LOVE YOURSELF LADIES!

March 5, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

LOVE YOURSELF LADIES!

With today’s society constantly bombarding girls and women of images of women that are a size that is not exactly healthy, and continuously showing us images of air-brushed pictures or cosmetically transformed stars while a forever growing television craze of model like TV shows, is it any wonder girls of the 21ST century feel the way they do?

Pressure has always been a factor for most teenage girls and even grown women but wit the media’s ever growing publicity of “size 0” models and actresses who have had a series of cosmetic treatments while apparently appearing to be perfect both on television and in magazines, then it is no wonder to any sane human mind that girls are losing the metaphoric will to live. Not only do they have their friends constantly chatter on about weight loss, the latest diet or fashion trends, now they are forced to look at “skinny” celebs who have the cute footballers or rap artists falling over themselves to bed these women. It is not merely peer pressure girls and women have to deal with on a daily basis, now their magazines and even the television are telling them how to be “perfect”. Stars that are of a low weight who have the guys many teenage girls fantasise about are giving women the impression that men only want that kind of woman.

Eating disorders and the pressure to look “perfect” is getting to a point of common rather than rare. Younger girls are wearing make-up and clothes that are more suitable for an older teenager because they see their favourite singer doing the same. Constantly, in music videos, or merely by television campaigns, girls are being subliminally told that “perfect” is of a certain brand. Successful women are “thin”, and “perfect” looking. celebs like Katie Price and Katie Holmes are not helping the situation by dressing their very young children in clothes and shoes designed for older girls, nevertheless while pasting make-up on their young faces.

Why is society in such a rush to make these girls grow up? Hannah Montana star Miley Sires has joined the ever growing young female stars by launching her own clothing brand geared toward young girls and teenagers. Where will the line be drawn? And who will draw it?

While society allows their children to grow up at a rapid pace, sexualising them earlier and earlier, with no reinforcement of self-respect and self-esteem, we will end up with a future generation of women who allow themselves to be controlled through sex by men and indeed relinquishing every ounce of equality women have fought for for so long.

So often we see younger girls wearing make-up and frankly looking like hookers, how long will it take for that one girl who dresses that way, sexualising her young self to become a teenage mother? When will girls learn that giving up sex to a man will not impress him only lower your own self-respect? Respect comes from both sides of the equation and if you cannot respect yourself then you cannot reasonably expect to gain respect from anyone else.

In Britain alone our teenage pregnancy rate is extremely high and how many of those young girls were not truly ready to engage in an adult sexual relationship. Being physically ready and emotionally ready are completely different things. How many of those girls keep having children because they do not respect themselves enough to say no?

You see these girls frequenting our high streets and malls daily, pushing a push-chair, make-up done as though they were about to hit the town and a skirt hardly warranting the title barely covering anything. The same girls frequent our towns and cities on a weekend looking for a new man to sleep with. Why can’t you gain some respect and take care of yourself for once?

Having a man does not justify your existence and if you can’t tell him no on the first night of meeting him, how much control can he truly have over you? If he walks away, was he worth knowing in the first place?

Far too many of our youth give it up for the first man that comes along and they believe other girls respect them and envy their relationships. Those of us with respect would rather be single than be treated like a piece of shit by a man.

I am not saying, dress like your grandma and become a nun but leaving a little to the imagination is often more an attractive virtue than having everything on show. The men you attract by showing everything are after one thing and one thing alone. Getting to know someone, learning their likes and dislikes seems like such a forgotten process. Jumping into bed seems the norm and that’s quite sad. If you truly need sex that badly, to help you feel good about yourself, does that not scream volumes? self-respect is about respecting yourself, loving who you are and if you need a one night stand with a man to make you feel good then your self-respect is mighty low.

Ladies, love yourself and you’ll attract the right man. Jumping into bed with the first man that shows an interest will be filled with superficial emptiness. Dress like a queen, conduct yourself like a lady and you will be treated like the princess you are.

Posted in Articles, Media, article, ladies, respect | 1 Comment »

What A Wonderful World!

February 26, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

The past few weeks has taught me far too much about the social state of our society. several things have happened both directly and non-directly that provoked me to write this blog.

First of all, if anyone read my blog last week about The library then you will know the personal experiences I have had in recent weeks with the youth of society.

By no means do I think that all children behave in such a disrespectful matter or believe that all kids are bad but it seems more and more, with cases like the stabbing last week in the UK, multiple mass murders from school children in the past ten years that society has gone crazy.

I know that there have always been the odd child that gives the rest of them a bad name. Heavens knows we were all capable of being a little “cheeky” or insolent during our youth, its the way we tested boundaries but more and more we read of killings, abuse, and pure anti-social behaviour occurring on a daily basis that surely is not acceptable. Although, it seems it is.

Children cannot be disciplined by adults due to fear of repercussions for the adults involved. It shows how bad this particular situation has become when a UK soap shows a woman in her 70s being arrested by police for smacking her “naughty” grand daughter. This child merely wasn’t just talking back but she was trying to make it look like her grandfather who had suffered a stroke had wet himself by pouring water over his lap. This same character had stolen another little girl’s dress and her grandmother had covered up for the child’s bad behaviour until the water incident upon which she smacked the child. Not battered her, smacked her.

Now, when I was growing up, which is not that long ago in the real state of things, my mother smacked me if I was bad. It hasn’t driven me to be violent or abusive as a person so I’m not buying into that psychological theory. I don’t discount that can happen but a smack from a parent/guardian during childhood seems a norm to me. But now with all the human rights and children’s charities bleating on about children’s rights it seems not only the authority figures such as police officers, teachers etc who cannot have a handle on children’s behaviour but their own parents cannot discipline their child as they see fit either.

I would never condone beating a child but a quick slap on the rear end or back of legs surely, when used appropriately cannot do any harm. Children have no fear of authority figures anymore and this is steadily growing into a problem that before long we will not be able to get a handle on.

If a child does not have disciplinarianism at home, [I do not mean hitting, you can discipline in other ways], but if they are not taught to respect adults and adhere to social as well as legal laws then what hope do we all have for the future? If the parents won’t discipline their out of control children then who can? Teachers and police officers were given this role forty or fifty years ago, with the ability to use corporal punishment within the classroom and the threat of a “clip around the earhole” from the local bobby but now it seems no one can touch the brats of society because of their “human rights?”

It seems to me as if adult’s human rights are slowly shifting from the adults to the children. Only this past week did Apple remove “overtly sexual apps” from their app store. Regardless of the content, why did Apple feel the need to do this? Because of some “do-gooders” sticking their noses in where they’re not wanted? I personally don’t purchase the type of apps that have been removed from the app store but I also think its against the consumer’s right to choose what they buy with their money. All apps that in possession of “adult content” should be labeled so and you agree if you are over the correct age limit if you want to purchase and use the app. So then, Apple are legally obliged to remove those apps, I agree but if an app is rated as adult then why should it be removed at all? If you are an adult then you are old enough to make the choice whether you want to buy an app with bouncing boobs or an app to show you naked men/women. So lets hazard a guess why these “do-gooders” complained.

