There are 104 entries in this category.
- “Are you disabled?” “Yes.” “Prove it!”
9
Posted on 8 July
My CEA (or Cinema Exhibitors’ Association) card was finally delivered the other day after nearly four weeks of waiting. - The price of freedom 2
Posted on 24 June
I’ve had my newfangled chair for a week over six months now and the joy of having a new toy hasn’t worn off yet and nor have I gotten bored of showing it off to people. - The eyes have it 3
Posted on 19 April
One of the symptoms of FSH muscular dystrophy is having difficulty being able to close your eyes properly. I can’t speak for all FSHers but personally I can’t close them fully. - Who ate all the pies? Erm, I did. 8
Posted on 10 April
I could be described as somewhat over my ideal weight. Or, if it’s someone like Tugger saying it, I’m a fat bastard. - Now the excitement’s died down 11
Posted on 1 April
I had a fairly good birthday in the end — nothing too exciting but good nonetheless. - The halfway point, living, dying and half-empty glasses 9
Posted on 20 March
Here I am, halfway through my three-score-years-and-ten, and still wondering why all those years ago I was so worried about getting older — it’s great and I love it. - Different by (many) degrees 2
Posted on 6 March
The weather here in Kidderminster, England, is being fairly average for the time of year. I can’t really complain and must spare a thought for my brother in Oswego, Illinois. - Speed King! 10
Posted on 22 January
“How fast is the new chair?” you’re wondering. Well, wonder no more! - The uncle and the chair 3
Posted on 10 January
Well, thankfully 2007’s out of the way and we can all get on with making 2008 a decent year. I only have one rule for everyone this year: no-one is allowed to die. Seriously. If anyone I care about dies during 2008 then I’ll fucking kill them. - And now … the end is near … 4
Posted on 31 December
Well, 2007 turned out to be a year of highs and lows and my general feelings about it are more or less the same as they were for 2006. - It’s a date! 4
Posted on 15 November
“Dear Mr. Griffin, We anticipate delivery of your new powerchair to take place during the week commencing the 17th of December …” - Meow 6
Posted on 7 November
Well, it’s been a little over three weeks since my last proper update so I’ve forced myself at fingers-looking-like-a-gun point to write another. - Bloody weird 8
Posted on 14 July ‘07
Andy tagged me … the bastard! - The chair and the friends 12
Posted on 27 June ‘07
I was reading the introductory posts for Ouch!’s guest bloggers (some of whom are new, some not) and they inspired me to actually write something here for a change. - B.A.D.D. 2007 3
Posted on 1 May ‘07
I’ve been incredibly remiss and haven’t written anything for this year’s Blogging Against Disablism Day … which is today! - Interview Me Meme 6
Posted on 24 April ‘07
After tagging myself in this Meme via Sally’s Life (ages ago - sorry for the delay) I’ve been asked the questions below. - One year older 24
Posted on 20 March ‘07
I’m 22 years old today. Yes, that’s right: 22 … in hexadecimal. - So, I met this girl … 4
Posted on 11 March ‘07
… back in April last year and, for me at least, it was love at first sight. - Five things about me 7
Posted on 17 January ‘07
I’ve been tagged by Wayne Smallman in a meme, the subject of which you can guess from the title. - Timmargh’s review of 2006 11
Posted on 30 December ‘06
Overall, it was a bit shit. - The end is nigh! 5
Posted on 21 December ‘06
The end of the year, that is. Ho-ho, I crack myself up sometimes … not today, though. - Christmas is a-coming 4
Posted on 14 December ‘06
Breaking news: I actually ventured into the outside world today and went shopping! I am currently recovering from my ordeal with a good cup of coffee to drink and a cocker spaniel to stroke. - Winter blues 6
Posted on 15 November ‘06
I don’t like cold weather. At all. Sure, it’s nice to look at: the clear skies, the frost on the glass, the children sliding to school … but that’s about it: it’s nice to look at! - Dad’s memorial service 6
Posted on 26 October ‘06
The whole day on Saturday went well, the weather was dry (but a bit chilly!), lots of people turned up (over 200) and the food at the pub was great. - Dad’s funeral 7
