Jottings

27th September 2009

Just after my last blog I visited the Centre for Independent Living again, this time joined by some of our team (trustees, staff and volunteers) and John, Peter and Daniel from our partners Warrington Borough Council. It was great to see and hear everyone discussing the progress, especially pleasing was the sense of excitement that we all shared. The visit also gave us time to reflect on how far we have travelled as an organisation during the past 18 years, I hadn't realised that many of our team hadn't heard about how it all started back at the Dallam Day Centre in 1991. Sharing the stories made me feel very proud, so much so, that I found a quite place to sit alone to think about those who have helped us on the journey so far.

A couple of days later I flew out to Egypt for a holiday with my wife Pam, mum and dad. According to our holiday company the complex was "wheelchair accessible", well I'm not sure who checked it out or which checklist they used!

I have never seen such high kerbs in my 20 years as a wheelchair user, the hotel had automatic doors, but it also had a step! Ok it did have as ramp at a side door but it had no auto opener and the door opened out onto the ramp! At the reception we were informed that they had reserved a ground floor room, "looking good", but, they had no lift and access to the rooms was back outside down a very steep and long road and path which wasn't bad going down as long as we avoided the huge potholes, but getting back up to the bar was a real bind and all of the 6 toilet blocks had steps!

The following day we enquired about the welcome meeting, you've guessed it; it was on the first floor back through reception! We decided not to attend as we would catch up with the reps later that evening. This proved easier said than done, their desk was situated over a steep wooded bridge that proved impossible to access due to its construction! During our stay one disabled guest broke her ankle as she fell on the bridge.

On a more positive note our rooms, dining area and swimming pools were fine, I even managed to get on a bar seat which was in the swimming pool, ok I also fell off more times than I care to remember! I can confirm that I was drinking Sprite before you think about anything else.

The highlight of the holiday for me was that after a few setbacks I managed to find a diving centre that allowed me to scuba dive from a boat, 4 times in fact. I had some very interesting conversations about how I could get on the boat, and off the boat into the Red Sea, but hadn't quite thought through how they would get me back on board. At one stage we all agreed it was easier to leave me in the water floating at the back of the boat whilst the rest of our party had lunch. The captain wasn't happy leaving me out there so he rigged up a rope with a white float on the end which was tied to the boat and me! I visualised the scene out of Jaws, you know the one, shark bait! Although Pam wouldn't have noticed, she was too busy coping with sea sickness.

That said the experience of diving down 10 metres in such crystal clear warm water was fantastic, with loads of vibrantly coloured coral and fish that one usually sees on the TV or in books. I actually met Nemo face to face, and I've got the photo's to prove it.

I would like to thank the team at Aquarius Diving Centre in Sharm El Sheik and Ron, a great guy who was staying at our hotel. Ron is a diving nut (his wife's words) from Kent who has a passion to share the sport with anyone who is interested. He gave me the encouragement and assistance that made it possible.

Together with Ron's wife Jean we visited Naama Bay. It was 35 degrees at 9 in the evening and with tens of thousands of people helping to create an atmosphere to remember, it was electric, I could have sat all evening watching the world go by, but with so many shops, restaurants and bars to see the evening soon came to an end.

On our first day back home I caught up with what had been happening at WDP. Jayne explained that the Channel Four crew we had been working with turned out to be from "The Secret Millionaire". Unfortunately we weren't selected as a recipient of funding, but on behalf of everyone at WDP I'd like to say well done to two local charities that did benefit, John Holt Foundation and the Long Lane Garden Project.

Jayne and the team have been busy organising this year's Positive Action Awards which will be presented next month at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. With over 100 nominations I'm glad that I was on holiday when the panel met to decide who to shortlist.

Over the past few years I have been proud of the achievements of so many members of the WDP team including Ann Thorpe when she received her MBE, Annette Clemo Cheshire Woman of the Year Award, Eric James, Phil Edwards and Chris Molynuex WIRE FM Local Hero Awards, Jessica Lea and Naomi Cheatham WIRE FM Youth Upfront Awards and Tom Horton Warrington Young Citizen Award. But this weekend it was that little bit special when my mum Mavis joined several of our staff and volunteers who were nominated for Widening Active Participation for Older People Awards. Although they didn't receive one of the top awards they all received certificates of recognition in the Learner Awards section.

Finally it would be impossible to capture all of the great outcomes from the work we do at WDP, we are simply too busy delivering and developing our services. I know that what really matters most is that we continue to make a difference.

Thanks again for your interest. Dave