CHILDREN!!!

Yes those little darlings are not only infringing on our adult human rights to respect and common courtesy in every day society, they are now infringing on adults’ decisions to buy whatever they like from Itunes App store. So how long will it be until those brat loving fools make Apple feel obliged to remove rated R movies or explicit music? This is the first step people to complete and utter censorship. Whether you like adult images/apps on your IPhone or IPod, shouldn’t it be your choice, as an adult? No one makes you buy any of the apps, you search and buy your own at your own discretion. So then, how is it fair that our society is again revolving around children who some of us don’t have. And if you as parents are worried about what your little darlings are buying on ITunes, use parental control or simpler still, DON’T BUY THEM A EXPENSIVE DEVICE THAT THEY COULD DOWNLOAD CONTENT ONTO!. Or better still, DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD DETAILS AND MONITOR WHAT THEY ARE BUYING! You’re the ones who had children, you be responsible for them. Don’t expect society to babysit them and raise them, that’s your job.

I’m getting ultimately tired of my life having to revolve around children and be disrespected by them and have to deal with their abuse when I don’t even have a child. Let society be about individuals and not the offspring of those who do not give a fuck about what their “little darlings” are doing. I have every respect for parents who bring their children up with manners and show them about respect and being a social being but after witnessing recent events and then hearing about Apple’s decision to remove content specific to adults, it just reinforces an anger amongst those of us who are trying to contribute positively toward society whilst others sit on their backsides, claiming benefits for their umpteen kids and not taking responsibility for them. If you can’t be assed to have a child, use something or abort it, but don’t let the rest of us suffer for your irresponsible attitudes. Get a job and stop bitching about adults wanting to be adults. If a guy wants to look at sexy naked women, let him, he’s not doing anyone any harm and if your 11 year-old child is talking to his friends about a show he saw on TV about sex, then that’s your problem for not ensuring he’s watching safe content. There’s a watershed in most countries and if not, then turn your television off and teach your child some respect.

People need to start taking responsibility for their own children and stop blaming companies or developers or television networks for the content they’re producing. You’re a parent, watch your child! Being a parent is about nurturing not just feeding and clothing, educate them, its not only down to their school to do that. Remember one thing, you wanted society to stop disciplining your children, now look at the state it is in, little respect, rude and anti-socialites, wow what a wonderful society we live in! Don’t you think?

Posted in Apple Inc., abuse, article, crime and justice, frustration, generation, library, life, life styles, opinions, people | Leave a Comment »

“Please Be quiet in the Library”

February 19, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

As a distance learning student, sometimes I need to escape the comforts of home and get into working mode so I chose the library for my studying salvation. Unfortunately, the library seems to have changed considerably since I was growing up or even since I was last a student.

On my frist trip to my local library, I took a seat and pulled out my macbook and happily began studying. Taking yourself to a purposeful study place can often help the psyche. After around ten or fifteen minutes, a couple of women decided that the library was a great place to have a catch up chat. And not only did they catch up with each other, the whole library were able to know what little Johnny had done at Nursery school that day or how one woman’s husband was taking her away for some anniversary. And the worst thing is, no one told them to shut up.

On the last trip to the library I was completely disgusted again. I sat down at a table, noticing the increased noise and with a horrible realization, knew it had to be half term. Kids should use the library, I am all for young readers but do they have to do it so noisily? I pulled out my computer as normal and booted it up, thinking, if I turned up my volume, maybe I could block them out. Sadly, without deafening myself, it was impossible to block out the shouts of children. And again, no one, not even their parents hushed them.

Another thing is mobile phones. Last time I checked you had to have them either switched off or on silent and you most certainly were not allowed to talk on them. But on another trip to my studying sanctuary a woman answered her phone and talked not once, but twice rather loudly. I could not believe it. I, as a responsible library user always maintain my phone is set to vibrate and never would I dream of answering it no matter how important the call.

Are we living in a society nowadays where we’re far too politically correct and oh so concerned with people’s human rights that we can’t even hush noisy people in a public library.

When I was growing up, you were quiet in the library and if you made so much as a squeal of excitement, you were told to “shh” by a stern looking Librarian. And adults, really, they should know better.

Am I such a grumpy old cow that this really irritates me or is it the simple fact that I’m looking for a quiet refuge to study away from the distractions of home? I can’t use my school library as its based in another country, let alone another city so what am I to do? Struggle to concentrate and fail my course or really, what is the alternative?

Posted in article, library, people, study | 1 Comment »

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I know where I fall, but do you?

February 12, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, I know where I fall, but do you?

With Valentine’s day coming up, I question several things:
1. Do we celebrate purely because we feel obliged to.
2. Are women too independent to commit to a in house relationship.
3. How much has society changed and more importantly how much have women changed over the last 50 years.

Valentine’s day is traditionally the day that couples dedicate the whole day to pay their partner complete attention. It’s a day to make singles feel either lonely or berate those who are snuggling up with their loved one and more importantly it is the day supermarkets charge ridiculous amounts for some flowers and a bit of chocolate. Has valentines’ day just become a social pressure for us to buy into the commercial market of card makers, florists and chocolate makers.

Regardless whether you agree with the commercialness of the “love day”, it is here to stay and millions of people around the world will be spending a crap load of money on cards, gifts and eating out. so with all the promotional advertisements on TV, radio, in newspapers or in shops and restaurants, do even those of us who refuse to buy into the commercially driven market still feel a pressure to spoil our loved ones? Even strong independent women who declare their disgust for the over priced roses may give into being hypocrites in order to receive a dozen on Valentine’s morning. does this then mean that if something is completely shoved in our faces enough that we will give into the pressure and submit ourselves? Isn’t that what Christmas has been about for years. With less and less people attending church regularly, and yet still celebrating on the 25TH December each year. I wonder what would happen if suddenly there was no commercial strand to it, would that then mean that less people would submit to it? Possibly, but it would take years and years. But isn’t that then how traditions fade out? The pressure is lost and gradually over time, people stop making the tradition and eventually it fades into the history books.

Our society is so driven by pressure and that brings me to my next point. With women not having the pressure of society to become mothers and wives as soon as they leave school has opened up for the independent woman to flourish in our society. In general, these women live by themselves, have successful careers and maybe have on and off boyfriends or a string of interesting relationships. They are stereotypically intelligent and possess the ability to live without the constance of a male living in their home.

