Nah then, nah then.....;)

Very interesting phone in this morning on BBC radio Sheffield about attitudes to disability as part of the BBC's Access All Area's campaign.

Invariably, a lot of people with mobility problems phoned in with some distressing stories, after all, it's when someone is out and about that they get to meet the public.

My experience has almost always been positive. Mobility is a bit of a peculiar issue for me.

I'm not allowed to drive, and it's unlikely I'll ever get my licence back. I'm not allowed to travel alone, which is an interesting little problem, because being the kinda chap I am, I wondered how that could be enforced. So I decided to nip out for a paper without telling anyone......

I quickly found out. Within five minutes Bear had a phone call from a neighbour to say I'd 'escaped'. Someone shouted "Nah then wally!", and another "Oy, who let you out!". I was treated to quite an amusing disagreement between her and her partner about whether that was a nice thing to do :)

When the police car crept up behind me, wound down his window and coughed "Ahem!, Sir?" I took the hint and about turned. He kerb crawled me back.

Throughout the day, I had a string of neighbours knocking on the door asking how I was/telling me off/upset. Later that evening, I was unceremoniously escorted, flanked by a couple of local ladies to an impromptu party, where six husbands whistled the tune from "The Great Escape" and lots of jokes about "how honoured" they were by the visit, and 'what a chuff' I was :)

Following day, I had an inbox full of concerned emails and more tellings off. Ye small gods. Word travels fast on 'tinternet.

Sounds awful, doesn't it? Human rights, freedom and all that. No it wasn't awful. I was deeply, deeply, touched. I don't see my neighbours one day to the next. But they thought I needed them.

Never found out who informed the local bobby.

Here's the odd thing. Was I in my wheelchair? Nope. Can I walk? Indeed, though I tire quickly. It's nice to have someone to lean on and I wobble a bit. You couldn't tell I have a mobility disability by looking at me. I don't have any mental or intellectual impairments. I rarely do fed up, and don't do depression, and have never had any psychiatric or psychological treatment or tablets.

Bear says I wander off looking in shop windows when a bus is due - but who wouldn't if they don't get out much?

My GP says. 'All things are possible, but not all things are wise'. I recognise that. It's a paraphrase of the bible's Paul of Tarsus, 1 Corinthians 10:23.

So dear reader. It takes a 'H' Bomb to upset me. Feel free to throw one if that's what it takes.

Is there any indication in my writing why their so protective? Am I not as lucid as I think I am? I'm missing something - I just can't figure out what.