Inclusive Living Concepts

Protecting your money when others are shopping

27/01/2023 28/01/2023

Hi All,

How is January treating you? I can’t believe we’re nearly at the end of the first month of the year already! This post was originally going to be about two new accessible products this year. However, while researching them, I became aware of many questions about shopping, money and what to do if others need to physically shop for you. So I thought I’d write a post about the solution I’ve found for this. Handing over your card and pin isn’t advisable even if you trust the person implicitly.

People who shop for me

My PAs used to shop for me. Due to waiting for social services, I’m without formal support and relying on my parents. They do everything for me including the shopping for which I’m grateful. The question of protecting money mainly comes up when people are referring to formal care. Unfortunately giving your PIN number to a family member can also be seen as aiding fraud.

Banks won’t cover multiple people shopping for you!

Banks/financial institutions don’t cover you if your card is used by ANYONE not named on the account. I found this out when I went into my local branch a few years ago. When I explained my situation I was told I could nominate two people. This might be useful for some but is no good to me as my care requires more than a team of two. The advisor then went on to say if I gave my information to anyone then any money that was taken would not be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or the bank. If someone decided to take money from my account I wouldn’t see it again!

Shopping for a solution.

Now that I knew bank accounts were out I started thinking about alternatives. The obvious one is cash but I feel vulnerable using cash points. I take ages getting the money out. I’ve always felt that someone could walk past, reach above my head and steal my money without breaking a sweat. There’s cashback from supermarkets although that’s not so widely available since COVID-19.

The only option left was top-up cards or Prepaid cards. These allow you to load your own money onto the card but once the amount is spent you cannot spend anymore. I’m a big user of the MoneySavingExpert website and highly recommend it if you want advice on how to make your money go further. When I searched all of the prepaid cards had fees. As I wanted a fee-free card I very cleverly searched the internet for a ‘free prepaid card’ Scoff all you like but it worked, I found Tesco’s ClubcardPay+. Their card is completely free to use.

This post isn’t sponsored by Tesco they aren’t even aware I’m writing this. I’m just pleased to find a product that works. If someone from Tesco is reading this and wants to get in touch feel free 🙂

Registering and using the card to shop

Registering is easy if you can perform basic computing tasks, you’ll do this with no problem. Click here and you get the screen below to register.

The only requirements are that you live in the UK, have a Tesco Clubcard, and have access to a smartphone to enable you to use their app. If you don’t have a Clubcard it’s free and you will have the option to sign up for one further down on the registration page, see below.

The application process took me about ten minutes and was straightforward. You will get your card and PIN within seven working days. They will arrive separately for security. In the meantime, you can download the app, Tesco Bank.

When you’ve received your card, and PIN and logged onto the app you will be greeted with the screen below.

Next you will need to top up which will lead you to the screen below where you choose to connect your current account, this is what I have done or manually top up the card.

After selecting your bank you will be asked how much you want to transfer.

After choosing your top up amount you will be connected to your bank to authorise the transfer. For me this is really easy as I have my banking app also on my phone and both are authenticated by FaceID. All I have to do is stare at my phone.

Off to the shops

Once topped up I can give the card and PIN to anyone and they’ll be limited to the amount on the card. The card is handed over and a PIN is requested for a first time purchase. Contactless payments up to £100 are also possible with this card but as you can see from my screenshots I have less than £100 available to be spent. Once transactions have taken place the amounts spent and where also appear in the app. Great for peace of mind and for keeping track of your spending.

I hope this has been helpful, any questions please get in touch. How do you handle shopping when you can’t physically be there for whatever reason? Were you aware that your bank or building society wouldn’t refund you if people were to take advantage of your trust when shopping for you?

A Christmas Post

24/12/2022 24/12/2022

The decorations are up! Happy Christmas Everyone.

This is just a quick post to say Happy Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys themselves however you celebrate. The Christmas tree photo below is not mine but the tree at my local park. The toddler is also unknown to me and she decided to photobomb my first Christmas tree photo.

Christmas Decorations

I’m back with my parents as I currently have no care and as this is a Christmas post I won’t say anymore this side of Christmas but the bright side is my Mom and Dad’s decorations are superior to mine. I love the house when it’s all decorated, even if we’re not having a real tree this year.

Family and Friends

I’m very lucky to have a family to share Christmas with and I’m aware not everyone does. Appreciate family and friends, and never take them for granted. Celebrate in a way that makes you happy and I’ll see you on the other side.

Migraines and one long moan

08/10/2022 24/12/2022

Hello All! A lot has happened since March. At the end of April, I started having horrific migraines which meant that until recently I haven’t been able to do anything but curl up and pray for the pain to stop. Very dramatic, but unfortunately true as many of the disability community will agree. This post is basically one long moan, a title attributed to Sarah DP at Ability Today and one of the people supporting me on my journalism journey with the ADJ. It may also become a podcast soon if everything goes to plan but more on that later.

Medication moan

The medical profession’s attitude towards medication, in general, has shocked me! I don’t like taking more medication than I need but I couldn’t stand the agony of my migraines! I take some tablets regularly, Baclofen being the main one since I hurt my back. Ringing my GP as I couldn’t cope with the pain. I was told I could take Naproxen, Codine, Paracetamol, Baclofen and Diazepam together if need be! This was a big difference from the cautionary tale I usually got. They only seemed bothered about the Diazepam long-term and are happy for me to take the others. Thankfully I have now come off all non-daily tablets but am still waiting for the pain clinic, physio and orthotics referrals to be written. I find it crazy that society would rather I pill pop rather than get the treatment I need.

