there is more to being disabled than being on benefits

Hi all,

A few weeks ago I was in manchester at the labour party conference. I had hoped to take part in the equality debate but was not called to speak so just for you here is what I was going to say

> Good morning conference, I was the PPC in Orkney and Shetland at the last
> election. I am proud to be part of the new generation and look forward to
> working with Ed Milliband to return a Labour Government to power.
>
> I would like to thank Harriet Harman for all of her efforts in passing the
> Equality Act and Jonathan Shaw for all of his good work as disability
> minister.
>
>
>
> At this time because of the economic climate there is a considerable amount
> of talk about money. I work with disabled people as a parliamentary officer
> for a charity and many of them are concerned about the potential loss off
> benefits. I know this is a debate about equality but many people I talk to
> think that all politicians care abouts when it comes to disabled people is
> taking things from them or making it harder for them to receive what they
> are entitled to
>
> Conference I know that this is not the case but politicians need to practise what they preach tell and borrow a phrase its about getting off benefits and
> into work.
>
>
>
> What is that work. It is about supporting the removal of barriers to
> disabled people in society and not just talking about money For example In Scotland. The Criminal Justice and Licensing bill has just passed in that bill was an amendment thatrequires license applicants to state how their premises meets the needs ofdisabled people so that for the first time they have to consider access
> right from the start. Conference that was a campaign I started which George
> Foulkes led through the Scottish Parliament this small change will make a
> huge difference to so many people allow disabled people and their friends to
> enjoy a barrier free social life. If we help remove the barriers then we can be a more equal society. So I want to encourage Ed and his team to show what they are doing to help disabled people. I would also like a page in the party manifesto for disability related policys. this is because being disabled affects your whole life in a way that the other equality strands do not. for example your housing needs your job prospects I could go on so I feel a single paragraph will not surphise
>

> In conclusion to build an equal society we must show that we are there to
> help and not hinder, Yvette Cooper mentioned a crusade to protect the
> vulnerable well Yvette I will be there at the front supporting you as long
> as your pushing
>
>
>

poetry in motion

The publication today of the full partnership agreement reminded me of the crooner bobby vee and his song poetry in motion. there have been a few members of both parties who to quote the song about their own manifesto think that they "love every movement their is nothing they would change, it doesn't need improving its much too nice to re arrange" Nick and David have a hard task a head of them and it could cause the coalition to have tears on its pillow

if the shoe fits

The new Home Secretary Theresa May is famous for her shoes. Today I am also thinking about shoes. that is because i have just bought a new pair. But this pair is different. they actually fit my own feet. I wear splints to help me walk. but they are away being fixed at the moment. I have shoes which fit my splint, but not my feet. so on sunday I bought my first pair of shoes, i will send mum a picture to fit in my baby book.

so far so good but time will tell if the shoes fit

It could all end in tears

The past week has been momentous in British Politics with the first coalition government in many years and some comentators are saying it could all end in tears. In just a few short weeks the conservatives and Liberal democrats have gone from just " I agree with nick" to " I am time sharing with nick" as william Haugue and Nick Clegg are going to share the use of Chevening the country retreat of the Foreign Secretary with 115 rooms, they could stay there at the same time and never see each other- See full story here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1279232/Nick-Clegg-muscles-William-Hagues-Chevening-grace-favour-Kent-pad.html

However something else the could end in tears has done so. This morning was a bright sunny day in edinburgh so I got up and put on a nice white shirt for work this morning and went of out of the door with my lunch in hand, full of the joys of spring

Lunchtime came and I went to the kitchen and went over to the sink to open my lunch. My friends my lunch was tomato soup. I pulled open the can with such force that the soup went onto my shirt at the top of my shoulder and into the chest pocket and covered my glasses.

So how will a coalition not end in tears start by banning tomato soup and white shirts

the blog is back

Ladies and Gentleman I had taken a break from blogging but the blog is back

speech on independent living

Conference I come before you as two things can you guess what they are? The most obvious thing is that I am part of that select group of people in Scotland 1 in 5 of the population, who have a disability. Secondly I am the PPC for Orkney and Shetland. I do not know which of these is more of a challenge, but they are both one I intend to conquer.

The labour party has done so much for disabled people through out the UK to make our lives easier and for that I am grateful

What I want to talk to you about is independence, not political independence but social independence

Conference what do you think of when you think of a disabled person being independent, is that being able to cook and clean for themselves well conference there is so much more to being independent than that

Independent living is being able to do what you want when you want to do it- without having to rely on others. Just like all of you who are not disabled.

An example of this is the barred campaign! This is a campaign, which seeks to improve the social lives of disabled people by improving the access to pubs by improving the access information about them. Yes conference disabled people like to go for a pint too-, as those of you who know me will testify

I am asking the party to put down on paper is recognition of the importance of independent living and also that it means more than being able to do the basics. But to allow disabled to take their place in society.

Like the SNP I want full independence but unlike them the purpose of my independence is not to break up society or a country but to be able to take my place in society and contribute just like anyone else.