Jul
31
2009
Dear Mr Obama,
I am writing in the hope that you will consider recalibrating your government’s stance over the proposed extradition of the UK citizen Gary McKinnon.
You will not doubt be aware that people with Asperger Syndrome are often far more vulnerable than initial appearances would suggest, frequently isolated, often bullied and sadly many experience severe mental health problems if they do not get the right support. Many consider that his extradition is unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate as such a process has not taken place in other similar cases.
I too am one of those people. I have Asperger Syndrome, co-morbid with other mental health issues, and like Mr McKinnon, have a deep fascination and extreme skill with technology. Were it not for my heightened sense of clinical paranoia, I too would probably have done just what Mr McKinnon did in his search for what he perceived to be the truth.
The fact that a number of the systems that he accessed had default passwords - that is a blank field - shows recklessness on the part of the systems administrators responsible for your national security, all the way up the chain of command.
Without a wholesale overhaul of these systems and censure of those responsible, your government’s actions appear to be persecution of one of the most vulnerable members of our or any society for highlighting the failures of others.
Mr McKinnon is now a scapegoat for pointing out that the Emperor’s new clothes were in fact illusory and so I implore you to reconsider your government’s request for his extradition.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Springham
Jul
03
2009
Apologies to my followers and readers for being out of the loop for so long, but I have been - finally - working on my autobiography.
“Between the Cracks” is a bit of a (so far!) life-long work in progress, having undergone a range of name changes, abortive starts, diversionary tactics and writers’ blocks.
Synopsis: I am an adult survivor of extended childhood abuse. I only started addressing these issues in 2005, undergoing psychotherapy and taking legal action against the local authority responsible for my childhood “care”. They settled out of court in 2008. I have obtained access to most, if not all, of my early life records and am compiling them into a book – along with my thoughts and recollections, art and photographs – to highlight how easy it is to fall “between the cracks” and be failed by the social and other services.
This is in part to encourage the others as well as to help me continue to come to terms with the pervasive after-effects of such neglect, oversight and exploitation.
Jun
01
2009
Active involvement seems to be the key to keeping going; knowing what to do seems the most difficult part.
What motivates you? London, where I live, has so many opportunities available; at least in theory. The perils of going out, mixing with new (and comparatively strange) people - not to mention the costs involved - do make for what seem to be insurmountable hurdles.
One solution that I have found is to take an area of fascination and see what else can be done with it, given an askance view and the removal of the usual limits that gang up to prevent even the most normal or mainstream of events ever being realised.
My latest project, you will no doubt be delighted to hear, concerns my interest in food generally and the Onion Rava Masala Dosa (very) specifically, along with web mapping and interactivity. What occurred was the collision of several ideas, questions mainly:
- Where can one get a really good Dosa?
- What variations are there on the theme?
- Does anyone have any good recipes?
- Do all cultures have a dish roughly comparable?
- Could this all be put together using Google Maps?
- How could I build a community site based around this idea?
- Would this make a great guide for others?
Thus the “DosaDirect ” project was born, only after answering “yes” to all the above. I am still working on the mechanics of the project, but something further should be forthcoming soon. More news as it breaks …
May
28
2009
Herewith some of the latest outpourings from the brush, pen & mouse of yours truly:
“Rear Window” or “Work/Life Balance” (Preliminary sketch)
“Enough!” Fight against the stigma of mental health (in bad Spanish)
May
03
2009
With amazing precision and luck over judgement, I put together a mock-up of “Dirty Instruments” using PowerPoint - it *has* a purpose , at last! The paint brush effects to simulate my cack-handed attempts at replication were then thrown into the mix, producing the following:
“Dirty Instruments” - preparatory sketches 2 & 3
On other fronts, lumbar stability continues, I had an haircut and I have a job interview lined up … what a few days! Amazing how a few simple and relatively small changes can have a massive effect of one’s outlook. I heartedly recommend it.
May
01
2009
May is “Mental Health Awareness Month” - a fact of which I was reminded by Chato B Stewart (Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things! http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com & http://www.mentalhealthcartoons.com“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.” - Chato B. Stewart)
Replied to as follows:
-
So, back to my new year resolutions …
… I have a new title for my book: “Forever Changed” inspired - of course - by Arthur Lee, Love, Lou Reed & John Cale - film at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzupngqP6VA
Apr
15
2009
Else most assuredly we shall all hang separately.
More pictures on the wall (C) Ian Springham
“Free at last!”
