The Harper Collins Book Proposal Meeting and all that jazz!

So do you need to have a driving licence to be a wheelchair user in London these days? It would appear so! I had to travel on a main road to find a sufficient lowered kerb, and trust me I have toppled before and it hurts! Then ‘whoops’ up I go down a one way street, the wrong way may I add, which felt like a ‘Whacky Races’ episode, and if you can remember the cartoon, then you get ‘kudos’ from me in my book! So up the kerb and beyond I thought! Nevertheless, all this distraction took my mind of what could be potentially one of the biggest opportunities of my life. Upon arrival at the building of Harper Collins, which to me seemed like a building out of a remake of ‘A.I.’ however, instead of your sometimes ‘robotic’ type, was greeted by a very friendly, pleasurably humoured & very dapper security guard. And like the great Beatles lyrics, my troubles seemed so far away, and I relaxed into what now was a very pleasurable and insightful experience for me. 

So I was greeted by my Harper Collins Associate, Jack. A cheery and purposeful fella who escorted me into the lift, which in all honesty felt like the “Wonkavator’ of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ with a possible never-ending ascent to the to the 3rdfloor. Jack made tea just how I liked it, making me think “what a brew” even for a non Yorkshireman! So I stood out as you can imagine, not as a wheelchair user, but more the fact that I wore ‘Pink’ trousers and ‘Blue’ flat cap. A unique ‘get up’, which always gives me super confidence and a sense of being an eclectic and a unique individual. Bingo! I instantly knew I could hold my own in this situation which made me feel totally at ease.

Going into the boardroom, was an oddly encouraging environment, like the comforts of your mum’s ‘jam roly poly’ or more conventionally known as ‘Dead man’s leg’. Which in some cases, appears to more associated with the terror filled feelings of being led into your more ‘traditional’ corporate boardroom sometimes awaiting your fate. Luckily at Harper Collins, mum’s version was ‘hands down’ more appealing and immediately made me feel composed. I was ‘cool beans’, mainly by a heart-warming brew and jolly Jack, instantly ready for action!

Back to the ‘Wonkavator’ we returned, with post meeting feelings still fresh and at the very forefront of my mind. A very successful and innovative meeting I thought! I was ecstatic and elated in equal measure, “what? I actually have to read a book” and for those who don’t know me is one of my favourite indulgent pastimes. For the research purposes, it was full steam ahead leaving no stone unturned. As someone once told me, “you get out what you put in” and that’s what exactly what I planned to do and whatever physical constraints are surrounding my disability, this new mental challenge is one that I am already relishing in!