Tag: disability

Squalor – Part V

Aaron found that he was enjoying having Meredith around and was surprised by how well they got on together. True, she still had no idea of how he managed to make money over the internet trading stocks and calls, but the same was true of almost everybody he knew. It wasn’t something that he could hold against her. And anyway, he didn’t want female company so that he could talk about stocks and calls anyway.

It was the fact that they could talk about almost everything else. He found that he looked forward to the beginning of each day whereas before he had been pretty ambivalent. She had really blossomed since her arrival when she would barely speak a word.

“So what is your favourite film?” he had asked tentatively the previous night.

“The Dark Night.”

Her cheeks turned crimson.

“No way, I love that film. Definitely, the best Batman film eva! Pity that the Joker actor died afterwards, such a great actor.”

“Yes, I was gutted when he died. So you like Batman too?”

She really was his type of woman, most of their interests were similar. And he couldn’t believe how good she looked after she had showered and put on some fresh clothes after her first day there; her piercing blue eyes, flowing dark hair and warm smile. He would love to kiss her and run his hands through her hair. To feel her warm breasts against his chest.

But it wouldn’t be right. She was a vulnerable woman, he didn’t want to take advantage of the situation and the circumstances that she found herself in. He liked her too much for that. Then again, if she did tell him to get lost it would make everything awkward and he still needed her to help him, at least for another while.

He would just have to try and keep his amorous thoughts to himself.

It would be difficult. Tonight they were going to watch a film and have some drinks afterwards. She had made him promise.

Squalor (Part VI)

For almost everyone, Covid was a time of dread but from Meredith’ perspective, rarely had life been so good. To feel the drops of warm water splashing against her face as she had a shower felt like pure luxury. That and the fact that she didn’t need to worry where her next meal was coming from, at least for now. It had taken some doing to readjust to sleeping in a bed, it was just so soft. In fact, she couldn’t sleep at all till she tried the floor on her first night there. Hopefully, she’d get back to sleeping in a bed for the full night at some stage.

Two days had now passed since he had taken her in and it had been pure bliss. She still had no idea what Aaron did for a living, just that it used words such as “leverage”, “call” and “put”. He had insisted on buying her some new clothes.

“I can’t have you going round the apartment in rags. It just wouldn’t be right.”

She didn’t argue.

The apartment was the ideal size for them. She got to see plenty of him during the day, but there was still somewhere for them to go if they wanted some alone time, which was never for her but she knew that he needed to work.

She loved the time she got to spend with him, he was quirky but they shared the same sense of humour and that made the days fly-by,

“Wow”

Aaron looked shocked when she entered the living area after the shower and putting on some of her new clothes.

“What?”

“You look amazing Meredith. You really do spruce up well.”

Mededith suddenly felt herself hotting up. It had been so long since anybody had paid her a compliment, not to mention from a handsome man her own age, part of her just wanted to cry. It didn’t matter to her that he used a wheelchair, she wanted to run her hands through his hair, to touch those thin arms. To get lost in those brown eyes. She quickly went to the couch to regain her composure.

Aaron suggested they watch a film for the rest of the evening. It was at best only somewhat entertaining. Parts of it, a terrible bore.

“I think I’ll let you pick the film next time.”

“Yes, I think so,” she laughed.

But all she really wanted to do was to snuggle up to him.

(If you enjoy my writing, don’t forget to follow me on my blog, my twitter @markahern2000 or on facebook – markswritingcorner.)

Review of “Being Heumann: An unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist” by Judith Heumann, Kristen Joiner

Hello readers, I had intended this post to be a review of a different book, but once I started reading this, I simply couldn’t stop. I first heard of Judith Heumann on a Netflix show called “Crip Camp” which was about the freedom a group of people with disabilities in their teens experienced in an annual camp they would go on. They would get to choose themselves what clothes they wanted to wear, what they wanted to eat and got an opportunity for sexual experiences. This was during the sixties, when their lives at home were very stifled. Importantly key friendships were formed that would later play a key role in the disability rights movement in the US. The camp is mentioned in the book, but it only takes up a few pages.

