Able and Disabled

Hey! Sorry that it's been a hot second. Things have a bit a lot lately and I've been find it really tough. Part of this has been my struggle with the mental health system. My mental health has suffered lately, bringing my depression to the centre of my health struggles as my biggest challenge. It's been hard and perhaps the hardest part has been feeling unable to access the support I need. Don't get me wrong, I am INCREDIBLY grateful for the NHS and to live in a country where there are a lot of free options for medical help, but that doesn't mean that the system is perfect. Trusts are uncommunicative, waiting lists are exceedingly long, choices of types of mental health support can be limited. It can often feel like you need to be on the brink before you can access help, as though treatment is retrospective rather than preventative. The government can say that they are increasing funding in the mental health sector and that they are doing all they can to fight s...

Hey All! Hope you are all well! I now this post is coming to you a little early, with my weekly posts normally going on Wednesdays, but I thought I would give a little extra reading this week! I'm not entirely sure whether that is in fact a positive way of wording it but oh well, I have something really exciting to talk about today! As regular readers will know in June I became involved in an awesome project called 'Scope For Change.' 'Scope For Change' is a six month programme aimed at training young adults to become disability campaigners and at helping them set up their initial campaigns. Following the Launch Event in June, this weekend was the Residential, a REALLY fun weekend of both activities and talks, both of which were designed to bring us even closer together as a group and help us further consider what we want our campaigns to be. I thought I would post today to tell you a little about my experience of the Residential and the kind of direction in whi...

Hey All! In the last week many may have heard about blue badges will now be accessible to those with 'Hidden Disabilities.' You probably won't be surprised to hear that I think this is awesome! Not only is this an amazing step towards shattering the myth that disabilities have to be visible to be valid, but it will also provide more support to those whose disabilities aren't often taken seriously because they aren't linked to mobility or intense 'physical' impairment. This essentially means that blue badges will now be accessible to those whose difficulties may be due to psychological distress or an autism spectrum disorder, a very necessary step in the right direction. However, what isn't as pleasant is some of the responses that I have witnessed to this news. It has been incredibly disappointing to see people raging about space availability and how those who will now be now be included in gaining support don't REALLY need the support. I even sa...