Beyond Wheels

I was impatient. Born 3 months early, I entered this world silently and was rushed to the Special Care Baby Unit. My parents then began an agonising 10 week vigil, watching me cling to the fragile thread that was my life. My home was an incubator and my sole companion was a teddy bear that dwarfed me. My hands still bare scars from numerous tubes and wires, all of which were used to monitor any fluctuations in my condition. Without medical science I would not be writing this blog, however when is it right to let nature take its course? The tragic case of baby Charlie Gard has been splashed across the news for the past 5 months, highlighting the conflict between merely existing and genuine quality of life. We have all seen images of his desperate parents outside countless courts, fighting to keep their son alive. An incredible amount of money was raised to pay for experimental treatments in America, nevertheless judges ruled that Charlie was too ill to be transported. No one can co...

Social media surrounds us, massively effecting how we interact with one another. We chronicle our lives through pictures and posts. Even United States policy has been reduced to tweeting. I use Instagram and Twitter to promote this blog. Whilst I recognise the huge potential of social media, I have also experienced it's sinister side.  Before beginning to write this blog I seldom used Instagram or Twitter, now I am a prolific user. I can instantly reach like minded people and expand my own viewpoint, hopefully aiding the scope of my writing. Through Instagram, I stumbled across Laura ( https://www.mumoam.co.uk ) who is an extraordinary writer, who blogs about life with her disabled son, providing insight and comfort to her readers. If my parents had been able to access blogs like Laura’s, I sincerely believe that they would have not felt so isolated - particularly my mum - would have found solace in the fact she wasn't alone.  This week I downloaded “Yellow”, an app t...

I have always been hugely passionate about music. From my first breath, music has permeated every aspect of my life, a constant companion through the highs and lows of learning how to cope with my disability. Growing up, when things got too much, I would retreat to the solace of my earphones. A familiar world, without judgement or pain. I would bathe in the rejuvenating melodies, immersing myself in soothing sounds. Similarly, when I need to focus, music is my first port of call. In fact, every blog I write has it's own soundtrack.  Nothing compares to live music. I would recommend it to anyone. You are able to literally feel the music, the way the musician intended their songs to be heard. You become the beat, bass notes morph into your heartbeat. Going to a concert transforms you on a primal level. Adrenaline courses through your veins, leaving you with a euphoric sense of happiness and emotional freedom. Booking the tickets, that is an entirely different story! Ticket m...

Welcome to my first blog of July. Incredibly, another month has flown by, as if it were a dandelion in the wind. A month of fascinating political jostling, intermingled with horrific tragedy that left us all questioning what it means to be human. Since I began this blog, I have been astounded by the connections we form today, particularly on Social Media.  Let me tell you a little more about myself. I am a 20 something (the older I get, the more significant the “something” becomes) disabled man. I live in the dead centre of the United Kingdom, a short drive from the picturesque Derbyshire Peak District. I have resided in my own flat for the past 7 years. I require full assistance with all aspects of my daily life, everything from applying aftershave to brushing my teeth.  Having live in care has exposed me to the full spectrum of humanity, good and bad. Imagine opening your front door and inviting in the first stranger you see, desperately trying to find some common g...