A New Year Message from the Radical Spirit Radio Team...

Dear All,

Just a quick message to say thank you for all your support this year, and to wish you all the best for 2014!


We hope that Radical Spirit Radio will continue to go from strength to strength.


There are some interesting guests ahead, and we hope to have some new programmes and presenters starting in the new year, too.


Don't forget you can join our Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/526976064019495/


Or follow us on Twitter:

@radspiritradio


Please feel free to contact us with ideas, or any comments you may have. We'd be happy to hear from you.


You can tune in 24 hours a day, at the link below:

http://alternativeradio.caster.fm/ 


 In the meantime, once again, Helen, Eddy, and the rest of the team wish you a Happy New Year!

RIP Peace Pioneer Lynne Hazelden

Peace Pioneer Lynne Hazelden

  On Tuesday 3rd December 2013 our dear friend Lynne Hazelden passed away. Lynne spoke on Radical spirit Radio and remained in contact with Helen throughout her illness. Helen offered  an amazing tribute  to Lynne recently on the radio show, stating how although she had only known her a short while, she had touched her life in ways she didnt quite realize and that is what Lynne was like.


As a long time friend and supporter In her memory I wanted to share the story of when I met her. It was In 2009, Lynne contacted me after becoming a member of my group now called Friendship grows where love flows, we had many mutual friends, and she wanted to add my group to her peace page, Peace in our lifetimeI'm a Dreamer AND ~ We're Creating it NOW
and she made me admin there, as I too made her admin of my group,  as well as adding and promoting all similar groups which had the same intentions,  she organized concerts for Peace and had 16 live concert events web-stream into her website. The event incorporated inspirational films and uplifting music from talented international artists, such as Mike Lindup (Level 42), John Young (Asia, Scorpions), Steve Balsamo (Jesus Christ Superstar and The Storys) and will be held in across the world including the UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, Hawaii, Amsterdam with events in South Africa and YMCA PEACE Pre-School, Jerusalem. The parties will be streamed live on the internet and in venues in the 3D virtual world ‘Secondlife’. Inspirational ‘peace themed’ school assemblies for children will take place in Jerusalem, Canada, Ecuador, Nairobi and other countries around the world. The next year she joined forces with Peace Day TV and had over 6 Million viewers of Peace Day events.

Including MUSIC CLIPS of LONDON musicians from PEACE DAY
They gave time free and Me speaking about the day:
www.youtube.com/thekindfoundation.
LINK: www.blogtalkradio.com/plantingseedsforpeace
HOME: http://www.planting-seeds.com/
Founder of Peace in OUR Lifetime.
~Our VISION ~
GLOBAL PROJECT/ LIVE MUSIC EVENT/
~INTENT SHIFT CONSIOUSNESS ~
PARTNERSHIP/COLLABORATION/ INSPIRATION
LINK: http://www.peaceinourlifetime.com
CONCEPT/ FOUNDATION and Journey to here: http://www.peaceinourlifetime.com/newsletter/introduction_peace_our_lifetime
A GLOBAL UNITED PARTY FOR PEACE – each SEPT 21st
A DECLARATION of A DAY of GRATITUDE & THANKS
Lynne would call me regularly and update me on what was going on, whilst supporting me in my own quest for changes globally and individually.   She and I spent hours on the phone, she would spend hours chatting with my son Nicholas, she always wanted to know what was happening  with my kids and we realized that each of us are given a mission  that could bring changes to different quarters of our world. Lynne was genuine compassionate and cared about all of the events in my life.


 We both agreed that In some ways, the requirement for spiritual development is much greater now than it has been in the past, for the world is larger and its needs are more demanding. The world requires a greater understanding, a greater ability and a more complete approach. Here the emphasis is not on one or two people becoming saints or great practitioners in their traditions. Here the the emphasis is on developing the skills of humanity at large. Here the emphasis is not on heroes and heroines within a spiritual universe. Here the emphasis is on selfless activity within the mundane world just as Lynne showed to us all.  This has always been the case in terms of real spiritual development, but we must make these distinctions because so much has been misunderstood and misconstrued about our spiritual development.