Posted on 19 October ‘06
Today was the day and, if such a thing is possible, it was a good funeral. - The test drive 6
Posted on 18 October ‘06
As I mentioned previously, yesterday I took a test drive in a vehicle fitted with the controls I’m hoping to get for my new car and it went well. - A ray of sunshine amidst the gloom 4
Posted on 16 October ‘06
I got a telephone call on Thursday or Friday of last week from a guy named Ian at Balder who’re the company I’m hoping to buy the controls from for my new car. - “The Tinkerer” 4
Posted on 11 October ‘06
I was going to post this after Dad’s funeral but I’ve decided that today, his birthday, would be a better time to do it. - Life goes on 1
Posted on 10 October ‘06
It’s Dad’s birthday tomorrow - he would’ve been 66 years-old. - Can’t think of a title 7
Posted on 26 September ‘06
First of all I’d like to say thank you to everyone who emailed me - your kinds words mean a lot to me and I really appreciate you taking the time to send me some comfort. - Basil Griffin 1940 - 2006 0
Posted on 22 September ‘06
Basil Griffin, my father, died this evening from complications brought about from treatment for lung cancer. He was 65 and leaves his wife and three sons. - A Dad update: a smile and some good news 7
Posted on 13 September ‘06
My Mum sent an email to all our friends and relatives the other day and a bit in the middle made me smile. - The Sock Thief 3
Posted on 7 September ‘06
A notorious criminal who goes by the name of “Rocco” and is easily recognised by his long ears and spaniel eyes recently stole a very rare and precious sock - one of only two of that particular kind in the house. - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb 4
Posted on 25 August ‘06
A friend of mine is getting married on 1st September and, not being one to do things by halves, he decided that instead of a stag night he’d have a stag day. I’m not gonna talk about the whole day, though, just the first event … - 1 in 3 16
Posted on 16 August ‘06
My dad will be 66 years old in October. He gave up smoking about 4 weeks ago after 40+ years. He was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 weeks later. Sorry if that sounded dramatic, but I’ve written and rewritten it about 10 times and have given up trying to make it sound any other way. - Bloody security updates 12
Posted on 4 August ‘06
After having to restart my iMac after installing the latest security update I present my new uptime record, beating the last one by 18 hour. - iTunes Quiz 9
Posted on 27 July ‘06
Was bored, read this, decided to copy. - General stuff 8
Posted on 21 July ‘06
I’ve been a bit quiet lately for various reasons - I’m going to be all mysterious and only mention some of them … - Wild weather 12
Posted on 5 July ‘06
Yesterday was a lot of fun for me: headache, tingly arms (and one more embarrassing symptom). - Driving assessment 17
Posted on 29 June ‘06
My driving assessment I mentioned earlier is at 1 o’clock this afternoon and I can’t fucking wait! - I’m still here 6
Posted on 21 June ‘06
… but I’ve been to busy to post anything worthwhile, so a few quickies. - Time to get up … erm … help? (UPDATED) 10
Posted on 4 June ‘06
It has been just over three months since I took delivery of my all-singing-all-dancing-super-Ninja-shit-kicking bed … and now it’s broken. Bollocks. - What it is I’m aiming for 12
Posted on 1 June ‘06
No, I haven’t bought a sniper rifle and decided to go after the people on The List. Not yet anyway … - 20 things you didn’t know about me 16
Posted on 26 May ‘06
I saw a topic like this on a forum I drop into occasionally, so I thought I’d steal the idea and tell you all more about me than you ever wanted to know. Those of you who know me outside of The Matrix (i.e. in the real world) will no doubt know some, if not all, of these … but it’s been really hard to even come with twenty! - It’s over! 11
Posted on 18 May ‘06
Please forgive the attention seeking crypticness of my previous entry - I was in a strange state of mind. Now, though, I’m out the other side and can fully explain myself. - Not feeling good 7
