Disability Pride month UK

[Rachie]

Hi everyone, I hope that life is treating you fairly. This month is Disability Pride month in the UK. I had an email that alerted me to this. I know there is some contention as to whether autism is seen as a disability, but it is in UK defined as such and it was in my written report written as such-

"As Rachel’s difficulties are due to Autism Spectrum Disorder, she should be viewed as having a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010 and as covered by the Autism Act 2009."

It is also termed as a neurodevelopmental disorder, but it is enshrined within disability law as well.

I was wondering what are you doing for this. Me, I asked my rector at church if I could read Psalm 139 as it is one of my favourites about being wonderfully and fearfully made and encapsulates neurodiversity and the scope of God.

I did a practice yesterday at church, a dry run with my hand gestures-it was very neat itself and I will allow my spirit to lead this one for me on the day in the right manner for the occasion.

If it is filmed, I may share it here.

Disability Pride Month 2025 - Andover Mind

Psalm 139​

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
...
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I wish you all well

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Hi everyone, I hope that life is treating you fairly. This month is Disability Pride month in the UK. I had an email that alerted me to this. I know there is some contention as to whether autism is seen as a disability, but it is in UK defined as such and it was in my written report written as such-

"As Rachel’s difficulties are due to Autism Spectrum Disorder, she should be viewed as having a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010 and as covered by the Autism Act 2009."

It is also termed as a neurodevelopmental disorder, but it is enshrined within disability law as well.

I was wondering what are you doing for this. Me, I asked my rector at church if I could read Psalm 139 as it is one of my favourites about being wonderfully and fearfully made and encapsulates neurodiversity and the scope of God.

I did a practice yesterday at church, a dry run with my hand gestures-it was very neat itself and I will allow my spirit lead this one for me on the day in the right manner for the occasion.

If it is filmed, I may share it here.

Disability Pride Month 2025 - Andover Mind

Psalm 139​

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
...
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I wish you all well

Regarding the Disability Pride Month and the Equality Act and Autism Act...and whether or not it is a disability, is, as we all know, highly individualized. If I can use a karate analogy, some of us have a "white belt" in autism, others a "black belt" in autism, and a whole bunch of people in between.

 

[Coxhere]

Hi everyone, I hope that life is treating you fairly. This month is Disability Pride month in the UK. I had an email that alerted me to this. I know there is some contention as to whether autism is seen as a disability, but it is in UK defined as such and it was in my written report written as such-

"As Rachel’s difficulties are due to Autism Spectrum Disorder, she should be viewed as having a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010 and as covered by the Autism Act 2009."

It is also termed as a neurodevelopmental disorder, but it is enshrined within disability law as well.

I was wondering what are you doing for this. Me, I asked my rector at church if I could read Psalm 139 as it is one of my favourites about being wonderfully and fearfully made and encapsulates neurodiversity and the scope of God.

I did a practice yesterday at church, a dry run with my hand gestures-it was very neat itself and I will allow my spirit to lead this one for me on the day in the right manner for the occasion.

If it is filmed, I may share it here.

Disability Pride Month 2025 - Andover Mind

Psalm 139​

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
...
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I wish you all well

You live in the UK, correct? Is the KJV read in Anglican churches (and in other denominations) where you live? I understand the "modern" translations better than the KJV. The following is the Amplified Version's version of Psalm 139. I have deleted the verses that talk about hating one's enemies and having the LORD smote one's enemies (verses 19-22). For me, the "enemy" lives within me and I have to cope with the enemy within me everyday of my life.
O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thought from afar. [Matt 9:4; John 2:24, 25] You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken], Behold, O LORD, You know it all. [Heb 4:13] You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it. ¶Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there. [Rom 11:33] If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, And the night will be the only light around me,” Even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You, But the night shines as bright as the day; Darkness and light are alike to You. [Dan 2:22] ¶For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. ¶How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [Ps 40:5] If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. ¶Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
https://www.bible.com/bible/compare/PSA.139.1-24
I think that this Psalm can help us when we get into anxious and depressed moods. It can help us to re-set our minds into more positive places.

I don't usually like reading the Bible because it is so dualistic and tribal. However Psalm 139 seems non-dual with the exception of verses 19-22.

Bless you, Rachie.

 

[Rachie]

Regarding the Disability Pride Month and the Equality Act and Autism Act...and whether or not it is a disability, is, as we all know, highly individualized. If I can use a karate analogy, some of us have a "white belt" in autism, others a "black belt" in autism, and a whole bunch of people in between.

Thank you Neonatal RRT, that is a good analogy. I have been taking a bit of breaks here and there from posting over the past few months as I got a bit overwhelmed but am ok now. I stopped seeing myself so much as a diagnosis which I am not and try and just work on me as a whole being and draw on my strengths with the difficulties that I have and doing my best to manage them. You are saying that some of us may have being dealt with quite a hand of it...oh dear lol. My autism I feel has been blessed but still can insult me a good one at times, but is doing its best.

You live in the UK, correct? Is the KJV read in Anglican churches (and in other denominations) where you live? I understand the "modern" translations better than the KJV. The following is the Amplified Version's version of Psalm 139. I have deleted the verses that talk about hating one's enemies and having the LORD smote one's enemies (verses 19-22). For me, the "enemy" lives within me and I have to cope with the enemy within me everyday of my life.
O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thought from afar. [Matt 9:4; John 2:24, 25] You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken], Behold, O LORD, You know it all. [Heb 4:13] You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it. ¶Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there. [Rom 11:33] If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, And the night will be the only light around me,” Even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You, But the night shines as bright as the day; Darkness and light are alike to You. [Dan 2:22] ¶For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. ¶How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [Ps 40:5] If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. ¶Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 139:1-24 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted wit LORD, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Bef O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thought from afar. [Matt 9:4; John 2:24, 2 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. Yo Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
I think that this Psalm can help us when we get into anxious and depressed moods. It can help us to re-set our minds into more positive places.

