Access Champion

The Book cover has a dark orange background, in the top left and right corners there are cartoon clouds, top centre in white writing in capitals reads Chloe Hayden. Underneath in yellow bubble writing reads Different, Not Less. Underneath this is white writing which reads A neurodivergents guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after. Below this is a rainbow landscape with hills, paths, a rainbow with some little butterflies and  yellow sun.    Different, not less by Chloe Hayden. In contrast to Me Before You, this was a breath of fresh air. The author herself is neuro diverse and shares her experience of living with autism. Although I'm not autistic, I found the memories of ignorant teachers, the bullying kids, the sensory overloads and social exclusions incredibly relatable. Chloe shares what it feels like to have a meltdown, tips for coping, how others can help. What I found interesting, was, it seems, from the UK to Australia, society is const...

  All three book covers in a row, first is bright pink an in interchanging white and black text it reads Me Before You Jojo Moyes, the second is bright yellow, top reads in black text Jojo Moyes and underneath in white reads After You, the third is a dark blue with white text at the top that reads Jojo Moyes and underneath in pink is Still me with a New York landmark in white to the left. Book One - Me Before You I don’t like doing negative reviews but I can only give my opinion. In the first few chapters of listening to this, I, as a disabled person who needs help and assistance, was saddened and offended by the assumptions and low expectations people have of disability. The story follows Will, a thrill seeking adventurer, whose motorbike accident causes him to lose the use of his legs and have limited arm movement. Will sinks into depression. Lou has lost her job at a cafe and applies to be Wills companion. A few chapters in, I began to like Will and Lou’s banter, but still the s...

I Predict a Riot at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool. Faye at the front of the picture with a purple/lace top on, brown/red hair and glasses, wearing a mask. In the background you can see the stage bathed in green light and a huge crowd in front of the stage.   By now, you've probably guessed that I love music and am a bit of a rock chick! So, when I heard the Kaiser Chiefs were doing a gig at the Liverpool arena, which is still locally known as the Echo Arena, despite the new owners, I had to book! The car park next to the arena had plenty of disabled parking spaces on every floor (we drove, not feeling it'd be safe getting the train home late at night). The multi storey car park was brightly lit and even had an automatic door, which I think was a fire door. My friend was glad of this as it saved her arms from pushing/pulling the heavy door whilst helping me. The door led to another brightly lit area, where there were two lifts. We got in the right one, pressed the button and...

 Don't assume you know me.  Being visibly disabled, people assume I don't mind if they ask me totally inappropriate questions.  Image description: Background with clouds, dark and pale blues and yellow star like shapes, in the centre is a white box with text that reads; Inappropriate questions that I have been asked: * How does someone like you go to the toilet? My reply: the same way you do, I presume. * Does she have... Then they guess various health conditions, such as cerebral palsy and autism. They are surprised when I give them a full scientific run down of Mito. * What on earth is that? My reply: it's a blind cane. It detects traffic light bobbles and kerbs that I can't see. *What school do you go too? I used to work at a special needs school, do you remember me?My reply: No, I went to mainstream.  When a stranger, someone you’ve just met asks such personal question, it's not on.  My body, my mobility aids and my medical/educational history are no-one's b...

 Blood Brothers Blood Brothers Poster - Dark blue background, along the top in shiny capital writing reads Willy Russell's - then in red and capitals with shiny bits reads Blood, then in shiny capital B lower case for the rest of Brothers. Underneath is a circle - within the circle you can see a blue skyline with a red sunset sky, underneath are the arms of two men clasped together, below this is the skyline of Liverpool showing the Liver buildings which is an ornate brick building with two towers with Liver birds on each one - one looks out to the sea and one looks in to the city. Beginning in 1950s Liverpool, Blood Brothers, written by Willy Russell, tells the story of Mrs Johnston, a heavily pregnant mother of many, whose husband has just left her. Working as a cleaner for the posh Mrs Lyons, Mrs Johnston and her children live in poverty. The doctor tells her she's having twins. Mrs Johnston discusses her dilemma with Mrs Lyons, that she can't afford to keep both of the ...

 Your Majesty! Freddie tribute singer Rob Lee stood on stage with microphone in hand singing, he is wearing a yellow jacket and white trousers with a stripe down the side. He has short brown hair and a moustache. Behind him is the bands 'Brian May' who is playing a guitar, long curly brown hair, brown trousers, a black top with a white waistcoat. The stage is lit up and you can see smoke pouring across Freddie to create atmosphere. I love the music of Queen, and, as a way of cheering myself up after a difficult time health wise, I booked for my mum and I to see Majesty, a Queen tribute band, fronted by Rob Lee, who won a TV talent show. I’d never been to the Epstein Theatre and actually didn't know where it was. It was so easy to find! It’s literally over the road from Central Station in Liverpool. The Epstein is on the corner of School Lane, where I used to learn braille, before the pandemic hit and everywhere closed down. The main entrance has two steps close together, so...

Gary Barlow smiling with short blonde/brown hair, wearing a blue and white jacket. He is stood waving as he is about to get into his blue car.  My mum loves Gary Barlow, so when we heard he was doing a show at the Lowry Theatre Manchester, I got her tickets for Christmas and we booked a hotel for the night. Premier Inn Salford Quays was perhaps the best hotel I've been to this year. As the trains were on strike, my mum drove us there, only taking one wrong turn (Manchester roundabouts need better signage). At the hotel, the automatic doors open into the reception, where a helpful member of staff held the push door for us. This opens into reception, which was quite small and had a tall sign placed in the middle of the area. We checked in and headed to the ground floor room. I don't know if they have a lift. Once again, the staff members held the heavy doors. At every Premier Inn that I’ve been to, I have to watch out for the sharp, black shelf that is hard to see in the dim ligh...