Anyone seen this piece on Riven in the Guardian?

[LindsayWagner]

It's here.

Reading again the details of her daily life reminds me a) what an astonishing woman Riven is and b) how ashamed I am to live in a country which can treat its most vulnerable members with such disdain.

I'm so glad the Graun are following up on her and Celyn's story. She says she's tired of campaigning - of course she is. I can't imagine where she found the reserves of energy in the first place - imagine it's similar to people finding superhuman reserves of strength when their lives are under threat.

There seems to be a bit of a lull in coverage of these issues at the moment, while everyone waits for the full effects of funding cuts to become clear. But at some point the gob-smacking, almost-inconceivable reality - that the cuts are being carved out of the daily lives of families like Riven's, who probably thought their lives couldn't get any harder - will be impossible to ignore. I really, really hope we don't let this one go.

I thought it was a bloody brilliant article and was pleased that there were lots of positive responses in the comments section (there were last night anyway).

:) Reading the article my first thought was could MN not raise the money for the CD player (drop in the ocean and all that but its a start), I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought that. Let me know how to donate and I'd be very happy to do so.

(I know its not the reason for your doing the article, but if it buys your DD some independence and you/your DH 5 mins peace then it'd be completely worthwhile, so Riven please do accept the help.)

also happy to donate to the CD player - you and Celeyn deserve it Riven

Yes please let us help Riven. I doubt I would be able to make it to London bur would be more than happy to donate the money it would have cost me taking the train....that way I can kinda be with you all when you do go.

K999 - the last thread about Riven's situation filled up with people tweeting and facebooking her story right, left and centre. She had tabloid journalists outside the house and her privacy was shot to hell. 1 person wanting to help can very easily turn in to 100 people flailing right left and centre and that sort of flail is as liable to knock a person out as to help them iyswim

Riven has politely and repeatedly declined offers of money and material goods and has instead suggested people support a campaign. How about listening to her?

Sorry Riven. I didn't realise.

Riven, your quotes are splendid. Respect, as ever.

Agree post. We've caused enough trouble in the past by going off half-cocked, however well meaning it was.

Do we wear the nappies on our heads? I don't think I could get one to fit my gargantuan backside :o

I dud hint at johnny depp though....

happy to wear a nappy (On my head) if it helps

If anyone wants to club together to organise a Johnny Depp for me that would be marvellous.
Don't try and fob me off with some other fucker wearing a nappy on his head. I will know you know. Eventually.

Hey riv. Fab stuff.

Oi, i saw him first pag!

Riven It all sounds so hard.

Ok, you can't accept money. But we can still get this CD player, post it to MNHQ, and they can send it to you (assuming you wouldn't want us all to have your address).

Where would one go about finding this CD player?

Oh god. Now I'm having fantasies about Johnny Depp wearing a nappy on his head.

How can it be so wrong when it feels so right?

Good to see you again Riv...I've namechanged since you left (am a writer who provides respite care as a clue)as a flippin' journo got wind of me...so just ya know, be careful. The meeja beast is slippery as fuck.

How is your DH's book going?

well done Riv

I can only imagine how much you must hate all this, you didn't get up one day and think "Right, I want to be a media sensation and crusade for disabled people's rights"

but I must tell you that, thrust into that position by an insanely fucking cruel and stupid political culture, you are doing a FINE job

And I understand about not wanting to take money. I would feel the same. But if there is any way at all you could see your way to letting your MN friends buy Celyn the CD player, just as a present for a gorgeous little girl, I for one would be really chuffed. Really I wish I could buy you a month of uninterrupted nights

what CAN we do? Bombard Cameron with emails? I am a beginner at this, but I have time and a computer.

(you do know me, I am incognito)

I'd flash-mob Downing Street with a nappy on my head, let's do it!
And Riven, have you got any advice on practical ways we could help in our own areas? I know we'd all love to help you but should respect your decision, but I'm sure there are other ways we can help others, like someone mentioned contacting Children's Hospices and seeing what they need. Any other ideas/help that would be most useful/non-patronising? I have very little, but I feel a bit useless!

Its your own council members and MPs who aremost scared of voters. Ask your coumcils what they are doing with the short breaks money. Then yiu know people are watchinb and interested.
Join Homestart as a volunteer. Or raise money for a local hospice. (sounding a bit big society here )

And join me for the flashmob when i find a day i can get to london and figure out how you apply to protest.

But how many times a week would be a reasonable number of times to have Johnny Depp? Four seems low

And as another parent who's been told there is no respite care at all available that ds can actually access I'd be so up for a protest. So good to see you back, Riven.