Andy,
You will to keep an eye in her and test it every time before you go out just incase she has made it sound like an eighteen year old dolly bird LOL!!

Martin555.

Thank you Andy.
It was very rewarding, and taught us and the Red Cross cadets tolerance and humility.
We usually had 20 handicapped with 20 able bodied cadets to act as companion and mentor. But I think it was us that learnt more from our charges, especially how to enjoy the moment.
Cheers Colin.

Martin,

Of course I do!,

But even funnier is my youngest daughter will alter the voice, say when I'm asleep, and not say anything until this high pitched Barbie-style voice emits a distinctly male request!

The other time she gets me is when (as I've done this pm) I get so involved in painting a figure (YES! I do really use my mouth to hold the brush!) and get so engrossed by what I'm trying to do that I seem to 'zone out' and when I 'return' the voice is changed. She's even found a way to make it sound a bit Scottish - great fun.

Andy

Colin,

I take my hat off to you both. I know the terrible loads I place on my family - and I'm only one disabled person with, hopefully, boundless energy slightly tempered by age. So to take groups of disabled children away for breaks is truly exceptional - I hope you are rightfully proud.

I know the efforts it took my wife and oldest daughter to get me to the boating lake at Newquay in Cornwall so that I could launch my Flower on her maiden voyage. They carried her, lowered her into the water and rescued her when it glitched (luckily still reachable with a very long pole from the hire center). All I had to do was make her move, steer her and enjoy the moment.

Taking care of disabled people is a lot harder than being the disabled person, I've seen it from both sides and I know!

Bless you both

Andy

Probably not the right question to ask but do you change the voice and accent just for a laugh and confuse people LOL!

Martin555.

Martin555,

I haven't actually ever done it one purpose, in fact, my speaking machine now knows some very choice words! Even with it's perfect baritone English accent, it's lovely hearing it repeat any of my expletives.
However, you have given me an idea for a bit of fun, i.e.drop a depleted dry brushing-brush on the living room carpet 'by accident' and watch 'em run!
Andy

How wonderful humor can be. In my mind if you can laugh at your self it is easy to laugh with others as long as it's with and not at .
Rick

That's a wonderful view of life and I agree whole heartedly.
My wife and I spent many summers taking groups of disabled children camping with the red Cross.
And many times it was us able bodied that seemed to be disabled or disadvantaged.
I now have to deal with minor disabilities myself so appreciate your views.
And I also think your modelling talent far outweighs your own problems.
Keep modelling and keep your sense of humour.
Cheers Colin.

Andy,
With your sense of humour you are the sort that would ask someone to look for something that you have not dropped just for fun LOL!!

"Gum Painting" ! cool!!!

Martin555.

Martin,
I'm never offended by anyone's views - except when they're blocking my own!
Seriously, Disability is not normal, I accept that and indeed I champion it.

People can feel about me however they like, all I ask is that they remember that we are all actually living beings (although I'm sure at times I'm brain dead!) and stop trying to invent new ways to 'help' disabled people feel included.

I like that there are still old shops I can't get into, I like there are areas I cannot get to. Don't change the world for me, just let me be in it and accept that I accept that some things, places, activities are beyond me and I'm happy with that.

Now, seriously, I'm going back to painting a miniature with my gums as the brush holder - who needs hands anyway (well at least someone else does when I drop a part or my brushes!)

Andy

Hi Andy,
I was not offended at all.
It is the attitude that other people adopt when faced with someone with a disability.

I have seen it all too often.

I am glad that you have fun about it, and it throws other people out and i hope you continue to do so.
It is great that you can have a laugh at your self and at the reaction of others.
I hope i did not upset you by mentioning it.

Martin555.

Hi Martin555,

Sorry if I offend, but, in humour, I use that term because in our so over the top 'PC correct' world, it causes a lot of people real confusion and worry when someone doesn't really know what to call me, or the many like me - and I say just call me Andy or the 'crip', they either then join me for a chinwag or retreat in embarrassment, whichever, they have at least 'met' me.
Also using a speech unit can, in the main, cause a lot of interest and I like to use my robot voice to make them laugh with a 'crip announcement warning'!
I also 'suffer' from uncontrolled movement problems - which I call 'spazzing', again the term gives me a laugh at myself, when all you really want to do is have a good scream at elements of your life.
But by using self- deprecating terms and enjoying the challenge of keeping part of a loving family, my modelling and bombing around in my electric wheels, I find plenty of moments 'in the sun' of life and keep living it rather than existing.

All the best
Andy

HI Andy,
That is good news that you are getting out and about but you really must stop calling yourself a "crip."
Despite your problems you are a very talented and skilful person and should recognise your achievements and have a bit more respect for your self.

It is a shame that when people unfortunately find them selfs in a position that they have to use a wheel chair
that other people talk and treat them differently.
Other people should stop and think "Would i like to be spoken or treated that way"
I have had the misfortune of having to use a wheel chair for a short time and totally under stand how you feel and how how different you are treated.

Anyway rant over.
Continue with your excellent model making, as i and many others look forward to seeing your next project.

Martin555.

Started going out for local 'drives' on my scooter or wheelchair, luckily they both have a range of several miles and we can do the local country lanes.
I'm wearing a face covering (though who would notice!), my youngest daughter says I look like a robber. My reply was we'd better soup up the wheels a bit!

I promise this is true, the few people we have met have been courteous, friendly and, for a wheely crip, the strangest thing is that although we all keep a distance apart, they actually talk to me, not asking my family how I am, or talking over my head, but actually to me! They are then amazed that my 'voice' comes out of a machine and they engage even more! They even ask if we'll be there again tomorrow, as it's lovely to see people out and about.

If that interaction continues then for one person only, the horrible suffering of countless others will have brought about a tiny change for the better.

Andy

There's an excellent fish and chip restaurant, seaside, about twenty miles from us. The last few days my mouth has been watering at the thought of going there again.

All the best, Nerys

I will wait quite a bit longer before i go out and about.
And then we will see how things go just incase of a second peek.

But i suppose as long as you keep to the distancing rules and protect your self with some face covering and of course wash your hand you should be ok

Martin555.