The UKs Favourite Disability Magazine
Lorraine Hershon
Why Do Some People Think They Can Say What They Like About Disabled People?
Mar 31st
Lorraine has some great news.
Life’s a funny old thing, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem to matter how much we think we’re in control, life throws in various unknowns along the way – just to keep things interesting.
Sometimes I think it might be quite nice to lead a steady, reliable sort of ordinary kind of life. You see, I used to be one of those people who was so organised; I had these terrific five year plans where I would map out my career, finances and personal life with Great Expectations. The only thing is, since we got into the 21st century, nothing has gone according to plan, and I’ve had to forget all the grand designs – they’re worthless. More >
…Loses Her Mona Lisa Smile
Mar 31st
Keeping your dignity’s not always an option when the world takes you by surprise
Despite life’s surprises over the last few years, I’ve always tried to maintain a certain level of dignity – or could that really be vanity and pride in disguise? Being honest, I give off a certain level of smugness when talking to friends: “Fallen out of my chair, in public? Oh no, not me, I’ve never done that,” I say, with a Mona Lisa smile. More >
Why Does Child-Friendly Not Mean Wheelchair-Friendly?
Mar 31st
I like to think that being a disabled parent of little boys is no more challenging for me than it would be for anyone else.
Most of the time this thought works well. I do the things that all parents do and don’t think twice about it. Of course I am constantly dealing with certain attitudes, especially from healthcare workers who tend to greet me with raised eyebrows – female, wheelchair, baby – before composing themselves again. Disabled people having children still seem to be a rarity for them, which is odd because I know loads, so they do exist!
…Is Focused on the Impending Birth of Her Fourth Child
Mar 31st
– and why it doesn’t get any easier!
Quite possibly, by the time you read this, I will have had our fourth child and finally put to an end the conundrum of where to have him. After the slight mishap with the last baby – who decided to stop breathing 20 minutes after having arrived in the world, and had to be resuscitated before being whisked to hospital – my husband has been understandably rather anxious and insisted that this one should arrive in hospital. More >
…Frets About Visiting Places for the First Time
Mar 31st
A lack of information can really disable you.
“Let’s meet in Durham,” a family member suggested recently. However, once I researched the geography of the city I wasn’t so sure.
According to the cathedral website it wasn’t great for access, being set on a hill. As we have three young children, plus a wheelchair, to get around I wasn’t sure it was the best place in the world to have a day out.
More >
…Sometimes Wonders About Her Sanity!
Mar 31st
Wearing Y-fronts on your head can sometimes work wonders.
I’m sure there are times in everyone’s lives when we catch ourselves doing something and think: “I must be stark, raving bonkers!” Unsurprisingly, with three under-fives running riot around the house, I find I’m doing this more and more. More >
…Sometimes disables herself!
Mar 31st
Truth is, disability can sometimes get more difficult over time.
People think that once you’ve been disabled for a while you get used to it. Well, only sort of. To be honest, some of it actually gets more difficult as time goes on.
You see initially I was super-duper positive, looking on the bright side of life and being the all-singing, all-dancing, superwoman that everyone knows and loves. I could do anything and everything. Nothing was too great for me. Pollyanna was my middle name. More >
…Praises an Overlooked Hero
Mar 31st
Most people have no appreciation of the role of a carer.
Someone recently told my husband that I was the most inspiring person they had ever met. That’s very nice but, without wanting to sound mealy-mouthed, is just a bit glib – and completely ignores our situation.
The most inspiring person is, in fact, my husband who – like every other carer in this country – is overlooked, forgotten and taken for granted. He’s the one who lost the life he knew when I became disabled; the one who gave up his job; the one who cooks, cleans and shops; the one who organises and takes the children on outings. He’s the one who puts the vacuum cleaner round the house, digs the garden, walks the dogs, bathes the boys, and does the bedtime stories. If I need him to, he’s the one who gets me out of bed, organises breakfast, helps me bathe and dress More >
