Hi all, Steve here!

On the health front...

You'll all know by now that I've had a terrible time with my left elbow - getting it to function like everyone else's is proving difficult to say the least! And that problem is unfortunately still with me. I've got a further appointment with the specialist in about a month's time. And my right arm, leg and foot still have a tendency to do what THEY want to do making coordination difficult and tiring. My hands have had all the operations that I can take, and so it's now just a case of getting more used to them. As for the burn injuries, they've healed and my skin grafts are now becoming supple - it's just my shins that still bleed now and again - this is an area where they harvested 'healthy' skin from to graft over my burnt skin.

And on the social front...

A few years from now I hope to have the energy to get about more and be able to walk better. And when I can, I'll be able then to meet my friends for a drink or two in Bolton. At the moment, I occasionally go to a pub in Chorley with a few mates who live here - it's a pub that's nearby and it's on the flat so I can walk in without my friends having to hoist me up over the threshold. Most people know me there and understand that I have difficulties. It's pretty obvious to be honest - people can't help but notice that I've lost most of my fingers and that I struggle walking. People can plainly see that I have disabilities. So I'm really surprised when the odd person in the pub, and sometimes (even MORE bizarrely) in the street makes the comment "Whaayy be careful there mate, look's like you've had one too many!" as they see me stumbling about!

As I've said, most people do understand, but just now and again (usually when THEY'VE had one too many) I do get that kind of comment made. I've NO doubt they mean no harm whatsoever. And it's probably that they feel awkward for me, and it's a way to make light of an awkward situation - a sort of self defence mechanism - to make THEM feel more comfortable. And why should I feel offended? After all nowadays it's a badge of honour to be drunk! It's certainly NOT something that people get embarrassed about anymore. In fact some people set out to get drunk in the first place, just to 'wind down', get giddy and to have a good laugh with their mates at things that in the cold light of day aren't that funny! Even the side-effects of getting drunk like wobbly legs, a lack of control and falling over are worthy of a snigger! Except all of these affect me ALL the time - and I'm not drunk - and I'm definitely not laughing!

So why am I mentioning this, when you know I normally prefer to stay up-beat and cheerful in my blogs? Well I'll tell you. I was told about a 19 year old girl who was on a night out with her boyfriend, he's 29. The girl and her boyfriend were accompanied by another couple in their teens and they all went round Bolton town centre last December. This night was unlike all the other times she'd been out before because usually the girl is accompanied by members of her family. She was born with Achondraplasia, which basically means that she's much smaller than most people, and so her family (understandably) are concerned for her and usually go out with her. Incidentally, her boyfriend was born with the same condition and one of her other friends who was with them had a stroke some time ago, and at times finds it difficult to walk.

Now, the girl had decided to go into town without her family for once as she felt it had been fine all the other times, and the pubs they were going in felt safe. It's because of this, she persuaded her mum to allow them to enjoy the night by themselves. Her mum reluctantly agreed.

They made their way into town by taxi and went into a couple of pubs - these were pubs which they'd been to before and felt comfortable in. They then went on to another bar which had a dance floor, the pub was busy but they wanted to have a dance. As they danced her boyfriend noticed that they were being stared at by a group of lads, but they ignored them.

After a while the couple made their way back to their seats but the group continued to stare and point at them, laughing and swearing as well. This went on for a while, so they decided to leave. But as they left, so did the group of lads, and they continued to take the mickey, acting silly and pretending that they couldn't see the girl and her boyfriend.

The whole group were laughing, swearing and abusing them, and the girl then began to get upset. And what made this experience worse, was that the door staff who were supposed to protect people from this sort of thing, just stood outside with their arms folded, watching and sniggering!

The lads went on to surround them, laughing and joking at their expense. And still the door staff did nothing! They managed to get into a taxi, and as they drove away they could still hear the group shouting behind them!

When they got home the girl couldn't stop crying, and her mum began to panic thinking that they'd been attacked! It took some time for the girl to calm down and explain what had happened.

No doubt the group of lads were blissfully unaware of the harm they caused this girl and her boyfriend, and probably went on that night to enjoy themselves. Going unchallenged by the door staff didn't help matters, it just affirmed that this is acceptable behaviour. But it's not the door staff's fault all this, although they could and should have got involved. The fault lies completely with the group of cowards who thought it would be a good laugh picking on someone who was different! How brave of them! Their mothers' would be so proud - NOT!!!

I said earlier that I'm hoping to enjoy a night out round Bolton at some point, and I spoke of my experience of going to a pub in Chorley. Although, I think you'll agree that my experience was just a poor joke that made me feel uncomfortable and annoyed, something that we can ALL be subject to, this girl's experience was a disgraceful display of bullying that was one step short of assault!

And what's the end result of all this? Well she bravely brought it to the attention of the Police, and several months later here we are!

There's now a campaign underway to make people aware that there IS a problem in Bolton town that needs addressing. The campaign is called "I'm Not Laughing". In the run up to the campaign day (25th of June) there will be posters dotted around the town to highlight the problem. I've been asked to get involved.

And what now for the girl? Unfortunately, the girl and her boyfriend no longer feel comfortable going into Bolton, and in fact she feels insecure now about going out at all!

I hope she feels differently after the campaign.

Now on a more personal note I must say congratulation's to Geoff Ackroyd on his retirement from the Fire Service. Geoff served for 32 years, and from 2005 up until April of this year he was the Borough Commander of Salford. For the general public who are curious at where Geoff stood in relation to myself, there were 'just' 5 ranks between us! I reckon I would've caught him up though eventually and gone on to be the very first firefighter IN SPACE TOO!.................... WITHOUT A SPACESHIP!!!

Given my track record, I reckon I would've survived re-entry!

It only leaves me to say "Geoff, from myself and on behalf of all those who couldn't attend your leaving do - thanks for all you've done Boss! And have a happy retirement"

Well, once again that's all for now, so until the next time, take care of yourselves!

FF Steve Morris

PS Always make sure you have a working Smoke Alarm.