But does our string of independent women mean that we’ve developed a generation of women who don’t want or need a man to justify their existence? These women prove time and time again that having “their own space” is crucial for their own self being. They enjoy having male company but anything remotely close to a “live-in” relationship scares them and they fear losing their independence.

Women’s roles in society have changed and progressed in the past 50 years. The independent woman is far more prominent in today’s society than it would have been 50 years ago. Our mothers and especially our grandmothers chose partners early and settled with them into a marriage and family life. But that is not the norm anymore. Our society is split between those “child mothers” Who end up having a string of children born to different men and those women who put their careers first and strive for independence. True, there are those who attempt both a family and a career which is again another transgression of what once was. The types of women we have in today’s society is a far cry from the house-wives of the 30s. Those house-wives are a rare breed and it makes one curious of what future generations hold for the role of women in society?

so whether you celebrate Valentine’s day with that special someone or not, just consider these points and ask yourself, where do you fall?

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My Happier Life

February 12, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

The golden sun slipping through the blinds,
In an air conditioned room,
To wake you up from a rest so short,
But enough to keep you going.

Up and dressed,
Set for a busy day,
Heading outside and breathing in the scents,
Sweet grass,
Breakfast being made,
The fresh smells of the day.

The sun beating down even so early,
The campus so busy and buzzing,
Coffee and a quick snack in the cool
Of the student’s union.

Past the smells of the rose garden,
Listening to the gushing fountain,
A bell begins to toll
And you most definitely know,
That the day is just beginning.

Lunch time on the quad,
Or else watching TV inside,
Chatting with friends old and new,
The sun high in the sky,
Sweater shoved in your backpack,
And arrangements formulating.

Studying quietly in the lab,
Checking emails while bored,
The smell of paper and flowers fill your nose,
As you wait for the best part to start.

Jump in the truck,
Ride to the store,
Pick up some dinner or order in,
Shower and change,
Phone ringing hot,
Party time is just beginning.
Worked all week,
Play hard at the weekend,
Different day,
Different place,
Familiar faces,
But always the same,
party hard, watch a movie, go to the mall,
Or watch the football or basketball game.

Weekend morning always spent with a starbucks,
Eating at Fuzios or getting a jamba juice,
The life I had was so rich with so much,
Fun, love, happiness and friendship,
Trust, joy, confidence and more.

Hug a friend when she cries,
Hug her tighter when she smiles,
True friendship more valuable than diamonds,
True friendship makes my heart sing,
For it is not the places, the fun or the parties,
The smells or the sounds indeed
That make a place what it is,
Its your friends.

Miss my life,
More than true,
Miss my friends,
incredibly accurate,
Hold my heart forever in Cali?
Without a doubt it will always be home.

Posted in California, LA, Poetry, dreams, emotions, experiences, feelings, friends, friendship, life, life styles | Leave a Comment »

Excerpts

February 5, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

These are a few excerpts from some of my work. Some of it is finished, some is work in progress. Lave comments and let me know your favourite.

Colours of The Heart

Why do you let him do this to you?’ She scolded herself as she walked steadily toward the nearest fast food joint. Inside she saw some of her class and sighed as her best friends Letitia and brandy saw her, she was pulled across to the booth where half the basketball team were seated.
“Hey you!” Brandy being the shorter of the two hugged her tightly. “Where did you get to after school girl?”
“I had to see Kishaun after you guys decided to run your mouths,” She sat down wearily between Letitia and a good friend of her’s Timo.
“Sup?” he put a friendly arm around her shoulders. She was very popular at school. A very smart and friendly person. She’d be friends with anyone and everyone and that was a trait hard to find in their community. South central was a place filled with hostility and the violence had gotten bad over the last few years. Timo’s brother Jerome had been killed the previous summer up on Crenshaw and she remembered well the look upon their mother’s face as his coffin was laid to rest. Her own mother had told her to get as far away from south Central as possible. But the difference was, she had too much to stay for: Kishaun! He was her world. Despite what Letitia and Brandy thought, she was certain Kishaun loved her as much as she loved him. Brandy’s loud laughter rang in her ears as she looked up to answer Timo.
“Not much,” She sighed.
“don’t look like not much,” he observed with his deep chocolate eyes.
“Brandy and Letitia hate my new boyfriend,” She sighed putting a finger up to her eye and wiping it.
“With good reason,” Letitia had been listening. “He’s a loser! And you shouldn’t see him any more!”
“Why do you get to tell me what I can do?” Her eyes were alight with annoyance.
“Girl, he’s using you for sex and don’t front and tell me yall ain’t done it cos I know you did,” Letitia fought back.
“That has nothing to do with you,” She retaliated indignantly. “What I do is my business Letitia. I’m an adult!”
“O c’mon girl, he’s a fucking player!” Brandy joined in now.
“who we talking about?” JC, the point guard for the team was standing near Brandy, flirting as usual.
“Her new boyfriend,” Brandy said with venom in her voice.
“Woa,” he put a hand on her shoulder. “Who is he?” JC looked at her directly now inquiring for the information. She knew JC was a blood too and she suspected he may know Kishaun. She took a deep breath.
“Kishaun Parker,” She said.
“As in Kishaun who dropped out two years ago?”
“I heard he was held back,” Diego, the only Hispanic kid on the team piped up.
“He’s twenty-one ain’t he?” JC was staring at her hard now, urging information out of her.
“So what?” She was on her defensive now and he knew it.
“I’m just sayin’ watch yourself with that nigga girl,” He turned his back knowing that no matter what he said, she would never believe him whatever he said, Kishaun had already got that girl’s heart.
“You ain’t gonna tell her what you know?” Diego looked at his friend as he studied a menu on the wall.
“Nah, no point dude,” He slumped back on to a seat. “She ain’t gonna believe any of us so she may as well find out the hard way. That’s how the hart gets tougher!”