People think that spiritual development is a process of amplifying and granting divine powers to their personal mind. This has never been the case, for the reality is that spiritual development is meant to bring your personal mind back into service to spirit. All the great practitioners have known this, and this has been the real way despite popular and fantastic notions to the contrary.

Our culture is very much involved in hero worship, and so everyone is denigrated except for a few individuals who are endowed with supernatural powers and who are considered godlike. This is a cultural defect in our societies, and it is a defect born of the nature of human development.

 Lynne encouraged everyone to celebrate the Peace that we have in our lives every day. I am so glad that she is no longer going through the struggle of getting better... but I miss her! I miss her as my earth Angel and friend. I have a hole in my heart now that she has passed on.

Lynne was an Peace Pioneer, GoodWill Ambassador, Transformation Facilitator/Coach, Poet, Writer, Actress - Founder Planting Seeds & The KindTo read her Bio check this out: Woman of Action

I Love the tribute that Lynne's friend Olma Edeki  wrote for her:

 "You came into our lives Lynney like a flowing river... You touched our hearts in ways we never imagined..

You freed many of us from a small world of individual pursuit, causing a movement of love, generosity and compassion; a community that came together in sun, rain, sweat, tears and joys to accompany you in your journey which today has become endless..

As my mind struggles to understand that this journey had a different turning; my heart knows that your time is endless and lies beyond the hands of time..

You've freed yourself from the complaints of the body.. You've crossed over to the other shore.. And I'll never forget the light you brought into each one of our hearts.

Thank you Lynney for standing for something bigger than yourself, for being extraordinary , magical and out if this world..

Thank you, all of you, for your support, love and stand for Lynney..
For every penny raised, event created and attended, for every breakthrough, for every fear faced and every conversation had.

Thank you for allowing Lynney to touch your heart.

Rest in Peace my beautiful friend.. Missing you so deeply."

About PEACE in OUR Lifetime

Peace in OUR Lifetime offers a free personalized peace certificate to each person who consciously chooses to Stand in Peace. Their voice is counted in efforts to recognize 1 billions souls standing united in celebration of the Peace that is. We will also supply this certificate to organizations who wish to also offer the certificate, (without coming to our site and no registration or email is required.)

Until we can see the Peace that is being created already, we will not know peace, or feel empowered to create more peace. Together we can restore faith and realize that peace begins with each one of us and ripples out.

We can begin now and give this planet back to the people who are making a difference everyday.

As we shift our experience from one of power and force to one where we see the differences we are making and inspire people to help, work together and bring change to their life locally.

This will restore faith in our ability to create peace.

Peace will be known to exist as the bigger part of who we are.

We will be in action rather than being overwhelmed with the idea.

Peace is possible because we are already creating it every day.. maybe .. we just did not see it!

 

"We're all unique and see the world differently and yet,

we are ONE VOICE standing together for Peace" 

Having a Peace Certificate shows that a person has made a conscious choice to Stand for PEACE. It is a gift to thank them and a way everyone one can be counted collectively, as one voice for peace. They can put their free Peace Certificate anywhere: Post it as their profile picture. They can print it on a t-shirt, mug or make a poster of it and share it anywhere they choose. 

Peace Day Invitation Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXLffphlJA0

Founder of Peace In OUR Lifetime initiative:                 

Lynne Hazelden                                                         

Founder, Planting Seeds & The Kind Foundation

Disability Has Made Me The Empathetic Person I Am Today

 

By Helen Sims (Pictured).

As I sit here the pain is ripping through my body. It is relentless, like waves hitting rocks on a stormy day and I’m writing this off the cuff as it were, purely as a distraction.

