Rufus Robot!

Today, I shall be pimping my friends, Holly and Larry.  Or more specifically, their new project / website / business / educational game app: Rufus Robot.

(Not, as my Mum thought I said, “Ruthless Robot”.  That would be a different game altogether, although Larry, you’re welcome to take that idea and run with it.  You’re welcome  ;-) )

The mission statement on their website says:

Our goal is to provide fun, useful, and affordable tablet-based applications to the growing number of children who need them. Many of our applications focus on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but it is our belief that these same tools will be fun and educational for early achievers too!

– Dr Holly Gastgeb

So, if you have or know kids that might enjoy and benefit from the app, go check it out.  You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Pimp accomplished.  Ta-daa!

On: Manic Depression « squeegee182

An excellent post on what not to say to people with manic depression / bipolar:

On: Manic Depression « squeegee182.

I think I can count myself pretty lucky that it’s been a long time since I’ve had any of these things said to me.  It makes me realise how awesome my friends and family are, and how much their (your!) efforts to understand really help me.  Thank you all! ♥♥♥

Bipolar Awareness Day 2012

Bipolar UK is the new name for what used to be called MDF: The Manic Depression Fellowship. I think the new version is more succinct, don’t you?  They’re launching a campaign which will hopefully become an annual event:

A public education campaign, Bipolar Awareness Day will be launched on Wednesday 27 June 2012 by Bipolar UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Bipolar Scotland.
– Quote from Bipolar UK

Approximately 1% of people in the UK have bipolar – that’s 1 in every 100 people, remember.  So even if you don’t have a close friend or family member who’s affected, it’s very likely that someone you’re acquainted with – a work colleague, or someone you went to school with – is living with bipolar.

Bipolar UK are planning to focus on one aspect of the condition every year.  This year it’s the fact that most people take around 10 years to receive the correct diagnosis.  That was certainly the case with me.

Anyway, go and check out their shiny new site if you’re interested, and find out some more information about the campaign there.

Time to Talk

I’ve made a pledge on the Time to Change website:

“I pledge to help end mental health prejudice.  I will talk about my own experiences with bipolar disorder and anxiety to help break down stigma.”

The project is not only for people with a mental health condition – it’s for friends, family, professionals, and anyone interested in the issues, really.  So check it out!

One Month Before Heartbreak

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to wrangle my brain to write a proper post of my own on this subject, but I urge everyone to go and read through the posts and links at One Month Before Heartbreak.

One Month Before HeartbreakJust to give you a bit more info, it’s a “blogswarm” event, where many bloggers post on the theme of disabilities and the UK disability-related benefits system between 14th and 16th January ’11.  Those dates have been chosen because the current consultation on DLA reform ends on 14th February this year, and frankly, it’s not looking cheerful.

As yet, I haven’t looked in detail into how any reforms might impact on me, and I’m trying not to be too pessimistic about it before I know for certain.  It’s not easy though, and I’m definitely nervous.  Deep breaths!