Do Anything For Love

I’m not being nosy, its just, they don’t get you. As friends, yeah, but boyfriends, nah”.
“I’m not dating anyone,” I told him. Then I heard a fight to my right. I turned to see two guys wrestling and a girl crying. instinct sent me running to comfort her. AK tried to pull me back but I was beside her.
“You OK?” I asked, touching her arm.
“No!” she was screaming. “let go of him! Mekhi! Let go of him!”
The guy looked at her and growled. “I told chu to stay away from this waste of space nigga!”
“But I love him!” she was crying. I took her arm and away from the commotion that was clearly breaking out now.
“Come on,” I took her into the girls’ room and sat her on a chair.
“hi, I’m Kira, listen, I don’t know what’s going on but you don’t need to be seeing that,” I told her as she wept.
“He doesn’t get how much I love Mikey,” she sobbed. It looked like she was breaking. “I’m having his baby and Mekhi doesn’t get it!” I sighed.
“I’m sorry,” I didn’t know what else to say. after five minutes she composed herself and some of her friends came into the room.
“Hey Aliska,” one girl hugged her.
“Thanks,” a tall, hostile looking black girl said to me. “That was real nice of you”.
“that’s OK,” I left, knowing I wasn’t needed any more. I returned to nick and AK.
“Are you fucking nuts?” AK grabbed me. “Don’t chu know who that was?”
“Her name’s Aliska,” I told him.
“Yeah, she’s also one of the most dangerous gangstas sisters,” Nick put in. “O fuck Kira, come on!”
“no, I helped her,” I told them and wandered off to dance. I had no idea what they were tripping off?
I saw a tall good looking black guy walk into my eye line. I didn’t look too hard but he sauntered over and smiled.
“Hey, dance!” it wasn’t a request, more of a command. I allowed him to take my waist into his hands. He was around six five, with a body nicely built of muscle but not too defined he didn’t look real. A smile that would melt the polar ice caps and eyes of an incredible honey cone colour, soft and gentle. His hair was in corn rows. His hands were masterful and I could tell he brought in the dough. Nice gold chain sat on his muscular neck.
“So, what’s your name shortie?”
“Kira,” I smiled as we danced to a R Kelly song.
“nice to meet chu,” he smiled. as he pulled me tighter, I felt something and I knew it was a gun. And surprisingly, the prickles that traced down my neck weren’t ones of fear, more of excitement. I liked this guy. He was hot!
We danced for five minutes then he took my hand.
“Coming out for a smoke,” he commanded again.
“Sure,” I smiled and we walked to the patio.

It’s Rooted From the Core

Letitia wet the bed again that night and so I had to get up and wake up Natty to change the sheet. 
I went into her room and she wasn’t there. I stared at my sister’s bed. She shared with the new baby and Janelle. Janelle was at big momma’s though and the baby was sleeping but no Natty. I felt a sense of dread creep up my spine and a strange chill fall over my body despite the mild summer’s night air that filled the stifling room. I listened and couldn’t hear a sound. 
“Kenyon!” Martell was there now. “What you doin?”
“Natty gone,” I said, putting my hands to my face protectively. “She not here!”
“It aight,” he walked to me and stared. “She probably went downstairs. Getting a drink. What you doin up?”
“Letitia wet again,” I explained and Martell heard crying and so did I. We both turned our heads to listen to where it was coming from. I heard it from mama’s room. That wasn’t unusual after a fight but then mama came out to see who was talking. Then Kishaun was up. 
“What da fuck is going on?” he snapped sleepily.
“Letitia wet,” Martell explained. “Kenyon was looking for Natty”.
“Go back to bed Kishaun,” mama said. “Martell, you can change the sheet for me right?”
“Where Natty?” he asked. 
“just do as I ask boy,” she pushed us both out of Natalia’s room and into our room where Letitia was crying, Justice was awake and looked scared. 
“Why yelling?” He asked, wiping sleep from his eyes. 
“dunno,” Martell lifted Letitia and put her on their bed while he pulled the sodden sheet from our bed and went to the closet to fetch a new one.
“Somethin weird is going on,” Justice lay down and let Letitia snuggle into him. “Mama sounded scared”.
“Yeah, looked it too,” I added and sat on the floor by the sheet and waited for Martell to remake the bed.
“Think Natty cryin?” I asked. 
“Sound like it,” Justice returned and we all listened in the darkness.
I watched my brothers listening at the door and watched as Letitia slept under the comforter in Martell’s bed. Something was very wrong in my house that night. Voices were hushed yet filled with utter anger and hatred!
“What do you think is going on?” I asked in a hushed whisper. Martell and justice said nothing but put their fingers to their lips in a signal I knew I ought to be quiet. I nodded and looked at my scabby knees and the tread bare carpe t ad kept my ears on high alert. My mama always said I had the alertness of a deer escaping its predator.
I heard a door slam and a woman scream in pain and a man’s voice, I knew to be my pop’s apparently threatening someone. A loud knock was heard at he door. As I heard running footsteps, both Justice and Martell bolted out of the door and headed for the top of the stairs. I followed them and saw two police officers handcuffing my father and saw my mother standing at the door and restraining Natty from running out of the door. My sister looked pained and there was nothing any of us could do to comfort her. She locked herself in her room and refused to speak to anyone for days. Mama was crazy for days after that night. I didn’t see nor hear of my father until around 8 years. But this was just the beginning for us. That night triggered a chain of events that would shape mine and my siblings entire lives. 
I remember looking into my sister’s eyes the next morning as she past me to go to the bathroom, apparently to be sick and there was no dancing sparkle to them anymore.

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ENCHANTRESS OF LOS OCEANA CHP 6

January 29, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

Chapter 6
Diamonds and Pearls

Hope raced to her brother’s office early the next morning. She rapped hard on the door, praying he would be there. It was a grayish sky outside and the snow clouds were already thick overhead. She rapped again, her blue robes billowing in the slight breeze from the draughty corridor.
“Come in!” A gruff voice came from within the office. Pushing the door open, Hope sped inside and took a seat, her hands folded in her lap. He looked up, an element of surprise on his weathered worn face. “Hope? It’s rather early for you don’t you think?”
“Thawson,” Hope had been unable to sleep after what the Ava had told her. “The animals are at war, in the woods and I want to know why?” His eyes widened and his lip tightened.
“Who told you that?” He sounded frightened as though that information had been top secret. He scratched his dark beard while glancing nervously into her young face.
“Aerora,” Hope told him. “The Ava!” He frowned and stared harder at her, willing an explanation.
“I went into the woods last night, by accident!” She quickly explained. “I was flying and some wood creatures pulled me into the forest. Lobo and Aerora saved me but she told me never to venture into the woods alone because the animals are angry and at war with one another, but why, Thawson?” Her voice was hurried and slightly high pitched. She had been concerned and aerora’s words were imprinted on her mind.
“Lobo? The wolf? And Aerora told you all of this?” Sighing he leaned back in his chair, scratching his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, the animals are at war, and not necessarily just with themselves. some creatures are blaming us for their problems. food’s short and the winters haven’t been as cold of late and the snow leopards, the siberian tigers and the Arctic fox along with other winter like creatures have been angry and blaming humanity for their problems.”
“Is it our fault?” Hope asked sternly.
“Well, yes and no!” Thawson told her gently, standing to pour some tea.
“Would you like a cup?” She nodded and waited for his further explanations. Thawson had been awoken, that was clear from the blue towelling robe that he was wearing and the sleepy look upon his face. Placing a cracked yellow cup in front of her, he took his seat once again and sighed gravely.