I want it to stop. I feel like something evil is gnawing on my muscles and positively relishing it!

Painkillers will take the edge off…for about half an hour.

I guess I should’ve known yesterday that today would be worse. I was aching you see, aching badly, but I still wanted to go for a walk because the sun was out. My husband lovingly calls me ‘the hermit’ and I wanted to prove him wrong.

Every physio I have ever had told me I need exercise, especially since my pulmonary embolism in two thousand and five. I have to stay as active and fit as I can, but it is so hard to stay motivated and keep doing it when you know that it will hurt later, if it doesn’t already.

It drains my energy so quickly. Sometimes I feel like a car running on empty. I have to carry on but there is no fuel left, I have nothing left to give.

On a side note, I often get this feeling about my friendships. Part of my personality is that I am there for everybody, whenever they need me. My husband calls it my ‘saintliness’ but it is just the way I am.

On days like today though, I admit to seeing their trivial little worries as exactly that, and hate myself for it. He often reminds me that very few of them have been there for me. “Isn’t that just the way it is though?” I’ll say and he will roll his eyes. He’s wonderful! He reminds me that I have enough to deal with!

The thing is, my disability has probably made me more empathetic and more in tune with people, so yeah, thanks for that! I’m not saying I am an angel. I can be horribly moody and sometimes very depressed. That is just life. Everybody gets depressed and everybody has tough times, but it is how you get through it that matters.

The pain is no better and despite having enjoyed talking to you, (please forgive my disjointed ramblings) I still want to throw something out of sheer frustration! Yes I admit it, there is a bit of self pity mixed in today too, because I did not ask for this, and there is no ‘end’ for me like there is for others with problems. There is no solution.

But, I will not give up, EVER, even though right now part of me wants to. I have an amazing husband and a very strong marriage. I have my family and I have my writing (for what it is worth)!

When I finish typing I will go and curl up in my husband’s arms and I might even finally cry, but I know that all this HAS made me stronger. I hope it continues to do so. What I’m trying to say, is that, even when it doesn’t feel like it, even when it seems like there is just too much pain, you can always find a little strength from somewhere.

Please don’t give up.

Radical spirit radio schedule

Radical Spirit Radio Schedule 2013

Monday Music Through the Ages
8pm -10pm
**Helen/Eddy + Guests –Topical Chat/Debate

Tuesday Music Through the Ages
8pm -12pm
Music through the ages continued.


Wednesday Music Through The Ages
8pm -10pm
Themed music.


Thursday Music Through the Ages
 8pm -10pm
**Helen/Eddy + Guests –Topical Chat/Debate

 Friday Music Through the Ages
8pm -10pm
**Helen/Eddy + Guests –Topical Chat/Debate

 Saturday Music Through the Ages
Music Through the Ages

Sunday Music Through the Ages
12pm onwards
Podcast Playback

Please Note: The management reserves the right to change the schedule without notice.
** Denotes live broadcast

Helens Beautiful Poem "Always there" and much more.

 Always there.

Click the link to read a beautiful Poem written by Presenter of Radical spirit radio Helen sims. 

  This  site shares  political and disability rights campaigns  news, opinions, poetry and other interesting info.

There's also a  link to Helen's page, her poetry group if you'd like to see more of what she does. 

More of her poetry can also be found at this link.

HELEN'S POEMS

Radical spirit radio listeners and presenters pets and other wild creatures.

Looking through the radical spirit radio listeners and presenters keyhole. Who would own a tank like this.?

And whose Puddy tat do you think he belongs too?

Answers in comments here or on the radical spirit Radio face book page.

Or Live on air. Monday, Thursday and Friday

from 8pmGMT

 









If its your pet, please keep quiet.
but if you can guess who this little fella belongs.
let us know.....
and if you slept next to her SHHHHHH! 

For those of you with arachnophobia, Please look away now.
Who would name a lovely fur ball like 
this  Bubbles?

