You may remember that I have complained in the past about having to put my name on a list when booking a train journey but finding that no one else seemed to know about it.

Well now, I must congratulate the train company on a stress-free journey.

A change of trains meant three stations were involved and, would you believe it, at each stop, there they were, waiting for me. I could have hugged them.

Maybe the train operators read the Oxford Mail and realised they must pull their socks up. Again.

The Department of Transport has invited me to be on a panel to discuss accessible transport so trains will be at the top of my list, followed closely by taxis. If you have any comments on this subject, please ring me on 0845 121 4112 before June 27.

Returning from a holiday in Jersey recently, I was all ready to take up the work I do for Oxfordshire Unlimited when disaster struck; well disaster as far as I was concerned but minor really as it only lasted for a short while.

My left arm was out of action along with my hand and fingers. Like all disabilities it is impossible to fully understand the problems encountered unless you have experienced them yourself.

Day-to-day activities now not only presented a challenge but a whole new way of life. No longer could I choose the clothes I fancied; now it was a case of what could I manage to put on.

Interestingly, I found my biggest assets were my mouth and teeth.

I could open the toothpaste and small screw tops with them but not Marmite or jam jars.

Taking a shower was difficult. My diet changed drastically too.

Try buttering toast with one hand. It skitters about all over the place and mine ended up on the floor.

So I resorted to bread, much more pliable, and wiped it across the butter. No jam of course: I couldn’t open the jar. And so it went on.

The list of changes was endless and I suppose I would have got used to them in the end but there are many people who have to live with this disability all the time.

Yes, like all disabled people they learn how to deal with it but the freedom that able-bodied people enjoy will never be theirs. Many disabilities are hidden and this is one of them...