I don't go out much these days but thankfully I have a plentiful supply of love close by. Things could be so much worse. Just as little as 10 years ago things were a lot worse. Hardly anybody had a computer, I know I didn't. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to all this new technology. I think that I can safely say I wouldn't have been getting a computer until about now and that would be only because all my friends had one. Then I became disabled.

That changed everything. A computer became very important to me then. I'm still not right good at it but I muck through. I don't think I could do without my Voice Recognition technology. It's a very good and allows me to write. I enjoy writing. I don't think I could talk into a tape recorder so it's a godsend. Talking onto a piece of paper I can handle that because I can have several stabs at it.

The Internet; isn't it great? We can be in contact with people anywhere in the world. Better still people with MS can communicate, band together, then bond together, we're all in this thing together! If there is anybody out there who doesn't have a computer, please get one. If I can use one anyone can.

Being disabled can be a bit limiting when it comes to storytelling though. I usually have to rely on life coming to me rather than me going out to meet life. That makes it difficult when it comes to writing observational stuff. Recently I became friendly with a fly that came into the house. I tried to immortalize Freddie in one of my stories but maybe the world isn't ready just yet for tales of a doughty little fly battling against the odds in a hostile word. In time maybe, who knows?

I said that usually I have to rely on life coming to me well it did yesterday. The weather men promised us a cold snap and we are certainly getting that. When I come to think of it, it was a strange day all round yesterday from the moment I looked out of the window. It was really odd the sky appeared to have dandruff. There was snow coming down and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but that wasn't the exciting bit. Yesterday the outside world came into my world big time.

It was just after midday. I had been on my computer for a while and decided I needed a pee. The occupational therapist has told me for years that I transfer all wrong. I turn 180 degrees instead of 90 when it comes to transferring from the wheelchair to the toilet. That's by the way though; my hamstrings have been shortening just lately, too much sitting around but yesterday I was feeling pretty good and think to myself I'll give my them a workout. Using the sink to steady myself [it isn't in the manual] I start to stretch those hamstrings. Relax then stretch again! I'm really getting into this when my legs begin to give way and then in slow motion I start to sink to the floor. Somebody once told me that if you find your self falling to pretend you're drunk and then you won't hurt yourself. I always forget to pretend until after I hit the ground so I'm not sure if it works.

Now I am lying on the floor and begin to mentally check on my various bits to make sure they're all right. After I have gone through everything I decide there is nothing wrong apart from the fact that I can't get up. I have a buzzer which should only be used in an emergency. This seemed to be an emergency to me so I press it. After a little while the words, "Are you all right Mister Gee?" come floating through the ether seance like. I have heard these words so many times before and usually I can shout back, "I'm sorry I pressed the button by accident" and everybody's happy but this time I'm not in that happy situation. I explain that I'm not hurt but I can't get up. He tells me that he'll get somebody to come round in a minute. I understand that when he says "minute" he doesn't actually mean that and it may take several minutes but now I'm happy.

I get myself into a sitting position so I'm more comfortable and look a little dignified for when the ambulance arrives. As I am sitting I start to think because there isn't much else to do in that position, I then begin to worry. The front door is a little stiff and if you aren't used to it you could mistakenly think it locked. What if the ambulance men arrive and break down the door. I wouldn't like Renee to come home to that.

I have a carer who comes to me at dinnertime four days a week. She is due sometime before one o'clock and I hope she arrives before the ambulance does. Chris wins the race and arrives to find me sitting on the floor of the shower. I give her a smile so that she knows I'm not hurt. She asks me if I have pressed my didgeridoo, her name for the buzzer. I tell her Yes. My legs are aching because they are pressing awkwardly against a wall so she adjusts them to relieve the pressure. We then wait.

About five minutes later an ambulance man arrives. I ask him where the second man is. He smiles and says, "The helicopter is on its way." I think to myself Joker! Between the two of them they manage to get me back into the wheelchair. Just then somebody else arrives wearing a crash helmet, it's the helicopter pilot! I don't believe this is really happening but it's true. I had heard the helicopter outside and ask him where he has landed and he tells me in a nearby field.

I was ever so embarrassed about them going to so much trouble just for me but the pilot put my mind at rest then asked me if I fancied a trip to Scarborough! I declined; a pity really because I've always wanted to fly in a helicopter.

Are you all right Mister Gee? I suppose the answer to that question has got to be a resounding "Yes." When the society you live in sends out a helicopter when you just happen to fall on the floor it can't be all that bad!

::::::