Simon Minty's recent thoughts and more

Not so much a blog, more to let you know about what I fear might be too many podcasts!  My regular monthly ones, BBC Ouch and The Phil & Simon Show have cracking new shows out. There's also a new one, where I am a guest. This podcast is called WB-40 and I was interviewed by the most excellent Matt Ballantine who was asking how comedy and humour can be used to influence people. I've put links to the shows in the title and links to the individuals by clicking on their name.  If find yourself needing a distraction from Christmas television or want to try out the new headphones someone gave you as a present, take a listen. Let me know what you think.                     BBC Ouch                      Left to Right -  author  Christian Donlan , co host Kate Monaghan                       ...

My local dentist is a five minute walk from my home. I use my mobility scooter when I visit as it's too far to walk and this way, I don't have to worry about parking. This week, I went for a check up and for the first time, there were three ramps in place on arrival.  The back story: in 2010 I sent my dentist a strongly worded letter explaining their three steps meant access for people using wheels, i.e. me, wasn't good and I made some suggestions. They invested in a portable ramp so I could get in. I would call the dentist when I was approaching and they would come out and put the ramp down. I'd go up to the first platform and wait whilst they put the same ramp on the next step and so on. It was a bit of a palaver but just about worked. It took time but I'm rarely in a rush to climb in to the dentist's chair. This week, to have enough ramps for me to go straight in was the warmest welcome I've had there. My smile was bright before seeing the hygienist.   ...

I was a guest on the BBC Ouch's talk show in December 2013 talking about the spending power of disabled people, dating and disability and Heather Mills not going to the Winter Paralympics. You listen via the link below and there's a transcript if you prefer to read. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tcjt0