Looking back over 2016, it has been a year of unexpected personal evolution even though it began similarly to 2015. I’ve witnessed the development of my confidence levels & focus resembling a secondary mutation. 2016 would not have been legendary without all my amazing friends or the wonderful new ones I’ve made. So thank you 🙂
2016 also exposed me to many wonderful new opportunities that have altered my beliefs regarding my future. I’m grateful to have worked alongside incredible organisations like Muscular Dystrophy UK, Limitless Travel, Muscle Owl & DMD Pathfinders this year. These are some of my yearly highlights:
- Working at MDUK’s London HQ in April taught me that I possess employable skills & to create a good CV profile for future employment
- MDUK‘s invitation to attend St James’s Palace to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s patronage. Having to be measured for a tuxedo was another highlight.
- Working with the Muscle Owl team on their video content (& Peter Duffy’s infectious enthusiasm) forced me to face my fear of public speaking and also to feel proud of my experiences
- Meeting Angus Drummond & being part of the Limitless Travel team has really changed my life, it’s given me more independence and purpose. I finally feel that I’ve reached Adulthood since attending an office Christmas party
- Attending the Action Duchenne conference was a profound experience being in the presence of so many DMDer’s & learning from Jon Hastie & Mark Chapman from DMD Pathfinders
There was some sad news in 2016 when MDUK’s founder Lord John Walton passed away, his dedication to muscular dystrophy can never be forgotten and thank you does not really express my gratitude. – RIP Lord John Walton (16 Sept 1922 – 21 April 2016)
Due to my regular blog writing, I’ve had to improve my productivity through using accessibility equipment like dictation, on-screen keyboard or controlling my iPhone with a Switch for use during my long car journeys.
The Olympics & Paralympics dominated much of the summer with varying degrees of positive disability awareness, the issues were surrounded the C4 adverts and the use of the #hashtag-able buzz word SUPERHUMAN. Well done to #TeamGB. You cannot review 2016 without mentioning the Brexit debacle, David Cameron ruining England or Donald Trump winning the US Presidential election. I can’t imagine what the future of England or America is going to look like?
2017 will be the year where I focus on accessibility products & hopefully finding some sort of employment.
Thank you to all the awesome people who made my 2016 memorable.
Uncanny Vivek 