Yesterday I made the short trip to Reading to speak at the Zoggs UK conference. Zoggs are supporting the Channel Swim event for the spinal injuries charity Aspire and I had been invited along to talk about life with a spinal cord injury and how Aspire can help people like me. I was made to feel really welcome by Zoggs and hopefully I got the message across about how important it is that they get behind this event. I was also pleased to find out that Paddington station is great for wheelchair access and that the staff at that station and at Reading are really helpful.

I was delighted to round the day off at BBC Television Centre as a member of the audience for a live recording of Shooting Stars. I am overjoyed to say that it is every bit as madcap, harebrained and wonderful as you would expect.

However, the day ended on a sour note when on the way home I was grilled twice by random strangers about why I am in a wheelchair.

The first was by a drunk at a bus stop and with a swift rebuke he was soon on his way. The second instance was more upsetting and took place when I was in a cab. To say I was grilled on me and my chair would be an understatement. We hadn’t even set off before he was asking me why I was in a chair. On and on he went for over half an hour and his questions ranged from how I managed to get through each day, to whether I could work, how much I earn, what London is like for someone in a chair, if I have a girlfriend and the icing on the cake if I can still have sex!?!?

I’m used to people asking me if I need a hand when getting in the car or doing the shopping and annoying as this can sometimes be I know people are only trying to be helpful. Asking questions like the ones that came out of the cabby’s mouth are a different thing entirely. What gives people the right to ask questions of such a personal nature just because I’m in a wheelchair? If I was a gay guy being asked how I had sex or if I was massively overweight and I was asked why I was fat it would simply not be tolerated. So again I ask why is it ok to grill me on a subject that is massively personal and to be honest is nothing to do with anybody other than myself and the people close to me. The sad thing is though this is not a random occurrence and shockingly happens more often than you would think.