Substandard Care

My posts have complained about the care system since I started this blog. People who actually care and who want to do the job are few and far between. I had four PAs in March, now I’m down to one. Why do people apply for jobs and then just disappear without saying anything? I’ve had it with interviews too, people say they’ll turn up and then don’t. I don’t understand why people don’t do what they say they will. This is an almost daily moan for me. I’m starting to wonder if I will find a team of people that I’m comfortable with but am trying to stay positive and not take it personally. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has to rely on care and how you organise it.

Agency Moan

After two years my care agency are concerned about my shower chair and saying I may need two people as the chair moves. My solution is to get someone in to fix the brakes! My needs have not changed. I never want to put anyone at risk. Their solution involves two people seeing me in a vulnerable position and more money to pay for the second person.

They suggested that my father transfer me into the shower seat! Where is my choice, privacy and dignity in that? Not to mention my father may want to do something other than hang around to transfer me. The idea that it’s ok for my father to struggle upset me massively and inspired this moan. Informal carers are expected to just do everything regardless of their own health!

Updates moan

If I didn’t have to chase people for updates I don’t know what my life would look like! At the moment I’m chasing referrals, Wheelchair Services, Social Services and a private wheelchair company about fixing a second-hand wheelchair I’ve just acquired. I’m writing this paragraph two weeks after the first one as I’ve been struggling with tiredness but I still haven’t heard anything about any of my referrals. Receiving a wheelchair from wheelchair services, which, to date, is sitting unused inside my parents’ porch as it is unusable. I cannot transfer into it. Covid is being blamed for the delay and while that may be true I still wouldn’t have a chair if I hadn’t brought one myself. This is pretty ridiculous considering my chair is my legs and I cannot move around without one!

Waste of resources and money

The amount of items I’ve had delivered to me over the last three years is ridiculous. I’d never look a gift horse in the mouth and I’m very grateful for the help I receive however I hate waste.

I have had eight wheelchair cushions delivered to me since the first lockdown in 2020 and non of them are suitable! The care sector and the wheelchair service keep mentioning budget cuts, yet they have the money to waste ordering cushions for me to try. I appreciate the thought but half of them were unsuitable just looking at them because they were too high. Having specified to anyone at Wheelchair Services who would listen that I need a two-inch cushion it seems daft that I would receive a three-inch, sometimes four inches through the post. Returning the cushions is not an option. Instead of being repurposed for someone else, they would be destroyed. I donated six of them to a local day centre near my house.

I’ve not even mentioned the ‘OT cupboard’ that my Mom happily got rid of some years ago. You know the one, that space in your house where all the equipment goes that a helpful OT or physio has given you that you never use. It’s all meant to help but is such a waste and takes up a lot of room. Allocating resources sensibly reduces costs. I now use the top of my chest of drawers as my ‘OT cupboard.’

One long moan podcast

This post has been very cathartic for me but have you enjoyed it? As part of my journalism course, I have to create a podcast. It’s been suggested to me that my moans are well thought out and amusing, thanks, Sarah. Obviously, most of you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing my voice but I’m considering doing as suggested and turning mine and other people’s moans into a podcast. My hope is that others in the community will suggest solutions and people will feel connected and not that they are the only ones experiencing a particular issue. What do you think?

10 things affecting my wellbeing right now!

17/03/2022 11/09/2022

I’m back with an update that explains what has been affecting my wellbeing since July 2021 and contributing to my online absence.

Mental wellbeing

My mental wellbeing has suffered a lot since I last posted. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs mostly due to the stress of having to recruit Personal Assistants and contemplating moving out of my parent’s house for what will be the 3rd time. My wellbeing improved when I received my budget but the stress of moving creates its own anxieties and challenges.

I’m receiving help from my local mental health centre and attend sessions once a week. I also signed up for an online mental health platform called SpokzPeople. I wanted to write a post for mental health awareness day but was too overwhelmed to post anything. Mental health is important and not just one day a year. Wellbeing is becoming more prominently talked about since the Ukraine crisis. While that situation is terrible, poor mental health can be triggered and improved by small events too. Talk to someone if you are feeling low or struggling no matter what the reason.

Physical wellbeing

At the start of the first lockdown in 2020, I had so many plans for the upkeep of my wellbeing, so many tours and shows to watch online and accessible fitness classes for disabled people were being launched. Then I caught COVID-19 and it all went to hell.

One of the main things I realised after venturing outside again was how weak I was. It wasn’t all to do with being ill. I’d spent the best part of a year in a home where everything was adapted to my needs. This meant I wasn’t struggling to transfer. This was great at the time and a boast to my mental and physical health that most of my pain disappeared but without the daily struggle my body got lazy and I’m still not back to how I was.

In August 2020, I applied for and was given some resistance bands. The scheme run by Wheelpower is now open again. If successful they will post the bands to your home and their website has lots of videos with classes and ideas of how to use them.

I have now signed up for both the yoga and exercise classes starting next week. I’m hoping to get myself in shape. Wish me luck.

Dancing with Motionhouse

As I type this it’s our first performance this evening of Wondrous Stories on Thursday 17th March. If you’re in or near Birmingham we are performing in Centenary Square till Sunday 20th March as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. Our 8.30 pm performance is being live-streamed on Friday 18th for those who cannot make it in person. Dance and more importantly my teammates in Freewheelin’ Dance have an enormous, positive impact on my wellbeing.

