Tag Archives: disability

Please Do Not Distract

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While out for a walk with my guide dog, Trigger earlier today a lady began to stroke him while he was guiding me past a car which was, rather inconveniently parked on the pavement. I smiled and said,

“I don’t mind you stroking my dog, but please don’t do so while he is working as it could put both me and my dog in danger”.

The lady apologised and I continued on my way.

Unfortunately the above incident is far from being an isolated occurance. I have experienced people attempting to pet Trigger while in the midst of crossing a busy London road, which could have had disastrous consequences for both him and I.

As I said to the lady this morning, I have no objection to people stroking my guide dog. However the bottom line is to use common sense. By distracting a working guide dog the person responsible runs the risk of causing the animal to lose concentration. This could result in the owner becoming intimately acquainted with a lamp post or the bumper of a large lorry, not something which anyone wants to have on their conscience.

There is a good short piece on GDBA’s website on tips for approaching a guide dog owner. The golden rule, as set out in that piece is to always ask and not assume that speaking to or petting the dog is OK. As a guide dog owner I will, in most instances readily agree to a request to fuss Trigger. He works hard and deserves to be stroked, cuddled and generally loved. However, when working attention given to a guide dog can be highly dangerous so, please ask before approaching any assistance dogs.

For the article on GDBA’s website please visit, (https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/microsites/sponsor-a-puppy/blogs/2015/april/ever-wondered-how-to-approach-a-guide-dog-and-their-owner#.VWHdu0YrggQ).

 

Kevin

Writing Tools – A Guest Post By Victoria (Tori) Zigler

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Thank you to Victoria (Tori) Zigler for the below guest post. For Tori’s previous (related) article please visit (http://newauthoronline.com/2015/05/13/from-idea-to-ebook-a-guest-post-by-victoria-tori-zigler/). For Tori’s blog please see, (http://ziglernews.blogspot.co.uk/).

 

I’ve always loved writing, and it wasn’t unusual to see me as a little girl; pencil in hand, as I scribbled something on a piece of paper. I even held “lessons” for my dolls, where I would show them how to write poems and stories, with the occasional break to do some sums, since I also enjoyed mathematics.

 

As I grew, my sight decreased, so that I could no longer see pencil markings clearly without pressing so hard the pencil would all but go through the page, while the pleasure writing gave me increased, so that I formed the habit of carrying a notebook and pen with me everywhere; along with a book to read, of course, since I’ve always been a voracious reader.

 

I was ten years old when I was given a laptop for use for my schoolwork, since the teachers were starting to struggle to read my writing. Officially the laptop was only for schoolwork and homework, but I used to write stories on it too, though I still carried my trusty notebook and pen around with me everywhere I went; ready to take quick notes of any ideas that popped in to my head, which I would later type up.

 

I carried a notebook and pen around with me right up until the point where I could no longer see to use one. Then I destroyed every notebook I still had in my possession; a move which cost me a few story and poem ideas I no longer remember, and could have had someone read for me to make note of, butt which I felt – and still feel – was right, since my notebooks were journals as well as writer’s notebooks, so they contained some things I’d prefer not to allow others to read.

 

I can read and write Braille, and even have a shiny red brailler that I’ve had since just after I learned Braille while I was still at school, which I was given when my sight decreased enough that it was decided I should use Braille at school; the brailler was given to me to do my homework on. But I rarely use my brailler for writing. At home I use a computer, and the brailler is much too bulky and heavy to carry around for writing. So, now that it has no homework to help with, my brailler is used more to produce something in Braille that I need access to while I’m out, but will write at home; like a shopping list, or an address, or something like that.

 

There are some Braille frames that are a lot more portable, but they’re not very easy to use when you’re trying to focus on a thought that’s popped in to your head. I also find that voice recording devices aren’t very practical, since background noise makes it difficult for you to get a decent recording; unless you want to speak so loudly everyone will likely stop what they’re doing to look at you, which I don’t. As for using my Kindle’s notes function… Well, that may be an option later on, but right now using the touchscreen keyboard is proving to be a challenge I have yet to overcome. So, I have yet to find a suitable substitute for my trusty notebook and pen.