Posted on 16 May ‘06
The title says everything that needs to be said for the moment - I’ll post a full explanation in due course, once I stop feeling like death warmed up. - Adding my voice 7
Posted on 1 May ‘06
Well, today’s the big day: Blogging Against Disablism Day. I’m not entirely sure about what I want to write, so I’ll just let it leak out of my head onto the keyboard. - Blogging Against Disablism Day (BADD), 1st May 2006 0
Posted on 19 April ‘06
That silver (or should that be gold?) tongued wonder know as The Goldfish has come up with an interesting idea … - The Ouch Podcast 0
Posted on 7 April ‘06
Ouch! is the online disability magazine featuring “news, opinion and humour” and the people there have created the first of what is promised to be a monthly podcast. - The bandage is off! 7
Posted on 2 April ‘06
Today Linda, one of the district nurses, took the bandage off my right foot for the last time - I am officially healed. - Catching up 4
Posted on 28 March ‘06
I was over-joyed to catch up with an old friend today, Jo, and when I say “old” I mean “known for quite a while”, not elderly. - Today 15
Posted on 20 March ‘06
Well, today’s my big day: my birthday. I came into this world 33 years ago today, 4 weeks and 6 days overdue (I should’ve been born on Valentines Day!); I was cold, wet and hungry - then someone slapped me and it all went downhill from there … - An early birthday present 8
Posted on 17 March ‘06
I got an Amazon parcel in the post yesterday morning and inside wasn’t the Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire DVD I’d ordered I was expecting, but a copy of The Zen Of CSS Design. - Rotoflex-o-rama! 13
Posted on 17 March ‘06
I’ve mentioned my new bed on more than one occasion on here (what do you mean I haven’t shut up about it?) so I thought it was time to take a few pictures to show you its loveliness. Unfortunately, because of its size and where it is in my room (i.e. the middle) I couldn’t get back far enough to get it all in one frame, and my attempts at a panoramic shot failed miserably. So, what’s a man to do? Why, of course: video it! - My second night … 7
Posted on 1 March ‘06
… went much better! - My first night … 5
Posted on 28 February ‘06
… on my new bed! First things first: I didn’t sleep very well. - Ah … at last! 5
Posted on 27 February ‘06
The bed has arrived. I am happy. Make the most of it … - Some good news at last 2
Posted on 22 February ‘06
I got a ‘phone call this morning (which N answered) and was reliably informed that my new bed will be delivered at around 10 o’clock on Monday morning. - God dammit, I’m angry 15
Posted on 15 February ‘06
Seriously. I keep thinking about various things in my life and they piss me off. - A new place to hangout 8
Posted on 12 February ‘06
I used to spend a fair amount of time chatting to many people on Special Reserve’s UK Chat Forums — Special Reserve, as a company, has folded and the forums are now known as Freeola Chat. I’ve gotten to know and like many people on there over the years and would quite often lose hours on the site. - Four things 3
Posted on 6 February ‘06
Four jobs I’ve had in my life: data inputter; pizza delivery driver; programmer / data inputter; programmer - Have you seen this man? 4
Posted on 1 February ‘06
I’m actually ahead of myself for once in my life and, with N’s help, managed to apply for and get my new “disabled person’s parking card” before my current one expired - this sort of organisation and preparation is virtually unknown in my life. - I’m normal again 4
Posted on 30 January ‘06
Well, the sickness and all that has gone and I’m feeling on top of the world - I’m eating well, drinking loads (non-alcoholic, of course) and my foot’s doing really well. - Well, that was fun! 3
Posted on 25 January ‘06
I’m happy to be home and making the most of being in bed (i.e. watching trash, eating trash) and then I get a week of sickness and bloody diarrhea! Well, not literally “bloody” … - I’m home! 9
Posted on 17 January ‘06
… and I’m happy! Thanks for all the support, guys ‘n’ gals. - Still laid up 22
Posted on 3 January ‘06
