July 2022 was the month I’ve been looking forward to all year as it was the time for the Lionesses to make history at Euro 2022… well hopefully! I also had a virtual cameo on stage and enjoyed some free live music.
Disability Horizons
Firstly, let me give you a brief Disability Horizons update. I returned to work in mid-July and wrote a couple of news stories, plus an article about disabled influencers in honour of disability pride month.
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 regularly, as well as browse other content from the rest of the amazing DH team, subscribe to the Disability Horizons newsletter.
Drama
Back in May, I had my final class at Westy drama group before moving to Waterlooville. Because I’d already started creating a character for the show, I was keen to try and include it in the performance so I came up with the idea of recording a piece for camera.
Our play was based in an office and staff returning following the pandemic. I played Roxy the social media influencer, who was doing a presentation on how to use social media to boost business. After the speech, she fails to end the Zoom call and phones her friends to slag off the people in the office.
On the day of the show, I went to go and watch it and my cameo appearance got a great reaction from the audience, to the point people suggested Roxy should get her own YouTube channel. She may become my alter ego. Let me know what you think:
Music
Last weekend, my parents and I had a spontaneous afternoon out seeing some free live music at Port Solent, a dining and shopping complex near Portsmouth. They had several tribute acts performing throughout the afternoon including Bon Jovi, Madness, The Beatles and Queen.
The Bon Jovi performance was ok but sounded a bit karaoke at times. Madness were brilliant and at times I forgot they were a tribute band. The Beatles were great too and the guy performing as Paul McCartney was a joker. Sadly we couldn’t see Queen because we had to head home but I’ve seen a Queen tribute before.
Euro 2022
Now for the main event – the Women’s European Champions 2022. What an incredible tournament it has been and it’s not even over yet. I’ve watched every single game and been enjoying football fever for the past three and a half weeks.
I’ll give a full review and analysis next week after the final but I feel confident enough to say these three words “It’s Coming Home!”
Books
I finished the Harry Potter series (again) and was considering reading some of the other Wizarding World books but instead, I wanted to read something different.
I’m currently part way through reading Will Smith’s autobiography Will. I grew up watching him on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and then his subsequent film career. I’m still reading the section about his music career. I know and like a few of his songs but didn’t know much about his rapping journey.
However, as I write this, I’m listening to the album The Very Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and there is a mixture of good, bad and hilarious tracks.
TV
Firstly, the finale of Stranger Things – OH MY FUCKING GOD! Incredible, crazy, frustrating, emotional. Thankfully it has been announced there will be a fifth series. It can’t be left with that many questions unanswered.
I’ve since started watching the Netflix series, Grace & Frankie, a comedy about two women called Grace and Frankie who find out their husbands have been having an affair with each other and the women try and move on with their lives.
I heard it had great reviews and won awards but never got round to watching it until now. I’m on series three and it is hilarious. What makes it better is one of the writers, Marta Kauffman, also wrote the 90s sitcom Friends.
Audio Description petition
My campaign for audio description has continued throughout July 2022 and the petition has now gained a total of 3518 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:
- Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable: I’m not sure I can at From This Window
- Bearing Disability: Battling Anxiety Attacks and Nausea at Little Sea Bear
- Am I as Disability Confident as I Think I Am? at Not So Terrible Palsy
- Disability Pride Month at Hannah’s Hope
- It’s Important to Discuss Pain and Emotional & Mental Health at Despite Pain
