Writings from the
@Independent
. Disability rights. T1diabetes. SEND parenting. Social justice. Fairer finance. Random thoughts on music, geek culture, sport etc
So, if you use pre-loaded Fiasp insulin pens to keep you breathing, as I do, you’re going to have to find an alternative.
The way I found out about this - by the pharmacy telling me they can’t get my meds and won’t be able to for the forseeable - is dismal.
#GBDoc
#type1diabetes
Thing is Michael, I’m disabled and type 1 diabetic. My key worker wife was on the verge of hospitalisation with Covid while I was seriously ill with it. My son (12) is autistic. My daughter is 9. We managed the situation without our relatives or travelling to Durham.
@DrHannahBB
Friend of mine literally had to take glass eye out while using a disabled pass on the train because the member of staff wouldn't believe disability. It was that bad.
‘This is how Remain can win a second Brexit referendum’ My
@indyvoices
call for the
@remainernow
community to be given greater prominence. They're crucial
Banning cars from city centres isn’t the ‘win’ you think it is
Me on the disgraceful way councils up and down Britain ignore the impact on
#disabled
people. Especially Hackney. Which is also causing problems for women while it's at it.
For
@IndyVoices
The hypocrisy of politicians and journalists kissing the poppy while trying to destroy the organisation that has kept Europe peaceful for more than half a century is sickening
@ruhawksley
Find it odd
@ruhawksley
taking flack here. Trains are public transport, right? So why shd you have to pre-book to get a sensibly priced ticket when you need to go somewhere? Isn't point of public transport that it's there when you need to travel?
This ain't a sensible country.
Conversation with diabetic specialist nurse:
"I have a problem. My blood sugars are surging in the heat."
“Blood sugar levels go down in the heat.”
“But mine goes up. It always has."
“You’re wrong. Blood sugar levels go down in the heat.”
#type1diabetes
#GBDoc
Signed, I endeavour to wear a mask in healthcare settings because there may well be a clinically vulnerable patient nearby. Masks are most effective at preventing others from getting your germs. It's a small courtesy and a very minor inconvenience.
Disability rights can be a political dealbreaker. Me for
@IndyVoices
on how campaigners against York's shameful blue badge ban helped turn an election and change the complexion of the council
I’ve voted Labour. Postal. The decision made easier by having a good and sensible local MP in the form of
@wesstreeting
I would have voted for the candidate best placed to stop Johnson regardless. In Ilford North it’s Wes.
#CripTheVote
It is absolutely not over because there are a huge number of clinically vulnerable families (see
@cv_cev
) for whom it is a clear and present danger. We shouldn't forget them and we should try and wear masks more often. Especially in healthcare settings.
Would you consider the coronavirus pandemic in Britain to be over or still ongoing?
All Britons
Over: 34%
Still ongoing: 56%
18-24 year olds
Over: 51%
Still ongoing: 35%
65+ year olds
Over: 17%
Still ongoing: 78%
Here's an idea, how about the BBC visits a remain area and talks to remainers, especially people from the
@RemainerNow
community? It never happens. Instead we get idiots talking about rabbits we can shoot and potatoes we can grow if the supermarkets are empty. Sick of it
FTSE company doing a city journo dinner rings up. I don't usually go to these things because, disability. But they'd actually thought about that, including venue and how I might get there. This almost never happens. Progress.
Opinion: Why Rob Burrow’s emotional marathon finish made me wince
Poignant moment but as a wheelchair user I felt uncomfortable. Here's why by me for
@IndyVoices
PS If you were inspired? Think about how you might help with marathon we face daily
I saw PE at Wembley, and the energy this man has for someone in his fifties is quite something to behold. It'd be the same were he in his early thirties...
Arena rapping is a whole other ‘animal’ it requires power speed and stamina to cover a
@nba
size stage with movement. Stadium rapping even move. The mics project voice not the inflections. Ain’t a club cafe or the block. I’m 30 years older than avg athlete so we must train for it
Opinion: SEND parents are being kicked out of the labour market – we can change this
SEND warrior parents are talented and skilled. They shouldn’t have to waste hours on end battling local authorities and sclerotic government agencies
From DfE's
#SENDreview
'Mediation helps to maintain and improve relationships between providers, local authorities and families'
Um, no. Mediation trashed our limited faith in the LA, which cynically used it to obfuscate, delay, move goalposts
@SpcialNdsJungle
@willquince
I have to admit I avoided Twitter after penning this but the reactions on my feed heartening. Convinced me I’m on the right side.
#Remain
made up of a decent bunch
A pic of my beautiful brother, Danny. 35 years ago he contracted a rare condition that left him brain damaged + quadriplegic. Today, he was required to attend a ‘return to work’ meeting or forgo his
#disability
#benefits
.
TORY BRITAIN.