I’m still on my back in the hospital and being looked after really well - all the nurses are fantastic and I’ve fallen in love two of them. - Happy Birthday … 4
Posted on 31 December ‘05
@ngel! - I’m going in 5
Posted on 28 December ‘05
Well, I’m being collected by ambulance tomorrow morning and being taken to Worcester Royal Hospital for my treatment to my foot - I should be in for a week or so. I’ll be in the Severn Unit if you happen to be passing … - Thank you … whoever you are! 0
Posted on 28 December ‘05
Thank you to who ever it was who bought the Discworld calendar from my Amazon wish list - it arrived this morning, but the tag was blank so I’ve got no idea who bought it for me. - Preparing for hospital 16
Posted on 24 December ‘05
After the good news that I can spend Christmas at home, I’m now preparing myself for next Tuesday or Wednesday when I will have to be admitted for some treatment of various sorts. - And … relax 5
Posted on 23 December ‘05
Well, the district nurse has been this morning and she announced that my foot looks better - very little redness and my left foot is a lot less swollen. So, I don’t have to spend Christmas in hospital … - Spend Christmas in hospital? 8
Posted on 21 December ‘05
The district nurse, Liz, came today to change the dressing on my foot as per usual, only today she was concerned that it looked markedly worse than it did the previous week. - Christmas Day looms 8
Posted on 16 December ‘05
I’m not Scrooge and I don’t hate Christmas. I do like seeing people but I hate having to traipse from house to house just because it’s the done thing. - Bad weather 7
Posted on 14 December ‘05
There’s me, complaining about the cold weather here in Kidderminster when over in Oswego, IL, where my brother lives … - It just keeps getting better 6
Posted on 13 December ‘05
If I believed in a God, I’d swear he was doing his best to make me happy-ish. - I’m smiling again 10
Posted on 8 December ‘05
And this time it’s a BIG smile. - Can I get a restart? 8
Posted on 1 December ‘05
I’ve just downloaded an Apple security update for OS X and I need to restart my iMac. But, before I do, I thought I’d share this with you. - Lee Knight 6
Posted on 7 November ‘05
Lee was a guy who married a friend of mine some years ago. They got divorced and I only saw him a couple of times after that. - Have you ever … ? 14
Posted on 1 November ‘05
Snuck out of the house? Yes. Gotten lost in your city? Yes. - I’m still smiling! 11
Posted on 25 October ‘05
I got a very nice surprise in the post this morning: a cheque for 250GBP! - Look: I’m smiling! 6
Posted on 24 October ‘05
I’ve had a really good day today and I thought I’d write it all down before I get grumpy or cheesed off about the weather or something like that. - Lightening the “burden” 14
Posted on 20 October ‘05
I smiled somewhat after reading Lady Bracknell’s guest blogger entry on the Ouch! blog, and also had a giggle at the editor’s note at the end. - “You might feel a bit of a prick … “ 6
Posted on 13 October ‘05
No change there then! - It still hurts 13
Posted on 25 September ‘05
As some of you may know, I am currently suffering with a foot ulcer. - The answers 2
Posted on 23 September ‘05
Well, I got a huge response to my “ask me a question” post … a whopping two people replied. - Carer? Not anymore, guv … 7
Posted on 16 September ‘05
About five years ago, me and N decided to get a place and move in together. At the time, I was living with my parents and she had her own flat. She sold her flat and we moved into a warden controlled, disabled adapted bungalow in Kidderminster and lived as friends, crip and carer. - Adam, 1972 - 2005 2
Posted on 15 September ‘05
I recently found out that a friend of mine, Adam, died in a motorcycle accident last month. He was a month away from his 33rd birthday. - Give me an easy one on sport 5
Posted on 14 September ‘05
This is a bit of a cop-out as entries go and I’m also stealing the idea from Lisy Babe’s Blog. I’m offering you lot the chance to ask me any question and I will answer it. It can be personal, technical, general knowledge or something completely random. When I have enough questions I’ll make another entry with my answers. - Foot. Car. Revisited. 0
Posted on 2 September ‘05