“Your predecessor was not a gifted witch. Many of Loso Tierras were angry with the ancients for even appointing Violet. But the biggest problem was that she hated winter! Hope, you must know that elementation will be an enchantress’s greatest subject in one so young. You, have the abilities to control the natural flow of things which no other has the right to mess with. True, we teach elementation but you are the only human that can control the entire weather of Los Oceana. Without your magic, plants would die, flowers would never flourish, and the trees would forever be in winter. And if you chose to keep Loso Tierras in Summertime constantly, then the animals we need for hunting and keeping our world stable would die from heat exhaustion. Here, in Loso Tierras is the only place exotic creatures and Arctic creatures may exist along side each other. The snow falls all but two days of the year, the Ostara dates and that is for many reasons. The animals believe it to be the two days, none of them are impaired to find food or shelter and they can begin to build their winter and summer homes. The Arctic animals move further up into the mountains during the sumer time while the exotic animals come closer to the river. On the winter Ostara, the Arctic animals move further down hill while the exotic creatures hibernate or make underground homes where they can keep warm. Violet did not believe in winter so the cycle of weather confused the animals and caused many of them to die. That is why they’re angry with us. Themselves? Who knows. Sometimes, I suspect it has a lot to do with Stigma, he believes he is the emperor of the animals. Many differ on that opinion but he is greedy, unkind and slowly is killing off the non magical animals. So, yes, the animals are warring but your warriors are attempting to keep things in order. so you have nothing to worry about.”
“I am the enchantress!” Hope said severely, glaring at him. “I know i’m new at this, thawson, but I need to know these things. How do you think it looks when I have to be told from a creature I didn’t even knew existed that the animals of Loso Tierras are warring under my nose?” He nodded apologetically and rested a hand on the old oak desk. Hope was both fascinated and disconcerted by what he had told her but he had made reassurances so what choice did she have but to let him get on with it. “If there’s any developments, I want to know about them!” Hope stood abruptly from the table and Thawson nodded. As she reached the door and placed a hand on the door knob, he called her back.
“Hope?” Turning, she saw he was smiling broadly. “You will make a wonderful enchantress!” Nodding gratefully, she headed down to breakfast and the commencement of her day’s classes.

breakfast was a quick event and Hope was preoccupied with her previous conversations with the Ava and Now Thawson. It seemed that Loso Tierras was in more trouble than most of its inhabitants were aware of an it was now Hope’s duty to make sure that this didn’t turn nasty. Sighing, she picked up her schedule and stared, Elementation. That was her first class. Wonderful! She stood, not even realising Chelsea, summer and Marietta were still eating and headed out of the dining hall.

Inching along the forever ending corridors, she finally found a wooden door with the peeling letters of Library written in white paint upon its ageing panels. Pushing the door open with a creak, she wandered inside to find a squat old man sitting behind the desk. He had a rounded red nose that appeared to be running with moisture and grey rimmed glasses perched upon it. His eyes were grey and almost transparent as she looked at him. Walking quietly, she smiled broadly at him, praying he was friendly. A name tag read: Mr Livre.

“Good Morning, mr Livre,” She smiled generously as she rested her hands on the old oak desk. “I am looking for some books.”
“You came to the right place,” He chuckled friendly. Relieved he was kind, she nodded.
“I’m looking for a book on animals native to Loso Tierras, and maybe a history book encountering previous enchantresses?”
“Trying to learn from your predecessors, Miss Hope?” The man’s grey eyes lit up in enthusiasm. How did he know? She wondered as she looked him up and down.
‘How? How did you know? no one is meant to know until Friday,” She said quietly, amazed by his knowledge.
“My department is knowledge Miss Hope, and I make it my business to know what is going on,” his expression was friendly and warm as he emerged from behind the desk. “In truth, I have been waiting for you to come to me. Didn’t think your forte would be books? I heard you had opened Rose tower, not Jasmine tower.”
“Ah, the characteristics,” she sighed desolately. “Well Mr Livre, I believe each sister contributed to the success of Rose. Without knowing where her sisters went wrong, she would never have known where to go right. I still know very little about this place and as enchantress, I believe I should know what I can to arm me to carry out my duties successfully.”
“You are very wise,” He was holding a pile of books in his arms, far more than she had requested but it was almost as if he had been waiting for her for days. “I have never heard a young woman speak as you just did, maybe the ancients are right, maybe we should expect great things from you after all!” He placed the books into her arms, picked up a feather duster and headed to some shelves. It seemed apparent to her that this conversation was over and she took the books carefully, deciding to drop them in her dorm room before heading to Sun Tower for her first class.

Professor Solomon was very sweet and very good at her job. Hope was learning fast and she knew she had to do this class very well now as the animals were depending on her to balance out the ecosystem. Staying behind for a few minutes, she asked Professor Solomon if they could possibly do a few more lessons.

“Well of course Hope,” she spoke in a very airy tone that almost resembled the light summer breeze. Her green eyes contrasted remarkably with her soft, musical tones in their dark and sharp appearance. Hope would have said Professor Solomon was a pure mix of the elements herself. Her long golden hair resembling the beautiful sun which equalled the fire. Her soft breathy tones as the air around her. Her green eyes the cold earth in which they all lived but where the water was, Hope was unsure. Maybe in the fluidity in which the woman walked.
“Thanks, Professor,” Hope smiled gratefully. “I want the balance back for the kingdom of the animals.”
“I think you to be very wise,” She smiled warmly. “How about tonight after classes have ended?” Hope nodded and with her plan falling into place, she skipped off for the rest of her day’s classes.

Over the next couple of days, Hope barely hung with her friends, achieving homework time, personal study time and extra classes with Professor Solomon, she barely had time to eat and sleep let alone socialise. Before she knew it, Friday had come around and she had to leave at five to White Rose castle. Only Chelsea and members of staff knew why. She had barely seen her brother to ask him a few questions about Mr Livre that she suspected he was more than just a wizard but with her new schedule, she had little time to do anything.

Taking a book on the relationships of the many animals in Loso Tierras with her, Hope stepped onto the unicorn slay with Thawson and headed off to White Rose castle. Thawson knew most parents were coming to collect their children for the grand ball of the new Enchantress and he also realised there would be a lot of skepticism surrounding Hope’s appointment, especially after Violet’s terrible attempts but he had to make this clear to Hope. She seemed preoccupied with her book so he thought to wait until she had met with the ancients, changed and was ready for her grand entrance as Enchantress of Los Oceana.

Hope hurried up to Rose tower once disembarking from the slay and found Flora waiting patiently for her in the round room which Hope vaguely remembered to be her own. Could it have really been only a week since she was last here? It felt much longer and as she stepped inside the sweet smelling room and smiled down at her personal assistant, Hope realised this was it! Everything she had been brought to Loso Tierras for, taken away from her home and mother and friends was finally here.

