This Week

Christmas Day was very quite. I spent the morning cleaning house and the afternoon at a rehab. My friend is in there for a while until she's strong enough to come home. Meanwhile I've been looking after her 3 legged cat.So Christmas Day I fed her then put her in her basket and called a taxi. No they didn't mind the cat and it was double fare. I'd been planning it all week.Then I got my friends letters together and noticed one was addressed: to the person who looks after the cat. letter was from a neighbour and local vicar. My friend was concerned that the cat may have died and I hadn't told her. Although I took photos everytime I saw the cat, I keept forgetting to show them to my friend. So Christmas Day I put the cat in the taxi with 2 arrier bags full of presents. I took them in and my friend looked t them but her heart wasn't in it. I kept saying, "Listen, have you heard something? afer a few minutes I went out of the room to bring in the cat. What a reunion! I watched the two of them talking to each other. According to my friend, it was the best Christmas ever.
My best Christmas ever was 1980. I was in hospital from October and my babies came the week before Christmas. My son was stillborn and my daughter very premature.She was put in an incubator and I had to go and feed her.She never seemed to have enough. She grew rapidly but was still in the incubator christmas morning. I didn't expect any visitors as there were no buses and everyone was too busy with their families. I was very reasonable when I agreed that the baby had to stay in the incubator but I could go and see her as often as I liked. By 11 o.clock I didn't want to be reasonable. I wanted my baby on the ward now! so started to cry. Eventually they brought her in, dressed in swaddling bands like Jesus. They wheeled her in the incubator and plugged her in net to my bed. Soon that wasn't enough either. They sat us round he table for lunch and I decided that I wanted my baby in my arms. So I started to cry again. I can't find it at the moment but have a photo of me, at dinner,with my baby in my arms. I chewed some of my food and put it in her mouth. I kept her with me for a few minutes but eventually i had to give her back to the nurse to be put back in the incubator. New Years Eve I came out of hospital with the best Christmas present ever, went home, got into bed and waited for them to bring my food. Totally institutionalised I sat in the dark waiting for someone to turn on the lights. I hadn't touched a switch, broom, pan, in 3 months.

My True Net Personal Development Daily Click Book

My True Net Personal Development Daily Click Book

2009

What a year! I've been involved in only 2 organisations this year - Birmingham Centre for Inclusive Living (Disability) and Users in Partnership (Mental health). My health has been different. Besides the 6 consultants and physiotherapist which I started off with, I've spent many hours having tests and getting no or negative results. But, I've persevered. I've joined a new business - TIENS, concentrated on my Art, done more 'Me' things and tried to have a peaceful and fruitful year. I've had some wonderful adventures with my grandchildren, attended numerous seminars, workshops, events meeting inspirational people like Peter Thompson, Jonathan Jay, Beverly James, Sandy Lvevene-Lunden to name a few.
Shirley's Tribe has been venturing out with lots of successes.
Andrew is settled at long last and todays email from him is promising: I GIV GOD PRAISE I AM ON WAY BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY TODAY NOW 10AM AWARD CEROMIE I GOT 5 DISTINCTIONS TO PICK UP + MASTERS. He's a computer whizz kid and can always be relied on to know the law on everything from cyber theft to consumer rights. Dispite his ailments, numerous admissions to hospital and homelessness, he continues to study and gain excellent results.
Doreen has joined TIENS and Mary Kay Cosmetics though some reckoned she'd never manage it. She's had her first experience in a hotel and attended some high profile seminars and other events. She helped to organise DISPEER, Disability Fair on 5/5/09
Mike sang and played at DISPEER. He has a new cd.
We've been supported by people like Tunji Moore, SHINE Costume Arts who not only helped us through Arts Fest but also through World Mental Health Day / Black History Month event and Disability Fair and DISPEER meetings.
Hilton Joseph can be relied on to run to our aid when requested. He's provided lifts from strange places, when we're tired or run out of money. He can be commended for getting DISPEER and BCIL banners done with less than a week's notice.
Justice Williams MBE left an impression on some of DISPEER members who attended UnLtd Social Enterprise Event.
Congratulations to Michael on his marriage to Bibiana. They're both provided invaluable TIENS training, to Doreen, Karlene, Anne and me.
To Silvis Rivers, who may feel at times that we've abandoned him but you can't abandon adults. We've learned a lot whilst 'doing art' in his space. we've also eaten lots of bisuits and drank galons of tea.
South Yardley Library Staff who've allowed me to spend a lot of time on the computer as I update all my websites, job hunt, do BCIL work and get other work done.
Ann Linstone, HOPE Church, Pastor and Anna Zhengeya for encouragement.
My grandchildren for their faith in me especially when we ran off to London for my Birthday Weekend and Child Abuse Survivors March and Rally.
Whisky the 3 legged cat who perseverses. Although missing her owner, she still has time to curl up and rub against my ankles.
My neighbour B who listens.
Miss Lily who provided some beautiful flowers for DISPEER first event
All those who have supported us.
To Shirley's Tribe for persevering, no matter how society treats us, we support each other through thick, thin, bereavement, personal problems and bring others into the fold.
I am not opening a centre this Christmas. I have done it for nearly 40 years and I believe, have been told, that the message has got through to other people that they too can remember people less well off than them over Christmas. So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who've supported Shirley's Tribe.

