Dipped into Jericho today for a meeting, then back to central Oxford. Not so much realist quirky but stylish all the same.
Style council
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The interview
In celebration of LB’s first ever job interview, at very short notice. A volunteer post at Helen and Douglas House, two hours a week to start with. He handled the interview the way he largely handles life; quietly chattering to himself and occasionally breaking off, when gently encouraged [nagged], to answer. The volunteer co-ordinator who interviewed him was exceptional. As were the receptionist and the estate manager who will be in charge of him. It was one of those very rare times, outside of family, school and some specialist support, that everyday rules are adjusted (or ditched) to enable a different engagement. One in which unusual behaviours aren’t ‘wrong’. Just different.
And LB? He rocked it.
Local streets
Mmm. Returned to snapping closer to home. Our neighbourhood on the edge of Oxford. This is one quirky neighbourhood. Not like trendy quirky. But real quirky. In the best sense of the word. Peculiar and unexpected.
Standing, sitting and shopping…
…in Oxford. On a Sunday afternoon.
George Street
Snuck out of work mid-afternoon for a 20 minute wander in town. Only one interesting photo. Kind of hope he’s called George.
The maybe pile
11.06pm. Wednesday night.
“Mum? Mum?!!! Where’s my Hornby book Mum?!!!”
“Er, which book?”
“The Hornby book Mum. About trains Mum.”
“Mmm. Dunno. Do you need it now? It’s getting late.”
“Yes, Mum. Where is it Mum?”
“I dunno. I’ll come and have a look in your room.”
“Yes Mum.”
… “Mmm. Can’t see it. How about Horrible Histories?”
“No Mum.”
“Victorian London?”
“No Mum.”
“Eddie Stobart: the Story?”
“Maybe Mum.”
“Ok. I’ll start a maybe pile. How about Cars: The Cowley Story?”
“Maybe Mum.”
“Alex Rider graphic novel?”
“Maybe not Mum.”
“Bus magazine?”
“No Mum.”
“The Oxford Bus Museum booklet?”
“Maybe Mum.”
[…..]
“Well there’s quite a few books in the maybe pile now. Which one do you want to read?”
“The Hornby book Mum.”
Snow in Beaumont Street
Confidence street revisited
Oooh, lovely lovely. Returned to the batch (is that the right term..?) of photos from Saturday’s wander and found these two that were overlooked on the first cut…
Boundaries
It’s a tough gig bringing up a disabled child. Yep. It shouldn’t be, I know. Appropriate, timely and sufficient support would make a huge difference. And a seismic shift in public attitudes. Of course these things overlap and I ain’t optimistic for all sorts of reasons that they will ever happen. But if they did, there would still be trickiness.
Take this morning. We’re in the midst of pretty dodgy times with LB and he’s booked into Parasol for four days for half term activities. A charity organising and supporting young disabled people’s access to, er, fun. Yep, it’s as simple as that.
But…
“IDON’TWANTOGOTOPARASOLMUM! I’MEIGHTEENMUM! YOUCAN’TMAKEMEGO.I’MGOINGBACKTOBEDMUM!”
Like his two younger brothers who will probably sleep/doze till lunchtime. Sigh.
All sorts of thoughts and considerations….
You’re kind of right…
We don’t want another major kick off….
You can’t watch youtube all day….
We’re both working today….
“You’ve got to go.” I said. Some ranting and raging. But at a low level. And he’s off to the Kassam Stadium for a day of bowling and cinema.
Now Parasol is an enigma to me. They organise a range of activities in and around Oxford. You drop your child off at stated destinations; outside the Playhouse in the town centre, or in the ice rink car park. Or at a local community hall. Believe me. This is seriously weird to a parent subjected to years of constrained, heavily policed and overly organised out of school child care for the ‘special needs child’.
Eh? Leaving LB at a community centre with the doors wide open, kids in the car park, and helpers running around having a laugh in squirrel onesies? Hello? These kids are runners, you know?! They’ve got no sense of stranger danger or road safety???? Hey, the door is open!!! Anything could happen. Anything! You hear me???
The organisation of Parasol appears chaotic and random.
But it isn’t. It’s run by and staffed by exceptional people who enjoy the kids, understand difference and get out there and get on with it. With impeccable leadership. And, in doing so, they allow some freedom, independence and fun for this group of young people.
Anyone who takes LB, and ten or more other young dudes, to watch Les Miserables (at an ‘ordinary’ showing) is cracking on in the right direction in my book. We all just need need to catch up with them.
Confidence street
Back out with my camera in Oxford today. I remembered another thing I learned from Antonio Olmos; travel light. Just the camera (no lens) and money/keys in my pocket. This was very liberating, and I got much closer to people. Quicker getaway without a lot of baggage. Cough cough*.
There was a lot going on for a rainy February afternoon. I broke the no animal rule, but rules are meant to be broken. And learned that it helps to have a good relationship with the local Big Issue seller.
*took a fab pic of a mother and baby watching an owl. Can’t bring myself to share it.
mydaftlife 