THAT'S ME!
I missed watching The Last Leg last night, the final episode of this series having gone out the previous Friday. One of the few programmes we have at the moment that's both extremely funny and delivers some much needed topical political satire (notably on brexshit). There will be a new series in the Autumn.
On the penultimate show of the recent series one of the presenters, Josh Widdecombe, was absent. He'd been taken into hospital to have his appendix removed. So, on his return, he jokingly claimed he was now as disabled as his co-hosts, Adam Hills and Alex Brooker. And I recalled that a series or so ago I'd had a look to see if Widdecombe did have any disabilities. The answer's no. But his Wikipedia entry mentions he has 'pectus excavatum'. Curious, I clicked on the link and up came a photograph of a male torso.
Hang on... that's me. Well, almost. My own indentation is nowhere near as severe as the one portrayed. But I've had this thing for 63 years and never knew it had a posh name. Many decades ago a doctor suggested I could undergo an op to have my chest bone moved in some way, but it seemed rather an extreme 'cure' for something that I hadn't really ever thought of as a problem.
It did get me laughed at at school, and I was sometimes called 'Biafra' in the changing rooms (you have to be a certain age to get that reference...). I was never much of a runner because my lung capacity is a bit reduced compared to normal (but it's not going to stop me from walking). And I was rushed into hospital once because my GP thought an x-ray showed my heart was enlarged - turns out it's just a bit squashed due to my peculiar shape.
So it's not a problem, not a worry, but now I know it's got a Latin name. Thanks Josh.
Friday 19 July 2019
Walking, advocacy and kilts 10
BEATING THE RAIN
As I type this I'm glad I got out reasonably early (by my standards) to do today's walk in the morning. It's chucking it down now.
Back to the route I took on walk 2 and walk 3, an easy eight and bit miles, but some gentle climbing involved. I knocked a few minutes of my previous time and felt I was still walking strongly at the end of it - as I should when the 'real' distance is going to be nearly double what I did today. I'm going to try to walk more frequently in the coming weeks - although once the Fringe starts...
When I got home there was a workman in giving us a quote, we got chatting about what I'd been doing and why, and he kindly offered to sponsor me. Which is what this is all about, raising money for an organisation that can be a positive benefit in the lives of people who have got used to being ignored. I haven't had any appointments this week (the volunteer coordinator is on leave, which gives you an idea of how under resourced Advocard is), but that won't stop me asking you to consider contributing something, anything, to the funds I'm trying to raise. You could even be the first to do so this year (at time of writing!).
Click on this link if you'd like to give.
As I type this I'm glad I got out reasonably early (by my standards) to do today's walk in the morning. It's chucking it down now.
Back to the route I took on walk 2 and walk 3, an easy eight and bit miles, but some gentle climbing involved. I knocked a few minutes of my previous time and felt I was still walking strongly at the end of it - as I should when the 'real' distance is going to be nearly double what I did today. I'm going to try to walk more frequently in the coming weeks - although once the Fringe starts...
When I got home there was a workman in giving us a quote, we got chatting about what I'd been doing and why, and he kindly offered to sponsor me. Which is what this is all about, raising money for an organisation that can be a positive benefit in the lives of people who have got used to being ignored. I haven't had any appointments this week (the volunteer coordinator is on leave, which gives you an idea of how under resourced Advocard is), but that won't stop me asking you to consider contributing something, anything, to the funds I'm trying to raise. You could even be the first to do so this year (at time of writing!).
Click on this link if you'd like to give.
Sunday 14 July 2019
Walking, advocacy and kilts 9
AND STILL NO KILT?
Almost two weeks since my last walk, one that felt like I didn't want to be there. So it's a relief to be enjoying the experience again, as well as a sense that I'm improving. There are no photos from today's walk because there was no stopping, other than a brief comfort break. Today felt like a proper walking day.
I was back on the Water of Leith Walkway, from Balerno to Victoria Bridge, a bit over twelve miles. Within half a mile I knew today was very different from the last time, and this was going to be enjoyable. When I did this walk a few weeks ago it took a bit over three and half hours, at an average of 3.4mph. This time I knocked a further eleven minutes of that figure, now at 3.6mph - which is very close to what I need to do on the day. Albeit there'll another three and a bit miles to plod on through.
Best of all the clouds stayed overhead for most of the walk, so it never got too hot (by Edinburgh standards...). Sub-taps aff conditions. But still warm for kilt wearing. I'll have to get around to wearing it soon, to be used to it again. But some cooler weather would be nice. Please.
My only advocacy experience last week was accompanying a man to his dental appointment. he felt the dentist hadn't been listening about his dentures problems, but she happily gave him what he wanted on the day. One thing I really liked about this dental practice, and not something I've come across in any of the ones I've been a patient at - when he was laid back in the chair she put a big pair of dark glasses on him to stop the light being too bright for his eyes. Smart idea, as it can often be dazzling. Anyone else come across such a thing?
Almost two weeks since my last walk, one that felt like I didn't want to be there. So it's a relief to be enjoying the experience again, as well as a sense that I'm improving. There are no photos from today's walk because there was no stopping, other than a brief comfort break. Today felt like a proper walking day.
