I have just been thinking about some of what I have written on here over the years, in relation to a recent Panorama programme. I deeply regret what I once thought, especially in relation to DAN. Peaceful protest is, of course, a central part of democracy; people have a right to make their views heard. I once feared that, were disabled people to do that, we’d just come across as balshy cripples and alienate people. why did nobody slap me when I wrote that? I once wrote that ‘we shouldn’t draw attention to our disabilities for specifically political motives: to do so would be crass exhibitionism which will only divide us further from society and increase prejudice.’ In other words, we shouldn’t complain for fear of making too much of a fuss. If other people had used that logic, Gandhi would just have accepted British rule, the US would still be segregated and nobody would know the name Nelson Mandela. Whenever injustice occurs, we need to draw attention to it; and if we come across as balshy cripples, then I say good. Far better to come across as balshy than a walkover, because at least then people realise you exist as a human being.