I always tend to get a bit more philosophical in the winter. With the recent Paris attacks and the Serious Case Review (SCR) of the 3 killed children with SMA I have been feeling extra thoughtful. Instead of just going round in circles or having thoughts of hate, I've just tried to keep busy.
On an 'Out And About' vibe, I've been to London twice for my pro bono media work for SMA Support UK. I've found the SCR topic very sad, and struggled to talk about it calmly. However the media training and the subsequent interview I did for channel 5 was 'mission accomplished'. Meeting Brigid Nzekwu and learning so much from her in the training was awesome.
A far more enjoyable 'busyness' was inbetween my trips to London, and my debut for MK Dons wheelchair football club in the national league held in Nottingham. Unfortunately our team struggled to bond quick enough and lost all four games in the two days. Nonetheless I did score and thoroughly enjoyed competing again. Fingers crossed for next time after some more training.
When at home in the warm, one way I've kept busy is by watching interesting documentaries and reading cool articles.
Following the rise of Accomable I've been learning a lot about Silicon Valley and tech enterprises in general. I also watched Netflix programmes on inventors like Henry Ford and Nikola Tesla. Srin then shared this article with me about Tesla car, SpaceX, and Solar City founder, Mr Elon Musk!
Beyond the knowledge about a cool entrepreneur, often compared to in the Iron Man films, writer Tim Urban took me on a real adventure. In part 2 about Tesla cars we're walked through the history of energy, the automobile and how Electric Vehicles work. Amazing and fascinating! I read another Wait But Why article on the history of Iraq too. I'm now about to start part 3 on Elon Musk about SpaceX and how they plan to colonise Mars. These articles are huge, but worth the time investment.
Beyond the interesting topics, complex issues made simpler, and general inspiration; Tim Urbans style is so cool. Every article has hilarious metaphors and feels like your chatting to a mate in the pub. I really recommend this website.
Of course I've enjoyed some social time too. Kasia's friends visited from Poland and we treated them to some yummy English cuisine - at an Indian restaurant. Plus I've been doing the usual life and work bits - managing my carers & equipment. Aceing Accomable/Blog/Disability Horizons/my book/client work.
I even made it in the local rag! Read about my Accessible Cambridge tour in the Cambridge Evening News here.
Finally I'm preparing for yet more crazy days (yes, that did sound pretentious - apologies, it wasn't intended to be so!). We're off this Saturday to London with my sister Claire and her boyfriend Justin to see Miss Saigon in the theatre. Sunday I'm attending a trial wheelchair football day with the WFA and Cambridge United.
Then on Monday Srin and I are attending a business accelerator day in London with Mustard Seed Impact, following our competition win at Oxford University. Before Kasia and I fly to Barcelona on Tuesday for a conference I'm speaking at on the United Nations day for disabled people. Thanks to the Catalan Tourist Board for sorting everything.
Phew! I feel tired just writing this. Nonetheless this is all my dreams still coming true. These projects really are changing the world. I'll rest in the afterlife right? ;-)
Take care,
Martyn
Co Editor Disability Horizons
Co Founder Accomable