Watch the Wondrous Stories from Friday 18th here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGTukQOMTkI

Wheelchairs and Wellbeing

Without my wheelchair, my wellbeing would suffer. My wheelchair is my legs and my independence, which is why I’m still searching for a suitable backup chair for when my Powerchair goes wrong. More on this when I have more time, with pictures I promise.

Recruiting PA’s for future wellbeing

Ever since I received my care package in June 2021. I’ve been trying to recruit people to assist me. I’m now having some success but writing and posting ads, conducting video interviews with the help of an advocate and then meeting people face to face has taken over my life. I’m hopeful I now have a good team and will write about my recruitment process in a future post.

Contingencies for my wellbeing

Contingencies, plans for what happens if my PAs are off work, are doing my head in at the moment. I’ve been looking at agency cover but the average cost of an agency in my area is £23 per hour and my council pays just under £16 agency rate. Next month my team will be on minimum wage pay as the council rate for Direct Payments hasn’t gone up for a least ten years. I know there are many people asking for a pay rate increase on the Direct Payment scheme across many different councils.

Journalism

I’m still studying for my certificate in journalism under the ADJ but due to the above, I haven’t managed to progress much. I’m really enjoying the course so far and thankful that the tutors and organisers are understanding when life gets in the way. I hope to complete this qualification before Christmas. Excuse me for mentioning that holiday before November!

Assistance Dog

I’ve always loved dogs. They make me smile from ear to ear! It’s always been a goal of mine to have a four-legged PA and thanks to Canine Partners it’ll happen. Canine Partners train assistance dogs for disabled people. The main tasks for me will be opening/closing doors, picking up anything I drop and assisting me with my coat. I’m hopeful this will mean I can leave the house independently. This will help my wellbeing massively both mentally and physically if I can do things on my own without asking for human help. If only dogs had opposable thumbs… 😂

Volunteering with Disability Horizons

I’m still part of the amazingly supportive Disability Horizons, I’ve just been doing less, mainly due to the time and energy recruitment was taking. I have several stories to edit and a few reviews planned so I hope you’ll keep your eyes peeled. Working with like-minded people gives me a boost and lessens the feeling that I’m struggling alone.

Collective voices create change and better wellbeing for all.

Lastly, I’m a member of several survey and disability groups that ask my opinion on different things. Disability Horizons has just started asking people to sign up to assist with market research. Another well-known company is Open Inclusion. There is also The Diversity Standards Collective which pays £10 per survey they send you. I’m not being paid to mention these and they may be others. These are just the companies I am part of and I find it interesting to share my views and hear of others’ experiences as well. The more disabled people provide feedback about products and services the more inclusive the world will be.

Mini and Mini Connect Trabasack Review

25/07/2021 25/07/2021

As promised, here is my review of the Trabasack Mini and the Trabasack Mini Connect products. These two have been sent free for me to review. As a long time user of Trabasack Products, I will give my honest opinions of these products.

How are these products different to the Trabasack Curve?

In my Trabasack Curve review, I focused on the differences between the wipe clean, leather-look version of the Curve and briefly explained why I chose the non-Connect, velcro version. The main difference between the Mini and the Curve products is shape and size. Whether you choose the Connect version of either product or not the Mini is square and slightly smaller than the Curve.

The beanbag inside both Mini Models of the Trabasack is also square and unlike the Curve, it is a tight squeeze to fit more than one beanbag inside a Trabasack Mini. Having said that I haven’t noticed any instability that has made me think of adding an extra beanbag. It is only because I owned the Curve first that the option occurred to me. The smaller size means that the bag fits nicely on my lap and the beanbag covers more space. This makes both Mini products very sturdy and comfortable to use.

What’s included?

Both Mini versions come with an instruction booklet, two straps, one short, one long. Both have six D-rings each and both come with two ring pull zips. The only difference between them is the tray surface.

Benefits of Mini Connect velcro

The main benefit of the Mini Connect version is that velcro sticks to it. This means that objects stay secure on the tray. Having items stay put can be useful for anybody but particularly for disabled people. The mini Connect can help ensure that items stay within easy reach.

Trabasack MediaMount

If you are able to view the image above you will see that my TV remote has something wrapped around it. This long accessory, sold by Trabasack is called a MediaMount. The MediaMount is basically a long strip of soft material with velcro all along the underside with two loops at the end to assist people with limited dexterity to grip it. The design means that it sticks to itself and to the Mini connect. This means it can hold items securely and at virtually any angle you want.

Mini Connect and iPad

In my previous review of the Trabasack Curve, I mentioned how I had damaged an iPad case by putting too much velcro on it when placing my iPad onto my Trabasack. This time I was more careful…

iPad with Velcro — As you can see you don’t need a lot of velcro 🙂

This small amount of velcro will keep my iPad secure on my lap but enable me to take it off easily when I want to. Trabasack also sell hook tape so if you need some extra velcro they have you covered. You get two strips in a pack and cut them to any size you need.

iPad stuck to Mini Connect — This photo shows my iPad on the Mini Connect which is attached to my waist.

This position is very comfortable for watching videos or reading emails.

Trabasack Mini

The main selling point of the Mini version vs Mini Connect is that the surface is wipe-clean. Which one you choose will depend on whether you want to use velcro with your Trabasack or not. Having said that the MediaMount does work with the non-Connect version of the Trabasack Mini. The accessory will still hold things in place it just won’t stick items to the tray surface.