Heumann was affected by polio from a very early age, leaving her with limited use of her arms and legs. Her fight for anything even approaching equality started at an early age. The doctor told her parents that they should institutionalize her. But having fled the Nazis, this was not something they would let happen. None of the local schools would accept her, with one calling her a “fire hazard”. A regular blocking tactic used against those with disabilities. But, she had a strong advocate in her mother, who eventually managed to get her into a special school at the age of nine. Fortunately, her mother had been teaching her prior to that so had not fallen behind the curve.

From this inauspicious start, she goes on to become one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human.

As regards her activism, there are two things she is best remembered for. One is for suing the New York school system based on them refusing to give her a teacher’s license due to her disability and the second is for the role she played in the 1977 Section 504 sit in of Federal Buildings. Section 504 more or less outlawed organizations that received federal funding from discriminating on the grounds of disability. However, the Government were slow to enact the law leading to the sit in. It was the longest takeover of a government building in history. Of course, it wasn’t plain sailing and this was probably the most interesting part of the book as a complex game of strategy and intrigue played out.

The passing of Section 504, was an important precedent of the later American with Disabilities Act whose consequences reverberated around the world leading to many other countries following suit.

An important insight is also provided into the early beginnings of the CIL movement, not only through her own struggles, but also the different roles she played in Berkeley where it all began. She also documents trying to spread the movement internationally, something that has benefited many people with disabilities in Ireland.

Heumann is the type of woman, the movement as a whole was very luck to have. Steely, driven with a supreme intellect I can’t shake the feeling she underplayed her role in important events.

The only drawback to this memoir is that at times it is too heavy on facts and lacks a more personal touch. Her romantic relationships are barely covered and truly intimate details are rarely disclosed. The price is also steep, having paid twelve euro for an electronic version. It’s way too high.

Overall, I’d give this book four stars out of five. But try to get it in the library.

My friend Katy (Part 3)

Katy looks stunning as she walks towards me. She is wearing a long, black dress, her bare shoulders caressed by her long, dark hair. Just as well that I put in a bit of effort myself. She leans down and kisses me on the cheek, giving me a whiff of her alluring fragrance before sitting down.

“So good to see you. It’s been a while!”

“Yes, it has,” she replies with a wide smile, “so, how have you been? I must say you’re looking very good these days.”

“Ah you noticed, yeah I’m doing a bit of weight training each night. I’ve been at it for the last eighteen months. I found that it helps clear my head, keeps me grounded. Other than that I’m working away at the accounting online. It’s been a life saver, makes my life so much easier. So tell me all about you and Australia! I really missed ya.”

Katie then told Tom about Australia, the heat and the lack of green. She had stayed in Perth, a place very different to Ireland.

“Are ya serious, the pubs close at 10pm?”

This is one place, Tom would never bother going to. Talk about boring.

By now, they were both enjoying their meal. Tom had gone for some salmon, whereas Katy gone had gone for turkey and ham.

In between bites Katie interjected.

“So, are you still seeing her?”

“No, it didn’t work out unfortunately. We decided it was best. How bout you? Were you a good or naughty girl over there?”

“It turned out Australians are not my type,” she replied with a small smile, while brushing her hair back with her hand.

Is she flirting with me? Nah it’s just me dreaming.

The conversation then switches to their families and how the different people they know are doing.

Unfortunately the time flew and it would soon be time for Tom to head home.

“What about a night cap? You can go in the morning? Come on, I haven’t seen ya in ages,” Katie said intensely looking right into his eyes.

Well, I was never going to refuse a night cap with a beautiful woman.

With that, we went out to our cars and headed to her apartment.

Lauren and James Pt 2

By the time Lauren had finally managed to enter the house, she had already learned quite a lot about the man she would be looking after. His father had made sure of that. His name was James and he had been an engineer up till a few years previous when he had a massive stroke that left him partially paralyzed down his right side. He now needed assistance with basic things that the average person takes for granted.

But one thing Lauren had not expected was that he would be so handsome, with strong masculine features such as a square jaw with piercing blue eyes and a mop of unbrushed, black hair. He was shabbily dressed though with skin so pale that he must not have seen sunlight in months. The room had a stale, dusty smell.

They quickly exchanged pleasantries but he seemed somewhat shy and they didn’t make eye contact. It was the father who took charge of the conversation telling her what she was and was not expected to do. Some of her tasks were simple household chores whereas others involved James’ personal care. She was just about starting to feel confident when the father abruptly told her that he was now on the way out and would be back in a few hours. At least he was finished talking.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

For a moment James was stunned. He had not expected her to be beautiful but she was with long, curly red hair covering her shoulders; a petite body with curves in all the right places. He wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad thing, but it was definitely going to be different.