#Embarrassing
#unacceptable
#UKPolitics
Hard to imagine a more irresponsible politician than Jacob Rees-Mogg. Despicable human being. Go on Jacob, say what you said outside the Commons where you don't have Parliamentary Privilege, I dare you... But you won't because you're a gutless turd.
Very good from former Vote Leave staffer Oliver Norgrove
Opinion: When Brexiteers start blaming the Queen for their mistakes you know the Leave campaign is eating itself
On the one hand, this is great news. It sure helps people like
@YorkDisability
who've been campaigning on the issue.
On the others, it's frustrating that it takes a celebrity to get the BBC and others to pay attention to it.
#DisabilityRights
Big shout out to
@WeAreCyclingUK
Press officer I spoke to just brilliant. Fully on top of his brief. Helped no end with the column I'm writing. Textbook example of how it should be done (but rarely is).
I agree. I’ve also had some hard words for the BBC but this is excellent and can be filed under ‘public service’ which is what it’s suppposed to be all about
A mother was blamed for ‘weak parenting’ – and then her son killed her |
This case shocked and upset me. It takes a lot for a story to do that. My take on it for
@IndyVoices
FFS. It's nasty as hell. Not 'just another winter bug'. I'm only just feeling semi-human after handling another extended hangover from a third close encounter despite every vax shot I can get.
@cv_cev
must despair at headlines like this.
Parents of children with special needs are at breaking point |
Me on the maddening situation we face ahead of the DfE's SEND review, and what needs to change for
@IndyVoices
The headline is right. Many of us are at breaking point.
Tip of that to Chris Wylie for sticking to his guns. Come on
@BBCNewsnight
you should know the difference between facts and claims. Stop facilitating deception
There comes a point
@BBCNewsnight
where attempting to provide balance strays into attempting to facilitate deception. Chris Wylie on Newsnight emphasising that charges against those who have broken our electoral laws aren't ALLEGATIONS they're FACTS...well done
@chrisinsilico
"British people want us to get this done," says May. That line of hers is dishonest and contemptible. Millions of Britons said remain. We are likely now in the majority, as the vocal
@RemainerNow
crew demonstrate
Opinion: Parents of children with special needs face more pain after review
Me for
@indyvoices
on the troubling direction of travel of government's
#SENDreview
and support for compulsory mediation, including how and why this cd hurt parents, children
Very glad to see this. Still... still stuck in slow
#COVID19
recovery hell. So not under threat any more but many days (like today) when head is on fire, exhausted, short of breath etc
This is not simple seven day, or even 14 day thing for a lot of us
Opinion: The government’s school proposals are bad news for kids – and parents
My latest for
@indyvoices
on an ugly bill and the grim consequences for SEND kids and families. But will the Lords allow it?
Appt with diabetic clinic this afternoon, which I view with some trepidation. Here’s the thing:
#type1diabetes
twitter has provided far more help, support & crucially, useful information than has the specialist clinic. Says something about NHS services and it’s not good.
#GBDoc
Dismal behaviour from
@AllyPallyWatch
You gave our access tickets we’d paid for away and the useless manager offered a ‘solution’ where I couldn’t see a thing from wheelchair height. The he stomped off in a huff
#DisabilityRights
#disability
@LittleSimz
@NorwichChloe
Any thoughts on what being Minister for Disabled People actually means in a government that is throwing Covid-vulnerable disabled people to the wolves and telling the country to feel proud of that.
No? Thought not.
Disabled people have spearheaded ‘direct action’ for years – and it's been necessary given the government's contempt for us. But what will happen after its oppressive crackdown on protest. Me for
@IndyVoices
#Disability
Checking with lawyers as to whether I can use the phrase "criminally disgraced Chancellor" in a piece. And I can.
But just think about that for a minute. Just think about the enormity of it. How much lower is it possible for the government to go?
The Queen is setting an example to us all – a very bad one
Sure, cancelled a few Zoom engagements. She shouldn't be working with Covid full stop. Sends a really bad message out when the requirement to self isolate is being scrapped. Me
@IndyVoices
Three nights of high blood sugars and I've finally got it down. By reducing the basal. So no overnight ditching leading to over correcting and all is in range again. Phew! People don't realise how complicated and fiddly life with a wonky pancreas is 🙄
#GBDoc
#T1D
The Telegraph columnist had written that Olivia Coleman, set to star in Netflix's Crown, has "a left wing face".
I mean, WTF? But Will Black's response here is priceless...
@Baddiel
To be fair though, Charles Moore looks EXACTLY like my perception of a callous, creepy, misogynistic, embittered, out of touch, enraged, impotent and dated Tory hack. He LOOKS like one of those pompous establishment psychopaths John Fortune played brilliantly
Opinion: I’m working for free until 2022 thanks to the disability pay gap
Me
@IndyVoices
also covering the scandalous treatment of disabled people during the pandemic...
Below is the headline on a press release I received today.
