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We made quite a posse, our gang from St Leonards-on-Sea. Myself, a wheelchair user in floaty red with punky hair. Old-timer activist friends, one in a kaftan, who was part of the group that came so close to storming Prime Minister’s Questions back in the days of darkest austerity; another proudly wearing a T-shirt proclaiming ‘To Boldly Go Where Everyone Has Gone Before’.
Gathering at the station, we waited by the ‘assistance’ board after booking our tickets to London through the ‘Passenger Assist’ app to ensure we were met by a member of staff with a ramp. The privilege of spontaneously boarding would be welcome, but it’s not worth the risk.
On our way, I was thinking how likely it was that we would be late – since support to get off the train is not guaranteed, no matter how much you organise access in advance.
I gritted my teeth. To have even a hint of the privilege to travel as others wholly take for granted.
The heat in the capital was overwhelming as I wheeled along Whitehall. My personal assistant was at hand, on alert for failures such as a lack of dropped kerbs and uneven or broken pavements.
When we reached Parliament Square, we saw others already there to attend the event organised by DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts). The turnout was respectable, all things considered in the sweltering heat.
It was the usual gang, though I was pleased to see that some of the disabled people gathered were younger, fighting alongside us old veterans – which is essential if the movement is to continue.
Like many organisations run as a collective, we are rough around the edges. Time cannot be adhered to with any fixed focus. Though, once the key speakers started, we did well to keep together with some coherence. There were rumours, as always a