 

On the bright side, I have a computer at home, so can use that for writing. And, hey, if the electric goes out, I still have my brailler, which requires no electricity at all.

 

A Snippet Of Conversation

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Have you ever overheard a conversation about yourself, failed to speak up and, later wished that you had done so?

Some time ago I was strolling along with my guide dog when I overheard an elderly lady remark to her companion,

“He’s blind”.

In retrospect I should have come back with the quick fire response,

“But he’s not deaf”.

I did, however hold my tongue. There is, as is said in the north of England, “nowt so queer as folk” and the above snippet of conversation acts as living proof of this fact.

 

Kevin

Excuse me, Are you In The Queue?

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I recently travelled with an acquaintance into London’s Victoria’s mainline station. On arrival I proceeded merrily and with some rapidity towards the ticket barriers.

“Trigger (my guide dog) is pushing in front of the queue” said my acquaintance. Oops!

Being a guide dog Trigger is taught to find a safe way through or around obstacles, including crowds. If my four-legged friend sees a gap, he goes for it with a will. I had no idea Trigger was skirting the queue and everyone queuing was too polite/embarrassed to say anything!

The above incident caused me to ponder on the advantages of being blind (other than the ability to jump queues without being lynched). After some consideration I came up with the below list:

 

  1. Having learned Braille from a young age I am able to read in the dark. This was particularly useful during my time at boarding school as I continued to read after the dormitory lights had been switched off and we children where supposed to be in the land of nod!
  2. Many tourist attractions and places of entertainment offer either a reduced fee or no payment to disabled people. This often extends to a person accompanying the disabled person. The result – I have lots of friends …!
  3. Any items designed for the blind (E.G. Braille books, magazines and talking books) are sent free of charge using articles for the blind labels meaning I save a fortune on postage!
  4. I get to take my wonderful guide dog, Trigger into places which do not permit other dogs to enter. So I can enjoy a nice hot curry while trigger snoozes at my feet or looks up at me appealingly hoping that a scrap of food will fall from my plate!
  5. The screen on my mobile phone recently developed a crack. As I rely on the phone’s talking software this does not bother me in the least although I am, as it happens probably in need of a new phone for reasons unrelated to the device’s broken screen.

I’m off now to queue jump, purely unintentionally you understand …

I Am Now A Fashion Model

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I am delighted to announce that I have branched out into pastures new. Not only do I write but, in addition I’ve taken a tentative step into the world of alternative fashion. Should anyone wish to consult me on the best alternative looks please do not hesitate to contact me. I can, I assure you be relied upon to furnish advice in respect of fashion which will have your family, friends and others agog with envy. Well they will be agog anyway!

This morning a colleague remarked that I had on one brown and one black shoe. I am registered blind with limited residual vision so haden’t picked up on this fact until my colleague enlightened me!

I own 2 pairs of work shoes, one black and the other brown. Both have precisely the same pattern on the upper part of the shoe while the soul is also identical which explains my own unique fashion statement! What a relief that I don’t currently have a female in my life or heaven knows what shoes I might (accidentally) have put on this morning …

For tips on fashion please email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail.com – or not as the case may be

 

Kevin

Charity anthology to raise money for Guide Dogs – Book cover

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As loads of you who follow this blog will know, I am, with the kind contributions of fellow authors/bloggers compiling a charity anthology to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind association (http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/).

The Story Reading Ape has very kindly agreed to design a cover for the anthology free of charge – thank you Chris! I would be grateful for feedback on the proposed cover together with comments regarding the suggested title for the anthology.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the anthology and to David who is kindly editing the book without charge.

Kevin

GDGF Example

Review Of Elephant Man

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Yesterday evening (21 February) I went to see a production of Elephant Man at the Brockley Jack Theatre, (http://www.brockleyjack.co.uk/portfolio/elephant-man/). I would recommend this moving performance which has now, sadly finished, the last one having taken place on Saturday 21 February.

