You've Got What?

I have been disabled since birth with a good old tongue-tier, Arthrogryposis. Let's try some dictionary-style phonetic spelling on that: ahh-throw-gr-eye-po-sis. That's close enough; so now we can pronounce it, what is it?

"Arthrogryposis" (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita) is a term describing the presence of multiple joint contractures at birth. A contracture is a limitation in the range of motion of a joint.

This description from the Avenues For AMC Support Group in the USA explains it quite well. In my case it affects my shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands on my upper body, and my knees and ankles on my lower body. From an early age I've had a few surgeries on my legs to straighten them enough so I could walk, with callipers, from the age of 3 until I was 28.

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Written by Jane on February 26, 2010 | 0 comments | Permalink |

I Learn Something New As My Husband Puts On My Shoes

Ian and I often have great discussions as we're getting dressed in the morning. Today's subject was ‘Learning Something New Every Day,' as I was saying I needed to get to grips with learning to edit my videos. As he was putting on my shoes, (no, he was putting my shoes on me, he'd like that made clear!) he offered some advice, ‘Don't be offended if someone comes along and says ‘Great tutorial, but you can also do it this way..' and teaches you something you didn't know.'

‘Like when I found out that Paint Shop Pro can do screen captures?'

‘Exactly.' he replied. ‘I never used keyboard shortcuts, but then I learned them and use them all the time. For example, everyone knows Ctrl+c for copy, and Ctrl+v for paste, but they might nto be aware that Shift+Insert also pastes, but doesn't clear the clipboard, as Ctrl+v does in some instances.'

I didn't know that, so I've already met my target of learning something every day. Does this mean I can slack off and learn video editing another day?

Photo by valeyoshino-flckr

Written by Jane on February 19, 2010 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Blogging and Me

The Blog Masters Club is open. It is a six month course offered by David Risley, a blogger who makes a six-figure income from his own blogging exploits. A lot of that will come from the fees for joining the Blog Masters Club - it's $97 for six months or $397 one-off payment, a limited offer.

I joined, briefly, last year, and within a few days I decided I didn't want to blog any more because I didn't really want to, there was no drive or passion.

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Written by Jane on January 30, 2010 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Photography By Blind People

I came across this audio slideshow on the BBC News website this evening, Photography by Blind People. All of the photographs are good, but my favourites are of the sea, by Violet. I remember sitting on Llandudno beach taking photographs of the sea lapping at the pebbles, and I never quite got the shot I was after. In Violet's photo I want to reach and touch those surf bubbles, and silently wish I'd managed a better photo myself.

Written by Jane on January 26, 2010 | 0 comments | Permalink |