Tag: disability

My Journey as a Writer: Updates and Goals

Hello, dear readers, I hope you are all doing well. A quick reminder to consider subscribing to the website to be kept fully updated. It really is the best way.

So what have I been up to? Well, not too much in the last day or two (I’m so lazy). Before then, I did make some steady progress.

Wheelchair Wars – The reworking is almost complete of my far future dystopia, where people with disabilities are forced to fight to the death for entertainment. I’m hoping to have it published (probably self-published), but I’ll try to look for an agent in the new year. I joined an online writing group, and I think I have significantly improved my writing skills. Like everything I do, I will always endeavor to improve.

Pegasus – This action-packed story set hundreds of years in the future recently came to an end. Like Wheelchair Wars, it will be reworked and published at a future date.

Distant Love – I only started this recently. It is still easy to find Part 1. This is my latest story – a sci-fi romance. I’m still working this one out in my head, not sure how long it will be.

General Overview:

I am on track to get a record number of views this year. I’m hoping to break the 2,000 mark. From research, to be a professional blogger would need an absolute minimum of 24,000 views per year. I’m a long way off, but not beyond the realms of impossibility to do it in a few years.

I now have 1,400 followers on Bluesky. My plan is to try and get over 2,000 by the end of the year. Then drive that audience towards here, along with my Twitter and Facebook followers.

Please don’t be afraid to comment. It would be great to have some feedback.

Pegasus (Part 132)

But which way to go? I tried to remember my time with the Emperor for any little hint. Then I remembered that he had looked in a particular direction when he had mentioned my friends. I thought back to where my bed was positioned at the time. I needed to go to my left.

Without hesitation, I quickly walked in that direction. The next door was over twenty meters away. There was a circular red button to the left, which I pressed. The door opened to reveal a darkened room. I stepped inside, careful not to make any noise. I could make out that several people were lying in what looked like hospital beds.

I searched the wall for a light switch and pressed it. The glare briefly closed my eyes. I reopened them to see Tabitha and the rest of the crew lying in the beds, shouting for my help.

Tabitha was closest.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Tears were flowing down the side of her face as her eyes darted from place to place. “I can’t move, love.”

I guessed what the problem was and lifted her head with care, searching for a tube, which I pulled out.

“What are you doing, love?”

I rubbed the side of her face with my palm. “Give it a minute.”

Speech at Disability and Older Persons Event 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, it is great to be here with you on this beautiful day. Independent People with Disabilities have long been associated with this wonderful event.  It is great to see so many familiar faces, and I hope you all enjoy the day. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about what services are available to you.

Independent People with Disabilities has had another busy year since our last day here, continuing to try and improve the lives of people with disabilities.  We took part in a Regional Networking Event in Cavan, Make Way Day in both Mullingar and Athlone, and hosted an Event about Disability and Employment in Athlone. The Disability and Employment event made me the most proud. It detailed the supports available for people with disabilities and their employer. I think it highlighted serious issues and gave out vital information.

The organization maintains a strong local presence through active participation in a variety of committees such as Westmeath Public Participation Network, Disability Sub group of Westmeath Community Development, Westmeath Youth Forum and Westmeath Older People’s forum.

 On the national stage, we have a representative on the Board of Iarnrod Eireann, and regularly engage with in discussions with the Department of Social Protection.

Our office is also an invaluable resource providing information on disability related issues, addressing questions, concerns, and making a positive impact on countless lives.

All of this would not be possible without a dedicated Board, and I wish to thank my fellow directors such as Dermot Hope, Larry Quain, Gene and Noel Mulvihill among many more. I would also like to thank our funders, especially you the ordinary people who give at our collections.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the day.

Speech at 25-year celebration of Westmeath CIL

Well, readers, this post is slightly different from usual. This is a speech I gave last night at the 25-year celebration for Westmeath CIL for anyone who may have an interest –

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be here with you for this celebration of Westmeath CIL tonight. I am sure I already know a good number of you here. The first time I heard about the organization was when it was in its infancy. It was based on a revolutionary concept at the time, and it brought me joy to know Westmeath would not be left behind – that people with disabilities should be able to chart their futures, whether it is deciding what education to pursue, where to live, and with whom, and the ability to socialize. It is a concept as critical today as all those years ago. 

The role of Westmeath CIL in my life greatly increased a few months after I completed college with my first Personal Assistant from the service, Patricia Gorman, who ended up doing many years with me.


Her work had a great effect on my life straight away. It increased my independence and gave me a solid basis for planning my future. We got along very well, and I occasionally ring her now,  many years after she stopped working. 