I had two hospital appointments yesterday: one at 10 o’clock in the morning for an arterial leg scan and another at 2.30 to see the vascular surgeon. - Worcester’s Guild Hall gets disabled access 2
Posted on 25 August ‘05
I’m not usually a campaigner for places to improve their disabled access, but I was pleased to see BBC news website. - 5ongs 6
Posted on 13 August ‘05
Another musical baton-type thing I’ve picked up from Pete Ashton’s blog - this one is about “five songs that one is digging of this moment”. Coffee & TV by Blur: I hadn’t heard this for ages until I caught the video on one of the music channels about a week ago - since then I’ve specifically looked for it in iTunes a few times. - Heart drug for muscular dystrophy 5
Posted on 20 July ‘05
I have a different form of muscular dystrophy (FSH) but this is still damn good news. - Going slightly mad 8
Posted on 11 July ‘05
Warning: whining shitness ahead - get out now while you still can! - Foot. Car. 5
Posted on 5 July ‘05
Sorry for the lack of activity around here lately - several factors have contributed to this. - Word. 17
Posted on 28 June ‘05
No posts for a while, so here’s a stop-gap: describe how you’re feeling using just one word. - I had a bad day yesterday 9
Posted on 23 June ‘05
I crashed my car. Well, technically I didn’t crash my car, but the girl who drove into the side of me did. - Musical baton 13
Posted on 8 June ‘05
I’ve read quite a few blogs lately, the authors of which have been passed a musical baton: someone they know emails them with a series of music related questions, they answer them and pass the baton on to other people. - Pressure sores and my life 8
Posted on 4 June ‘05
Now you probably thinking “Oh, bloody hell! He’s gonna get all whiny on us …” but, no, I’m not - I’m simply going to start opening up a bit and this is the place I’m going to do it. As the recently-changed blurb at the top of the page says: “A mix of observations on life with muscular dystrophy interspersed with amateurish CSS and Mac OS X tips.” Note the word used is “observations”, not “complaints”. - FSH Muscular Dystrophy 38
Posted on 25 April ‘05
I have muscular dystrophy and, if I’m honest, it’s a bitch and I fucking hate it. I still have a decent (albeit twisted) mind and enough friends and family to ensure an active social life, though. So what if I can’t get up those stairs? There’s bound to be someone around who could drag me up by my hair. Using a wheelchair virutally guarantees a good view at any live event and I can park almost any where I want. But, I still hate it. - The love of my life 0
Posted on 18 April ‘05
Me and N, my carer, have a four year-old male cocker spaniel named Rocco - he is officially The Greatest Thing Ever™. - It’s a small world 3
Posted on 26 March ‘05
Bit of a cliché, that, but it’s true. - Bring out yer dead 2
Posted on 11 March ‘05
The lurgy is in town. A head cold - sore throat, blocked sinuses, sneezing, coughing etc. - is making its way around N’s family. The people who have succumbed so far (named in relation to N) include: a nephew, a brother-in-law, a sister, another brother-in-law, another sister, her mum (who’s elderly and is now being looked after at our house) and now N herself. Un-super. - “We must destroy the doctor!” 2
Posted on 2 February ‘05
I was thinking the other day about the different equipment I own and use to make my life easier. It was prompted by me having the four batteries in my two tracking hoists replaced, batteries which can usually be bought for around 8GBP each but which cost the company who replaced them 90GBP and cost the housing company 500GBP to have them fitted! - I could go for miles and miles and miles and … 3
Posted on 18 January ‘05
When I got my first car way back in January 1990 I was a 16 year-old learning to drive and between then and passing my test in May I covered over 3 thousand miles. Between passing my test and the following January I covered another 17 thousand or so miles. For the next how-ever-many years I averaged between 14 and 20 thousand mile per year. How is it now then that after owning my current car for over two years has it only just reached 10 thousand miles?