Inspired by: moving out of the “50’s Soviet Psychiatric Hospital” to a wonderful flat; Wandle HA, Helen’s Art Group and - of course - Sarah.
“Salon 57″ exploratory version. Paint on Canvas. 20 x 20 cm. Signed. Yours for £184 inc. p&p
Inspired by the inability of anyone to run a train service and creative expressionism under Stalinist oppression.
Have also managed to get my online gardening shop inline on one of my other blogs http://blog.gardenlend.co.uk/gardenlend-shop/
Please visit - it’s worth a look for all your gardening and home security needs.
Mar
06
2009
“The information watchdog has shut down a company which it says sold workers’ confidential data, including union activities, to building firms.
A raid on The Consulting Association in Droitwich, Worcs, revealed a serious breach of the Data Protection Act, the Information Commissioner’s Office said.
The ICO said a secret system was run for over 15 years enabling employers to unlawfully vet job applicants.”
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7927487.stm
Concerned that the recruitment industry might be using similar blacklists more widely, I followed up the story with the following post to the BBC’s website:
“One thing that concerns me is that this practice may be more widespread and extend beyond the construction industry: Information Technology and financial services would seem the most natural users of such data.
I would have assumed that, collectively, the recruitment and human resources sectors would operate such blacklists in the same fashion as credit reference agencies; arguably for their clients’ protection.
We can only hope that these revelations regarding the actions of The Consulting Association open up the metaphorical floodgates relating to protectionist policies.”
As well as political affiliation and activity, other personal data such as economic factors, physical and mental health status, disability and other issues - many of which are subject to anti-discrimination legislation - might well be secretly traded between recruiters and their clients. Does anyone have any evidence or experience of this?
Feb
22
2009
David Oliver at Borderline Central has a great range of courses for service users and carers alike; I am not in any way affiliated with any of the resources or courses mentioned and have no financial interest in any of the links below. I have found Borderline Central to be a very helpful repository of information and wish to spread the word further afield.
BPD Courses
Below you’ll find a list of all of the products and services offered by Borderline Central:
Do You Know These 10 Critical Factors of Living With Borderline Personality Disorder?
“10 Critical Factors of Living With Borderline Personality Disorder”
Need Help Dealing With Your Loved One’s Acting Out Behavior And Manipulation?
“How To Deal With Acting Out Behavior And Manipulation In Your Loved One With Borderline Personality Disorder”
Would You Like to Know How To Find A Doctor For Your Loved One With Borderline Personality Disorder?
“How to Find The Doctors And Others You Need To Get Your Loved One With Borderline Personality Disorder Treated Right”
Want To Be A Super-Supporter To A Loved One With Borderline Personality Disorder?
“Supporter Secrets to Success Audio Course”
Would You Like To Know What The ULTIMATE Borderline Success Story Is?
“The Ultimate Borderline Success Story Interview”
Are You Or Your Loved One Looking Into DBT Therapy For Borderline Personality Disorder?
“The Shocking Truth About Dialectical (DBT) Therapy”
Do You Know The 10 Secrets Of Supporting A Loved One With Borderline Personality Disorder?
“The 10 Secrets to Supporting and Helping a Loved One with BPD”
Does Your Loved One Have Borderline Personality Disorder?
“The Borderline Personality Disorder Supporter Course”
Quickly And Easily Explain Borderline Personality Disorder To People
“Borderline Personality Disorder Explanation Guide”
Need Money?
“161 Amazing Ways To Make Money Working From Home”
Need Affordable, Quality, Health Insurance?
“The Ultimate System For Finding the Affordable, High-Quality Health Care You Deserve-Mental Health Version”
More information at:http://www.borderlinecentral.com/offers.shtml
Feb
12
2009
Last night, when trawling through my Borderline searches, I came across http://community.livejournal.com/borderline/ described as “A room without doors.” Reading through the posts, I found http://borderlinechat.com/
Having had what could be described as a “challenging day” I plucked up my courage and dipped my toes into the proverbial. I did not get eaten alive or even bitten. Had a quick chat with the only other member on at that time (as site has mostly American members, I was 5 to 9 hours ahead of the main throng) who made me welcome and we briefly introduced ourselves and chatted a bit on this and that.
I said that I had found one-to-one therapy the best so far, finding groups intimidating when meeting other people like me “in real life” and so, as psychotherapy was not a viable option for the time being and blogging was rather like “whistling in the dark”, an online support group seemed like the next best thing to try and I am glad that I did.
