Disability Now. Our voice, our lives.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has ruled a joke about disability by Jimmy Carr out of order. But for student Chloe Smith, from her perspective as a young person, such jokes do more than just offend good taste. On The One Show in November last year, comedian Jimmy Carr made two jokes at the expense of people …
Continue reading “Comedian Carr crashes Ofcom taste barrier”
In general Paul Carter is comfortable with his limitations but when it comes to trousers he finds the exercise in arse-covering one stride too far… Having recently hurtled past another birthday at seemingly breakneck speed, I’m fairly set in my ways. I know what I like (eating) and what I don’t like (people). I’m fairly …
It’s well known that people say the damnedest things especially when you‘re disabled. But Paul Carter has had just about enough of one particular question. People are weird. Not you, you’re lovely. I mean those people. You know, the other ones. I’ve written in the past about how having a disability seems to mean that …
Still state-side, Paul Carter finds himself greatly discomforted by the Americans’ direct approach to personal giving. For those who might have missed my last piece, I’m in New York City at the moment, gaining a weird and wonderful insight as I go into how disability and difference is treated in this amazing, inspiring, yet completely …
Continue reading “Charity: the unwanted gift that keeps giving”
Acquiring another impairment, albeit temporary, Paul Carter finds that he’s presented with yet another challenge when it comes to self-medication. In a dramatic development since my last despatch, I’ve gone deaf. Not totally, just in one ear, thankfully. I say thankfully for no other reason than becoming completely deaf would put me at a considerable …
There are times when Paul Carter has no problem with people praying for him. But anyone praying for a cure for him risks a violent backlash. Now they say that there are certain things you shouldn’t talk about at parties. Judging by the number I’ve been asked to leave over the years, I’m guessing I’ve …
On a trip across the pond, Paul Carter discovers that not everyone wants you to have a nice day. Yee-haw! I’ve been to America, land of the free and all that. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve always been something of an Americophile, largely because I think we can take a lot from their …
Paul Carter says children are just like students, but it would be easier to talk to them if they learned the offside rule. Kids are great, aren’t they? Aren’t they? Actually, I’m not so sure. I’ve been thinking about the little buggers quite a bit over the past few days, as a friend of mine …
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