Of course, there were times when she was unwell or on leave, and people like Linda McKinley and Grainne Nea, among others, would step into the breech. Throughout those years, Mary Mooney was there for me to contact if I had difficulties. 

During those years, I first worked in the Mullingar Arts Centre and then joined Westmeath County Council as a Clerical Officer. I still remember my excitement on my first day, not thinking I’d still be there nearly twenty-three years later. 

I now live in my house most days of the week thanks to Westmeath CIL. This involved a large increase in my hours, which were done by Thomas McCormack at the start. In my career, I am currently the Resource Worker with the Westmeath Public Partnership Network. A challenging role that makes use of everything that I’ve learned to date. Hopefully, I’ll still go up the ladder a bit more. Chief Executive has a nice ring to it. 

I know that there are challenges, but this would not have been possible without the independent living movement. Currently, I have three PAs from Westmeath CIL. Gerry Marie, Dermot Smith, and Kathleen Carr. Peter Bradley also fulfills the role from time to time. Westmeath CIL continues to play a vital role in my life, and I hope that it continues to make a huge impact, not only in my life but in the lives of all people with disabilities in the region.

No Magic Pill

Ladies and gentlemen, you shouldn’t be reading this because well I’m supposed to be studying. I have a real problem with my mind jumping from place to place. And apparently, this is where it’s at, at the moment. Really I should be thinking about majestic topics such as the difference between revenue and capital accounts. Please give an example of each. Tell me about a time you should initiative. And no chasing skirt is not what they are thinking of.

I have an important interview coming up. All part of Project Mark. The Masterplan. Except my plans tend to be more meandering in nature. Anyways back to “No Magic Pill”.

It’s a play I went to yesterday in Longford in thick fog and down some very narrow roads. I think Google Maps wanted to build the suspense. Mr R and some mates accompanied me.

It tells the story of Martin Naughton, institutionalized from a young age, and the part he played in creating the first CIL or Centre for Independent Living. This was the first time Personal Assistants (PAs) were provided to people with disabilities. This is very pertinent to me as PAs have greatly helped me in my life. I consider him, and the others in those early days to be heroes. So, this post may be somewhat partisan.

Firstly the venue. The staff were courteous and pleasant. There were some drawbacks, lack of delineated wheelchair parking (I know Mr R, I know) and I had to go around the back and use temporary ramps. Not full marks for inclusion. More pointers for future improvements rather than criticism. Let’s call it a post-event review. I hate those things.

The play is about how the movement for independent living began and has a love story as somewhat of a subplot. The acting was excellent, especially by the actor playing Naughton. It’s mostly played by actors who actually have disabilities or else they should get Oscars. Something is intoxicating about plays. So much better than television.

It shows how he ended up in an institution, the effect it had on people, and how he strived to improve things for both himself and others, against considerable odds. I knew quite a lot about this before going in and have met some of the people depicted. The subplot revolves around a girl who likes pushing his wheelchair from place to place and becomes one of his first PAs. Then they start a relationship.

I do have some criticisms of the play.

The general understanding is that Naughton learned about Independent Living while visiting the US. However, in the play he never does. Instead, it’s held out as a mythical place, kind of like disability heaven where he’s stuck in a conundrum about whether to pursue his dream or save his friends. It might be to make the play more dynamic but I’m a stickler.

It indicates that the independent living movement was created by Vietnam Vets who lost limbs. This is a myth and underplays the role that those born with disabilities played in the movement. It was actually started by students at a California University. I’d recommend you read the biography of Judith Heumann if you want to learn more. I think that the distinction is important.

I didn’t like the ending. It’s too abrupt. There is too much left up in the air. The last few lines leave open whether the romance works out or not. And, it stops before the Government agrees to continue financing the services. I think it’s even worse for those who wouldn’t know the story as well as me.

I’m still recommending you go see it and learn about a true freedom fighter.

Now back to those budgets and Maslows Hierarchy of Needs.

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The Secret Life of a World of Warcraft Gamer

This is a new documentary that has just dropped on Netflix. Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. His parents mourned what they thought had been a lonely and isolated life when they started receiving messages from online friends around the world after posting a message about his death on his blog.

The secret life of the young World of Warcraft gamer is vividly reimagined using the actual conversations he had from the game where he role-played a character called Ibelin. The game was his sanctuary where he was free from his disability and felt that he could relate to people on an equal footing.

At his funeral, his father relates how his parent’s greatest sorrow was that he would never know love, never have friendships, or make a difference in another person’s life. But they were wrong, he had found a way through his own resourcefulness.

