A Erwin: The Broadband Infraco Bill

I hope that this means that something will finally happen with regard to telecommunications in South Africa. We basically have a state run monopoly and therefore incredibly high charges, and very poor service - just like the UK was 20 years ago withBT . Then competition came along (Mercury, etc.) and hey presto, prices came down, and service went up. Internet connectivity can be so useful to many people with disabilities.

A Erwin: The Broadband Infraco Bill: "This broadband capacity is so strategic to our economy that the State is intervening through the formation of Broadband Infraco. The intervention seeks to address the high cost of broadband in South Africa, by making infrastructure in the national backbone and international connectivity available at cost related prices. The high cost of broadband in this country, and the limited access of this technology to all South Africans, hampers our country's participation in the global economy. Telecommunications and internet connection charges have been identified as key barriers to doing business in South Africa, and attracting more investment into the country. If nothing is done about this, our country will get left behind, and we may miss out on key investment opportunities which could further accelerate economic growth, and create more employment opportunities for our people. "

Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon

Good luck to all the competitors in this year's D-W race! I (and David Williams) completed the event back in 1981. It is a tough race, and something I am immensely proud of having completed.

Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon: "devizes to westminster canoe marathon

6th April 2007–9th April 2007
Devizes to Westminster

River Thames

Hundreds of kayakers will participate in the UK’s toughest, open to all endurance event – the annual Devizes Westminster Canoe Marathon – over the Easter Weekend.

It’s 125 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Reading, then down the Thames to Teddington ending in Westminster. Most eventers complete the race in around 24 hours, fighting fatique and sleep to complete the course. Now in it’s 59th year, the event takes paddlers to the limit of mental and physical endurance in what is the longest non-stop kayaking marathon in the world.

The finish line is Westminster Bridge in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, where relatively small boats complete their winding journey along the historic Thames.

Open to anyone over 15 years of age – many schools take part – although you’ll need to train for at least six months if you’re a new to paddling. Previous participants include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Rebecca Stephens (1st British Woman to Summit Everest), Lord Paddy Ashdown and Guin Batten (Sydney Olympics Team GB Silver Medallist)."

Spiders and Horse's Tails

It has been suggested by a friend that I should give an explanation of my medical condition. Normally I really don't like to make a big deal of my disability (I am not even sure I like the name of this blog; another friend's idea). But the wheelchair is part of me, and Disability is an intrinsic part of my business (see my business website - www.disabilitysolutions.co.za).
I am a wheelchair user, and unable to walk or stand unaided. It is a long (and mostly boring) journey that got me here, but to summarize it (as it could be useful for other people who may be starting out with a new disability or know someone who is):
I managed to fracture 3 vertebrae playing rugby in 1984. It did not hurt much at the time, and I played on to the end of the season in blissful ignorance.
Eventually, it was becoming apparent that all was not well (pain, and a loss of sensation). So I got checked out (another story for another day), and passed from one specialist to another. Eventually they had to operate and I have been really fortunate to always have good surgeon's for this (Mr. Maurice-Williams of the Royal Free Hospital in London), and subsequent operations. I had a fusion (T5-T10) and everything was fine for about 15 years.
Then the fusion collapsed, top and bottom, damaging both my spinal cord, and the bundle of nerves that look like a horse's tail which come out of the bottom of the cord (Cauda Equina).
I had a further 6 operations during 1999 and 2000, which managed to halt further damage (again, with having a fantastic surgical team - led by Dr. Daan Botes). However I was left with some spinal cord damage (T4-T12) and damage to the other nerves which led to a condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome. I also had some weird scarring in one of the protective larges around the spinal cord. This looks like a faint spider's web when it is viewed using a MRI scanner - this appearance gives it its name of (Adhesive, in my case) Arachnoiditis. It may look faint, but it can be really bloody painful! Anyway there is very little available information on either of these conditions, and I think it was searching for information on these that I really discovered the power of the Internet. I will try to collect some of the information I have on these two conditions and post them here sometime.
But I do need to mention one of the vital lifelines that saw me through the rough period. Number I has to be my wife and immediate family, but I also happened upon a fantastic support group - Cauda Equina Syndrome Support Group CESSG. The friends (Vickie, Sandy, Colette, Carlos, Gina, etc, etc) there saved my life on many occasions. I know I have not mentioned everyone there, as the mailing list was very well supported with hundreds of members, and the mutual support was tremendous. I know the mailing list has moved recently, and I shall try to find it again.

First postings

First post in this blog. I guess the about me gives you some information, and I shall be adding to that.

• A bit more detail then:
• Born Scotland
• Educated in England
• Now living and working in South Africa
• Happily married to the most wonderful woman in the world, and we have 2 sons; my pride, and my joy...
• I am co-founder and managing director of Disability Solutions; a South African company committed to the natural and unhesitant inclusion of Disability into mainstream society.
• I am also studying, through the University of Salford for my MSc in Accessibility and Inclusive Design

I want to use this blog to increase awareness in Disability, and to perhaps highlight some interesting technical developments that may assist people with disabilities. While I don't view myself as a geek, I do like to try to keep abreast of new technical, developments.