I can’t believe we are halfway through October already. It’s cold, it’s dark, and it seems to have happened in a blink.
It is time for the latest Twenty Questions interview, though. The series in which I ask bloggers to answer a series of questions honestly and openly.
This month we have Emma, a journalist and blogger at Rock For Disability.
My Questions/Emma’s Answers
1. What made you decide to write a blog?
I’ve always had a passion for writing and pursued a career in journalism. Many people kept persuading me to start a blog but felt I couldn’t commit to it while studying my journalism degree.
Then after spending a year job hunting with no success, I decided to find a way to keep me busy and build up my portfolio, and my blog Rock For Disability was born.
2. What do you want your blog to achieve?
To raise awareness of what life is like as a physically disabled person and living with sight loss, give advice to other disabled people and share my love and passion for music.
3. What is the most difficult thing for you about having a disability?
Having to rely on other people for support. I need 24/7 care and need support with personal care, housekeeping, admin support and travelling.
Since moving into my own home in 2017, I’ve gone though my fair share of PAs, carers and care agencies. Without the right quality of care, I’m unable to live my life to the fullest.
You can find out more about the kind of care I’ve encountered by reading my blog posts:
4. What is the biggest positive about having a disability?
Getting free or discounted tickets for friends and carers at concerts and festivals.
5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Chocolate!
6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?
My pet rabbit Dusty, my iPad and my Amazon Alexa
7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?
I don’t actually drink tea, but I would say the water.
8. What is your favourite way to relax?
Loud music on headphones or binge watch TV.
9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?
J.K. Rowling – “Why did you kill Dobby?”
10. What would be your dream job?
Music journalist
11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?
Buy a house for me, buy a house for my parents and buy a supersonic powered wheelchair.
12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?
Las Vegas because I love the bright lights, noisy atmosphere and unlimited entertainment.
13. What one thing would you change about yourself?
In all honesty, to not be disabled.
14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?
Ariel from The Little Mermaid
15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?
No because I’m still in the early stages of my career and I need to grow up to develop further.
16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?
Boris Johnson so I can fix the mess he’s put us in during the coronavirus pandemic and fix the decade long social care crisis.
17. If you could time travel, where would you go?
13th July 1985 when Live Aid was on.
18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?
Immigrants cannot be employed as carers unless they speak fluent English. This is because I’ve encountered many foreign people becoming carers but unable to speak English, meaning communications can be extremely difficult for clients and carers and sometimes lead to unsafe situations (e.g wrong medication, sling not secure to hoist, dangerous driving).
19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
I’ve known to get easily frustrated and can come across rude at times.
20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
I initially wanted to be a teacher but after losing my sight aged 11, I didn’t think I could control a class with poor vision. Plus, as an adult, I’ve discovered I don’t get on with children that well anyway.
Hello, my name is Emma Purcell, I’m 26 years old and live in Alton, Hampshire. I have quadriplegic cerebral palsy and registered blind. I’m the blogger of Rock For Disability and a freelance writer at online magazine Disability Horizons. Plus, I’m the Hampshire Champion for disability organisation AccessAble.
Audio Description petition
I’ve started a petition to make audio description available on ALL films, TV programmes and streaming services. I would appreciate it if you could support my campaign by signing and sharing my petition at https://www.change.org/ADForAllUK and use the hashtag #ADForAll.
You can follow Emma on her blog at Rock For Disability, Facebook and Twitter.
BONUS CONTENT
I have also been interviewed by Emma for her new blog series Rock For Disability Question Time.
Head over now to find out what my dream festival line up would be, if I would take a pill to cure my disability and what animal I would be in another life.
Catch up with or reread my Twenty Questions Interviews so far.
Wheelescapades 
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