“Hello, Miss Hope,” Flora squeaked excitedly from the desk by the door. “How is school?”
“school is great! Hard work but it is truly wonderful! So, Flora, what am I to do? I’m a little unsure how this works?”

Flora giggled a tinkling laugh and flew toward the stair case.
“You’ll know!” She commanded Hope to follow to which the young girl responded.

Flora helped Hope to dress, or more like Flora did dress Hope in the white enchantress gown after Hope had bathed and Flora had done her hair beautifully.
“the enchantress must look beautiful for her grand entrance,” Flora said gently as she looked at hope, the final stages of their make over complete. “And you Miss Hope, look like a dream!”
“Thank you, Flora,” Hope said graciously as she looked around her and suddenly the pink light glowed and she could hear their voices.
“Hope, come to the opal room, we need to meet!” The ancients commanded and Hope obediently walked down her staircase to the living room, out of her tower door, down the stone tower steps and along several corridors, down more staircases and finally she found herself outside of the opal room. As she pushed the door open, a thunderous applause met her ears. Smiling bashfully she walked calmly and modestly toward her throne.

“Welcome, Hope, Enchantress of Los Oceana,” Theodore smiled behind his grey beard. “We’ve been hearing wonderful things about you from your teachers,” He looked to Jessica her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Yes, absolutely wonderful things!” She agreed.
“Truly magnificent,” falsetto wiped his bright blue eyes that were streaming with tears. His long silvery hair pinned back from his face as he wiped his red cheeks and red nose with a handkerchief.
“O Falsetto, pull yourself together man,” Calcinum chided as he looked on with severe brown eyes.
“I can’t help it! it’s such a joyous occasion,” Falcetto commented blowing his nose hard. Hirmira and Jessica laughed.
“Welcome Hope!” Hirmira smiled. The woman who reminded Hope of the statue outside of their dorm room, that had only appeared after the first night, stood with her full beauty now and held Hope’s hands. When the ancients touched Hope, it was not as she had ever suspected it would be. she thought it would be icy cold and as though the ancients were ghosts but they had a warmth that could never compare to human touch. Hope smiled broadly as Rose held out her own hands.
“Welcome Hope! Are you ready?”
“Yes!” She said with pure confidence. “I want to do what is right for Los Oceana. I want to protect our land, our magic, our animals, whether that be from themselves or outside forces. I am ready!”
“Good!” Theodore’s wise eyes smiled knowingly at her. “Then it’s time!”

As Hope ascended the grand stair case in the Crystal Foyer, she felt an arm around her and turned to see her brother. His warm eyes conveyed pride and concern.
“What is it Thawson?” Hope asked gently, her blue ocean colored eyes trained perfectly on his.
“I just wanted to wish you luck and remind you that the people of Loso Tierras may take some time to get used to your appointment.”
“I can understand why,” She smiled warmly.
“You will make a wonderful Enchantress Hope,” He smiled broadly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “You already are!” Walking closer to the door of the diamond ballroom, hOpe realised that some guests were already present. Ray stepped out from the gold dining room and pulled her inside.
“Not quite yet,” He told her. “A few more minutes”. He was standing by the table that was already decorated for the dinner. Luna and Erida were standing behind Ray and many fairies were dancing around happy at their work. Luna wore a pale blue dress while Erida was clad in a dark purple dress.
“You all look beautiful!” Ray wiped a tear from his bright blue eyes and looked across to his son.
“It’s time Thawson!” Hope turned and Ray and Thawson along with her two sisters walked toward the diamond encrusted double doors. Luna, Erida and Thawson entered first. The music stopped and heads turned toward the doors.

“I will introduce you, you will walk in and smile warmly at each person as you walk down the path, step onto the diamond platform and sit in the golden throne. Once you are ready to speak, stand and the ancients will guide you from there!” His instructions were clear and concise and Hope trembled nervously as he entered the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Creatures of Loso Tierras, please rise and greet your new enchantress! Hope Ostara Midway!”

The crowd’s exhilarated applause followed as Hope slowly but confidently entered the room. Sure enough, many people were seated at tables, leaning against pillars or lining the walk way she was about to travel down. Their faces expectant and wondering. She saw some of her class mates, Summer Jenkins and Marietta with their families. Drew Alexander from eighth year stood alongside a blonde headed girl who she assumed was his little sister. Magical creatures were there too, elves like Dempi from school, lots of fairies that seemed to hover everywhere. Headmistress Heartley stood with some of the other professors and Hope felt her cheeks flush with the thousands of eyes upon her. She did as her father had advised her, smile as she walked and as she reached the platform, she felt nerves rip through her stomach.

Stepping onto the glistening platform, she turned slowly and saw the crowd all stand in silence, all of their eyes on her. All except one pair. Erida’s. Smiling nervously she took a deep breath. but a pink glow began to emit from her and she instinctively knew the ancients were about to speak.
“We the ancients of Los Oceana welcome you all. We called this ceremony to formally introduce your new enchantress. She stands before you today and has pledged to protect your world and guide others to maintain it as it should be. Hope Ostara Midway is your new enchantress of Los Oceana. Place trust in her, honour and protect her, and she shall repay those courtesies. Please welcome her to the throne.”

“sit down Hope, dear,” Rose whispered in her ear and she obeyed, grateful to relieve her jelly like legs from their shaking.
The crowd cheered and clapped and Hope felt amazed! This was incredible. Her tummy felt as though thousands of insects were flying around and her face blushed crimson at their adoration. “You may speak,” Hope heard Rose whisper, amazingly over the crowd’s din.

standing, nervous as she was, Hope cleared her throat and taking a breath that felt as though she had led in her lungs, she began to speak.

“Welcome, Ladies, Gentlemen, boys and girls, creatures of all kinds!” Her voice was hoarse with nerves. “I, Hope Ostara Midway stand before you as enchantress and will do so until I am needed no longer. i pledge my love and loyalty to this world and will do whatever is within my power to stabilise its existence. Have faith, believe in me, and we shall work together!” Another uproar of applause as she took her throne once again and watched as guests began to mingle. Smiling as her father walked toward her, a proud smile upon his gentle features, sparkling in his clear blue eyes, Hope rose and stepped from the platform.
“Congratulations!” Ray whispered in an emotional tone. Leading her into the crowd. Smiling and greeting everyone, hope felt so amazed by her own confidence. spotting Chelsea, she hurried over.
“You did brilliantly, Hope!” She cried happily, hugging her friend. The pink glow had disappeared now and Hope stood in her white dress mirroring the image of an angel.
“How do they like me?” She whispered to Chelsea. Her brunette friend nodded eagerly.
“Most of them are a little dubious, obviously, but they’re willing to give you a chance. So that is a good thing.”

