I would say 80% of July 2020 has been dedicated to work, 10% on boosting my audio description campaign, 8% on Netflix and 2% escapism back on stage.
Disability Horizons
July 2020 has been filled with non-stop work with Disability Horizons. I had my research journalism head on, gathering statistics and personal stories for three separate articles.
I’ve also spent time transcribing and writing up interviews that I conducted over the phone a few weeks ago. I use a transcription service called Temi to get the bulk of it transcribed but then need to spend time correcting certain words and phrases and decide which quotes should be included or removed.
In addition, I’ve been working on writing content for a new face shield on the Disability Horizons Shop and an external website. I will share more information when it’s published.
All my Disability Horizons content is now available to view in one place on the Emma Purcell Author’s page. This link can also be accessed on the “Disability Horizons” button on the menu page on the left of this site.
My featured content, product articles and sponsored posts for Disability Horizons can be viewed in my Journo Portfolio.
To read my latest news stories, interviews and featured articles on a regular basis, as well as browse other content from the rest of the amazing DH team, subscribe to the Disability Horizons newsletter.
Blog content
As you may have noticed in July 2020, the number of original blog posts have been on a shorter scale. This is due to the amount of Disability Horizons and freelance work.
Also because of my workload, I don’t want to fill the gaps with rushed, sub-standard blog content.
Therefore, for the next few months, I won’t be publishing as much content as before. My music content will continue to be published on a Monday and my life & disability content will be posted on a Friday, but it will differ as to whether it’s weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on my availability and quality of ideas.
I will continue to publish my monthly summaries and share links to my freelance work. In the meantime, please check out my archives and popular posts you may have missed and continue to like, comment and share my blog posts.
Drama
This week I finally returned to my drama classes, at the West End Centre in Aldershot, after a four month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It was so nice to be back spending time with other people besides my parents and carers. There were a few changes in that we had to wear face coverings throughout the class and we were divided into two classes of eight to try maintain social distancing.
The most challenging part for me is this term we’re focusing on body movement and I’m slightly limited in that I can only move my left arm and head. Plus, I have difficulty seeing other people’s movements so reacting to other characters is harder – definitely putting me in the deep end!
Featured in an award-winning film
Back in March, I was invited by my wonderful friend and talented filmmaker Stephanie Castelete-Tyrrell to appear in her first feature length film Living in Fear –a documentary about how disabled people were managing at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This week, Steph found out her film has won an Award of Merit at the Impact Docs Awards. I’m so proud and honoured to be featured in an award-winning film – And of course well done Steph!
You can find out more about Steph’s work by visiting Four Wheel Drive Productions.
TV
Last week, I decided to try and watch OA on Netflix. It was hard to follow at first but it soon became really binge-worthy and I finished it in about five days.
I won’t spoil it for anyone, but it has elements of Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black and Killing Eveand it did finish with more questions than answers. I can understand why fans keep asking for a third series now.
I also watched a Queen documentary called The Show Must Go On, which is about what happened to the band after Freddie Mercury died and how Adam Lambert came to join the band. It was really interesting but watching clips of their live performances made me miss gigs and festivals even more.
Audio Description petition
July 2020, I gave my audio description petition a big push across social media. As a result, it has received an remarkable 279 more signatures, making the total 834 signatures, which is awesome!
But I’m eager to reach thousands. The more signatures we get, the more likely changes could be made within the TV & films industries. Please, please, PLEASE continue to sign & share!
Guest Bloggers Wanted
I’m still eager to collaborate with even more bloggers in 2020. So, if you’re a lifestyle, disability and/or music blogger, send me your blog stories. Plus let me know if you’d like me to feature on your blog as a guest blogger.
I’m flexible with any type of blog posts; life story, disability awareness, music event, musician promotion – basically anything to do with life, disability or music!
Blog post roundup
In case you missed any of my blog posts this month, here is a roundup of them:
- #30DaySomgChallenge: Music that I like, love and inspires me
- Time is precious when you’re disabled
- Music Interview: Reaven
5 Favourite Blog Posts
Here are my 5 favourite blog posts I’ve read this month:
- 10 WAYS TO DEAL WITH NEWS OVERLOAD & EMOTIONAL STRES at Invisibly Me
- When life throws you a curveball… at My life, my story
- Shielding in Accessible Isolation at Wheelescapades
- Movie Review: The Fundamentals of Caring at Simply Emma
- 7 things that help me to stay positive about my vision impairment at Life of a Blind Girl
Like Rock For Disability on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @P94Emma & donate via PayPal
Only 8% Netflix? I think you need to add a ‘0’ to the end 😂
You’ve certainly been super busy – I hope you can get enough down time and rest, too. It’s understandable if your content reduces on the blog; focus on what you need to do, we’ll all still be here. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself where the blog’s concerned, or elsewhere for that matter. It’s great the classes are back on, I imagine that’s refreshing to go back to and hopefully it’s all ‘covid secure’ as they say! And wooooow about the film, that’s amazing! Huge congrats to Steph and all involved 🎉
Thank you so much for including me in your fave blog posts too, that’s so kind of you! There are a couple of blogs there I don’t recognise so I’ll check those out now.
I don’t know where the time is going. It seems too bizarre to think it’s August 1st tomorrow… yikes! I hope it’s a good month for you lovely.
Caz xx