DONT STOP ME NOW

Great News
My Digital Story, for BBC Wales,(the voice over) has been selected for Broadcast on the RADIO.

Please listen to it (if possible)

93-104 FM, 882 and 657 AM, digital TV and digital radio.
BBC Radio Wales, Roy Noble Show,
9.00-11.00 am Monday –Friday`s.

Visit the show at …………

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/roynoble/aboutroynoble.shtml

I have CA and my story highlights ATAXIA and (visually)ATAXIA UK

Hope you like it………..Please send any views , about my Digital story, to the show or me.

onamission.thomas@btinternet.com

Thank You
Alan Thomas.

Busy weekend.

I went (with my family) to Cilgerran Wildlife Centre, Cardigan. It is a modern building with disabled access (slight slopes, from car park) inside there is a lift to all floor`s, with a café, gift shop and access to the trail`s.
We had lunch before going on some of the trail`s.(a few of which are wheelie friendly).
Great view`s of the river Teifi and all manner of wildlife, Hides situated along the path`s
All this is accessible, but you will need a little assistance in parts.

After setting up the playstation, we used it to watch a DVD “Digital Stories” of which one story is one I made , last week. My nephew (11) and I went to the park (in St.Dogmaels) then decided to go on the footpath along the river to the new “Jetty”. The footpath is NOT designed for wheelie use!!! It is narrow, with a few small steps, smallslopes and at the far end a steel “Kissing gate”. A lot of hard work in a manual chair !!
My nephew said “It would make a good level in a game for a playstation” getting the wheelchair from A to B as fast as possible !!!.
Next time we will go along the road to our destination, and we will take some money with us so we can catch the bus down to “Poppit” beach and have a meal in the Café

I have got to get copies of my Digital Story (from the BBC), for my family, when it is on their website and/or aired on 2W Wales. Keep an eye out for it “Keeping POSITIVE” 2W Thursday nights.@9.55pm

Busy weekend.

went to Cilgerran Wildlife Park, Cardigan. Very,very good. Newish building with gift shop, Cafe, good views. Plenty of paths (some wheelie friendly)(some assistance needed).

After the family viewing my DVD of Digital Stories, my nephew (11) and I went to the park (St. Dogmeals) and decided to go on the path alongside the river (The "Graig") NOT wheelie friendly, few small steps, narrow eneven concrete,steepish slopes, and far end a steel "kissing Gate"
As my nephew said "It would be a good level for a Playstation game to get the wheelchair from A to B , as quick as you can". If we had money on us we were going to catch the bus to Poppit beach . (next time!!)

Just made a Digital Story for BBC Wales.

"Keeping POSITIVE"

Please keep an eye on the website and BBC2W 9.55, on a Thursday night. (added on 22/07/06)

Hello

I would like to THANK (again) the driver, of a bus at Haverfordwest Train Station, yesterday, (14/7)@ appox 4.45 pm. I suppose he was waiting for passengers from a train that arrived. I am in a wheelchair and my partner asked him how the Ramp (on the bus) worked?
He was very polite, and deployed the ramp and lowered the bus, he then asked me "if I would Like to try it out" I did so and was totally amazed at how easy it is for a "wheelie".
He also explained the bus routes and gave us some timetables.
I look foward to travelling with this company with ease.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONFUSED

I am totally confused !!!!!!!
Yesterday I went to Whitland and Haverfordwest, Train Stations, To see if They were accessible. Both Stations were Ok (for me in an active manual "wheelie".

Today, I rang (the assistance ) helpline. I was told that tickets for my journey using these stations was "not possible" as they are not easy access and unmaned.

I told them that I had already been and it was OK. Plus at Whitland station, a while ago, there was a "big" thing about "the opening of a "NEW £40,000 wheelchair access" to the platform. (it was in the papers).

The person on the phone spoke to their manager, who told him to tell me to ring back on Monday, and he will get information from each station .. as the records they have are a few years old!!!!

DONT FORGET.. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO " CHECK OUT" if I can manage on my own without assistance (except into the carriage)

My journey is Tuesday to Friday, so not much time to sort things out, and plus Friday (I am told) there is a rail strike !!!!!


Hello

I would like to THANK (again) the driver, of a bus at Haverfordwest Train Station, yesterday, (14/7)@ appox 4.45 pm. I suppose he was waiting for passengers from a train that arrived. I am in a wheelchair and my partner asked him how the Ramp (on the bus) worked?
He was very polite, and deployed the ramp and lowered the bus, he then asked me "if I would Like to try it out" I did so and was totally amazed at how easy it is for a "wheelie".
He also explained the bus routes and gave us some timetables.
I look foward to travelling with this company with ease.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONFUSED

I am totally confused !!!!!!!
Yesterday I went to Whitland and Haverfordwest, Train Stations, To see if They were accessible. Both Stations were Ok (for me in an active manual "wheelie".

Today, I rang (the assistance ) helpline. I was told that tickets for my journey using these stations was "not possible" as they are not easy access and unmaned.

I told them that I had already been and it was OK. Plus at Whitland station, a while ago, there was a "big" thing about "the opening of a "NEW £40,000 wheelchair access" to the platform. (it was in the papers).

The person on the phone spoke to their manager, who told him to tell me to ring back on Monday, and he will get information from each station .. as the records they have are a few years old!!!!

DONT FORGET.. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO " CHECK OUT" if I can manage on my own without assistance (except into the carriage)

My journey is Tuesday to Friday, so not much time to sort things out, and plus Friday (I am told) there is a rail strike !!!!!


