good right now and I’m so thankful for everything!

Something has clicked and I’m ready to do what must be done with what I have to fulfill my dreams/goals. So world, stay tuned for greatness b/c it's a new life, a new me…

Uni Update

95 Days, 17 Hours, 19 Minutes and counting until my first day of uni… Oh man, time is just going so fast. HURRAH!

My Re-Awakening Begins…

Yes, my new wheelchair arrived yesterday for the final fitting and is officially now mine to keep: HURRAH! You all have no idea what this means to me, and how happy and alive I feel right now. Last night, I took for a spin outside just up the street and it drives like a BMW (well, it was made in Germany); it’s amazing, but I just need to get used to all the settings of my cool, new wheelchair. All in need to do now, is not rush anything and build up my tolerance of sitting in the wheelchair, as well as greatly taking advantage of the Power Tilt feature even more throughout the day than I used to b/c realistically I’m not ever again going to be able to sit completely vertically in my wheelchair for long periods due to the severity of my Scoliosis (and gravity being my worst enemy). It sucks, but I’m very thankful that at least I’m mobile at last.

It’s just so wicked and totally dog’s bollocks! Photos coming soon…

Wheelchair Update

I just found out that my new wheelchair will be coming on Tuesday for the final fitting! I cannot wait and hope everything works out…

Uni Assessment

This afternoon an Educational Assessor came to visit to assess my needs for uni study and for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) . Once the Assessor does some calculations, she will type a report of what equipment/support I need for uni and then send it to the student finance people. I think it went pretty well, so let’s hope for the best…