It is, unequivocally, good news. Good on the
@musicvenuetrust
MUSIC VENUE TRUST ANNOUNCE 13 GRASSROOTS MUSIC VENUES REMOVED FROM CRISIS RED LIST
Jupiter joins chorus of Barclays investors seeking climate action. The bank must listen to its shareholders. Props to
@ShareAction
. This is a big win for them
Me for
@theindybusiness
Sunak fuels up for dark journey into City’s shameful and scandal-ridden past
‘Light touch’ regulation is back - last time that was tried it ended in the financial crisis.
Me
@indypremium
Symptoms day five: First morning when I’ve woken up not feeling worse than the previous one. Zapped, coughing and head like a jackhammer. Breathing still shallow. Don’t want to move at all. But still, first time I’ve won a round
#covid19uk
@nakedvix
@IndyVoices
So, I've seen some of the comments below this and ableism? Nope. I say this as a disabled writer myself.
In defence of Vix, all she is doing here is seeking to offer some good natured advice on the best time to catch her. You don't have to pitch at that time.
Why dyou think that happened, wife wonders upon delivering emergency syrup laced shot of coffee.
Damned if I know. T1 is sometimes just a complete arse
#GBDoc
Film to stream on
#Netflix
.
#Vesper
. Not your everyday dystopia. French but filmed in English in Lithuania for a pittance, it’s grimly beautiful. Not much CGI, relies on old fashioned visual effects. Dark bio shock fairytale, nothing like what you’d get from Hollywood
@lozhbd
@GBDocInfo
Yep. The maddening thing is they don't see a human. They see a 'diabetic' who must conform to certain rules. As you say, totally text book. Completely unhelpful.
Sorry, am I not ‘properly disabled’ enough for you? | Me
for
@IndyVoices
on the widespread ignorance surrounding
#disability
and its damaging effects on those of us who live with it.
Just one question: Cd someone tell me what Gillian Keegan has actually done as Education Secretary. While schools are struggling with deficit budgets and teachers are quitting in droves and, of course, OfSted. Don't get me started on Ofsted. Anyone got anything? At all?
Libre users - something to pay attention to. It gives you an estimated HBA1C score but I’ve now had two actual blood test that show this is a fair bit higher than the actual score so you may be doing better than you think.
#type1diabetes
#GBDoc
My wife and I looked after our children while we had coronavirus – because that's what the government told us to do
I’m 48-year-old father like
#Dominicummimgs
That’s where the similarity ends. Me
@IndyVoices
Spoke last night at the launch of a citizen audit of Newham Council and the huge debt it has run up through LOBO loans. It, and other recent stories, show we need to pay much more attention to councils' crumbling finances. Me
@IndyVoices
My interview with the chair of the Institute of Directors in which she talks for the first time about her autism and how business must change to accommodate difference for
@indypremium
My latest column on
#disablity
in praise of
@HannahPopsy
taking a principled stance not to take on an unpaid role role for a government that devalues the work of disabled people
So where is this on discussion shows, etc? Where are the disabled commentators? Where is the sound and fury (apart from the handful of us who write about this stuff) when the government dumps on disabled people as it repeatedly does? 17.7 per cent of the population, voiceless
@nazirafzal
Very good point. You missed disabled tho. And one caveat: You can be a distinctly below average white man and reach the top with ridiculous ease if you're posh. There's one very obvious example (go on, guess) but he's far from alone..
Opinion: No-deal Brexit would starve diabetics of insulin – this government really are ‘lower than vermin’. Me
@indyvoices
. I make no apology for the language used because it damn well needs saying
Major
#type1diabetic
fail today. Totally guilty as charged of stacking doses after lunch. But I’m far from alone there, right?
#GBDoc
what’s my sentence? Other than fruit juice and chocolate (so sue me!!!)
On this
#WorldDiabetesDay
my pharmacist tells me:
They can't get my insulin (Degludec/Tresiba).
GP tells me I can't get an appointment to discuss alternatives, what I might do.
Clinic has previously told me they can't/won't help.
What the hell? Hyperglycaemia next?
#GBDoc
Mask mandates are back now omicron is here but they should never have been dropped
Workers shouldn't have to roll the dice every time they clock on. Me for
@indypremium
PR emails: Would I like a comment on how Amazon can minimise disruption from the strike?
My response: Not really. I support the strikers because I'd like for Amazon to pay its workers properly and treat them better.
#AmazonStrike
Even with the Met's interference, think what's in the report would, for anyone with a smidgeon of personal honour, be a resigning issue...
But of course...
Last night: WTF? Sugars high, four unscheduled jabs to get them down. Not kidding.
This morning: Wake up feeling bleurrggh. Don’t want to exercise (v rare for me).
Daughter has been unwell. So that explains sugars. The mare of
#T1D
is you don’t always get any explanation
#GBDoc
Tip of the hat to
@wesstreeting
for raising the issue of diabetes and medication today. This is just not receiving the attention it deserves. I’ve been on Swedish TV and CNN to discuss this. UK media is largely ignoring an issue that affects millions
#BrexitShambles