... Life After Traumatic Acquired Brain Injury...
patrick.goodacre@yahoo.co.uk
Welcome to my blog. It varies how regular I write posts here. I sustained a 'Traumatic Acquired Brain Injury', and a six month coma from a 'road traffic accident' whilst cycling, in October 2006. I spent the following 4 years (22-26yrs old), in a combination of hospitals and rehabilitation homes. Now, I have been living independently in Surbiton, England since October 2010. This blog begun life in December 2010, as i realised that there are many people worldwide that i want to share experiences with. I know that, as a wheelchair user, I am obviously not as mobile as i wish, so, use the internet to connect to you. I enjoy letting my thoughts represent through type. I type honestly. As numerous readers, as well as email recipients, will understand, I find typing to be very therapeutic. Thank you :)
Please note that this website cannot be viewed 100% successfully everywhere. It is designed for optimum viewing on a screen of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
I type this week's post on the last day of June. I am not properly in sync with Summer 2017. England has already had extremely hot summer temperatures, mid-June.
Le Grand Depart est demain en Allemagne.
The Tour de France starts BEFORE Wimbledon tennis (tomorrow)! Another annual event has passed, and is being skipped next year. Yet again Britain was successfully confirmed as home of the greatest music festival in the world...
The two headline acts, listed below are both experienced and own a wealth of past history, proving their position. I have seen both acts twice (venues/dates stated), meaning i was content watching them perform on television. Close friends will recognise logos, having adorned various school-books, t-shirts, etc!
The middle of summer definitely brought us fine weather. We are British, we must never be disappointed with such!
OK, 23rd June marks the date equi-distant pre/post Christmas 25th December! It is afternoon as I type, so it's almost CHRIIIIISTMAAAAASSS!
I am cross. I am confused. I should be sad and depressed but I'm not! I haven't been with a girl since before my accident. Over ten years ago! TEN YEARS!! I have no guiding light either. I am honestly totally used to this fact, but i know that this is a key part of life that I may forever miss out on.
So I have absolutely nothing to hide or lose, approaching good-looking females. Honestly, if I think that someone is beautiful, i am desperate to tell them! I never expect anything in return, it makes me happy to cause due happiness. I am a huge flirt! OK, and?... SOMEONE needs to be honest! I know that I cannot hide 'my biggest flaw'! Most people can and are pre-occupied in doing such.
To my total surprise, whilst in the supermarket, I did so, and...
The compliment was returned!
'You're pretty good looking yourself...'
I was left feeling over the moon!! I could tell she was genuine.
When i own up to this ‘bad habit’, i am given a questioning look, told the opposite, paid much gratitude, one day…
This poster has slowly been developed over the past two weeks. Inpiration was supplied from a speech given by Caroline Lucas, i wanted to show my support.
The Greens power a flame that will never be extinguished.
A 'lifelong fan' (almost). I am 32 and I fell in love with Radiohead's OK Computer shortly after release (20 years ago). I remember buying the album on CD for my mother at Christmas '97. Their release of 'No Surprises' won me, early '98. I was also taught learning to play along, on guitar, with a few songs. I started by learning 'Karma Police', and 'Lucky' with my tutor. I bought songbooks, and determinedly learnt 'Paranoid Android'... and, WOW!
It wasn't until I was at university in late 2002, did i get my hands on the 'Airbag/How Am I Driving? EP' This rare, imported EP was my treasure, it contained many B-sides, that I had missed out on on previous releases. There are some gems on here! ;)
It was then, earlier this year, announced that these songs would be incorporated in the special 20-year anniversary release, (as well as a headline set at Glastonbury).
'Man of War' was heard, first played anywhere on BBC6music, Thursday 22nd, by Shaun Keaveny! Very good.
I remember lying in hospital after my accident and 6-month coma, pondering. A few key things kept revolving around my head. I realised that my life had been shaken, but there a few key points of my framework that I had completed successfully, and held me strong (i knew that i must keep positive). I had an amazing girlfriend. I had completed my desired education courses. I had cycled up the Alpe D'Huez in 2006, watching the Tour de France atop a mountain (the best mountain). I had experienced the best performing the best, at the best, Radiohead at Glastonbury in 2003 (maybe their prime?).