The photo on the left shows the MediaMount wrapped around a cup that is resting on the Trabasack Mini. The photo on the right shows the MediaMount curled around itself with a hole in the middle. This is an excellent position for my iPhone and props it upright. This makes it great for video calling. Unfortunately, I couldn’t show this as I needed my phone to take the photos. The pitfalls of having a device that does everything!

Reading

Another thing I use the Trabasack for is reading. I have to say I prefer the Mini version of the product for this over the Curve as its smaller size and square shape is more comfortable for books.

The Mini ensures that I don’t feel the heavy weight of even this big book on my legs! I do slightly prefer the Mini Connect over the Mini in this instance as I can stick the MediaMount onto the Connect Surface to prop the book up at a more comfortable reading angle. I haven’t yet resorted to putting velcro on my books! Thankfully Trabasack products are so stable that I don’t have to.

Conclusion

Both of the Trabasack Mini versions are great. As I use all the products more and more I’m tending to use the Curve as a meal tray and for laptop use and the Mini for everything else. I have got really attached to the Mini Connect with the MediaMount. The main reason I always brought the Trabasack Curve, was because of the bigger lip around the edge. Now with the MediaMount, I have the smaller form factor and a bigger edge all the way around.

Mini Connect on my lap with the MediaMount around the edge

Despite its smaller size, it will still comfortably fit my 13inch Macbook Pro inside it.

I think Trabasack says Laptops up to 14 inches for the Curve and Mini Models and up to 17 inches for the Trabasack Max. Whichever model you choose you won’t be disappointed.

Get in touch if you’d like to ask me any questions regarding these or any other products I use. Keep a lookout for my upcoming blog post that I wrote for Access Rating regarding Freedom Day. I also have some useful and innovative products that I will be reviewing for the Disability Horizons shop so keep your eyes peeled!

Trabasack Curve Review

28/06/2021 28/06/2021

I have been given a Trabasack Curve to review. Whilst this product was sent to me free I have been using these products for many years and have brought several. This review contains my honest opinions and experiences of the product.

What is a Trabasack?

A Trabasack is a bag and a lap tray all in one. It is a versatile product that has many uses. My main use is as a removable tray but it can also be used as a bag and for storage.

The Trabasack was invented by Clare as a lap tray for her son Joe who uses a wheelchair. The tray had to be safe and practical to use. There are now three main models of the Trabasack. The Max, Mini and Curve. The Mini and Curve Trabasack models come with or without a ‘connect’ surface. The Connect models are made with soft velcro material on the tray portion of the Trabasack Curve. This is useful if you want to velcro items so that they stay put on the tray. For this review, I was given the option to receive a Curve model with or without this feature.

Curve Connect or Curve?

I chose the Curve model without the Connect feature for the purpose of this review. I’ve learnt from experience that the ability to wipe the product clean is important to me, not because I’m particularly messy but because I have a dog! As my main use for this product is to eat and drink and having owned a Curve Connect for seven years prior to receiving this review unit. I know that dog hair and crumbs in particular stick to this tray like glue! Connect is a lovely feature that is doing what it is designed to do but it is not particularly hygienic for food if you have a pet that moults!

The Connect versions are great for anything and everything you want to stay in place which I will be reviewing next week.

Using the Trabasack Curve

The Curve comes with an instruction leaflet and two straps, one short one long. Which strap/s you use depends on how you want to use the product. As I’m always in my wheelchair I prefer to use one strap around my waist. This keeps the curve as close to me as possible and is the most stable. Due to my disability, I cannot reach around my back so if I’m by myself I connect the two straps together and wrap them around my armrests at the front. This position isn’t as good but at least I can secure it independently. The Trabasack can also be worn like a standard rucksack and slung over one shoulder. It may have been created for disabled people but it makes a really great laptop or tablet bag whether you have a disability or not.

D-Rings and ring pull zips

The Trabasack has six D-Rings to which the straps attach. These are strong and sturdy as well as being easy and simple to use. Instead of fiddling about opening the hook and then struggling to attach it to the ring, simply press the hook end of a strap against a D-Ring. The hook will be pushed open and snap onto the D-Ring.

The zip runs all the way around the product and the zips are fitted with ring pulls so that the zips are easier to use. Instead of having to grip a tiny object, simply place a finger or thumb in the ring and move your hand to the side to open or close the zip. I keep the zips together as I like the way it looks and I have no trouble gripping them but if you want to make it easier to open and close always have one zip at the front of the curve. That way you only have to pull one zip instead of two to open or close the bag.

Trabasack Curve Tray

The tray portion of the product is not only wipe-clean but also non slip. If, like me, you want the wipe-clean Curve the company does sell a non-slip mat, cut to the same shape as the Curve. This can be very useful and can be kept inside the Curve when it is not needed. I have used one before and keep it handy but for day to day, I find the original non-slip surface good enough for my needs.

The tray portion also has quite a high lip/edge on it to stop items from sliding off. I have to say this is why I brought a Trabasack Curve in the first place. I saw a photo of somebody in a wheelchair, using a Trabasack Curve to carry a plate that contained an English breakfast. This may not sound impressive but the plate included baked beans, the person’s lap wasn’t level and the plate and more importantly ALL the food was on the tray!

