Sunday, December 4, 2011

As I see It (week 2+)

Yes, two posts in one week, how awesome? Ok ok not very, I just have plenty to say this week. After my first post the reaction surprised me. Last weekend I went up to Dublin, I was getting withdrawals, hadn't been out in Dublin since pride. Seriously, I love it.  Dublin feeds my need to have culture and really interesting conversation and people in my life. As soon as I hit Dublin, I am greeted with a familiar smile by one of the guys from customer service, spoken to like a human being, treated with respect and brought to the luas. As opposed to Cork, where I am met by customer service with a 'why are your breaks on, I can't move you'? This is said as I am getting into my chair. It seriously wrecks my head, it feels like I am being spoken down to. Anyway when I got to Dublin after I got off the Luas, I went to Supermacs, where the staff were most helpful.

After grabbing a bite I went to my hotel, again the staff were awesome, helped me up to the room and all. I went out, up to the Front Lounge, where I was greeted by a lovely chatty bouncer, who opened the side accessible door for me. I went in and found the Running Amach gang, it was nice, I met some really nice people. After drinks, chats and laughs, we went around to Klub Diva. I went in the door and instantly saw familiar faces, people who I knew I could join. Then the dancing started, and didn't really stop until the music stopped. Other friends appeared, my blog post was mentioned and there was a genuine sense of awareness about basic things, like where the loo was located (downstairs). It was a brilliant night, lots of laughs, good conversation and awesome moves thrown on the dance floor by many a people. I can't describe the feeling of being in that environment. It's like ability or disability doesn't come into it, its about ones personality and interests, I love it.  I was even asked if I had scored with anyone? That surprised me, it surprised me because it is a question never asked if I was socialising on my local scene. Sunday I caught up with a friend, we hadn't spent time with each other in a while so we went for breakfast/lunch to Dun-Laoughaire. It was stunning, clear sunny skies, cold, but not too cold, a nice meal and great catch up.

Wednesday I traveled to the UK via Dublin. Traveling with RyanAir I find so easy, the staff so helpful, once the assistance is booked in advance. Being in the UK with a disability is so different. Ok to give an example, being in a train station in the UK you are asked 'can I help you' as opposed to 'who are you with'?. Saturday, December 3rd was International Disability Day, so my friend Imogen and I went into Cambridge with wheelchair Becky (a doll, barbie size, in a wheelchair), Imogen photographed Becky in random places, like in the Disney Store, outside Kings College, on the conveyer belt in Yo Suchi as well as eating yummy fudge amongst other things. We had a great day, people were so interested and actually wanted to be involved in our fun. Imogen posted pictures and updates up on twitter and the feedback was fab. It is a shame the day still isn't very well known or marked by the general public, but all in time I guess.

It baffles me how attitudes can vary depending what part of the country you are in as well as the world. Is it about education or is it something else, something deeper?

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