June 2022 has been a historic month for me because after 14 years of school, college, university and an “attempt” at independent living, I left the town of Alton and moved to my parent’s new bungalow in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth. This month also consisted of continuous work at Disability Horizons, several live music events and enjoying some mind-blowing TV moments.
Disability Horizons
As well as my usual editing duties on the main site and shop, this month I conducted and wrote up an interview with one of the members of the Spokz People wellbeing community to share their experience on the programme so far. I also added a few quotes of my own as I am also a member of the mental health platform.
I’ve now taken a couple of weeks off work to sort out some life admin and settle into the new house.
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.
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Moving house
Last month, I briefly mentioned that I’d be moving house. Well, it happened! After countless awful carers, my mum giving up her job and a global pandemic, we came to the decision that it was best I move back in with my parents.
So last summer my parents bought a bungalow in Cowplain, Waterlooville, and spent autumn 2021 and winter 2022 seeking the right building and getting funding to adapt the home. March 2022 saw the start of a 10-week renovation and then on 23rd June (spookily the same date I joined Treloar’s in Alton 14 years ago) I moved in.
I won’t go into details about the whole process now (I might save that for a future post). For now, I feel a sense of relief and sadness – relieved as I’m finally here after over a year of planning but sad to say goodbye to the independent life I desired and prepared for since the age of 14.
Here is to a new home, new chapter, new memories and a new world!
Music
Following my two epic trips to see My Chemical Romance and The Killers last month, I attended a couple of less high-profile gigs this month, but still live music all the same!
On the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend at the beginning of June, the local pub in Alton was hosting some live performances. My parents and I spent a couple of hours there watching a singer called Mikey May who played a selection of cover songs (with most songs from my playlist). The most amusing part was when he played the track Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis and was asking the crowd to sing along but nobody but me did. People must’ve thought I was a complete weirdo, but I don’t care – especially with three vodka shots in me!
On the 18th June, I travelled up to Wiltshire to attend LottieFEST, a music festival organised in memory of my beloved friend Lottie Rapson. We couldn’t go to her funeral in December but her family arranged this for the summer as she loved her live music.
Most acts I saw were alternative rock/rhythm & blues type bands. They had DJ sets in the evening too but I couldn’t stay for that as I had to travel back. I was slightly annoyed I was late for the start because they performed a song called Sunbeams, which was written by a family friend in honour of Lottie.
Also, I was rather disappointed by the turnout of Lottie’s friends and former carers. I was hoping to meet up with classmates and staff from school and college and celebrate Lottie’s life together. However, only Steph and Paul and I turned up.
Although I didn’t go to Glastonbury Festival this year, I still want to give it a mention here. I watched several acts on BBC iPlayer including Blossoms, Supergrass, Inhaler, Primal Scream, Skunk Anansie, Haim, Noel Gallagher and Elbow.
My highlight of the festival has to be Paul McCartney. I wasn’t sure how good he’d be live nowadays but he exceeded all expectations. Plus seeing Dave Grohl come on stage with him brought a tear to my eye – especially when Foo Fighters were meant to perform in London five days later!
Books
I’m still reading through the Harry Potter series. I’m currently halfway through book seven, the Deathly Hallows. Once I’ve finished this I may re-read the other wizarding world books such as Quidditch Through the Ages, A History of Magic and Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.
TV
I watched part one of Stranger Things series four at the beginning of June. I won’t give any spoilers but it was outstanding and I’m buzzing for part two this weekend.
I also watched series two of The Wilds on Amazon Prime, a drama about teens purposely stranded on a deserted island as part of an experiment. I felt the boys’ storyline was less exciting and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. There better be a series three.
Also on Amazon Prime, I watched As We See It, a fictional drama about autism. Plus, I saw on Netflix a BBC drama called Get Even about four girls in a private school that uncover the truth of two student murders.
Audio Description petition
My campaign for audio description has continued throughout June 2022 and the petition has now gained a total of 3478 signatures, which is incredible!
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 my petition!
Guest Bloggers Wanted
I’m still eager to collaborate with even more bloggers in 2022. 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 post; life story, disability awareness, music event, musician promotion – basically anything to do with life, disability or music!
In addition, I have a guest blog series called “RFD Question Time with…” where I interview disabled people and/or bloggers. If you’d like to be interviewed in this series, please also contact me.
Blog post roundup
In case you missed any of my blog posts this month, here is a roundup of them:
5 favourite blog posts
Here are my 5 favourite blog posts I’ve read this month:
- 4 Things To Remember When Pacing For Chronic Illness, Fatigue Or Pain at Invisibly Me
- Self-Defence and P.E.E.Ps for People with Disabilities at The View From Where I Sit
- Disabled Talent On And Off-Stage – Human by Extraordinary Bodies at Life of Pippa
- “You Don’t Look Sick” – Why People Hate Those Words at Despite Pain
- How to be grateful in life at New Lune
Congratulations on the move! It seems a bit bittersweet, but I’m glad you’re all moved into your folks’ new bungalow. It may not be what you’d hoped for, but you have love and safety there, and I hope it’ll be a positive new chapter for you. How’re you finding it so far? I’m glad you’re taking a couple of weeks away from work jazz so you can focus on other things and getting settled in.
I’m a wee bit jealous when it comes to you seeing The Killers. Another blogging friend, Gemma, saw them recently too. Every time they come on my iPod on shuffle I feel like I’m transported back to my teen years. So many memories and feelings tied into each song.
It’s incredible that Lottie got such an apt tribute by way of a music festival. I’m surprised you didn’t say that all those in her life turned up, so that’s a shame. I imagine it’s a life thing, where things happen, people can’t travel, they get Covid or whatever else. 🌹
I’m glad Stranger Things is still great at season 4. I must admit, I Looooved the first season. When the second came out I was in and out of hospital and everything was too ‘meh’. I then just didn’t get back into it (I’ve done the same with all the Marvel films I used to love watching). Will definitely have to be less grumpy and weird about it all and get back into Stranger Things again 😂 Enjoy the series!!
I’ll make sure to share the audio description petition. I still can’t quite believe a petition is needed for this. Audio description should be as standard.
Thank you very much for including my post in your Favourite Blog Posts round-up! I’ve not read the Self-defence & PEEPS post so I’ll check that one out now.
I really do hope all goes as well as it possibly can in this new chapter of your life lovely 💜
Caz xx