Curve Tray Bean Bag

The reason the breakfast didn’t end up on the floor wasn’t just due to the built-in edge around the tray and the straps. The Curve also has a removable bean bag inside it to help keep it level. If you spend a few seconds setting it up on your lap then it really is very stable. I have leg spasms so this isn’t just empty praise. Before I came across the Trabasack Curve I couldn’t use a tray at all as food simply slid off my lap!

Eating with the Trabasack Curve

Eating outside and using unsuitable tables when out is possible with a Trabasack Curve. Unless I have a lunch box I do prefer to rest the front edge of my Trabasack on a table as then I don’t have to bend to my lap to eat, (my knees make it very low!) Prior to having a Curve when eating out, I had to lean forward as my wheelchair wouldn’t fit underneath restaurant tables. In fact, when we went out for a family meal two weeks ago I forgot that my Curve had been taken off the back of my wheelchair. I then had no choice but to lean forward. Doable but a lot less comfortable.

Trabasack Curve and iPad

Weather permitting, I like to sit outside and write, watch films etc so I love my iPad. I love my iPad on my Trabasack Curve even more as I’m not restricted to sitting where tables are.

Another big plus is when I have finished using my iPad I can place my iPad inside my Curve. It is nice and safe on my lap. I am now hands-free and don’t have to worry about people possibly stealing my property from my wheelchair. With my original Curve Connect, I put velcro on my iPad case and stuck my iPad to the tray, giving me even more peace of mind. I actually ruined an iPad case doing this. Trust me when I tell you a little goes a long way! I put plenty of velcro on the case and it worked too well! I had to remove the iPad from the case to get it off my Trabasack!

Storing items inside Trabasack Curve

I wish this bag had been around when I was at school. A laptop up to 14” can fit inside the Trabasack. It wouldn’t have replaced my school bag, too many books but I could’ve kept my personal belongings on my lap. This is what I do now. I find my laptop too heavy on my legs to use with the Curve but many people do. The Trabasack Curve is a fantastic bag for electronics whether you have a disability or not. The padded inside ensures devices are protected.

Price and conclusion

The Trabasack Curve costs £39.95. The Connect version is slightly more, £44.95. I thought this was expensive for a tray and expensive for a bag. I brought my first one telling myself I was ridiculous for spending so much money. This review Curve is my 5th Trabasack. This isn’t because they are not long-lasting. My oldest one has just broken after seven years. The thread holding one of the D-Rings together has broken and years of using it outside mean it’s sun-bleached. It is still perfectly usable. I wanted to have more so I could keep one in the car and on the back of my wheelchair.

If you struggle to eat at standard tables or without a tray. Perhaps you need a flat surface to lean on to read. Maybe, like me, you want a portable table for your electronics. You won’t be disappointed.

If you have or know a child that needs toys etc within easy reach this will facilitate that. A big plus for me is that it’s also more portable and aesthetically pleasing than the trays that Wheelchair Services provide to their clients.

Look out for my review of the Trabasack Mini Connect where I will be adding Velcro to my iPad case, just in a much smaller amount than before!

A period of adjustments

20/06/2021 21/06/2021

A lot has happened since I last posted. I stayed in, got somewhat comfortable on zoom and start to accept the way things are. Then the world starts to open up again. I’m not complaining far from it! A lot of little and not so little adjustments are needed to get used to going out again. The whole world is in the same boat. This post is all about the changes that are happening and the adjustments I’m making to get used to my new normal.

Adjusting to wearing a mask

Unless you’re exempt for medical reasons we’ve all had to get used to wearing masks. It’s only now that I’m actually leaving the house that I’m using one. As I also wear glasses. This is extra tricky as the steam meant I could barely see where I was going and sometimes had to remove my glasses for safety. Not very practical as my glasses are as necessary as a mask and thankfully a lot more comfortable!

I received a tip from one of the carers belonging to the agency that assists me. Cross the straps that go behind your ears. This was said very matter of factly. The person assisting me to shower was wearing a mask, gloves and apron in a steamed-up bathroom but her glasses were clear! Having tried various methods suggested by the internet, the next time I ventured out I tried it and to my surprise, it actually works!

Reintroducing myself to eating out

My first meal outside my house since February 2020 happened on the 19th of May 2021. As eating out was an activity my friends and I did at least once a month, it was weird to feel so nervous and not know what to expect, especially as I booked a place we used to visit all the time.

Armed with masks and sensitiser we all turned up. I was twenty minutes late as I realised ten minutes after leaving home that I’d left my handbag behind! Prior to this, the only outings I’d been on were walks to the park or around the block. I hadn’t picked up my handbag in over a year! Madness in itself! Successfully checked into the pub via the track and trace app I cautiously removed my mask. It felt lovely and strange to sit close to people who weren’t my immediate family. I felt like I hadn’t seen my friends in years and also as if I saw them last week and COVID-19 was just a bad dream. Regardless, it felt amazing to catch up!

Menu adjustment perk

Restaurants, pubs cafes etc now have their menus accessible via apps on smartphones. This is so that staff and customers can have less contact and to discourage people from moving around. The pub we were at was offering table service as well but they also had an app which could be used to place your order. I hope this survives after the COVID-19 precautions. It was nice to be able to see what options were available to me rather than having to ask other people. It’s very convenient to be able to place your own order yourself and would be more inclusive for people with hearing and speech difficulties too.

