There’s been some discussion in the press about the superior value and usefulness of Imperial measures – stones, pounds, ounces, feet, yards, miles and so on – compared with the metric system. And plenty of arguments the other way round. Tedious! Calm down: this blog entry isn’t about that.
Nevertheless, today it’s ‘Milestones’. Well, you couldn’t possibly say ‘Kilometrestones’, could you?
Here’s raising a glass to four of them:
The DP MNDA Fund has hit £20,000. A generous direct debit a few days ago, plus contributions to the ArtChallenge, plus donations straight to the Fund itself, took us over the mark. Very very pleasing. Thank you all. Now how about aiming for £25k? Pass it on!
I’m continually surprised to discover who’s reading the blog. The Comments section gives some indication but I often get supportive emails and other private messages from people who don’t Comment online, which is really rewarding. Just looking at the Comments, though, you’ve hit 500. Well done!
Not sure this ranks with those, but here it is. Today I took a blood test, self administered at home, to check whether I’ve ever had Covid-19, asymptomatic. Result, No. Wouldn’t have worried me if I had, because it would be over now and anyway I’ve had both vaccinations. For years I’ve been a member of the UK Biobank scheme which periodically tests and checks volunteers for various things in order to identify priorities for national prevention and treatment. Recommended.
Change of attitude, and quite interesting for me. Perhaps you can imagine how many mental and emotional hurdles I’ve had to jump over in the last almost-two years – terminal illness, loss of muscle control, loss of speech, hospital operations, reduction in mobility, increasing coughing and choking, loss of independence, effects on personal confidence, pride, dignity, and more. No sympathy requested; just making the point. One thing I knew I’d really dislike was being pushed around the streets and parks in a wheelchair, but it happened and one has to get used to it. Yesterday afternoon Wheelchair Man and van turned up. I sat in a different wheelchair, pressed a button, held the joystick, and drove along the pavement, across the road, and back again. What joy! The return of some sort of independence! Really hadn’t expected it to have so much effect. It was a tryout but it looks like I might get the thing in a couple of weeks’ time. Even then I won’t go out alone because of the speech problem, but it’s triggered an unexpected breakthrough in attitude. Might even look forward to rattling along the pavement yelling at people to get out of the way!
So there are four milestones of sorts. No, ‘Kilometrestones’ just won’t do.
Brilliant! Look out pedestrians. We will need to buy you one of those hooters they used to put on the side of early cars! Xx
Huge congratulations! It’s a fantastic result on the fundraising and another initiative of which you should be very proud. As you say, let’s keep it going.
Am delighted that the new wheelchair will give you a boost and some return of independence. Knowing you, you’ll find ways of having fun with it and think up some unique tricks! xx
Brilliant milestones Dave! Wonderful on the fundraising front, and let’s definitely get to £25k now. Such great news for you with the wheelchair, I’m so pleased, and look forward to seeing it in action soon! xxxx
Metrical measures are easier in many ways, all being based on 10s, 100s, 1000s etc. The great thing about ‘Imperial’ measures is that they are all based on different arithmetical quantities (12 inches/foot, 3 feet/yard, 20 shillings/£, 16 ounces/pound, etc – there are many more) which I am sure made all of us who grew up before 1972 more adept at mental arithmetic than younger people who only do decimal measures! Just saying!
Mow ’em all down Dave!!!