Sorry It's Been So Long

My first update is to say that I haven't had any response from Mr Steen MP to my email sent on 1st June, so it's obvious that he isn't interested in apologising for his actions but in just getting a few column inches to promote himself. Obviously I've sent him an email asking why he hasn't responded after asking people to contact him. A publicity stunt perhaps?

My final dissertation gets handed in next Monday & I've had an amazing three year journey. I feel like I have learnt about some new principles that will be important to my future practices, primarily around the importance of Autonomy, clarity around equality and the role of Social Justice & Haman Rights. Also the importance of participation in democracy, so nothing small or easy but all important.

My next journey, seems to be taking me towards strengthening my understanding of research methods and a focus on 'building community'....oh yeh, and how to survive a night out with the lads as my alcohol consumption has definitely decreased!

My last three years has developed my understanding around philosophy and the use of philosophy to clarify a concept such as equality or the social model so that it can withstand the rigors of challenge and debate, academic or otherwise.

Philosophy & theory are important but the last month has also re-enforced my own belief in the importance between theory & practice and in how they underpin or support each other. Why, because I've listened and seen at first hand that disabled people are still experiencing discrimination and struggles on a daily basis. More of this in my next entry.

To catch up, I'm going to make a few seperate entries as in one it would be too long and boring to read (probably!) and then you can read as much or as little as you wish. Oh yes, I've also been involved in a national launch of our resource pack "So What Is Inclusion", (an ideal stocking filler for Christmas, easter present or any celebration), DJ'd 2 weddings, been featured on a national podcast and also a spread in a Nigerian Disability Issues magazine, been quoted in Young People Now and finally had my hair cut.

Be Lucky,

JK

Email to Mr Steen MP

Dear Mr Steen,

You asked people to make contact with you if inconvenienced by your rather poor parking. Unfortunately, I have become very inconvenienced by your poor use of language and rather blinkered views as to our needs.

Could I just point out disabled people are not a minority but gladly your views are.

Will you now be resigning as you obviously cannot represent the views of all of your constituency very well at all?

Yours disappointingly,

JK

If you've been inconvenienced by Mr Steen's Parking he would like to hear from you. You can email him here link

Yellow & Blue

Yellow & Blue
Originally uploaded by rockinpaddy.

Took a mid-week break from the ol' degree and went crazy with the hair! We lost by the way....

The jury is out on Comic Dis-Relief

Last night was Comic Relief and I always feel split on what happens. I know it saves lives and has made big differences. I've worked on funded projects that could only have happened as a result of Comic Relief & the like. But........
As a rule, I reject the idea of Non-disabled actors playing about in wheelchairs, there are plenty disabled actors out of work as a result and at least three owe me money!
Andy Pipkin, Brian Potter and even my beloved Borat have got me thinking. Harmless fun? Making a laugh at societies attitude rather than impairment? Means justify the ends (or is it the other way around)?
I don't want to be a hippocrite, I have loved and laughed at Peter Kay, Borat and Little Britain, but last night rammed home what I don't like, or feel uneasy about, in each of them. It was amplified by them all being together and now to be on the same record and video which will be a hit for sure.
So the Jury is out. I might have to burn my beloved Phoenix Nights and delete Borat from mySpace friends.
Well, it's St Patrick's day, rugby's on and we are stronger than any comedy characters..but the jury is definitely out on these old faves of mine.....Help.

Rockinpaddy.com

Yesterday at just after 3.45pm rockinpaddy.com went live. Do visit and sign the guestbook. I will continue to use my blog for major dickering and ranting, so text on the web stays reasonable. I shall also continue to use my Flickr site as my main picture site so uploading the website stays a reasonable speed. My aim is that they will all compliment each other and be used in different ways for different information. Enjoy!

I know I've said it before!

The resource pack has now finished the proof reading stage and amendments made. Now it's off to the printers in the next week, soon to be available in all good UK Youth resource catalogues!

As a result, I haven't done much else, apart from studying, writing and more studying. My aim in the next two weeks is to get my dissertation completed. After my last few negative TV watches I haven't missed getting angry at poor TV portrayal.


On another note The BRBB might be getting played on a podcast thingy! Wics! I'll let you know when/if it all happens.

I took a little break on Thursday afternoon, I needed to get out for air, so headed to Richmond Park for a half hour. Hence the piccy! Spring in the air......spring in the air yerself ya old eejit!

Oh yeh, The St Patricks Day count down is on, come on the boys today. The triple crown could be coming to Irelands shores! Up the boya!

Be lucky

JK