-
Is it all about mindset? – Interviewing while disabled
This is not a “how to” guide or the silver bullet blog post. These are my real experiences, seen through my perspective, not trying to be objective. At the end, I’ll share reflections with you in the hope that they will help you navigate the experience of interviewing while disabled.
-
“Anybody there?” – Teaching online as a blind academic
Draining, challenging and inaccessible. That is my honest summary even after a year of practice and experience when it comes to online teaching. I am aware that there is much debate within the academy about the pedagogic benefits or downsides of teaching online. I don’t want to get into this debate; rather I want to…
-
There is more to me than my guide dog
This post is about being overlooked at conference as everyone only focusses on my guide dog.
-
When the world is tilting, put on sunglasses
A glims into an often hidden part of sight loss: eye pain and eye headaches; and what it is like working with them.
-
South Africa – an unexpected hiking adventure
During an unexpected hiking adventure during a research trip, my sighted guide and I were put to the test. It raises the question of independence versus interdependence and trust and teamwork.
-
A think tank on chronic pain
From the 19th to 21st February, researchers from South Africa, Zambia and the UK met in a lovely little conference centre outside of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Why? To discuss chronic pain. Researchers came from across the medical field including physiotherapists, psychologists, GPs and neurologists. They were joined by some social science researchers. As most of…
-
A letter to my retiring guide dog Lassie
The author reflects emotionally on the impending retirement of Lassie, their service dog of eight years. Lassie is said to have changed the author’s life dramatically, helping regain confidence, broaden horizons, and avoid dangerous situations. As Lassie prepares to move to another family, the author laments the impending void but wishes the dog a fulfilling…
-
Ableism – it’s not a myth part 1 – even my kids are ableist
Ableism is something many people outside of the disability community or those not close to it have never even heard of. Yet, it’s something we live with every day. It is everywhere and even my own children come home with it.
-
Do you see the irony? Inclusion and Inclusion Sessions at Conferences
Inclusion sessions at management conferences are often anything but inclusive, ironic isn’t it? This post talks about some of the experiences I had as well as how to do a better job.
-
Becoming visible
Today is the International Day for the Rights of People with Disabilities (IDPWD). This year’s theme is “Not all disabilities are visible”. What does this mean? Well, in a narrower sense, it means that I will join the international disability pride and awareness movement by wearing purple #purpleLightUp. Even my guide dog has a little…
-
India #1: a sensory travel experience
In this post, I talk about my experience of travelling to and around Delhi (India). It also features a mini-travelog of my accessible half-day tour of Delhi with Planet Abled
-
An exploratory trip to Uganda – bananas and incredible insights from incredible people
My first research trip to Uganda.
-
Doing disability research as a disabled researcher!? Cliché or opportunity OR Why I’m starting this blog
Doing disability research as a disabled researcher!? Cliché or opportunity OR Why I’m starting this blog I’ve started my PhD in 2008 but only began doing research on disability in 2017 and made it my core focus in late 2018. You might be wondering why it took me 10 years to make that transition. It’s not…