What follows is the story of his alternate life in this virtual told in his own words and by those who knew him. It is a life of ups and downs, with the black cloud of him physically getting weaker in the background.

I’m giving this documentary, a tale of success against adversity five stars and strongly recommend you watch it.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (28)

Timothy looked down at his hands. He expected them to look different. He had just annihilated the Emperor’s representative and all of his troops that were on the ship. He expected a physical change but maybe that was just more nonsense to keep people under control.

He stayed at the helm for a few more hours. The remaining Tyranid forces were now the hunted and being cut down without difficulty. It was time to activate his escape plan. The President would never forgive his large-scale use of nuclear weapons and he expected arrest once the civil authorities were back in full control.

Hence, he had developed the escape when he had been given full control. A spaceship was waiting with his trusted care-bots in one of the lower decks of the city. Instinctively, he knew now was the time.

He commanded that the large door be opened. Then saying nothing he simply drove out. They could figure out the rest themselves.

Once outside, the smell and scenes of death were everywhere. Partial human bodies and Tranid corpses were littered everywhere. Fortunately, his wheelchair had a setting for tracks and he was easily able to drive over it all. It was tough though when he recognized some of the faces.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (27)

Over the next few hours, the battle moved decisively against the Tyranids. Their ships tried to land on the planet as a desperate last measure, perhaps attempting a rescue of sorts so they could still attack a different planet but the orbital defense cannon tore one ship after another to shreds.

Timothy stared at his screen astonished. The ambassador’s ship had returned to orbit and was seeking to open communications with him.

He pressed the button to accept.

Immediately, the decrepit Ambassador appeared in a holographic display – I see the Tyranids have been stopped as willed by the Emperor. It is now important that his dominion is once again established over this planet. You are to seize the planet’s civilian leadership and have them summarily executed. Long live the Emperor.

Timothy paused for a moment and then said – Long live the Emperor.

A moment a blast from the orbital defense cannon blasted through the Ambassador’s ship tearing it to pieces.

Gasps of shock went around the room.

Timothy had given in to chaos. The people had done so well without the Emperor, that he couldn’t just stab those who remained in the back after such a heroic battle against the Tyranids. The Ambassador likely hadn’t yet contacted the capital world about the outcome of the battle. He would have waited till full control was re-established. It could be a full thousand years before the Emperor truly knows what has happened.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (26)

Timothy sized up his options. The Tyranid would eventually get through the door. Then an important shield in the event of artillery fire or even orbital bombardment would be useless and immediately be fatal.

Therefore the monster must be confronted.

He knew that the fate of this world and many others now rested on his demur shoulders so he gave the command –

“Open the door.”

For a brief moment, they were hesitant to comply.

But that changed once I activated the wheelchair’s weapons systems.

The people crowded to the rear of the large cavernous room.

The banging stopped as the door slowly opened and then the Tyranid slithered in once it was able to, its stench engulfing the room.

The six-legged monster prepared to pounce.

Timothy bobbled back and forth as his heavy machine guns fired.

Blood splattered from the Tyranid and it darted from left to right.

Timothy turned with the creature mowing down many of the civilians and many of the computers in the process.

But the creature was spent, many of its limbs now blown off as it curled up and died.

Timothy stopped firing and ordered the door closed once more.

One of the survivors limped to do so.

“Did the Tyranid injure any of you?”

Two women hobbled forward, their legs lacerated.

“Shoot them.”

One of the officers shot them on the spot before they could even plead for their lives. No chances could be taken.

Timothy went to a control panel that was still functional. The planet’s forces were in the ascendancy.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (25)

They had been kept in reserve for just when the fighting was most intense. Maximus immediately saluted him and gave him a tactical update.

“Overall the city’s defense is holding up. The use of tactical nukes has helped greatly However, a sizable Tyranid force is approaching our current position. I recommend a tactical retreat.”

“That is not possible Maximus. If this position falls, we lose the war. It must be defended to the death.”

Maximus nodded in acknowledgment.

Timothy knew that this might be the last time to see them. But this was not the time for goodbyes.

He re-entered the control and ordered it sealed.

The battle ebbed and flowed throughout the planet. Some cities had already repulsed the attack and were now on the offensive.

Closer to home, his troops were fighting valiantly but suffering greatly. It pained him to watch his valued troops slain one by one. After another few hours, it became clear both sides were close to exhaustion.

Then there was a large bang on the steel door. The people in the room gasped. The enemy was at the door. Timothy looked at his monitors covering the vicinity. A large six-legged Tryand was the sole survivor. Everyone and everything else outdoor that door was dead.