I am sick of reading sentences about how difficult 2020 has been for people, when it has been no different for myself and the majority of other disabled people. Being stuck indoors with very little to keep us entertained or stimulated is par for the course for large sections of society and it has been amusing to see how others – particularly  have struggled in similar circumstances.

Of course, I am not belittling the effects of a global pandemic, but I do think it is interesting to look at how the able bodied struggle to cope when their freedom and liberty is curtailed slightly. I am simply focusing on those perfectly healthy people who are moaning because they can’t go to football matches or music concerts, and don’t have any social conscience.

I am not, and would never, take the effects of Covid lightly. I have seen – albeit from afar (touch wood)  – the devastation caused by this deadly virus and am doing everything I can to keep myself, friends and staff safe while others crumble, because they can’t drink alcohol in a pub. My heart bleeds for them, but surely there are bigger things at stake at the moment.

Another sentence that is currently being flogged to death, is the one that hopes 2021 will be a better year than 2020. I obviously agree with the sentiment, and am encouraged by the development of a new vaccine. This gives us all hope, but we must continue to adhere to the rules set by the Welsh Government in the meantime.

We will therefore still probably be in various levels of lockdown for at least the first half of 2021. It is with these limitations in mind that I would like to consider my resolutions and aims for the coming twelve months.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2021.I have plenty of writing projects to complete, beginning with my Memory Match book looking back on  Wrexham AFC’s Football League years. I am also excited to start another book, although I do not wish to reveal the subject matter at this early stage.

I also have an exciting adventure provisionally planned for May. Due to Covid and other complications, I am not sure if this will go ahead as planned, but all being well I plan to abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London. In all probability, this event will be put back until later in the year, and then we still have no guarantee that  the global pandemic will have been brought under control, to allow such events to happen.

The problem is that because I require extra assistance to be able to abseil, I will need experts within close contact. Only if the virus is under greater control, will I be able to go through with this.

I also have the usual aim of trying to find a significant other, and end this constant loneliness that I feel. I have worked bloody hard to fight for my independence, and I wouldn’t really want to chuck this out of the window. The person who I am looking for wold not want to be smothered, but a free soul and strong woman who I have talked about in the following blog, written in 2019. 

One way in which I hope my life will change and maybe improve, is by doing the opposite of what I usually do. I recently recycled a blog on this subject that I originally wrote in 2016. I need to take every opportunity to change my life for the better, and burst out of this rut that I find myself stuck in. 

The #SaveWILG campaign obviously needs to be finalised, so that I am officially granted the 24/7 support that I require, and serious discussions need to be had regarding the 2:1 support that is essential during certain periods of the day, to ensure that I am able to meet my physical and mental wellbeing needs. Yet again, my struggle for justice will probably take up a good proportion of my time over the next twelve months.

I am also hoping to work on my campaign to get justice for Gerald Marshall, who is currently on Death Row in Texas. You can read more about Gerald’s case by clicking here.  

All that is probably enough to keep me going for a while. I do need to promise myself that I will find the time for some much needed self-care and relaxation, but at the end of the day I just want to carry on doing my best for others and building a legacy that will inspire others to help build a better tomorrow for everyone…