Glastonbury 2017 headliners
... So, the best are back at the best venue again!
I open with soothing music from the latest album of Sarah Jarosz, entitled 'Undercurrent', released in 2016.
I have always been irritated by these harmful idiots.
Misbehaving cyclists get instructions.
I had previously refused to refer to them as 'cyclists', but now, over ten years later I give in to my own laziness. I feel detached, so refer to them as 'cyclists'. 'People' fully geared in dayglow jackets, helmets, bags etc pay less attention to 'rules of the road', because, why?
Just because they may be dressed like a ****, does NOT negate them from the Highway Code! What they regularly ignore is their effect on pedestrians (i count myself as one, disabled but still a pedestrian). I am not afraid to use my vocal chords to express my dismay at illegally behaving cyclists.
‘Recycling Awards’?
I include a photo of a pack of leaflets that we all received through the post in the local area. Shocked and surprised, yes i am. It is brilliant that such an important issue is being tackled by my local borough. However, I personally am ignoring this.
'Recycling' is not a competition. It does not start and finish. It should not have a closing date! It is a lifestyle change. I find it an unfortunate strike of reality, to find that some people may need this sort of incentive to introduce this 'lifestyle change'.
96, 670
Total number of views that this blog has had since the beginning. Over six and half years...
The following note explains a mood that I can be in. Life varies. I am not feeling such today. Ups and downs.
!!!!!!
Compliments
Tuesday, the sun was shining, making most people smile. I journeyed from Waterloo, along the Southbank to City Hall.
I was smiling, beautiful girls were smiling. Problem. As soon as eye contact is made, I feel the need to be honest and truthful. I speak, refusing to just stare like a fool. I offer valid compliments which are usually received well (about 90% of the time). I think it is rude to look without explaining why. I own up to my noticing of their 'attraction'. No problems. I am often complimented in return, for complimenting them in the first place. Girls like 'confident honesty'. I struggle to understand men who remain forever silent. By taking this course of action the only person that loses is me (but not with my will power)! One day...
Just live. It is wonderful to dream, but better to live. Don’t waste your life, living in expectation. Just live your life and be happy. Learn that you can find joy in everything that you experience, why lose energy striving for different experiences?
Love to live. The less that you expect, the more you will love.
I always feel so guilty when I go to bed, having plugged my powered wheelchair into charge. I do not believe it necessary to do so EVERY night (despite everyone 'in the know' telling me to do such). When I choose not to, I make sure that my planned use for the following day, is minimal. I maintain that it is a bad thing to overcharge a battery (of any kind). I do not want to 1) waste energy 2) waste money 3) speed up the death of my battery!
The best way of buying music, and a wonderful acoustic version of a song from her latest album...
I open this week's post with a photo of my current read, and below, a six-word quote from Albert Camus, whose work, i love reading.
'There is no sun without shadow'
As ever, people will read different messages from such quotes. Personally, I read it as a simple message that there will always be a negative aspect of something considered to be positive. It may be hidden, but will exist.
If you are not new to this blog, or indeed myself, you will understand that I love my coffee.
My weekend nights involve time dedicated to my Bialetti! It is too big for one person, so I keep the second half, to consume cold in the following morning.
Wednesday, I visited '2 Love Tea and Coffee' in Clapham Junction (http://independentcoffeeshops.blogspot.co.uk/p/2good.html). Amazing shop. I felt relaxed enough to type the section below. However, I also noticed that I was on part of a road which introduces successfully, a 'curbless' pavement. It may sound crazy, but as a wheelchair user, I found this to be so incredibly liberating! I don't really know why, but I think it was the fact that I seemed to have more similar abilities to a fully able-pedestrian. I didn't, but i could cross the road whenever needed. No curb keeping me stuck until i reached the next opportunity. Wisely labelled and sign-posted, with shallow gutters on either side, I don't know why this system is not more widely introduced.
Pavement in Clapham Junction, St John's Road
I type this note on Wednesday (even though this week's post will be published on Friday, after the General Election). I am scared pre-election. Please be warned, I don't mince my words!