Anxiety adjustment

I don’t know whether I’ve mentioned on this blog that I suffer with anxiety. I’ve mentioned how weird but nice it felt to be out. Last year I felt anxious to be stuck in. It’s like my brain has been reprogrammed. As horrible as COVID-19 has been, the lockdown was freeing in a way because I wasn’t worried about getting anywhere or whether a certain place was accessible. Everywhere was shut and suddenly courses/tours and entertainment were online! Living with my family, surrounded by my belongings and my bedroom and bathroom adapted to my needs I no longer had to physically struggle.

Now that I’ve started going out again my old worries are coming back. The flip side to this is that seeing people and being proactive is healing the parts of me that really struggled being in lockdown. I’m a people person, even with anxiety. No situation is without its positives and negatives. I try to be as positive as possible and to organise myself so that my reasons for anxiety are as minimal as possible. Are you feeling anxious about entering the world or even just your street again? I know plenty of people are, even google thinks so…

How do you feel about adjusting to the outside world?

Adapting to study again

At the end of April 2021, I was accepted onto the Academy For Disabled Journalists course. This course started last year and is run by Ability Today. I would have never been able to do this course if it wasn’t for the pandemic as Ability Today is based in London. Moving the course online, the organisers have decided that it will continue to be delivered this way after restrictions have lifted. Another example of keeping things as inclusive as possible. I hope places that have offered online resources continue to do so. I have loved being able to go on virtual tours and experiences. While I miss face-to face-interactions, studying online is also easier in lots of ways. I’m really enjoying the course and I have a press pass. Look out world, (when restrictions are over, obviously!) At the end of the ADJ, I receive a Certificate in Foundation Journalism.

I’m going to be learning skills and knowledge to get me closer to my dream of being a travel writer. Although I’m really looking forward to the video unit. If you suddenly notice a change in my content then this course is probably why. Writing is still my go-to though I don’t think that will ever change.

Since I started writing this post I’ve received confirmation that I have my care package fully funded! I’ll write more details about it later on but it didn’t seem right not to mention it as I’ve used this blog as my catharsis surrounding my care struggles. The only way is up says Yazz and I happen to agree. Until next time.

Naidex: The biggest disability products event in the UK goes virtual

04/05/2021 07/05/2021

Naidex is the UK’s biggest disability products exhibition. On the 18th and 19th March 2021, the exhibition went virtual. The physical event was cancelled twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is normally held every year in Birmingham at the NEC. The venue has great access for people of all disabilities. There is flat access throughout, hearing loops, assistance dogs are allowed and there are accessible toilets, including Changing Places facilities. The complex is huge though so it is very easy to get lost, even though I go every year!

Putting my woeful sense of direction aside, it is a great event. People with disabilities are in the majority instead of the minority. Almost any disability product you can think of, and a few you can’t are displayed! I was very curious how this would be adapted for the virtual world.

Registering for Naidex

Tickets to Naidex are free. Booking tickets is as simple as going online and filling in the registration form. This year, a username and password were emailed to me. In previous years tickets, accompanied by an event guide were delivered to my door through the post. A week before the event I received an email. This email contained teasers of disability products I could expect to see. Upcoming speaker seminars were mentioned as well. Companies selling disability aids of all types were showcasing their products: beds, wheelchairs, sensory equipment to name but a few. There was also a handy login link included.

Accessing the event

Logging in was simple thanks to the link I was sent.

A top tip: copy and paste the login credentials to avoid mistakes.

The screenshot below shows the login screen. There is an icon that looks like a person in the top right corner. This icon opens the accessibility features, which I’ll go through in detail later. Next to that are text resize buttons and in the lower right corner is a chat icon.

Having logged in there was a menu on the left-hand side where I could click on ‘sessions,’ ‘speakers’ or choose to view the ‘interactive product directory.’ There were thirty-four speakers and one hundred and nineteen companies taking part across the two days. I lost count of the number of sessions as many were duplicated for different access needs. A session was where a company had written or pre-recorded a video about themselves or its products. This could be a bit boggling as everything was in list view with a scroll bar to view more making it difficult to know what to look at first as I had to scroll to see what was available.

Accessibility options

To access the many accessibility options available on the Naidex portal involved clicking the icon in the top right-hand corner that looks like a person/stickman. This brought up a menu with more accessibility options than I’ve seen before! An event showcasing disability products should be accessible but it’s still impressive.

The screenshot on the left shows the top of the accessibility adjustments and has options to reset settings, view the access statement or hide the accessibility interface altogether. Below these options are access profiles for differing needs: seizure safe profile, vision-impaired profile, cognitive disability profile and ADHD friendly profile. The accessibility options are scrollable so I had to take six screenshots to show all the options. The right screenshot shows the last two access profiles available which are blind users (screen reader) and keyboard navigation. Underneath this are the content adjustments: content scaling, readable font, highlight titles, highlight links and text magnifier.

The above two screenshots show the complete options for content adjustments, which in addition to those mentioned in the paragraph above, are: adjust font sizing, align centre, adjust line-height, align left, adjust letter spacing and align right. In the right screenshot, the first three options for colour adjustments are shown: dark contrast, light contrast, and monochrome.

These last two screenshots above show all of the colour adjustment options on the left and the orientation adjustments on the right.

The colour adjustments are: dark contrast, light contrast, monochrome, high saturation, high contrast, low saturation, adjust text colours, adjust title colours and adjust background colours.

