Studying again

July 6, 2008 – 5:12 pm

I am going to be studying with the Open University. I have signed up to do the Web Applications: Design, Development and Management course. Once I pass that course, I hope to continue on studying the rest of the courses towards a Certificate in Web Applications Development. I become a student again in October and I am quite excited. I will still be looking for work while studying, but at least I have something productive to do while I do not have work.

I hope in studying Web Applications Development it will boost my skills and better my chances of landing a Web Designer job. It would be a dream come true to become a Web Developer career-wise. Things are starting to look up for me and I am thrilled. I hope now the only way is up and not down. I can do this!

Photo: I love you

July 3, 2008 – 1:42 pm

I woke up and found this lying on my laptop. Sean left it for me. I don’t think I need to say more.

I want to study

July 1, 2008 – 2:10 pm

Firstly, happy Canada Day to all my Canadian visitors. Hope your day is enjoyable!

I have been doing quite a bit of thinking lately, I really want to get back into studying. I have had a few people recommending the Open University and it is something I am looking into. I figured if I am going to be unemployed, I might as well do something productive with my spare time, such as developing on what skills I have and possibly help me on the employment front. I am not sure what course to do, I have been looking into the Certificate in Web Applications Development. It sounds interesting. I don’t know whether to go for the course before that one that seems relatively easy, it seems so basic for someone with my web design skills. However, starting with the basic course may get me back into the swing of studying. Anybody ever took an Open University course? Any advice?

I’m not sure what to do at the moment. I’ve been applying for work left, right and centre. I have been chasing up applications but not hearing a thing. I am stuck in a rut, and it is taking its toll. I haven’t been sleeping well, sometimes I have been awake until 4am. I am having bad dreams almost every night. I am wasting away in this pokey flat with nothing to do to pass the day other than apply for jobs and clean. I want to learn again, I want to stimulate my mind. I think doing some sort course will help me out. I can get financial help for the courses, so what have I got to lose?

Disgraceful

June 29, 2008 – 12:48 pm

My husband has Cerebral Palsy. This affects him in his walking, hand-eye coordination, balance, fine motor movements and memory. Here in the UK there is a benefit payment that he is entitled to, it is called Disability Living Allowance. He had been claiming this benefit for four years. All of a sudden after renewing this years claim, he was downright refused the benefit. Apparently he is not disabled enough, all of a sudden. He is currently appealing the decision, which is a very lengthy process. In order to have the appeal, he needs to produce “evidence” of his disability and why he should be entitled to the benefit.

In the news lately, that has been reports of an increase in drug addicts and alcoholics claiming for Disability Living Allowance, and getting it. This infuriated me. Now I must explain I have no problem with drug addicts and alcoholics getting some sort of help to cure their addictions, but why should they get the disability benefit? Drug/alcoholic addiction is not a disability. How would extra money help them? I am going to play devil’s advocate and say some of these people use their benefit money to buy more drugs and alcohol. What these people need is help to beat their addictions. Instead of giving them money, which may go towards funding their addictions, why not fund support groups, rehab and clinics? Anything that will help them in a positive manner.

Drug and alcohol addiction are self-inflicted. I am annoyed that the government is rewarding self-inflicted pain and suffering when individuals like my husband that genuinely are entitled get turned down for the benefit and have to go through a stressful, dragged out appeal process. Maybe the government are trying to “make an example” out of my husband and other claimants to show the British people that not everybody can get it and that they are cracking down on people “working the system”. The thing is, they are turning down people with genuine disabilities and that is certainly not fair.

I have learned a lot about the benefit system during the past year. It is an unfair system that rewards layabouts and scrutinises people who really do need the money. No wonder so many people are turning their backs on the UK. Something needs to be sorted out. I will continue to help Sean fight his case until his benefit is reinstated. We are getting help with the appeal from a wonderful disability advocacy team, they said Sean’s case has a good chance. I hope they are right.