October Newsletter
News Online
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to our news Online, I do hope you find it interesting and also a thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition.
The U Can Do I.T. team are working tirelessly to make it possible for all people with disabilities to receive the U Can Do I.T. course. With your help we have reached more people and are still spreading the word. Well done volunteers!!
On Sunday 14th September, the U Can do I.T. girls – Lisa, Avril, Tracy ,Sarika, Nina and myself, did the ‘ Hydro Active’ women’s challenge, a 5k fun run for women of all ages at Hyde Park. We all went the distance and had a really good day. When we have the final total we raised for U Can Do I.T. I will let you now…..Hope you like the picture of us all with our medals.
Also Anthony, our chairman, entertained us in the summer at his home and we had a really enjoyable day….Thank you Anthony.
Some of our volunteers have sent in articles and stories which I am sure you will enjoy.
“It’s amazing what you can find in Google. Back at the end of May I was searching for a website dedicated to music festivals that for some reason that day, wouldn’t open on it’s own. Putting UK festivals into Google as I’ve done previously when the Efestivals site doesn’t seem to want to play ball, I expected it to come out top of the list, but for once it was second. Instead the link heading the list was for something I’d never heard of called Room Thirteen.
On closer inspection I found an online music magazine that, not only was right up my alley, but that was looking for new writers. A short time later I was added to the team and have submitted nearly 30 CD reviews, just under 20 gig reviews and a handful of longer feature articles focusing on the summer festivals in the past three months.
Writing is something that I’ve always been told I have the flare for, and this is a great opportunity for me to showcase what I can do to a wide audience, as Room Thirteen has a monthly readership of forty thousand. I’ve been to see bands that I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to go to, been sent CDs I’d never have considered listening to, and had some positive feedback on my work from experienced guys from inside the music writing world.
Feel free to check the site out here:
http://www.roomthirteen.com
You’ll find archive listings of my work by selecting people from the bar at the top of the homepage and hitting S from the a to z list. It is primarily a rock site but there are some dance acts featured as well. It ain’t going to make me a millionaire by any stretch of the imagination but it is a great laugh and opportunity for me to work my way slowly up the media food chain. Also keep looking at random stuff on the net as you never know what’s round the next corner.”
Kindly submitted by Simon Webb
“My wife is a South African so I am lucky enough to go there when we visit family. On our last visit we went with a small group on safari to Kruger National Park, which is the size of Wales. We slept in tents and everyday we went on game with our field guide, Ken. On one occasion we stopped for tea at one of the official picnic spots (unfenced) and after walking about on the edge of the bush recording birds sounds and exchanging insults with the monkeys, we eventually got back into our truck. As I have a particular interest in wildlife I often sat in the front with Ken, who is very knowledgeable on the subject. We had not gone more than fifty yards from the picnic site when we rounded a corner and drove straight between a young bull elephant and the rest of the herd. I don"t know who got the biggest fright but I certainly nearly had an accident as he let out a scream of rage about ten foot away from my ear and open truck window and I shot across the seat and half landed on Ken"s lap, much to the amusement of the rest of the group. It was only later that I realised that while we were happily drinking beer at the picnic site, a herd of wild elephants were browsing just a stone"s throw away from the unfenced site."
Kindly submitted by Dave James.
“Looking out of the window of my mind I considered my writing. My writing should
Be just like a rainbow, and consist of many shades. Convey things of beauty, Like photo’s of lovely maids. Sound like a musical masterpiece, and taste like a nourishing meal. Contain the scent of flowers, Growing in a well tended field Value your kind attention, And spur me to say how I feel.”
Kindly submitted by Jack Farmer
“THE POWER AND THE GLORY.
I stood high on the rugged coast and watched the angry waves pounding the rocks made smooth by the action of the sea over very many centuries.
In a small depression I saw a crystal clear pool of water guarding an exquisitely coloured flower. Taking the flower from the water it immediately collapsed into a mere thread. Feeling remorse at this act of vandalism I replaced the flower into the pool and it opened to its former glory. It was an oasis of tranquillity, a glorious peace and restfulness.
The rocks were stubbornly resisting the thunderous, powerful onslaught of the water, without success in places for, in former years; the sea had invaded crevices, created river lets and pounded the rocks into grotesque shapes and formations.
Standing there, I marvelled at the immense power and energy in the blending of blue, green, grey and white of the tumultuous water.
Suddenly, an extra large wave soaked me. The ocean demanded my departure and I obeyed her command.”
Kindly submitted by Jack Farmer
“After a bad year I arranged to go away with two female friends who are also disabled like me, after much discussion we chose the Algarve which was not only my first time abroad but also flying.
I must say the flying part of the holiday I didn"t enjoy one bit, but the air hostess on Monarch were lovely as they knew it was my first flight & looked after me. When we landed hell I thought we were crashing & held my friends hand tight, as we had two scooters & a wheelchair we were last off but not till I had words with the pilot. Had words about his driving but he must of known that was my first time, he showed me round the cockpit which was nice.
The Hotel we stopped at had it"s own disabled mini bus so scooters & wheelchairs could be loaded on easily, this was a big help if ever we wanted to go out for a small charge but worth it.
Everything from the bathroom to the swimming pool had the disabled in mind, there was hoists & grab rails everywhere so very easy to get about.
They do insist if you need a carer you must bring your own, this I can quite understand like most people could.
Well I went horse riding while on holiday but even that was disabled friendly, they had a ramp to help you on plus by the time they talked you through step by step it all seemed easy (first time).
Horse riding was nothing when I went parascending & enjoyed it fully, as my second week was extended at the last minute I had to do it all again.
Already I have booked up for 2006, only this time it will be for three weeks, I"m hoping my Daughter can come too as I really would like to swim with the dolphins.
As you will see I"ve sent details of where I stopped. The Algarve Portugal THE EMMETS VILLE HOTEL United Kingdom Agency Mrs K Swift 2 Larkspur Close Ruislip Middx. HA4 7JS Tel. 01895 471631 Email Kim.swift@btinternet.com (they are wheel chair friendly)”
Kindly submitted by Anne Seakins
We would like help with fundraising at tube stations (in the Summer only) is any one willing to help please? If so do contact me we, would only wont you to do a few hours say once a week. Also does anyone know of any other way we could fundraise? Let me have your ideas. Maybe you could you write a letter for us asking if they would be interested in donating money to U Can Do IT. We need all the help you can get us.
If you have a breakdown on your computer ITCH network helps sort out technical computer problems for free their number is 0800 269545
This is Abilitynet’s number – just ask for the ITCH helpdesk
I would like to welcome our “new” volunteers I am really looking forward to working with you. And a very “BIG” thank you to every volunteer that has helped us this year.
Do contact me as I always enjoy hearing from you, and getting your news and ideas.
I really do hope you enjoy our news on line.
Doreen Nicholas
Graduate Co-Ordinator
