There's a really good interview in the Guardian today with Sophie Morgan, who's a reasonably prominent UK tv presenter, and wheelchair user.

Her two decades as a presenter and as a disabled person have pretty much gone hand in hand as she started in a couple of reality tv shows almost as soon as she was out of rehab from being spinally injured in a car crash, but it's depressingly revealing to see how much she's had to overcome behind the scenes to be taken seriously as a presenter of disability stuff, never mind non-disability.

It's also interesting to note that I read a lot of Guardian interviews, which have occurred in all kinds of venues - hotel suites, zoom, people's kitchens, the French countryside - but this is the first one I can remember where it's mentioned it was in the Guardian offices; it's own comment on accessibility?

The Trials and Triumphs of Sophie Morgan

*Headdesk*

This Saturday's market was at least as bad as the last one for kerb cuts and footpaths blocked by stalls. So I pointed this out on their FB page, with pointed quote of their promise from last month to keep kerb cuts clear. Not only was there a stall on top of the kerb cut I use, but the one in front of the War Memorial, while admittedly not blocked, had a stall the full width of the pavement on either side, which was rather taking the piss.

They replied saying: "It was accessible, I saw someone take a photo and use that kerb-cut"

My response: "Yes, that was me, recording how unsafe it was" (just marginally less unsafe than going straight off a high kerb)

Anyway, they've now agreed to meet this Thursday, and we've suggested the cafe in the tourist info (one of the few genuinely accessible locations on the High Street). I'm not sure they quite realise what they're getting into in meeting my friend Sue, who'll be there to give the powerchair perspective. She's already an MBE for work on disability access, and she's one of the backroom advisors to Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson on her disability stuff (from the US perspective, it's roughly equivalent to bringing a senior senatorial aide or lobbyist to beat up a small town chamber of commerce).

Did you believe the yellow rags, the Scum, the Heil, the Vexpress? Do they shape your every thought when they label us fakers and fraudsters and the cause of all your woes?

Did you believe Ian Duncan Smith when he blamed us for the banking collapse? George Osbourne and his lackeys when they label us workshy? 

Do you envy me ESA’s £95 a week, which with Benefit Reform will soon enough be £0 a week?

Did you thrill over giving me an imagined kicking for my sins, not knowing I might still feel every punch, every blow, physical act or none? 

Did you wonder about practicality, think how I might manage to hold down a job, when I’m lucky to get out of the house for a whole four hours in the week?

Did you realise that it was you who was committing the crime, not I; Hate Crime, spite crime, little-minded bigot’s crime? 

Or do you simply despise me because I’m disabled?