I was back on the Water of Leith Walkway, from Balerno to Victoria Bridge, a bit over twelve miles. Within half a mile I knew today was very different from the last time, and this was going to be enjoyable. When I did this walk a few weeks ago it took a bit over three and half hours, at an average of 3.4mph. This time I knocked a further eleven minutes of that figure, now at 3.6mph - which is very close to what I need to do on the day. Albeit there'll another three and a bit miles to plod on through.
Best of all the clouds stayed overhead for most of the walk, so it never got too hot (by Edinburgh standards...). Sub-taps aff conditions. But still warm for kilt wearing. I'll have to get around to wearing it soon, to be used to it again. But some cooler weather would be nice. Please.
My only advocacy experience last week was accompanying a man to his dental appointment. he felt the dentist hadn't been listening about his dentures problems, but she happily gave him what he wanted on the day. One thing I really liked about this dental practice, and not something I've come across in any of the ones I've been a patient at - when he was laid back in the chair she put a big pair of dark glasses on him to stop the light being too bright for his eyes. Smart idea, as it can often be dazzling. Anyone else come across such a thing?
Tuesday 2 July 2019
Walking, advocacy and kilts 8
ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
I've enjoyed my practice walks so far (with the obvious exception of last week!), and have felt comfortable with the distances I've walked. To the extent that, although I'm committed to the 15 mile distance this year, there's a part of my brain wondering if in 2020 I should attempt the longer distance of 25 miles, before I start to get too old to have a go. And then there are days like today, when the idea comes up and my brain just goes "Naaaawww".
Although my injuries from the fall last week were minor, there was a pain in my ribs stopped me from doing much exercise. Add in a mild summer cold and I wan't feeling my best. Ho hum, there will be days like that, and I'm pleased I still did the distance I was aiming for, albeit a lot more slowly than usual. I'd been to the Mail depot near Portobello to pick up a parcel, so I started the walk from there, along Seafield and the dock road to the river, then up the water of Leith Walkway to Murrayfield Stadium. With the odd detour along the way it was just a bit under ten miles. In a painfully slow three hours. At least I know I can do better. At least I did it.
The most exciting moment of the journey was having a wee Leith woman shout abuse at me. She and her pal were busy gabbing, left me little room on a narrow path, and out arms slightly bumped together. From her reaction you'd have thought I'd gone the full Mark Field! I walked on, leaving the swans to cope with the 'interesting' language.
More variety in my voluntary duties last week, with a guy who needs a referral to a psychologist, but feels he's being blocked. I made a phone call which may help. And there was another PIP assessment, rarely a cheerful assignment as the service user is so stressed by the proceedings. But, as is often the case, he felt he couldn't have got through it if he hadn't had someone along. It's nice to feel necessary sometimes.
Now I've made my commitment, and registered on the Kiltwalk site to do what they call The Big Stroll, which is the fifteen and half mile walk. A team has been set up called "The Devil's Advocates" and I'm hoping half a dozen colleagues will be joining me in it. We'll even have Advocard tee shirts made up - preferably in a colour that won't clash with my kilt!
This means, inevitably, that I'm going to have to start nagging people for money. Plenty of time for that yet, with well over two months into the day, but that does mean two months of nagging from me....
Here's a link to my page, and a few wee photos from yesterday's plod.
I've enjoyed my practice walks so far (with the obvious exception of last week!), and have felt comfortable with the distances I've walked. To the extent that, although I'm committed to the 15 mile distance this year, there's a part of my brain wondering if in 2020 I should attempt the longer distance of 25 miles, before I start to get too old to have a go. And then there are days like today, when the idea comes up and my brain just goes "Naaaawww".
Although my injuries from the fall last week were minor, there was a pain in my ribs stopped me from doing much exercise. Add in a mild summer cold and I wan't feeling my best. Ho hum, there will be days like that, and I'm pleased I still did the distance I was aiming for, albeit a lot more slowly than usual. I'd been to the Mail depot near Portobello to pick up a parcel, so I started the walk from there, along Seafield and the dock road to the river, then up the water of Leith Walkway to Murrayfield Stadium. With the odd detour along the way it was just a bit under ten miles. In a painfully slow three hours. At least I know I can do better. At least I did it.
The most exciting moment of the journey was having a wee Leith woman shout abuse at me. She and her pal were busy gabbing, left me little room on a narrow path, and out arms slightly bumped together. From her reaction you'd have thought I'd gone the full Mark Field! I walked on, leaving the swans to cope with the 'interesting' language.
More variety in my voluntary duties last week, with a guy who needs a referral to a psychologist, but feels he's being blocked. I made a phone call which may help. And there was another PIP assessment, rarely a cheerful assignment as the service user is so stressed by the proceedings. But, as is often the case, he felt he couldn't have got through it if he hadn't had someone along. It's nice to feel necessary sometimes.
Now I've made my commitment, and registered on the Kiltwalk site to do what they call The Big Stroll, which is the fifteen and half mile walk. A team has been set up called "The Devil's Advocates" and I'm hoping half a dozen colleagues will be joining me in it. We'll even have Advocard tee shirts made up - preferably in a colour that won't clash with my kilt!
This means, inevitably, that I'm going to have to start nagging people for money. Plenty of time for that yet, with well over two months into the day, but that does mean two months of nagging from me....
Here's a link to my page, and a few wee photos from yesterday's plod.
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