Orientation adjustments

The orientation adjustments are as follows: mute sounds, hide images, read mode, reading guide, stop animations, reading mask, highlight hover, highlight focus, big black cursor and big white cursor. There is also a ‘useful links’ option in the centre of these adjustments to give the user the option to place a useful link in a position on the screen at all times. For example a link to the homepage.

The disability products

Everything from smart home products, car converters, specialist beds, mobility battery specialists, occupational therapists, sensory specialists, wheelchair manufacturers and solicitors were present at Naidex.

Searching for a specific product

This event can therefore be very useful if you are searching for a particular item. A couple of years ago my main purpose for attending Naidex was to research WAV’s (wheelchair accessible vehicles) as I needed to choose a new car. This year I just wanted to see what new disability products and services were available.

Disability products wishlist

I was particularly interested in the smart home gadgets as I’m always on the lookout for a gadget to make my life easier but as I already have smart heating and lighting, most things weren’t of interest. I will be keeping an eye on how smart locks develop though. As I have someone who can open my front door for me it seems overkill to splurge just yet.

Similarly, if I had money to burn I would buy a turning bed to help me transfer in and out of bed easier. These beds not only move how my existing profiling bed does but the mattress also turns ninety degrees and puts you in a sitting position on the edge of the bed. This would make it easier for my PA’s/family members to assist me to transfer and get me dressed and undressed but as I require help anyway and I haven’t got a money tree, this will have to stay a pipe dream.

Interesting disability product ideas to keep an eye on

Another interesting piece of equipment I saw is something called a Showerbuddy. This shower chair comes with its own transferring platform which means that a normal shower cubicle, (those with a step/lip,) can be used. It’s aimed at older people and marketed as an alternative solution to getting a bathroom adapted. The chair is slid into the shower off of its raised base on wheels.

Chronus Robotics

Chronus Robotics is a robot wheelchair. It’s compact, slim agile and absolutely no good for me as I have little to no trunk control. I remember being asked years ago if I wanted to try the Segway chairs and having to painstakingly explain that as the chairs were controlled by body movement I’d crash in roughly three seconds! The chair is also able to go up and down so that you can reach things. If you have upper body control I imagine they are great! I wouldn’t want to guess the price though! I’m hopeful that soon one or more of these robotics companies will design a chair that can be controlled more like a conventional power chair.

Seminars

My favourite seminars were:

Making a Successful Application for a Disabled Facilities Grant by Paul Smith.

Take the chance out of going out with AccessAble’s Detailed Access Guides by AccessAble.

How technology can be used to revolutionise the lives of disabled people Shani Dhanda.

There were plenty of others to choose from, on a range of different topics.

Conclusion

Naidex this year has been more accessible than ever! This is due to the fact that the disability products and advice seminars were all available online. I really enjoyed the virtual version. I’m hopeful that the physical show will go ahead in September but I hope that content will still be available online. This would make Naidex more accessible and inclusive than it has been before. I’m definitely getting tickets for September.

The Vaccination Process | Booking, Safety and First-hand experience

21/03/2021 21/03/2021

I’m back with a guide to the vaccination process! Thank you all for being so patient. Please check out the rest of my posts. The content is the same but hopefully, they are now easier to read and more useful information is provided. I have now added alt text and descriptions of images and videos properly. I apologise to my visually impaired readers for not doing this before. Please contact me if any part of this blog is inaccessible to you, whatever your need or disability.

I received my vaccination on 20/02/2021. While a big part of me is sick of talking about COVID-19 I hope it will help tackle any uncertainty or fear surrounding obtaining your vaccination. It is subjective, as was my post on my experience of the virus, so the opinions expressed are entirely my own and should not replace medical advice.

Booking your vaccination

Many people with disabilities have already had the vaccine as many of us are either in the extremely vulnerable category or category six. I’m category six as I have an underlying disability but have no health issues from that. In England the NHS booking service now says you can book if:

you are aged 50 or over
are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
work as an eligible frontline health or social care worker
your condition means you are clinically vulnerable
you have a learning disability
someone you care for is at high risk from coronavirus

Physical disabilities aren’t mentioned but don’t let this put you off. Clicking the booking service link above will take you to the NHS website, where you will be asked to enter your date of birth and your hospital number. The system then determines whether or not you are eligible. If you are eligible to book your vaccination you will be taken to a page where you can select a place, date and time to receive it. If you don’t know your hospital number, you will be asked to provide your basic information in order to continue.

Vaccine booking screen requesting hospital number

When trying to book my vaccine in this way the system told me I wasn’t eligible. So it’s worth trying as you won’t be booked in unless you meet the criteria. You’ve nothing to lose!Several people I know and people I don’t have got appointments this way before official invitations arrived. I also contacted my GP as I have to recruit carers/PA’s and felt at risk with the prospect of having an increased number of people in the house, without the protection of immunisation. Understanding my situation, my GP agreed I should be moved up the list but I still had a six-week wait. It is always worth asking!

Safely attending your vaccination appointment

Unless you are exempt from wearing one for medical reasons you must wear a mask when attending your appointment. It is understandable that you may feel nervous going out, especially if you’ve been shielding and this is your first outing in some time. Allow your self plenty of time to get to your appointment, the last thing you want to do is rush.

Think about how you will get to your appointment. Although bus services are still running many people, myself included, find them inaccessible. I’m lucky as my GP surgery is only a fifteen-minute walk/wheel from my house. The taxi firm,Uber, is offering a £15 discount on trips to or from major vaccination centres around the UK and their drivers follow COVID-19 safety measures. In some cities, they offer wheelchair accessible vehicles. Carry out a local internet search for transport services in your area which also may be able to help.