(edited)
This country has decided to support the 'ultra right-wing' in a nationwide referendum. This country seems to be masochistic, electing a right-wing government in 2015, AND leaving Europe. However, I am lucky enough to live in a democracy, I shouldn't complain. A democracy can be unbalanced by the media, but essentially it is still a democracy in which all votes are counted. A democracy, but not really. The government is going to be left or right. Unfortunately there are bigger problems facing the entire human race, other than tax ratings. We have taken too much from this world, without paying back. I fear that we maybe awaiting a global, natural disaster before people force their governments to take notice. Until then, people everywhere, are happy to live in massive ignorance! I find it abhorrent that people as introspective as Mr Trump, are voted to lead a democracy. Such power he triumphantly parades, yet he has no power against nature. Why do we accept this? Oh, because our 'strong and stable' prime minister acts like his pet dog! I cannot handle five more years of this. This election will not affect our country alone. We must stand beside Macron of France, up against Trump’s dangerous, greedy, ignorant decisions.
Just a warning, if you think you live in a open democracy ...
Prime minister, Theresa May has NEVER won a General Election!
I feel that humans exist with the drive forward, to attain their target, and aim to reach a moment of pure happiness with everything complete. Once you have reached paradise, everything stops. People cannot live in paradise, there are always things in life that can be improved. Paradise is not a place on a map, it is a moment in your life. It is how you feel. If you think that you have reached it, be warned. Nothing lasts forever. What will you do next?
I feel wounded, but so strengthened and proud of the fact that I can realise/understand this concept. I am wounded so deeply psychologically, as i watch other loving partners hold hands. A symbol suggesting equality, respect, aid, support and love between two people. Over a decade. I am sensing fear that it is my destiny to continue alone forever more.
Thank you to everyone who leaves comments on this blog, or messages back to me. I cannot show enough appreciation. Positives all around can only seem to benefit myself, primarily. Thank you.
Overcoats
I am a fan. Not primarily because they are a female duet (although much of my recent iTunes playlists contain many female vocals). I describe the album as regularly presenting 'progressive vocals'. The band offer a new sound to me. I recommend.
My wheelchair behaved well, power lasted well, and visited them in the order stated above. The expressive note above, was made on St Martin’s Lane. The flavour of this new blend resulted in the most stunning espresso that I have ever had. Flavour explosion, outstanding! I had lunch outside Bar Italia which correctly prides itself on everything served. Heading back down Drury Lane, towards the Aldwych crescent, I decided that it’d be totally foolish of myself to not veer to the left of the crescent, and ignore ‘The Fleet Street Press’. I had to enter and let it provide a ‘fair comparison’. It did. I can now comortably, confidently state that these three shops are the best (my favourite), of anywhere in the capital!
Wednesday coffee purchases seemed boring!
My cry for Great Britain to embrace Proportional Representation in it’s political ‘democracy’ is supported by text of previous week’s posts, and the graphics below explaining the problem...
These two graphs were entirely personal creations, developed from information supplied on the 'electoral reform' webpage.
‘Proportional representation is the idea that seats in parliament should be allocated so that they are in proportion to the votes cast. Although there are many different types of PR, this is the base requirement for a system to be described as proportional.’
‘Rather than the winner-take all approach of other systems, PR ensures that votes carry equal weight.’
Part of my work for 'London Green Party' promotes key parts of the Green manifesto for this Thursday's General Election...
We are less than a week away.
I hope that I will be writing next week’s post, under a new government! Otherwise, this country remains stuck for another FIVE YEARS! Please.
Don't worry, some comedy and some music...
The late, great Rik Mayall, had offered an amazingly realistic and accurate prediction of our state of affairs.
Wednesday saw me handing out ‘Kingston Green Party leaflets’ at Surbiton Station. I had designed them, we had them printed sustainably, and now i was directly involved in a final process of ‘communication’. Often, my wheelchair has resulted me in not participating in this late stage, but ’Surbiton Station’, i couldn’t resist! I gave a high number out, now i can only pray that they were received as positively as i thought…
The more votes for The Green Party, the louder our Green voices will be heard, with greater attention paid to us and therefore enabling a greater effect, for everyone.
I hope that everyone votes with a conscious effort, next week. We owe it to ourselves and every generation of the future.
