Vivek’s Review of 2016

Looking back over 2016, it has been a year of unexpected personal evolution even though it began similarly to 2015. I’ve witnessed the development of my confidence levels & focus resembling a secondary mutation. 2016 would not have been legendary without all my amazing friends or the wonderful new ones I’ve made. So thank you :)

2016 also exposed me to many wonderful new opportunities that have altered my beliefs regarding my future. These are some of my yearly highlights:

• Working at MDUK’s London HQ in April taught me that I possess employable skills & to create a good CV profile for future employment

• MDUK inviting me to attend St James’s Palace to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s patronage.  Having to be measured for a tuxedo was another highlight

• Working with the MuscleOwl team on their video content (& PeterDuffy’s infectious enthusiasm) forced me to face my fear of public speaking through their and feel proud of my experiences

• Meeting Angus Drummond & being part of the Limitless Travel team has really changed my life, it’s given me more independence and purpose. I finally feel 

that I’ve reached Adulthood now that I’ve attending an office Christmas party.

• Attending the ActionDuchenne conference was a profound experience being in the presence of so many DMDer’s & learning from JonHastie & MarkChapman from DMDPathfinders

• Staying at my friend Farhan’s flat after his New Years party was the perfect way to end the year. I never thought that it would be possible for me to stay at a friends house but I can now tick that of my list.

There was some sad news in 2016 when MDUK’s founder Lord John Walton passed away, his dedication to muscular dystrophy can never be forgotten and thank you does not really express my gratitude. - RIP Lord John Walton (16 Sept 1922 – 21 April 2016)

Due to my regular blog writing, I’ve had to improve my productivity through using accessibility equipment like dictation, on-screen keyboard or controlling my iPhone with a Switch for use during my long car journeys.

The Olympics/Paralympics dominated much of the summer to varying degrees of positive disability awareness, the issues surrounded the C4 adverts and the #hashtag-able buzz word SUPERHUMAN. Well done #TeamGB. You cannot review 2016 without mentioning the Brexit debacle, David Cameron letting England down or Donald Trump winning the election. I can’t imagine what the future of England or America looks like?

2017 will be the year where I focus on accessibility products, organizing a family holiday to Barcelona through Limitless Travel & hopefully finding some sort of employment.

Thank you to all the awesome people who made my 2016 memorable.