PGP / SPD My story:

 I would just like to thank Great Aycliffe Town Council for tonight’s meeting. It was encouraging to see so many people turn up, and I’m also grateful to the other members of the public who spoke. While it’s natural for people to disagree, I’d personally like to see disagreements handled in a more constructive way by certain councillors. At times, things became a little too heated, and had the meeting been recorded, I’m not sure that the public would have been all that impressed. That said, some councillors did show sensible and balanced contributions, and as a Newtonian, I just want the very best for our town and it's residents. I was also very interested in the discussion around removing councillor positions. I can see the perspectives from both sides, but as one councillor rightly pointed out, we can’t currently compare data to see which decision would truly save money — and for that reason they couldn’t support it. Overall, I am grateful and appreciative of all that the council...

What a Disability Advocate Actually Does (and Why I’m Different) A disability advocate is someone who stands up for disabled people’s rights , access, and dignity. Advocates challenge unfair systems, support people through complex processes, and ensure their voices are heard when they are often ignored. Advocacy is about empowering individuals to access the support and services they are entitled to, and holding services, councils, and policies accountable. I have been doing this work for over two decades, informed by both professional training and lived experience. My work includes: Helping disabled people secure accessible housing and adaptations to live safely and independently. Supporting people through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) applications and appeals. Sharing knowledge about Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), helping women manage the condition and, in some cases, avoid requiring wheelchairs. Implementing practical changes, such as securing seating at bus stops so peop...

Public Statement: Speaking Up Shouldn’t Mean Being Silenced I’ve taken some time to reflect before saying anything publicly. But recent events have left me confused, disheartened, and needing to share what’s happened—not for attention or conflict, but because I believe in honesty, fairness, and the importance of being heard. As a disabled advocate and resident of County Durham, I recently raised a formal complaint about the conduct of a sitting councillor. This wasn’t something I did lightly. The behaviour I flagged involved public misinformation, a misuse of influence, and actions that had already harmed me and others in the community—especially those of us who are vulnerable or marginalised. I submitted my complaint with context, evidence, and a respectful request for anonymity due to past targeting. Despite this, I was told the complaint is unlikely to proceed, that my name cannot be protected, and that I may wish to withdraw it. What I’m struggling to understand is this: How is it ...

Well the meetings today.... I have lost a family friend she has died, i have the meeting today about our life and whether we can have the stairlift and adaptations that we need, and i had the police round yesterday about the hospital incident and they say I have to complain directly to the hospital. I have been let down and personally attacked unfairly by a seller of *product info removed* items who feels it is appropriate behaviour to slander and abuse people that state the truth (when something goes wrong) with what she sells.... what is the world coming to .... ...I am going through enough and she knows this, to personally slander and attack a 'compliment' i left on her shop is unprofessional especially when she is defined as 'customer support' for the whole shop community site and to have had the offensive remarks I have had since I first purchased from her I never knew it was her on the ebay site and she made me buy outside ebay on her personal shop site ...

Finally our council tax issues are resolved, may have taken over a year but thankfully all is sorted now. I am in absolute agony today, the front and back of my pelvis are just excruciatingly painful today :( Got a support cushion from the internet to hopefully help me when I am sleeping, help with my position and if I ever get the chance to restart breast feeding it will be really useful then too. Keep phoning the Dr.'s as they keep prescribing me only 2 days worth of Morphine and I constantly run out, which is why I am in absolute agony today, it's really hard to have a prescription written at my Dr.'s and I am still waiting for a Dr to call me back so I can explain to them what I have explained over and over again to the receptionist already, how much pain I am in and how desperately needed the Morphine is, you'd think they would give you a bigger bottle wouldn't you? I am on the slow release tablets too but they are not doing much on their own, the Oramorph and ...

My husband has been offered a job position, we don't know when it would start as it may even start next year but just incase it was to start immediately we phoned social services who cannot provide 24/7 care and only do pop out visits (the problem is its during the week full time) so he cannot even do that as he needs to 'babysit' me.... Everything keeps making me feel like a problem. My husband however has said that I come first and I cried into his arms for a bit, I love his cuddles, and that as it is a fact that I need the 24/7 care he is not going to jeopardise my or our unborn baby's health just because others cannot see nor accept this fact. I am in agony now and we have not slept right for 5 nights in total now due to my pelvis pain. I am sick of the commode but I guess I have to get use to it anyway as the new house doesn't have a downstairs toilet and the social and others have said I don't need one as I have that. I wonder how they expect me to shower!...

Had problems this morning with transport to acupuncture as the receptionist at physio hadn't acknowledged that I was in my own wheelchair and even though she confirmed (last time we were there) we needed a drop down back for wheelchair access, booked an ambulance that was not suitable for wheelchairs, had a ramp-drop down access but no wheelchair clamping facilities to transport me. I was in tears this morning. She did rectify it as I begged her to so I could get there and we did manage to get there so I am grateful however her apologies and attitude was very half-hearted, rude and negative and really upset my husband. Had acupuncture and got home, council called thankfully and is trying to sort out our council tax mysteries, so we were relieved. Then my husband was called to say he has lost his job so we got upset... again. My husband has had to apply for Income Support as carers allowance is no go as my DLA is pending and cannot go on JSA as he would have to bring me every fortn...

We had our first parentcraft class last night, my husband walked me there pushing my wheelchair a 30 minute walk at best, we went early as we had to spend some time in town to post my DLA appeal and a complaint in regards to having being mistreat by a DR from Urgent Care in regards to my disability and my husband. Having got there in the end I was determined to stay and was in a lot of pain, I cannot comment on what people thought of me being pregnant and in a wheelchair but I was determined for them to know the truth, that it was because of the pregnancy / the SPD that I was in a wheelchair, there was a lot of shocked faces. The pain got much worse and unfortunately we couldn't stay, and due to my pain etc we won't be attempting to go again as it is also a 30 minute walk home too and my husband pushing me is just no good, for him or for me as pavements are complex and bumpy and extremely painful when I am jolted. We didn't have transport money this week anyway, so had no c...