Naidex 2008

I'm very much looking forward to my visit to Naidex at the NEC tomorrow. I'm hoping to bump into many old friends (I always do!) and, this year, I'm especially on the look out for a battery-powered speaker setup that will enable me to make myself heard in busy places (like Naidex or the pub!) by boosting the output from my communication aid. I need something that will clip onto my wheelchair mounting system next to my Tellus.
If anyone knows of such a system, do please let me know.

Communication Aids (An update)

I've been so busy this year with work and with having my bathroom refitted (and that's a story all of it's own - more like a nightmare!) that I haven't had a chance to post on here for some time.
However, I felt it was high time that I made some comment on where I'm up to with communication aids. In December I took delivery of a shiny new Tellus 3+ (In red, of course!).


Following a massive amount of research, last year, including spending most of my time at Communication Matters testing all the machines on offer, I had come to the conclusion that this device would best suit my needs. I had also experimented with a trial version of Grid2 software on my PC, which I found to be really easy for me to programme independently. Techcess were happy to supply the Tellus with Grid2 (from Sensory Software) installed.

I'm delighted to report that both the device and the software have fully met (and, in some areas, exceeded!) my hopes and expectations. So much so that I have been able to switch over almost completely from my previous device in record time. While I realise that no two communication aid users needs are the same, I feel that this combination is well worth a look for anyone seeking a new aid.

Pyramids Arts Centre , Warrington October 2007

This is a video of me dancing to "This Chair" at Pyramids, Warrington in collaboration with Drake Music Project .

NEW WEBSITE!

I am pleased to announce the launch of my brand-spanking new, shiny and sparkly website, mouseonthemove.com!
The site is still in development but it is my plan to expand on the opportunities and advantages that my dance workshops offer to schools. I'm also going to have a section for communication aid users/their families, friends and supporters. And a Forum has been added which I am sure will soon take on a life of it's own!
Go visit.

Christmas Dance Update

Unfortunately, if you missed going to view my Christmas Dance, you're too late! OfficeMax, who hosted this bit of fun have now closed the site.
Better luck next time!

Christmas Dance

I have created a special Christmas dance for my readers. If you could use a good, hearty laugh after Christmas, go take a look - please be patient as it sometimes takes a while to load. The dance can be viewed here.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and would like to wish everyone a
"Very Happy New Year!"

WIRRAL DANCE4ALL (Part 4)

The fantastic drawings that Ben Small produced from the Dance4All club have now gone on display at St John's Precinct in Liverpool city centre. They are located on the Upper Mall, near the lifts and the Centre Manager's office. If you are in Liverpool, go and visit them - you'll be impressed!
If you would like to see more of Ben's work or commission him, his website is http://www.benjaminsmall.com/ .

Oxfordshire

The excitement continued between 1st and 11th October, with visits to six primary schools in the Oxfordshire area to run a series of dance workshops. This was a really enjoyable, if tiring, experience for me and I'd like to thank the Head Teachers, Staff and pupils at all of them for such a warm welcome and for working so hard. A special thanks to Claire Robinson at St Thomas More, Kidlington, who made my trip possible by encouraging the other schools to invite me. Claire is an amazing lady, with such energy! A copy of an article which the Oxford Mail published following my day at Kidlington can be viewed here (Opens with Microsoft Word).

1Voice Video

IVoice - Communicating Together is a charity supporting young users of communication aids and their families. Over the years, their work has been extended from just working with younger children to including teenagers. Recently, they ran a Teenage Project using Role Models, a Workshop Leader and a Musician. The project was video'd and a superb DVD is now available from 1Voice. Below is a short clip from the video, explaining why 1Voice need your help and support to enable them to continue and develop their work even further.
Further information and the DVD can be obtained from http://www.1voice.info .

