At the moment, it seems that AirAsia provide the wheelchairs, but no-one to push them. We booked one 48 hours in advance, but no-one seemed to be aware of that at the time we checked in.

The AirAsia staff were particularly annoying in not keeping us informed. First, we realised after we’d checked in and had the time to look at our boarding passes that they’d changed our seat allocations without telling us. Grr.

Then, after passing through security and heading towards Gate 8A, we were met by a member of the ground staff who directed us to Gate A2 instead – at which people were queuing up to board a different flight. After about 10 minutes of not being informed about what was going on, Dave went over to Gate 8A – three minutes’ walk away – to check whether we’d maybe been misdirected. No, he was told, you’re going to be boarded first from Gate A2. So he went back.

Another five minutes went by, and we heard the tannoy announcing the final call for the flight. So much for being boarded first. All very unsettling, and totally unnecessary if they’d just given us a proper explanation of what was going on.

And then when we got on the plane they put us into the front row seats. Very kind of them, I’m sure, but unnecessary – we’d not asked for them, I was capable of walking back the three extra rows to the seats we’d booked, and I would hate to think we’d displaced someone who’d deliberately chosen those seats (they weren’t available when we made our seat selection).

On departure, AirAsia were rather disorganised in providing the wheelchair we’d booked 48 hours in advance. However, when it arrived (after about 15 minutes, rather than the hour the check-in assistant had warned us about) the guy pushing the wheelchair was friendly, cheerful, and most importantly sensible. He took care to make sure I was comfortable throughout, managed our passage through security and passport control very efficiently, and we had to virtually force the tip we gave him into his hand.

On the other hand, on arrival we found that the plane wasn’t going to an air bridge, but passengers would be bussed to the terminal instead. They didn’t tell me that until everyone else had left the aircraft, though. So I was left facing the prospect of having to stand on the bus and get jostled about – whereas if they’d let me off first, I could at least have had some chance of finding somewhere to stand more or less securely. (The steps up to the bus seats are far too high to manage.)

When we got to the terminal, sure enough there was a wheelchair waiting. Unfortunately, rather than a helper we got an MDB – he was off like a greyhound almost before I’d had a chance to sit down, let alone get the foot rests sorted out. It was all Dave could do to keep up with the hand luggage.

Then after we’d got through immigration he was straight off again to the baggage belt indicator board, which of course he wouldn’t let me look at. The tipping issue didn’t arise with him – he didn’t do anything that merited one.

“Have a disability”? Yuk! Yet another non-disabled person reinforcing the medical model of disability and unable to differentiate between impairment and disability.

As one of the Paralympic sponsors, the Sainsbury’s spokesperson should know that it’s either:
” … none of the members of the panel have an impairment …”, or;
” … none of the members of the panel are disabled …”

INCOME SUPPORT! Im writing my information with this prose,
because I need you to understand before you diagnose.
Youve sent me a letter giving two weeks before money cuts,
Im already in debt, lifes already in a rut!

So with the little time left before uncontrollable debt slide,
cause previous appeals have devastating effects on the inside!
My heart is beating through my chest,
I cant sleep for worry and dont get no rest.

its not just me but my loved ones and family,
who are going through this trauma once again, so unfairly,
Now ive a short timespan, and i cant afford the rent,
my disabilities and 20 rehomes mean my energies are gone & spent.

I cant relocate to a cheaper flat,
i cant take a shelf down or lift a mat,
and whilst my family need me more,
cant spend energies, moving things from door to door

The only way I can vacate this purpose built accessible accomodation,
is to let all my worldly goods take alternative and permenant vacation
Now this Ive thought of for years and years,
with regular worries and homelessness fears.

I can.t do the worry im fit to burst,
and pain issues through stress are at alltime worst,
I need some advice how things are going to be,
so perhaps you could send someone to come and see me?

Im not even taking another home,
im gonna live in an ambulance, free to roam,
between my loved ones that need me, to give them the care,
cause they need support that otherwise is not there?

If you think id spend my days trying to relocate,
when all around me is a terrible state,
even giving up custody of ma baby girl,
will indicate how grave this downward swirl.

Im sorry to the reader, i know its not your fault,
these reform statistics will hit all, with a devastation jolt,
so you’d better tell me now, am I allowed a bed in a van,
the options are clear enough-(WITH CLEAR EVIDENCE)
that this is all I can!

HOUSING BENEFIT:- Hi all and hope this prose helps you to find,
the answers to the questions that are going around my mind,
Ive just received a letter saying my long term sickness benefits been cut,
im deemed as being fit to work, but my options are firmly shut!

The only way i can get to work is if i can take my bed and home with me,
so with this in mind im vacating my unaffordable home, and what will be will be!
If i stay and fight the appeals process and such,
I still have impending rent capping thats too much!

Im not well enough to even move my gear,
and I cannot live another day with these problems or fear,
so selling my home effects and living mobile,
will at least give me peace for a very short while.

Its impossible to pack and i cant relocate,
cause liftings impossible with my bodily state,
my homes made accessible by shelving raised,
tall furniture and surfaces, to accessibly pain erase!

So how will it be with my benefits situation,
cause im not fit for purpose, through economy deprivation!
please come and see me, with some clear answers,
on what are my options and what are my chances?