there are times.

I'm sure I've mentioned that I was doing a second degree, but if I hadn't, I'm doing a second degree.

Why am i doing a second degree? Because, unsupported I managed to get a 3 Honours degree, and a 3 isn't enough to do a masters, so I'm doing some degree modules to try and gain enough points to do a Masters.

Or you know, i could just realise I'm dumb and jack it all in.

The benefit to being disabled, for once, is that the university support is great. I can (and have) extend my time for submission, and I have availed of support in uni (I even have a named member of staff).

I'm sure many readers know that all these things are available, but having had no academic support for my first degree, its still novel.

I suppose that, while disabilities are not an excuse, they can be included and alleviated to gain support. With the right adjustments and support, life gets a little easier.

So I had a bit of a surprise when i renewed my energy supplier (a yearly ritual that I feel I have to do to try and get the best deals etc, because i might be missing out. I might also be owed PPI or have been in a serious accident, who knows). My energy supplier asked if I was disabled. There's no point in saying no, so explained all the intricacies of my life, having to spell some of the more obscure disabilities (like cerebral palsy and aspergers) and just sum the rest up as "learning difficulties".

I thought, like everything else i've ever filled in, was just for statistics or something. However, I'm now entitled to priority energy supply should there be a power cut. This is to power my hospital bed, my electric wheelchair, tube feed pump device and iron lung, none of which I currently own (hospital beds are uncomfortable, and at present I am able to walk mostly unaided). It was  a nice and generous thought, and I am glad that my provider has the thoughtfulness to priorities those who rely on electricity to live, and it strikes me that possibly it's a law. Ofgem, the regulator of energy providers has a document about the care of vulnerable customers.

Always good to know, even if I don't need anything of the sort.

quick shout out.

So while I struggle to write a coherent and sensible (and sourced post) about the benefits and flexibility of society to adapt to disability, I thought I'd do a quick product placement, um I mean comment on something I found helpful when I first got my orthtoics.

Way back in February (which in terms of how little I update this blog, is about ten lifetimes) I posted about the Rub, basically the pressure damage that my not yet broken in orthtoics where doing to my delicate girl feet. In it i discussed silicon stripes that I had found that acted as a pressure relieving layer to prevent rubbing and damage. The downside was, of course, that they had fallen off and slide under my foot and become painful to walk on (as things do when you walk on them).

I met the rep from the company today and even showcased my blog, so smiles all round.

Anyway shameless plug to fill the gap while I wrestle with a topic of both interest and I suspect division.

Night all.

(Please note that I am not being sponsored to post this, it was just a helpful tip at the time and I had reason to show a rep today).