Latest News

While most of the work I undertake is really good and exciting, the last two jobs have been exceptional.
Last Friday, 14th September, saw me travel over to York for a conference on Transitions for teenagers with a disability. I spoke there and facilitated a workshop, then, in the afternoon, I ran a dance workshop. The participation from the delegates was brilliant and, all in all, an excellent day (apart from the journey home, but that's another story!). My thanks to Dr Pippa Murray for inviting me and for running the conference in such a relaxed way.
Wednesday 19th took me up to Levens CE School in Cumbria to run four dance workshops. What a fantastic day! The children were wonderful, so bright, so responsive and so creative and the staff participated fully and could not have been more helpful. A lovely school and a lovely day. I wish the new headteacher, Matt Foxwell, every success for the future.
It's jobs like this that make my business so enjoyable and worthwhile.

Communication Aids

My Communication Aid is vital to me in all aspects of my life. I can't imagine now what it would be like to go back to the time before I had a communication aid. I certainly could not have achieved all I have if it hadn't been for the kindness of the group of friends who worked so hard to get me my first machine.

And yet, even after all these years of development, I still find it incredibly difficult to find an aid that will do all the things that I want to do. At the moment, I am researching devices with a view to buying a new one shortly.

I need to be able to programme the device myself, to easily link from page to page, concept to concept. I need to be able to deliver large sections of speech for my presentations and the training I give. The device must mount on a wheelchair (and still allow me to see where I am driving!) and also have a stand for desktop use. I need a machine that is reliable and will not constantly freeze or crash when I am programming or delivering a talk. And I need to be able to do this in a good, clear precise U.K. English voice. Added advantages would be the ability to make mobile phone calls from the device and an extra powerful amplifier.

Surely, in this day and age, this should not be too much to expect when you look at what is available in the mainstream entertainment and communication fields? And yet, so far, I have been unable to find a device that satisfies all these requirements.

Some manufacturers have tried to imply that I am too demanding or picky. However, as I have already said, my communication aid is the thing that enables me to lead a valuable, busy and demanding life. Without it, I would not have been able to give up many of my state benefits and set up my business. It is not only my prime means of communication - it is my identity to the people I meet.

As more youngsters become proficient with communication aids and move into adulthood, many of them will grow up with much higher expectations from their devices. I feel now is the time for us to put pressure on manufacturers to provide devices which will satisfy our more demanding needs in the future. If anyone else feels the same way, I would be delighted to hear from you.

I would also be very interested to hear of your experiences with your communication aid, good or bad. With your permission, I would be very happy to post them up on this blog.

I'm With Stupid - an update

Following on from the success of Series 1 of "I'm With Stupid", it is now to be released on DVD and can be pre-ordered from Amazon. Just go to the link on the top left of this page to buy it!

HAPPY VIEWING!

Holland

I am considering going to Holland shortly. I haven't decided yet whether to fly from the North West (probably Manchester) or to take my van across.
Does anyone have any experience of undertaking this journey with an electric wheelchair? I'd be very pleased to hear from you if you have any advice to offer.

WIRRAL DANCE4ALL (PART 3)

It is with a great deal of sadness that I have come to the end of the after-school dance club. The children have been fabulous and a real pleasure to work with. There were a few tears shed on our last session on Wednesday (not least by me!) but unfortunately, without further Arts Council, I can see no way at present of continuing the club. However, I have not given up totally and will continue to explore other avenues of funding.

The drawing above is one of a number created by Ben Small, a Liverpool-based artist, that I commissioned to capture the scenes at the club. Ben came to several club nights and completed a couple of dozen amazing drawings. I have put these up on my web site and they can be seen here.

COMMUNICATION AIDS 3

Last Friday I was asked to perform two dances at a celebration of 25 years of the OFV (Opportunities For Volunteering) Scheme at which Health Minister Ivan Lewis, MP, was the guest speaker.

Afterwards, I had a chance to speak to the Minister and tell him about the difference having a communication aid has made to my life. I spoke about the difficulties that many people still have in obtaining the right communication aid for their needs.

I can only hope that the things I said have made him more aware of the problems that exist in this area and more concerned to improve the situation.