Is this what I've beeen working so hard for?

- Original Message ----From: Facebook Sent: Tue, 15 December, 2009 23:05:15

Subject: Christine Love commented on Tom Comerford's status...Christine Love commented on Tom Comerford's status:"Dear S Cooper as you now claim to be the chair of BCIL. I one of the co funders of BCIL am totally decuessed in your mannerism to another Co founder of BCIL. your remarks are totally descreminating to disabled people as well as a liability to our CIL and furthermore I would strongley recommened that Mr Comerford now cut's and copies your remarks on this social net work and forwards them to our local authorities/funders and pledge an formal complaint towards you and request for your resignation with an immediate effect...NEVER IN MY LIFE have I heard such unprofessional remarks, DAN will not and dose not tolerate such threating behaviour.... "New Feature: Reply to this email to comment on this status.To see the comment thread, follow the link below etc etc

What have I been up to.?

Lots. I've been looking after my friend's 3 legged cat whilst she's been in hospital. The cat, whisky, has 3 legs. She was held under a car, whilst cruels kids drove over her leg. She is a very loving determined cat. when I first went in she cried like a baby. I consoled her: having had six cats as company when I lived in a big house. Whisky and I are good friends now. It helps to keep in with people who feed, water, cuddle and clean up after you. I'm going to miss seeing her nearly every day. Meanwhile her owner is rehabilitating. So maybe this year instead of spending Christmas with homeless in a derelict, pigeon and rat-infected pub like we squatted in last year, I could spend it in a bungalow with a loving cat and thousands of books.
I've been having a swelling time over the last month. After the CBLC Awards I stayed in a hotel overnight then went to a Caribbean Afernoon where I ate everything. It had been a whole week of hotels, training courses, away days and good rich food. My body reacted and I itched, turned red and puffed up. After 9 hours on a drip, being punctured for blood tests, examined, assessed , given steroids, in hospital I went home with enough medication to open my own Pharmaceutical Company with anti-biotics and antihistamines. Last Monday after 2 days of pizzas I watched my face distort until I had no choice but to readmit myself to hospital. Accident and emergency then Badger, 1 prescription for antihistamines then sent home after 2 hours. This week Tuesday I watched my face distort from 5.16 am to 4pm when I could stand it no longer. The jokes. has Mike Tyson won the fight against me? Which lamp post did I collide with etc. 4 hours this time. More medication and sent home. I'm still swollen on the left cheek but surviving. I think I'm allergic to people!

BRAP Awards

Assata nominated me for life time achievement. I heard nothing after this then I saw one of the winners at an event and remembered that I'd been nominated. So here's the link. God Bless. Shirley-----

URL:http://www.brap.org.uk/content/view/317/123/