I don't usually like reading the Bible because it is so dualistic and tribal. However Psalm 139 seems non-dual with the exception of verses 19-22.

Bless you, Rachie.

Thank you Coxshere. I will look into this version because NIVR is meant to be most recommended for people with a learning disability. I might just widen the scope of who it could reach. Thank you for your good wishes.

Moving On
I wrote a short blog entry on this after posting this, nothing much is more different than here but I thought that I would link to it here.
Disability Pride month UK embracing difference

 

[Rachie]

I sent a letter feedback to London Transport regarding noise and tied it in with Disability Pride month and made a short video of a journey as well.
Dear London Transport
Hello my name is Rachel x and I am diagnosed with a neurodiversity. I am diagnosed with Autism. I have severe to moderate sensory issues with hypersensivity and hyposensivity . I also have other disabilities. I also suffer from a condition called pulsatile tinnitus in the ears.
I do have a disability freedom pass and I do like if well enough try to go out at least every now and then.
I live in London and am on the Central line. I find the line between Leyton and Mile End station extremely loud which does harm to my ear canals and my hypersensitivity with Autism and the loudness can make me overwhelmed.
Other tracks on this line between stations on this line are also extremely loud. I have seen other autistic people struggling with the loudness on trains. This can put me of from travelling as much as I would like to because of the sensory issues with overwhelming.
This month is Disability Pride month in the UK. if possible make a change and review this in the spirit of equality and that it is disability pride month and reduce the noise between stations. These are very old lines let's look at this again.
Restoring justice
Left make a change
I have filmed an example to show how loud it is.
Please reply to me when ready how we can move this forward
Rachel X

 

[Captain Caveman]

I sent a letter feedback to London Transport regarding noise and tied it in with Disability Pride month and made a short video of a journey as well.
Dear London Transport
Hello my name is Rachel x and I am diagnosed with a neurodiversity. I am diagnosed with Autism. I have severe to moderate sensory issues with hypersensivity and hyposensivity . I also have other disabilities. I also suffer from a condition called pulsatile tinnitus in the ears.
I do have a disability freedom pass and I do like if well enough to go out at least every now and then..
I live in London and am on the Central line. I find the line between Leyton and Mile End station extremely loud which does harm to my ear canals and my hypersensitivity with Autism it is disability and the loudness can make me overwhelmed.
Other tracks on this line between stations on this line are also extremely loud. I have seen other autistic people struggling with the loudness on trains. This can put me of from travelling as much as I would like to because of the sensory issues with overwhelming.
This month is Disability Pride month in the UK. if possible make a change and review this in the spirit of equality and that it is disability pride month and reduce the noise between stations. These are very old let's look at this again.
Restoring justice
Left make a change
I have filmed an example to show how loud it is.
Please reply to me when ready how we can move this forward
Rachel X

Rachie. Do you know wheels on track curves make the sound?

Could close the railways and send busses down there instead but the cost of tickets would amplify and the passenger numbers would have to reduce by about two thirds in order for it to work.
Is rather like telling a bee not to buzz while it flies!

 

[Rachie]

Rachie. Do you know wheels on track curves make the sound?

Could close the railways and send busses down there instead but the cost of tickets would amplify and the passenger numbers would have to reduce by about two thirds in order for it to work.
Is rather like telling a bee not to buzz while it flies!

Thanks Captian Caveman. After you posted this I looked it up and it is not an isolated complaint at all and they do at times try and make the problem less offensive in London anyway.
A quick look brought up this-
...
TfL's Stance:
Transport for London states that their Health & Safety Executive guidance suggests Tube noise is highly unlikely to cause long-term hearing damage to customers. However, they do address noise and vibration through methods like grinding rails to reduce corrugation, which can increase noise.


Complaint Increases:
There has been an increase in noise and vibration complaints, particularly with the introduction of the Night Tube and the replacement of wooden sleepers with concrete ones.

This is some more information on this-
Reducing noise & vibration

 

[Captain Caveman]

What about travelling on surface trains instead?

 

[Rachie]

What about travelling on surface trains instead?

I live on the Central line so will need to use it at times. I am surprised that some are around 80db-100db in sound. I have used surface trains before and they definitely feel quieter. It is best for just to get private transport and then a fast train from Stratford to somewhere for a day out. I feel a bit bad at times to put through that noise-but you have to at times and that is life. Hopefully the Central line will improve a bit as they are working on some lines.

I read Psalm 139 at church today and it went well.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I live on the Central line so will need to use it at times. I am surprised that some are around 80db-100db in sound. I have used surface trains before and they definitely feel quieter. It is best for just to get private transport and then a fast train from Stratford to somewhere for a day out. I feel a bit bad at times to put through that noise-but you have to at times and that is life. Hopefully the Central line will improve a bit as they are working on some lines.

I read Psalm 139 at church today and it went well.

I would have a couple of miles walk to use the train. There are four or five trains a day so it is a good service, but I have not used it.

All trains going through tunnels the sound is amplified.