Great answer, Claire — not that you need me to qualify your own opinion, but the way you expressed yourself and your reasons for your answer deserve a lot of respect.

I like your point Vixx, about the necessity — or lack of one — of overtly stating one’s sexuality, but equally, as Claire pointed out she and K are often mistaken for sisters, there is still an assumption in much of the world of heterosexuality. I went on holiday last year with my girlfriend and we met a couple comprising a man and a woman. Ironically both couples made the mistake of forming assumptions about the nature of the other’s relationship — the couple we met were both straight, but not together — and thankfully we could all laugh about it afterwards. I don’t personally go around proclaiming my sexuality and probably much like Claire, will be upfront about it when necessary and appropriate.

The real insight you have given me, Claire, is into the reasons why you do identify yourself as a disabled person, which makes perfect sense when you state it the way you just have. There are a multitude of elements that make up our personality, persona and — if you like — place in society and it is certainly true that we will be more open about some than others for a wide range of reasons.

Thanks so much for answering my question! xx

That said, I — obviously — completely understand where you’re coming from when it comes to disability. Although I technically fall under the protection of the long-term medical condition definition under the DDA, I wouldn’t self-identify as disabled and that’s purely because I have not experienced societal discrimination. My day-to-day activities can be affected by my condition and my medication, but they’re not affected by ignorance, negligence or dumbass stereotypes and it’s that, IMO, that’s really discriminatory. Like a lot of people with unseen conditions, my invisibility is pretty much my protection — absolutely crazy, when you think about it, but undeniably true.

Am babbling now, so will leave it there. Starrynite — your question was awesome and thanks for answering it, Claire!

V xx

the nose piercing really suits you […] Cool hat too

Thanks I’ve had my nose pierced for about 8 years now and I still love the look now just as much as I did when I first got it done. The hat’s new — I got it for my London trip, what with all the trekking about and the snow.

A relationship shouldn’t be defined by gender, but rather by how the other person impacts on your life

I couldn’t agree more. To me, the gender of the person I am with is little more than a footnote.

With your disability, […] By elaborating and talking about it, I can see the world a bit more how you see it.

I’m really glad. It can be quite tricky to talk about my disabilities in an in-depth way for any length of time without people starting to feel awkward or starting to apologise to me about it/for it. I think this medium helps with that, after all — I’m not wanting anyone to be “sorry” — I’d just like to share my take on my differences and experiences in a “conversational” way.

Fayt100:

This is an excellent incite to your points of view, I rarely comment on here, but I think it’s good to know little things like this.

I’m glad you de-lurked and enjoyed the vlog, it’s good to hear from you — and sharing in this way has been a lot of fun, I’m definitely gone to carry on with vlogs some more.

Imo: Hiya Imo!

it’s not something that can be put away in a cupboard with the socks at the end of the day

If only, eh? On the whole, I tend to have a really positive outlook, but I’d be a liar if I said that there weren’t some days where I really fancied a day off from the aggro and/or pain.

A relationship shouldn’t be defined by gender, but rather by how the other person impacts on your life.

she’s put it better then I could. Would we expect a ‘straight’ blogger to go on about their other half and how it affects them, etc. etc. I don’t think so, whereas if it was a ‘straight disabled person’ we probably would expect them to comment on that as disability is something that defines you and rules your life, it’s not something that can be put away in a cupboard with the socks at the end of the day

/random — the nose piercing really suits you.

In regards to the video content, if I’m honest, I didn’t realise your partner was a woman until a few weeks ago. I think it’s important to share with people the stuff that makes you the person you are. And you do and have.

A relationship shouldn’t be defined by gender, but rather by how the other person impacts on your life. Basically what I’m trying to say amongst all the waffle, is that I understand how important K is to you and I got the significance of your relationship with her, and I understood all that without needing to know she is female.

With your disability, if you’d just said ‘I’m disabled’, I wouldn’t have understood quite how that impacted on your life, if it even impacted you at all. By elaborating and talking about it, I can see the world a bit more how you see it.

Cool hat too.