February – Frustrations and Fun!

February started with a stop when the through floor lift in our house failed to work! This meant that both Nathan and Cerys spent a whole day upstairs as there was no way of getting them down to the ground floor. Cerys was unable to go to college, so we had to quickly arrange for the Carers to stay to cover the time at home, and we all picnicked upstairs at mealtimes! We tried to treat it as an adventure, but there was a level of uncertainly because we just weren’t sure when the company who installed, maintain, and repair the lift would get to us. We also didn’t know how long it would take to repair, and as it got later into the night, I was grateful that we were upstairs because at least Cerys could get to bed if needed as they continued working. Fortunately, by 10 pm it was all done, and the next day normal service was resumed. It has, however, reminded us how important the lift is in helping Nathan and Cerys to remain able to independently move around our house.

Nathan has continued to work with Birmingham City University, assisting with lectures on social policy and interviewing candidates for next year’s intake of student social workers.

As part of his birthday celebrations, we all attended a concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall with the CBSO performing James Bond themes. We enjoyed the concert and have always found the Symphony Hall to be accessible and accommodating. The view from wheelchair accessible seating in the stalls was excellent and both wheelchairs fitted in the box easily. The venue itself is flat and accessible, with lifts to other floors and accessible toilets including a changing places toilet. All the staff are helpful and, we feel, have had disability awareness training. B:Music that runs the Symphony Hall and other local venues has a scheme whereby essential carers accompanying a paying visitor will be given a free ticket. Joining the Access Scheme is easy. Andre and I have been to the Symphony Hall several times as a couple, but, apart from when Cerys sang there with Soundabout (the Inclusive Choir), we had not visited with the rest of our gang, so we were pleased that the night went well.

Nathan has also been working hard as part of his involvement with the DoMore Research study. This study is looking at developing an app and wearable device that tracks the amount of movement a non-mobile young person makes, and to encourage increasing their access to movement. I have written about it previously here. The app has now got to the point where focus groups need to give their feedback. To me this is such an important innovation as research is proving that the more people with physical difficulties can find ways to move, including the use of standing frames, physiotherapy programmes and specialised exercise bikes, the less hospital admissions, and operations, they need which can only be a good thing.

During half term the National Trust property Croome has been displaying a map that shows where the ‘Happy Place’ of several people who have connections to Croome are sited around the property. Included in this group of people who have special connections to Croome is Cerys! She is thrilled to be involved and was asked because of her work with Will Datson on the PUP accessible art/play installation that forms part of the Potter and Ponder: Play sensory map. There is a map showing the grounds and the places, with the faces of the connected people, including Cerys, on it. As you follow the trail, close to PUP there is a board with Cerys’ photo on and a quote from her. We are unsure how long the trail will be on for, possibly until the end of March. Cerys has learnt so much from her work with Will and the staff at Croome about how an art project is commissioned, developed, and installed, and how your connection to your work doesn’t necessarily end even when you think it has. Whilst we were at the property, we decided to visit the House there, and were delighted to find that access has been made possible via a wheelchair stair climber. There are many National Trust properties that would do well to look to Croome for ideas of how to be more inclusive.

Andre continues to work on our own outside area – namely the patio! Hopefully it will all be done by the Spring…

February also saw a poem I had written, partly inspired by a trip to Croome and other National Trust properties, published on the Disability Talk website. Disability Talk is a website that combines news, campaigns, star interviews and advice on the theme of disability. I am also honoured to be joining as their new blogger! Thank you, Disability Talk.

Whilst February is a short month, that has gone incredibly fast in my opinion, it feels as if we have packed a lot into it, and what started with disaster has ended with positivity. How has your February been? Do you feel like it’s whizzed on by?