The play tells the true story of Joseph Merrick or as he came to be known Elephant Man. Born in Leicester Joseph came into the world showing no signs of physical deformity. However at an early age signs of physical disfigurement manifested themselves including loose skin and a pronounced bulge on Joseph’s forhead. Joseph appears to have had a loving relationship with his mother, however on her death and the remarriage of his father he left home due to ill treatment and entered Leicester’s workhouse. Following 4 years in that institution Joseph discharged himself into the care of a series of showmen who exhibited him in so-called freak shows. It was at a shop owned by a circus proprietor named Tom Norman that a surgeon from the London Hospital, Fredrick Treves met Joseph. Interested in Joseph’s condition Treves paid Norman for loaning him out in order that medical tests could be performed in an effort to understand Joseph’s condition. On his return to Norman he was exhibited abroad by other circus owners where he was robbed and deprived of all savings.

On returning to the UK Joseph was taken by Treves to the London Hospital (he had Treve’s calling card in his pocket which allowed the police to contact the surgeon).

While at The London Hospital Treves came to understand Joseph’s speech and a friendship developed between the 2 men. Elephant Man’s fame spread which led to visits from well connected society ladies and gentlemen together with invitations to the theatre and trips to the country estate of Lady Knightly.

Elephant Man raises troubling issues of exploitation. Treves is kind and does, genuinely appear to have developed a friendship for Joseph. However despite his genuine regard for him Treves was complicit in exhibiting Joseph for the education (and in many cases) the entertainment of others. Treves criticises Norman for exploiting Joseph which, to 21st century eyes he most certainly did. However Joseph expressed gratitude to Norman for allowing him to earn a living and it was at his own request that he entered the world of freak shows. Given the choice between the harsh rigours of the workhouse and being laughed and jeered at as a “freak” in a circus, Joseph chose the latter because it afforded him financial recompense. There is a sceene in Elephant Man in which a down at heel Norman confronts the prosperous Treves and asks for the return of Joseph. Treves refuses and brands Norman as an exploiter. Norman responds that it is Treves who is the exploiter and that the circus did at least afford Joseph the opportunity to earn money. While Treves certainly comes across as the more humane character he does, to 21st century eyes carry a whiff of the exploiter.

Merrick died at the tragically young age of 27 probably as a consequence of attempting to sleep normally thereby breaking his neck. His skeleton is now in a medical museum although not viewable by the public.

At a time of little governmental provision for the destitute (other than the workhouse) Merrick was faced with little option other than to participate in the degrading freak shows of the time or to throw himself on the mercies of The London Hospital. His treatment at the London was, by the standards of the time humane. It is, however not what Joseph would have chosen had he not been compelled by the force of circumstance to do so. The horror aroused in most people by his deformities led to a much constrained mode of existence which one would not wish on anyone.

Why drewdog2060drewdog2060?

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When I make a comment or like a post “drewdog2060drewdog2060” appears which, when clicked on takes the reader to my blog. It makes me smile when people respond to my feedback by addressing me as Drew when, in fact my name is Kevin. Given the use of drewdog2060drewdog2060 it is easy to understand why people make this mistake! So why the drewdog2060drewdog2060 I here you ask?

My third guide dog was a lovely lab/retriever cross called Drew. I have wonderful memories of our time together including walks in the woodland which abuts my home. Drew was a gentle dog who was loved by all who met her, (I remember people who are usually frightened of dogs stopping to pat her).

Drew had her faults (few of us, apart from me of course are plaster saints)! I well recollect her raiding the bins in the office and helping herself to the odd lunch which unwary colleague’s had left within her reach but, despite all this she was a lovely dog who worked loyally as my guide and friend for many years.

March 2011 is indelibly imprinted on my memory. It was an ordinary day. I had gone into my office in London with Drew and on the way home popped into my favourite local for a pint, followed by a trip to the supermarket. Drew kept stopping to relieve herself. I thought she just had a stomach upset which would pass but in the night she began to pass blood. My then partner took her to the vets but, very sadly she died as a consequence of a heart attack brought on by blood loss.

I got my present companion, Trigger on 4 July 2011. He, also is a wonderful dog and has saved me from walking in front of vehicles on several occasions. Despite my bond with Trigger Drew will forever maintain a special place in my heart. She lives on in drewdog2060drewdog2060 and despite the confusion the use of her name sometimes causes I won’t be changing it.