Getting vaccinated

On the morning of my vaccine appointment, I got up and dressed in loose clothing. The needle is inserted into the upper arm muscle of whichever arm you choose. Wearing a jumper with sleeves that would roll up high enough saved me from getting undressed at the doctor’s.

My Mom accompanied me as I need someone with me when needles are involved. This is because my startle reflex could cause my arm to move when the vaccine was being administered. Cerebral Palsy startle reflex means that I jump at loud noises or sudden sensations. Someone holding my arm still is just for safety.

Arriving for my vaccination

We planned on walking but as it was raining heavily my Dad took us in the car. I’m very lucky to have them available to assist me. When we got to the practice there was a big queue as someone had been taken ill earlier that day so COVID-19 vaccine patients were backed up. This prolonged the appointment to one hour and 40 minutes! I was hoping to be in/out within half an hour!

Having joined the queue outside Mom helped me put my mask on and we slowly inched towards the front. When we made it inside the tent staff were using to check people’s details I was told that as I’m a wheelchair user I could’ve gone straight inside and stayed warm. I am affected if I get too cold but only in that it can take a long time for me to get warm again. If you have difficulty queuing for whatever reason it’s worth asking if there are any adjustments that can be made for you.

I handed in the form with my details on and we were shown into the surgery and into one of the consulting rooms. The form asked for my name, address, date of birth and questions about how I’d been feeling the last ten days.

Receiving the vaccine

Once inside the consultation room, I was informed that I was going to receive the AstraZeneca variant. I was a bit disappointed. I’d hoped to receive the Pfizer vaccine instead as I’d heard it was more effective and had fewer side effects. There is no proof of this. Some days later a friend told me they had heard the Pfizer was the worst for side effects, guess things affect people differently.

I was asked which arm I wanted the vaccine in and I chose my left as I drive my chair with my right hand. The needle was in/out before I knew it and it didn’t feel any worse than a scratch. The nurse then told me that I may have flu-like symptoms and a sore arm which should last no more than a week. I was then told I could leave straight away and I didn’t have to wait for fifteen minutes. I’m not sure why but I was asked if I drove, (I don’t,) so maybe that is why I didn’t have to wait. We were in the room for approximately six minutes.

I haven’t been given my second date yet. My GP practice will send me a link to book my appointment sometime in the middle of May.

Side effects

I had my vaccine at 11.10 am and didn’t start feeling ill till about 8 pm that evening. I then experienced a minor version of the joint pain I had when ill with the virus, together with shivering for a couple of days. The worst thing was the injection site became swollen and sore for roughly five days. I was thinking about ringing my doctor when suddenly the swelling went down.

Conclusion

Even though I was uncomfortable these side effects were nothing compared to being ill with COVID-19. Many people experience far fewer symptoms than me. I would encourage anyone and everyone to get vaccinated. The symptoms far outweigh the benefits both to myself and to society. My only caution. Check with your doctor if you have any allergies, are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a compromised immune system. These circumstances may affect when you can be vaccinated and which variant you are given as there are different ingredients in each.

I hope this post is reassuring. If you would like to ask me anything about the above, please do. My next post will be a review of the recent Naidex virtual event.

Happy New Lockdown

07/01/2021 14/03/2021

Happy New Lockdown! This was how my brother greeted me on his first day back at work after the Christmas Holidays and I found it so equally amusing and depressing that I just had to use it for this post. I hope everyone had the best Christmas they could and that New Year was a happy occasion for all my readers.

New years eve Fireworks — New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Recruitment

So new year same…activities! Literally! Last year I wrote about how I had lost a PA due to health problems and this year, thanks to COVID-19 I will be recruiting again. I have no idea what this will look like during lockdown but as my Mom helpfully pointed out, I have to find people to interview first! If I seem disillusioned and bitter about the process then, unfortunately, that’s an accurate picture. If any of you have any tips on how to make the recruiting process less stressful please let me know. I’m thinking of starting a support group for people who have lost carers/PA’s this year.

hands clasping — Hands clasping in support

My lockdown plan

On a more positive note, whilst I feel pretty negative about the recruitment process and Social Care in general, I’m determined that this year is the year that I get my ducks in a row! (Runaway Bride reference.) I’ve contacted The Disability Union, to assist me with getting my care package. I’ve signed up for the Lifebook Course to try and get a handle on how I want to actually live as all the assessments and stress has made it hard to see the wood for the trees. It may help or it may be new-age hype but I’m hoping for the latter. I’ll also be more active with Disability Horizons this year, writing and editing content. Check out my piece on free online courses available to stave off boredom and improve skills and knowledge during this latest lockdown.

I don’t know whether this new year equals a new me but I’m optimistic that it’s a year for change. What are your plans for this year? How are you feeling about the lockdown and the fact that there are now vaccines available?

I’d be interested to hear from you if you’ve had the COVID vaccine already. My disability whilst sometimes frustrating thankfully does not affect my health so I’m pretty far down on the list. A fact that I’m both incredibly grateful for and at the same time, I’m impatient for the world to be vaccinated so we can get back to whatever normal there is for us all. Who’s with me!?

People who shop for me

Banks won’t cover multiple people shopping for you!

Shopping for a solution.

Registering and using the card to shop

Off to the shops

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