Comments for Flash Says...

Comment on “The Undateables” – nasty concept, poor execution by James

James — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:10:18 +0000

Very sad, but typical of Channel 4. This could have been something sympathetic, but it’s just a modern-day equivalent of selling tickets to watch mentally ill people in an 18th century asylum. Most people who watch this will leave with a one-size-fits-all view of disability – I have Asperger’s and would most likely be tarred with the same brush as the lad whose lack of social skills have been cruelly exploited by Channel 4 (and I drive too!) Is it any wonder people like me who are not ‘obviously’ disabled don’t want to disclose their disability? A sorry, sorry case of affairs. Keep up the blogging Flash.

Comment on Disability myths exploded by flashsays

flashsays — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:14:47 +0000

How sad that other people’s ignorance would make you feel that way. I say apply and find out that way whether you are entitled, social services could also send an OT round to suggest any aids that would help if appropriate? Nobody will know if you get DLA unless you tell them, so don’t let people’s judgemental actions put you off!

Comment on Disability myths exploded by michele

michele — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:59:24 +0000

Hi my son has really bad twitches and muscular spasms and people are so cruel, i put off applying dor any entitlements for him as i was made to feel that he wouldnt deserve and DLA. I have now applied and am waiting for a response but am worried that people will judge him even more

Comment on Disability myths exploded by Pete James

Pete James — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:25:12 +0000

I’ve always found the situation I find myself in with Disabled Passenger Seating quite amusing. I’m epileptic and have no easily realised aspects regarding any disability so I’m well aware that other people may be in similar positions. So, when getting on a bus and the designated seats have been taken the onus is immediately on me t’ inquire of the person if they have a disability, I usually don’t. Most people would not begin t’ contemplate why sitting there might be important t’ me unless I treated them to a demonstration. Top decks of Double -deckers are pretty much cancelled as a possibility as in case I injured myself paramedics would have difficulty getting me downstairs, unless I’ve done that bit of hard work for them mid fit. And that is why the space near the seats is useful in my case, I’m less likely t’ hit something around me and medics have more space around if needed. I’m uncomfortable with public transport for numerous reasons and usually just take the line of least resistance, stand or go upstairs. Few people would find any humour in this but when y’ live with a disability even the darker aspects can have a bolstering effect when seen through the right spectacles.Having a fit I once fell from the back of a lorry with a box of glass tumblers, falling on my head into the glass. One person fainted two people were sick, RESULT! X

Comment on DLA – the gateway benefit by flashsays

flashsays — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:26:22 +0000

Yes, but often a simple digibox isn’t enough, or people need help installing one. If that’s the case then it can be a bargain…

For example I was offered a package of a box and aerial with installation for £40 all-in. This compares to when I went digital some months ago and had to spend around £100 on a suitable digital aerial and the same again on the installation cost. Sure, if all that is needed is a digibox then I agree you can get them for well under £40, but you don’t know until you try it whether you will need a new aerial. Also, some older or disabled people may need assistance in installing the digibox in terms of working out how to tune in to the new channels (I know my grandparents wouldn’t have known how) or physically getting down on their knees to plug it in (something I couldn’t manage, for example), and for that kind of help the call-out cost of an engineer could also exceed £40. So I think it depends on the disabled person and their situation. Perhaps get a £10 box and give that a go, but if it doesn’t work out, the digital switch over help could save a packet compared to the alternatives.

(I’m not in any way associated with digital switch over by the way, I am just speaking from experience!)

Comment on DLA – the gateway benefit by Fiona Prothero

Fiona Prothero — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:18:35 +0000

Would just like to add that the help offered with digital switch over that my mother had looked into would have been a more expensive box than from any supermarket

Comment on Catering for a vegetarian by flashsays

flashsays — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:23:11 +0000

Oh yes! It’s a good fuss-free emergency option for someone who doesn’t know what the veggie likes and hasn’t much time etc. but no, a restaurant or other food establishment should have a SEPARATE, well thought out, tasty option. It’s one thing scraping something together for a last minute veggie guest at your house, quite another when you hope to actually attract paying customers. Places forget that it’s not just the veggie’s custom you are turning away, but everyone in their party. When I’m with my family that’s a whole table of 9 they’ve just rejected…

Great comment!

Comment on Catering for a vegetarian by Anji

Anji — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:49:09 +0000

Oooh, oooh, I thought of something I wanted to add. The “extra veg plus cheese sauce” answer to a veggie coming for dinner should ABSOLUTELY NOT be used by food establishments. I’m flippin’ sick of going to a carvery (because believe it or not society, us vegetarians often want to go for lunch with a group of people who are mostly omnivores!) to be told I can have “extra vegetables”. No, no, NO! I want something a bit more substantial than that!

Comment on Catering for a vegetarian by flashsays

flashsays — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:28:09 +0000

Fair enough – what would you prefer to eat? I’m just trying to think of something very simple which means veggies are included, the host doesn’t have to go to much trouble, and that is edible – and then over the meal you can discuss things you would prefer for next time

If you have any other suggestions for quick fixes to the “Fred is bringing his veggie girlfriend to dinner at short notice, what do I give her?” question I would love to hear them, I realise there must be far more ways to do this than just the solutions I’ve come up with. Please do add suggestions!

I may be biased as my favourite thing when I was growing up was cheesy peas… I recall one birthday where I had peas in cheese sauce followed by veggie jelly which then came in a lurid almost fluorescent colour… not sure that’s QUITE what I’d go for, 25 years later!

Thanks for reading & commenting, and I would love to hear your favourite easy veggie dishes / solutions.

Comment on Disability myths exploded by flashsays

flashsays — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:21:32 +0000

No need to apologise at all! They are all very good points, and I can only begin to imagine how frustrating it is when people treat you that badly. Just because you need a communication aid does not mean you are stupid, or need someone “in charge” of you. Ugh!

I’m afraid I’m one of the people who thinks they can sign – I studied to Level 2 BSL but haven’t kept in practise. That said, when a Deaf man came to visit my neighbour and she wasn’t in, I was able to speak to her on the phone and sign to him what she said (wait, I’ll be there in 10 minutes) which made me feel the whole thing was worth it! And, in the past when I was just self-taught but my then-boyfriend was Level 1, we found a frantic man on a nightbus who was trying to get people to understand his signs; we understood where he was going, that his hostel would be closed – and took him home to crash on our sofa overnight. He spent a long time telling us about his father being shot in Northern Ireland, scary stories, before we crashed for the night. I am aware that I’m out of practise and should probably only be considered Level 1, though. And I don’t think I’m better than I am at signing, I hope! “Know your limitations” is good advice for everyone, in everything, at every time! So I hope I realise I can only recall the very basics – shame but I had nowhere to practise the skills.

Anyway I digress. Thank you for your comment – very valuable points.