Well, today was pretty awesome, so I thought I’d tell you about it.

In the interest of context, allow me to recap the last few weeks as concisely as I can. Taking my first ever lesson at Massey High School was a pretty big deal. You know, we spend years at University; months contemplating teaching; weeks at Teachers’ College; and it all comes down to one hour, one period, one lesson to answer the big question: can I do this? The answer, I’m delighted to report, was a resounding yes.

It was, in fact, quite the momentous occasion. Going in to my first practicum, I had several obvious hurdles to overcome, and would discover several more in the first few days. How would I cope with not being able to write on the whiteboard? Does it matter that I’m perpetually 4ft? Will the students take me seriously? Will I manage, wheels ‘n all?

So as you can imagine, getting that first lesson under the belt and putting a cautious tick in the “viable career option” box was a huge accomplishment. Since then, things have got better and better.

Please don’t misconstrue my excitement as ego, I’m well aware that this is but a small step on the long road to becoming an accomplished teacher. My mentors make it look so damn easy, and teaching can be really bloody difficult. But the mere fact that I have conquered the first few hurdles and put many head-scratching colleagues’ evident concerns to rest gives me a huge sense of achievement. We need to celebrate our successes, however insignificant!

So, on to what happened today. Yesterday, my lecturer Ngaire Hoben observed me teaching a Year 13 Media Studies class, and my students – bless them – were all so conscious of “being good” that they turned into this terrifyingly silent bunch of teenagers. THEY ARE NEVER SILENT! Anyway, as a token of my thanks I brought in some chocolate for them to munch on during last period. In exchange, I asked them to fill out a short feedback form on yesterday’s lesson – “One thing I liked” / “One thing I thought could have been better”. They all did it, and I’ve just flicked through the responses.

Wow. Their responses were astonishing. They were genuine, well-considered, thoughtful responses that will really aid my teaching from here on in. Suggestions like “Spend a little more time on the middle part of the lesson”, and “Go through some of the techniques used in the film to help refresh our memory” epitomise the level of conscious feedback I received. Reading the “stuff they liked” was also really useful, helping me to understand which elements of the lesson resonated with them. I also got some hearts and smiley faces which, you know, never hurts!

It’s really staggering just how little my wheelchair affects my ability to teach, really. I’ve started using a wireless bluetooth keyboard in conjunction with my laptop to allow me to record class discussions on the board – it’s just brilliant. Much better than a whiteboard! And apart from the odd question about whether or not my wheelchair is “fun” (?!), the students are largely unfazed by it. Truly, it’s something of a revelation. And so encouraging. I’m so excited by what’s to come next!

BRING IT ON!

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working on a website for a new and hugely exciting social change movement: Be. Accessible. I attended their fantastic launch last night, and rubbed shoulders with Government Ministers, leaders in the disability world, and plenty of attractive women. Yup, it was a pretty good night all round, really.

The greatest thing about Be. Accessible is that it really is the perfect execution of what I’d hoped to create with this site, Walking is Overrated. And I feel incredibly honoured to have been able to work with Minnie Baragwanath, Qiujing Wong and the rest of the Be. Team to make it a reality!

Anyway, if you haven’t heard of Be. Accessible, check out the website at www.beaccessible.org.nz.

I’m sure you’ll agree it’s awesome.

Fancy yourself as a bit of an emerging leader amongst the NZ disability community? Then check out this new and exciting opportunity with Be.Leadership!

The Be.Leadership Programme has been designed to attract a diverse cross-section of the disabled community who wish to develop their leadership potential.

Expressions of interest are sought from people who believe they will benefit from the programme and have something to offer other participants. We are looking for a wide range of backgrounds (e.g. business, public sector, rural, arts, community). Disabled people who are active within the community sector are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you’re interested, download the application form here and send it in ASAP!

Expressions of interest close Tuesday 1st February, 5pm.

Take 300 young people aged 18 to 25 from 98 countries committed to creating social change in their respective communities, bring them together in Delhi, India for eight days, and what do you get? An amazing mix of colours, cultures, incredible diversity, and the Oxfam International Youth Partnerships Kaleidoscope Conference 2010. From November 21-29, I was one of the very fortunate 300 young people to take part in this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime event in a place I have always wanted to

Such a compelling read! I’m excited by the thought of one day having my own kids and shovelling them off to school, but questions do arise!

• How will I tie their shoelaces?
• Will other kids give them stick about my wheelchair?
• What will the teacher’s reaction be?

Well, in this article from BBC’s fantastic Ouch! site, self-confessed “sexy, sassy” mother-of-two Isabella Devani tells us about her experience in this exact situation.

My wheelchair was too big for the small classroom, but Kirit was desperate to show Mummy his new coat peg and the like. That meant traversing the mass of under-five’s playing in my path. Resourceful as ever I decided not to risk mowing down the children and parents. Instead, I handed my digital camera to the classroom assistant who went with my son to photograph everything that would be important to him in his first days there. It wasn’t ideal but we both left happy.

File this under “effing awesome”. I’ve never seen a sign language interpreter at a gig before, but what an awesome example this is! I love how she doesn’t just stand there signing in a ‘sterile’ fashion, but really gets her groove on. Great viewing, so check out the YouTube clip below!

Okay, so I don’t often get mushy about stuff but this has to be one of the sweetest things I’ve seen in quite some time. Nick Chisholm, paralyzed for the last 9 years with locked-in syndrome, has found love on the internet (with a hot chick!). I’ll stop rambling because it’s portrayed much more heart-warmingly in this episode of Close-Up. Check. It. Out. Now. http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/tonight-close-up-2646711/video

Thanks for coming to check out my blog! If you’d like to get in touch, head on over to the contact page and drop me a message – would love to know your thoughts on the site or the article, or anything else you’d like to discuss! For those who don’t know, this month’s Rise magazine featured me and this site within their illustrious pages. Check out the cover art on the right, and to read their wee interview with

I’ve been to many Big Day Outs. I’ve never been able to see much, as might be obvious to many of you. I have nonetheless persisted, taking solace in the fact that I’m not only enjoying (albeit sans visuals) world-class music, but also socialising in confined, sweaty spaces with my peers – very important in youth culture, you see. But this year – oh boy, this year – the BDO organisers had erected a platform in front of the main

As if you didn’t know who he was already. However, Philip Patston has created a YouTube video about how amazing he is, and I’d hate to deny him a chance to spread his cyber-ego further. And considering the flak I’ve taken recently for embedding certain YouTube videos on this blog, hopefully I’ll get through this one unscathed! Here, in all its unadulterated self-indulgent glory, is Philip Patston’s latest foray into self-promotion. (psst. I’m just jealous ;P)