A tap on Hope’s shoulder startled her as she and Chelsea talked animatedly about the castle. Turning, Hope looked up into the dark face of a young man she recognised. Zyre Porterio!.

“Hope, may I have this dance?” Zyre seemed confident, certain of himself at school but something now showed her he was all of those things and more. Standing at around six foot five, his dark skin smooth like coffee, his eyes light like butterscotch, she almost melted under his gaze. Chelsea giggled behind her and Hope wanted to kick her best friend but merely smiled at Zyre in response. She wasn’t certain she’d be able to talk even if she could think of something to say, what with her throat suddenly becoming dryer than Tamorik amidst a blazing sun.

“this way,” He took her arm, hands warm and masterful, stride so perfect and demeanour warmer than she’d witnessed before. He was a gentleman to say the least. She felt eyes upon her now, aware that the new enchantress was being given her first dance by the Porterio kid. Zyre’s family was well known in Loso Tierras, dating back thousands of years, always having a member of a generation in the warrior army. Zyre’s great grand father had been general warrior, like Thawson was now in the beginning of the last century. The Porterios dated back probably as far back as the Lexons did. Pure blooded but with no desire to isolate those of non pure blood. Many of the pure blood families regarded their status higher than any other in Loso Tierras but Zyre’s family had always accepted any level of magic, not even harbouring dislike for non magical humans like most of the pure bloods did.

‘respect all, and all will respect you!’ Was written in an ancient language on their family crest. Zyre’s father, Gabriel watched on with pride as his only son guided the new enchantress upon the dance floor. Gabriel knew his son could be the biggest pain in the ass but watching him now reminded Gabe of the man Zyre was growing into. He hoped that he’d become a warrior too, although Zyre seemed to have little or no desire to follow in the family footsteps but Gabriel Porterio could hope right?

Zyre pulled Hope into his arms and placed a huge hand on her small waist with ease. Hope looked up into his handsome face and her breath caught in her lungs. He was even more handsome than any of the others could have described. Perfect features defined with the symmetrical bone structure enhanced greatly by the darkness of his skin. His butterscotch eyes danced in his face, lighting it up as though a fire burned behind them.

“You look beautiful!” he sounded sincere as he stroked her long blonde hair. “a image of an angel!” His lips barely moved s he admired her exquisite appearance. She was beauty that was matched to his own and yet the complete opposite. fair skin, tanned recently by the sun, long blonde hair that was straight as a needle and ocean blue eyes that sparkled as though the sun shone upon them.
“Thank you,” She struggled to exhale as she spoke. He looked down at her, not sure why she was thanking him.
“I’m Zyre Porterio,” his voice was as smooth as velvet. “I’m in eighth year. I’ve seen you around. You hang out with Chelsea Hubbard, right?”
“Yeah,” She felt her chest tighten again as she spoke. “I know, I know who you are. I’ve seen you too!” She confessed but regretting never have seeing him this up close before. His presence was almost monarch like. She felt as though she should worship him in a way that she’d never worshipped a boy before. Turning as they danced to the light tango music, Hope wondered how long she could respectably stay with him without being rude to her other guests. If she didn’t care, all night would still not be long enough. Love at first sight was something she had never believed in before. but she had never believed in much that she now believed in before coming to Loso Tierras.

He spun her, twirled her like a professional dancer and Hope was fast realising that he was more than what the other girls in her year had said. He lived up to the handsomeness they spoke of, even the apparent arrogance, but he was in possession of a magic she was uncertain of. Whatever he possessed had her mesmerised. Looking up to his dark face, taking in his defined features, Hope found herself gasping for breath.

“Are you OK?” He was nothing but a gentleman as he stopped the dancing for a moment to check on her. Shaking her head, he lead her from the dance floor and took her to stand beside an open window.
“You look a little flushed,” He smiled respectfully at her. “I’ll go and get you some water?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in hope that was indeed what she wanted. Nodding slightly at his question, Zyre left her leaning faintly against the diamond encrusted wall. The cool air from the evening flowed across her hot cheeks calming her fluster.

“Someone is in love?” Chelsea’s teasing voice was in her ear now, low tones but high enough for Hope to recognise the taunting.
“shut up!” Hope hissed through clenched teeth as the air swirled around her, causing her shoulders to shiver from the cool breeze.
“Hope, you can’t lie to me remember?” Chelsea’s plump face beamed with child like teasing. “He’s so much, much more than you guys said,” She whispered hastily, crossing her fingers that he wouldn’t come back too soon. chelsea was her breast friend, someone she could confide in about everything, not that she ever needed to open her mouth to do that. Nevertheless, Chelsea was the one person who would understand. Sighing and shrugging her shoulders dramatically, chelsea looked across to where Zyre was coming back toward them.
“He likes you too,” chelsea whispered and dashed off to find summer and Marietta.

“here,” He held out a crystalline goblet filled with water and rested an arm upon her shoulders. “You’re looking better.”
“Thanks,” Hope smiled gratefully, taking the glass as her heart pounded in her chest. It was hammering away so loud she could almost hear it amidst the din of the ball room.
“You sure you’re OK?”His eyes, light and caring watched her tentatively.
“I’m fine,” She smiled gently sipping the water gratefully. “I guess all the strain of this week just caught up to me.” He nodded and leaned idly against the wall beside her.
“Guess it was pretty hard keeping this a secret,” a playful smile crossed his dark, plump lips. “Although, Chelsea would have know, eh?” He nudged her playfully with his elbow and she giggled, lowing the goblet from her lips and smiling gently at him.

“Yes, of course,” She leaned against the wall too, something about him drew her to him. “She’s been very supportive.”
“Good,” His eyes fixed on hers again as he took the water from her hand and led her back toward the dance floor. People parted and Hope had to pinch herself. A gorgeous guy wanted to continue to dance with her and she was Enchantress of an entire world. How was this real and happening to her? Taking her into his arms, Zyre twirled her proudly around the dance floor, under the watchful gaze of his father and Hope’s. Thawson was smiling while Erida scowled. How dare Hope attract a boy from one of the purest blood families in the whole kingdom? the horrible little girl! At that moment, Erida stormed from the room to consult some of her fellow wizards and witches who had already begun to plot against the beautiful new enchantress.

The party continued throughout the night and slowly the guests diminished. Chelsea left with her father Amos around twelve-thirty and Zyre was beckoned by his father to retreat not long after that.

“Well, Hope, I will see you at school on Monday?” He looked confident that whatever he deemed would occur between them, would indeed happen. Waving warmly to Ray and Thawson, he left with his father Gabriel.

“So?” Thawson beamed at Hope. “How do you think it went?”
“I think it went amazingly!” Hope beamed and bid her farewells, knowing she had several duties to perform in the morning.

