OFF THE CUFF
BY SWASIE TURNER , MBE
I would like to take the opportunity in this , my first column in Wirral Life , to say how much I appreciate the honour of being your new resident columnist in such a prestigious magazine .
I look forward to furnishing our readers with what is going on and who is doing what , so that I will ( hopefully ) generate interest in my future , sometimes possibly controversial scriptures ?
This month ’ s article is not intended to be one of ... I ’ ve been , I ’ ve seen , I ’ ve done etc ... but one to update readers as to my usual activities and itinerary .
Since being confined to living life on the seat of my pants in a wheelchair I have thankfully managed to adapt to a way of life that has enabled me to seek and achieve many alternative goals . I am proud to say that I have now pushed my standard , 47lb NHS wheelchair with its little front castors , 38,391 miles worldwide ( I had a cycle mileometer fitted from the start ). My extremely high global mileage has enabled me to have reached the magic sum of £ 1m pounds in money and much needed medical equipment etc to date for my needy causes . I am extremely proud of the many physically demanding endeavours I have managed to successfully perform to achieve this . During my numerous fundraising travels I have been privileged to have met and befriended many people all over the world . More importantly , I am also immensely proud of the fact that I have ( hopefully ) helped the disabled fraternity in one way or another , not only financially , but also I would like to think I have possibly been an incentive to some to come to terms with being in a similar scenario to that of myself .
Many times I am being asked to give talks of such endeavours at a seminar , forum or various functions , meetings and gatherings at numerous venues . I am honoured to oblige and always more than willing to share my experiences and look forward to giving my illustrated verbal renditions with the utmost enthusiasm .
I have always ensured that my many times eccentric or ‘ unorthodox ’ methods to enhance the coffers of my various charities have been and will continue to be , photographed each and every time during whatever my efforts entail . As a result , my illustrated addresses include many extremely breath taking pictures of my events such as abseiling ( in my chair ) 200 feet down the fortress walls of Valetta , Malta or 135ft down the outside of the Leasowe lighthouse .
Other activities have included pushing my chair to the top of Green Mountain on Ascension Island and pushing across the unforgiving terrain of the Falkland Islands . Without such pictures , I doubt if my vitriolic ramblings would be believed ?
When I am asked to give such talks , I never seek any form of remuneration whatsoever , all I ask is a donation to whichever charity I am giving the talk for . My fully illustrated verbal renditions are usually of an hour ’ s duration after which I invite questions from my audience .
It is sad that the social model of disability identifies various barriers , negative attitudes and sometimes exclusion by society , either purposefully or inadvertently . This of course illustrates that such ( ignorant and offensive , by some ) interpretation of the physical and mental capabilities of those who are disabled in one way or another sadly does exist . My efforts to continually bring about ‘ Disability Awareness ’ amongst all , will never cease to be my paramount objective . Due to my privileged success as ( what some have afforded me the description of being ) a prolific author , my books are always included as raffle prizes when giving my talks to increase the contents of my charity ‘ bucket ’ on each occasion .
Shortly I will be holding a dual book launch which is to be held at the prestigious Northop Hall Hotel ( formally Chequers ) at Ewloe , Flintshire in the forthcoming months ( date to be arranged and announced ) when my two latest , fully illustrated biographical titles , ‘ When One Door Closes ’ and A ‘ Shore ’ Way of Life , both published by D & M Heritage Ltd , will be launched during the event ’ s social evening .
On the night , proceeds from the former will go to the RMA ( Royal Marines Assn ) and the latter to the R . N . L . I ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution ) at Hoylake , two extremely deserving causes . I am also shortly to introduce my second Talking Book , ‘ A Bootneck on Castors ’ which I intend to help generate much needed funds for the Blind Veterans Association ( formally St Dunstans ).
In the meantime , I rest my steaming quill back into its pot until our next issue .
20 wirrallife . com