It is a great pity that dogs have such short lives in comparison to we humans.

 

Drew (sorry Kevin)

Review of Kindle HD Fire 7

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This review is of the Kindle Fire HD 7: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-HD-Display-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B00JXOXLP0
The Kindle Fire HD 7 allows the user to do far more than merely read books. The Fire also acts as a music player, enables the user to send and receive email, offers the ability to surf the web using Amazon’s Silk browser and perform many other tasks.
As a registered blind person I use the Fire’s text-to-speech facility which is of a very high quality. I do own an earlier version of the Kindle, however although this has a text to speech facility I am only able to read books with it (i.e. I cannot shop in the Amazon store or perform tasks other than reading). Consequently the Kindle Fire HD 7 is a good buy for people who are visually impaired, as they can shop Amazon on the device, (prior to me receiving the Kindle Fire as a Christmas present I had no option other than to purchase books and other items from Amazon using my computer, so the ability to shop using the device makes life much easier).
Although the device is very accessible, I do not like the on-screen keyboard as a light touch will activate a character meaning I, as a blind person cannot use it. I use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard which works well with the device.
Unfortunately Amazon’s Silk browser is only partially accessible to people with little or no vision. Amazon are aware of this and are looking into the issue.
My Kindle was purchased in John Lewis who offer an automatic 2 year guarantee with the Kindle, while Amazon’s guarantee is, I understand, only for 1 year. Consequently I would recommend that anyone thinking of purchasing a Kindle Fire HD 7 in the UK consider buying from John Lewis rather than Amazon.
I would recommend the Kindle HD 7.

Lets Talk About Eugenics

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In 1913 the British Parliament enacted The Mental Incapacity Act. The legislation had it’s origins in the Eugenic idea that the poor, the mentally incapacitated and other marginal groups where placing an intolerable burden on the state and should be sterilised and/or confined to secure facilities (hospitals for “the mentally defective” as they where then frequently termed). Eugenics was predicated on the belief that defective genes where responsible for poverty, unmarried motherhood and other things which the eugenicists wished to eradicate. As a consequence of the Act 40,000 individuals where confined to institutions, those imprisoned ranging from those with learning disabilities through to petty criminals and unmarried mothers.

Eugenic measures where widespread with America being particularly zealous in their promotion via the Eugenics Society (a similar organisation existed in the UK). As a consequence of the murder of people with disabilities under the Nazi’s Action T-4 Programme eugenics, not surprisingly became a dirty word but as late as the 1970’s eugenic measures where being employed in Sweden against people with certain disabilities.

Support for eugenics has come from people with divergent political views. The Socialist Fabians (Sidney and Beartrice Webb) where strong proponents of Eugenics and the Labour MP Will Crooks described the poor as “almost like human vermin”. The Liberal Beveridge (the man responsible for drawing up the modern welfare state) advocated for Eugenics while Winston Churchill (a Liberal and, later a Conservative politician) advocated for Eugenics.

In “An Act of Mercy” I imagine a UK in which eugenics has been adopted as official government policy. Individuals are tasked by the government to visit families and identify those with disabilities. Anyone so identified is removed from their family and subjected to special measures. Such an idea was, in fact proposed by Leonard Darwin in the early 20th century although he did not support the killing of so-called “defectives” but their separation from the rest of society.

 

For an interesting article on the support for Eugenics by people on the Left please see the following piece in The Spectator, http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/5571423/how-eugenics-poisoned-the-welfare-state/. (The article is skewed as it fails to mention that many non-socialists also advocated strongly for eugenics, a fact mentioned in the comments following on from the piece. It is, none the less worth reading).

The New Statesman has a good article on Eugenics which can be found here, http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2010/12/british-eugenics-disabled.

For information on Will Crooks please see, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Crooks.

For my collection of short stories, An Act Of Mercy And Other Stories please see, http://www.amazon.com/An-act-mercy-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00EHS74CS. An Act Of Mercy is free in the Kindle Store until Monday 1 December.