Posted in enchantress, enchantresses, fantasy, fiction, imagination, magic, story | Leave a Comment »

Guide Dogs No Longer Welcome At starbucks?

January 29, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

My friend and I went to Starbucks today to catch up and use their wifi. We were about to head upstairs when an employee called to us we couldn’t go up there. When we asked why, she said the dog wasn’t allowed upstairs. I said yes, he is, he’s a guide dog. She then proceeded to inform me that it wasn’t her but a company policy as someone may have an allergy. So I learnt a new thing today, people with allergies clearly sit upstairs in Starbucks.

As you can imagine, I was very unhappy. When we started to argue with her she told us it was OK but by that point, principle had kicked in and so my friend and I started to proceed downstairs. She said that she’d okayed our upstairs visit and I bluntly informed her that we would be taking our custom elsewhere and that she needn’t fear, I would be reporting this incident. When she said, again, it wasn’t her but the company policy I informed her that it was discrimination and my friend works for the Citizens Advice Bureau and my friend added that a strongly worded letter would be winging its way to headquarters.

I’ve always found Starbucks accommodating and cannot understand this sudden change. And the reason, wow, unbelievable. Allergies? OK, so the dog being down stairs where everyone orders drinks is so much better. And what on earth will they target next, people with perfume? Because there are thousands of allergens in the air at any given moment, my guide dog, a service dog, will not be the only thing that could cause an allergic reaction.
Starbucks

Posted in New Category, article, discrimination, guide dog | Leave a Comment »

What’s Best?

January 22, 2010 by M.J Phoenix

People with disabilities are presumed by the majority of society to be “incapable” and “needy” of a “able bodied” person to help them in every day tasks. This is just one of the stereotyped beliefs that the majority of society beholds about disabled people. And while some of us, along with friends and family attempt to fight this stereotype, there are some within that community who do nothing but prolong that stereotype.

I’ve been visually impaired since birth and totally blind due to complications since I was six and a half years old. My mother found it difficult to come to terms with my blindness but after she realized that my sight was not miraculously going to come back, she decided that she would not always be around and so tried to give me as normal of a childhood as possible. This included not spoiling me, punishing me if I was bad, and ensuring I was educated as most of my other piers were in mainstream education. And above all else providing me with the tools to become as independent as possible. Her theory of not being around forever and ensuring my independence and integration into society meant I grew into the independent, open minded, all rounded individual I am proud to be now.

I dread to think how things could have been so different.

During the past few years, social networking has meant I’ve come across many people who are also blind. While some of them have seemingly grown up with parents who had a similar notion to my own mother, a lot of them completely play into the stereotype of helpless, strange individuals.

I say strange because most of these people have only been around other visually impaired people and their families their whole life and social rules I learnt throughout school and extracurricular activities have never entered these people’s lives. Depending on others for the menial tasks of every day life is “normal” to them and having the world handed to them on the plate is taken for natural. Asking for an expensive piece of equipment and receiving it is an almost every day occurrence to these people and actually having to wait for something is beyond their existence. Finding ways of doing something that the sighted world does with no issue for themselves is unthinkable. why do something with a little effort if you can have someone else to do it for you? And their sense of reality is completely distorted.

Some of the extreme behaviours that are perceived by society to be related to blindness are not always visible. These people believe they are not among the stereotype but often you have to speak to an individual and learn their attitudes toward the rest of the world to appreciate if they are indeed categorized within that stereotype.

Generalising anyone is not always a positive act but these individuals can be spotted a mile off. They hardly use a mobility aid and expect a friend/relative to walk everywhere with them. They daren’t venture anywhere alone.
They have every “blind specific” product on the market and will not try anything unless its been recommended by another like-minded person or an organisation.
They have their family weight on them hand and foot. Making a drink for themselves is just never going to happen let alone cooking a meal for themselves.
Cleaning up after themselves is “impossible” as they “can’t see”
And subsequently they use that “I’m blind card” constantly.
They think cyberspace is reality and never attempt to form “real life” relationships.
They really believe they are like “everyone else”.

Overall, they are almost incapable of coping in society independently.

So, who is to blame?

In my humble opinion it’s the organisations that pamper these individuals. Some charities and institutions reinforce this notion that they are visually impaired and “need help”. I’ll be the first to admit, certain things, I’d like help with. Everyone’s needs are different but my want for help is so I am able to live my life as independently as possible. I.E> labeling food helps me not to waste things so when the shopping arrives home and its labeled, I will correctly open a can of baked beans rather than a can of spaghetti hoops when making a casserole. If my pills aren’t labeled and there’s only one way to identify two lots of medication apart by labeling then I’ll have a sighted person help me label my medicine. Luckily for me, most of the manufacturers are helping this issue but if they didn’t my health is too important to warrant a risk. But in order to live as independently as possible those are minor sacrifices to make. Instructions for food should be read and noted down so you cook food properly. If you buy the same product often enough you’d remember it but say you wanted to try a new brand of something, its likely the cooking time may be different. No one wants food poisoning. And lastly, not all companies send things in accessible formats. True, with the advancement of technology, we can receive a lot of things via email and over the internet which has proven vital for most visually impaired people but just say a doctor’s letter came and it won’t scan or read properly, wouldn’t you want a sighted individual to just read over it for you. scanners and reader software have advanced greatly but not everyone has those pieces of equipment to do so but those small things just help someone to live independently.

Some parents however, seem to have the misguided notion that they will be around for their “poor disabled” child forever. I have news for you, you probably won’t. Giving them everything is not going to benefit them in society. Locking them up with other visually impaired kids with teachers who pamper their disabilities will only hinder their growth as a human being. “protecting” them as you believe you are doing from society will only make it worse when the day comes when they are forced into society’s cruel realm. And if your child is lucky enough to go to a school where being independent is a compulsory factor is great until they get home and you do everything for them. Your guilt cannot hinder your child’s progress.

Give them the tools to live within society and function effectively because the world is a hard enough place regardless of disability. If you don’t prepare them then what chance do they stand? Some would say mothers like mine were cruel and hard for allowing us to walk into doors, burning ourselves on a hot stove while cooking but she was kinder in the long term. I’m able to live independently and travel with confidence with my four legged friend because she gave me the tools to do so.

And there are some wonderful individuals that despite having overbearing parents still manage to be independent through their own spirit and belief in themselves, congratulations. You did it. And to those who enjoy being catered to, you’re a disgrace to the rest of us who constantly fight against this stereotype. And to those parents of disabled kids who believe your child needs you, yes they do, to show them how to be a human being.

Posted in Visually impaired, article, blindness | 2 Comments »

Marley and Me: a review

January 22, 2010 by M.J Phoenix
Marie's book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists

Posted in book review | Leave a Comment »

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