James had never been good with women even prior to acquiring a disability. He had always put his studies and work first. This was something that he later regretted.

In truth what he did feel was somewhat intimidated. He tried to look away so that he could compose himself, hoping she wouldn’t notice his palm become sweaty.

His father took the pressure off for some minutes by going through what was expected of her. But all too quickly there was just the two of them.

In fairness, she did try to make conversation but James had no interest in soaps or what was going on in reality television. Fortunately, they found an easy co-existence where James would play his games till he needed her. Though she did seem fixated on opening windows.

He was nervous though the first time they had to get up close and personal. It was about two hours after she had first arrived. He couldn’t stand alone unaided and she had to provide support as he went to sit on a toilet seat. It was the closest that he had been to a woman in some time. Her hair brushed up against his face and he got a strong whiff of her perfume. He just about kept his mind on the job at hand.

After a few hours, his father returned and her time was up. She would be back in two days.

Lauren and James Pt 1 (romance)

Lauren was never quite sure what she wanted to do with her life. But she knew one thing for certain, her days working at a supermarket were over. She was just sick of it, the long hours, the rude customers and the back stabbing co-workers. The coronavirus was the final nail in the coffin. It just wasn’t a job worth dying for and the weeks of stress had taken its toll.

Her mother was not impressed.

“What are you going to do now? And you with no education.”

But Laura didn’t care. After all, she was in her mid-thirties now, old enough to make her own decisions. There would be no change of heart.

The lack of education was something of a problem though. She had regretted leaving school early for quite some time, but there was little she could do about it now.

She had a plan, check the local papers each day and a few key websites. She was sure she would find something although she knew it might take some time.

But the days, then weeks passed. This really wasn’t the kind of economy to be looking for a job in. No jobs were advertised most days. Eventually though, she saw something that piqued her interest.

Personal Assistant required for weekend word for physically disabled man. No prior experience necessary. Please contact…

It wouldn’t have been the kind of job that she had thought about doing previously but she might as well look into it. After all, she had nothing to lose. Later that day she rang the contact number, trying to make sure to sound enthusiastic on the phone.

“Hello! I’m ringing about the job advertisement in the papers.”

An aged voice spoke back to her.

“Oh yes, it’s for my son you see. He needs assistance on Saturdays/Sundays. It would be private work for a number of hours each day. Ten euro per hour. If you are interested we’re looking for someone to start straight away.”

Laura was caught off guard and unsure what to say next.

“Yes, I can start straight away.”

There was a palpable sense of relief coming from the other side of the phone.

“Good! You can start this Saturday afternoon.”

He then gave her a complex set of directions, which she hastily tried to write down on a small piece of paper. Then, before she knew it it, he put down the phone.

For the next few days, she wondered if she was doing the right thing but in the end she decided that she might as well give it a try. Before she knew it Saturday had arrived and she was trying to follow the haphazard directions. The house was in a very rural location. The greenery made a nice change for Lauren, but she wished that there were people around to seek directions from. Eventually, she was pretty sure that she had located the correct house and she tried to steady her nerves as she parked in front of what was a large, imposing house. It had a beautiful, wooded area toward the front and Lauren found herself wondering what the back was like.

She had just managed to put on her mask, when an old man, probably in his seventies gingerly walked towards her car.

“This must be Lauren,” he said with a wide smile as she got out of the car.

In truth, she could barely get a word in as he showed her in through the front door.

****

James hadn’t expected to feel so down but he was. Martha had been one of the rocks that he had come to depend on. For five years, she had been by his side. Like clockwork, she had shown up each day and helped him with the little things. Ever since that faithful day, he had finally managed to make it home. But now she was gone to what he had to admit was a well deserved retirement.

Now, he had to get used to “new people” as his father called it.

There would be a new carer coming Saturday, he wasn’t to worry. All James knew was that it was another woman. Probably another old woman, he thought to himself.

Saturday arrived and if he hadn’t already known, he would have by his excited father. Talkative at the best of times, he had notched it up a gear. The poor woman better like to chat, he thought to himself as he heard the sound of a car pulling up.