My BBC Capture wales Digital story, is coming along fine.
had the first meeting last Thursday, start of the workshop is on Tuesday (for 4 days) hence the travel preparations.

It is very hot today!!!!!

Didnt get a chance to go to the fete, anyway IT poured with rain.

Been making notes, for my script, and taking relevent photos.

Got a new water butt, we have two, now, (doing my bit for saving water,) so we can use the saves rain water to water the plants.

Getting ready for Thursday evening ,as I am attending "the Gathering" for BBC Wales. (in perpareation for the following week.

DONT STOP ME NOW (even moreso, now)

Got a contract from BBC WALES (look at )
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/
Got to try and get on with a script.

the village church (Llanboidy) has a fete on in the village hall today, If I can , I will blag a lift down to see what its all about.

Redone my "bit of the exam" that I had wrong, took all of 15 minutes. Now wait for the result.

Its very cloudy and alot cooler , today (11.30 am)

Going to the Social Centre (school). Got to redo and print out (A4) one (small) part of my spreadsheet module of the New CLAIT computer course, will only take a few minutes!! The next item we are going to cover is Presentations (using MS Powerpoint), Pity this wasnt done earlier, so I would have more idea when doing the Digital Story for BBC Wales , Cant wait for this to start-- and I get a video and CD-ROM of my efforts ----

Apparently, my issue with access at Mcdonalds http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=162938&contentPK=14775235&folderPk=88497
is the talk of the local comunity council meeting ??.

I have had an email (from a local entertianment hall) to give me a list of forthcoming events. One night in August "Hayseed Dixie" are playing. I think they are very good with their versions of AC/DC songs.

My partner is out in the garden cutting up some branches, from a tree That was going to fall over. We need to clear the lawn, as the gardener (boy from the farm down the road!) wants to mow the lawn ( he does it every week)

wether is going down hill very cloudy/ misty

Yesterday I saw the neurologist, (review) Doing just fine, the improvement in my mobility is down to taking "new" tablets (Azilect-- rasagiline) these were prescribed for the "tremors" that are noticeable (when stressed).

I was surprised at the lack of access to the clinic for wheelchair users ??. Two of us had to wait in the corridor, as the waiting room is too small.

In the afternoon, I got a phone call from BBC Digital Stories. see=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/
Too say a place for me has been confirmed for 18 July YAY YAY YAY

Weather report for Llanboidy = cloudy and strong (cool) breeze..

DONT STOP ME NOW
Calm after the storm?

I had a meeting ,at home,of the Grant officer, local Councilor, arcitect. As I had a Disability Grant (around 2-3 years ago) it has not been completed and the flat roof (part of the grant) was hugly defective after just 2 weeks. read my post on it here= http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbouch/F2322273?thread=1039385

now it seems, after alot of stress, we WILL get a complete new roof, (ASAP) notice will be given to the builder about unfinished work (who by the way rang me with loads of abuse when he heard my complaints)

As a separate thing (which was to be included) such as a survey ,on the drainage and sewage system, THIS WAS NOT DONE, but the architect told the grant officer that it was done.

Now it turns out this will have to be a totally separate issue,and finance MAYBE allocated ???????????
the archtect and builder Does NOT want anything to do with me or the grants department, AS I SAID, GOOD (as I dont want thise builders back!!)

Now I am Left to sort out the details of having the sewage surveyed and corrected. (the grant officer said it could be up to £5000)
I am having to pump out the dirty water every few days so the sewage dosent return up the (in floor) drain, in the shower/ toilet room !!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the afternoon, I had a visit from a ATAXIA reaserch doctor. he asked loads of questions took some blood , examined me , he told me "that to someone without prior knowledge"" I look normal, except the odd symptom" He thought it might be due to my taking a new drug-- AZ ILECT / rasagiline which I started taking around christmas, it is to help my "Tremors". Eventhough I have started to use a wheelchair (Light,active,manual)(LOMAX 2Active-- LOAMIE) I am alot more active than say 12 months ago, and doing alot more "POSITIVE" things.

Tomorrow I have an appiontment to see the Neurologist in the hospital, for my 3 monthly check up .


Very hot , here in West Wales, thunder and lighting, very black clouds in the evening.

DONT STOP ME NOW
Just been for a look at Whitland train Station, to see how I can manage in my wheelie. West bound platform has a newly made ramp, to platform with "bus stop" type waiting shelters.
East bound platform was just the same only the access to it was up some very rough concerete. The main station buildings are all boarded up (bit of an eye sore, if you ask me!!).
While we were there a train was waiting to depart, and the gaurd came to explain how everything worked, he asked where I would be getting on and where I would be getting off, he told me about the access at those stations. WOW WOW (another " MIND at EASE" moment!!)

DONT STOP ME NOW

Getting Busier by the Day !!!
On Sunday I went to the Sunday market in Withybush, Haverfordwest.
After we went around the market, we went up to see the RADIO WALES ROADSHOW , that was taking place.
It was very busy, people everywhere.
The show had many stands from bbc Wales, a stand from Doctor Who and an Outside Broadcast ,of live radio shows.
My nephew (11) had great fun having a go at reading the news and weather.
We met many "Famous Welsh people" from Radio , Weatherman Derek Brockway, the cast of Pobl-y-Cwm, got loads of autographs, postcards, posters etc.

A wonderful day out.

Plus I have sent an appilcation to "Digital Storytelling Workshop" via BBC Cymru Wales, Let you know how it goes. For now look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/about/digital_storytelling.shtml

My compliant agaist Mcdonalds was in the paper , but in the town edition, not out in my area (maybe nextweek) but you can here a PEEP here http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=162938&contentPK=14775235&folderPk=88497