 Any guesses which of our presenters and listeners has a family pet 

that looks this cute?

what would you name him and why?

  Can you guess who these two are loved by ?

And who might this Loopy loony belong?

wet nose snogs to you all. 

Pride of place in the best chair.

lolly woggle

Heres a big hint..

They say that pets look like their owners, so whose lizzardy thing is this?

 and who might be proud owner of this teeny weeny 
gerbily thing.

profound Thoughts and radical spirit updates.

                   

                             You are welcome to add yours too
                                             Contact Helen or Catherine and send your pics. x
                                      and remember to listen in at the below times don't miss a show! 

Speak Out - Stop Cyberbullying Now

I want to talk about cyberbullying. 

What happened to me was nowhere near as severe, nasty, or long lasting as what some people go through, and I'm so glad that (for now at least), it appears to be over.

In reality, it doesn't matter about the so called 'severity' of it or how long it lasts. It can be six weeks, six months, or six years - the impact is the same.

I won't go into details here, but I was bullied because I had the guts to stick with something I believe in wholeheartedly.

Sometimes you find yourself in a situation you would have never thought you would be in. You either do what the bullies tell you and walk away, or you stay and keep fighting.

I chose to stay, even though the bullies hated me for it. Why should I give up something I've worked hard to build up, just because certain people did not (and probably still do not) approve of my choices.

I was told repeatedly that I was not the person that they thought I was, and by some I was called names. I was made to feel awful about myself on a daily basis, and it's not just the things they said to me, it's the things that were said and done behind my back.

Lies, assumptions, and judgements are made about you - and you have no control over what is done with them. For me, the worst one (although not to my face, as it were) was that I was 'faking' and 'exaggerating' my disability! Notice how the bullies didn't have the guts to tell ME that . I found out through a friend, who made the (correct) decision to tell me what had been said.

I am aware that the friend spared me every detail - and I still don't know the extent of it. I don't want to either.

I am also aware that by writing about this, I run the risk of it starting all over again - but I had to do it. Like I said, what happened to me was mild compared to the situations of others, but I still felt scared to turn on the computer in case there was another message waiting for me, and I found I didn't know who to trust.

Was the person I was talking to online really on my side, or were they one of the bullies, just pretending to be my friend? Would they turn on me, and use what I said against me later? Were they going to spread more lies? Sometimes they did, and I had trusted the wrong person. That just made it worse.

For the brief period that it went on, I doubted myself even more than usual. I was withdrawn, I was angry and  I couldn't fight back.

I knew who 'my' bullies were, and I knew why they did it - or at least, I think I know why they did it. For many people cyberbullying is faceless. It is almost entirely anonymous, and that just adds to the fear and intimidation.

According to the NSPCC website 38% of young people have been affected by cyberbullying. Their information comes from government research and data as of March 2013.

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/resourcesforprofessionals/bullying/bullying_statistics_wda85732.html

With the tragic suicides of teenagers like Hannah Smith bringing cyberbullying back into the spotlight this year, it is important that no one feels they have to suffer in silence, whether you are a teenager or a full grown adult.

In a world where more and more time is being spent online, we need to be aware that it can happen to anyone.



By Helen Sims



If you have been a victim of cyber bullying you can find more information and help at the following links:


Government Site:
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/how-to-report/index.html

Childline:

http://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/Bullying/Pages/online-bullying.aspx

Image: Google

 Special guests, and regular listener

Vice Chairman at SOUTHERN TROOPERS 

Simon James wolf Henry otherwise known as wolfy

 Southern troopers are based in Plymouth, they are

Star Wars/Sci fi costuming group and official friends group and
charity fundraisers for Children's Hospice South West and can be seen
at many charity events in authentic costume.

 Simon and the southern troopers crew.

 Simon James wolf Henry

 Simon behind the chewbacca costume.

At Lynne Hazeldens Charity event for Kinder cancer choices. 

with Mike Vincent.

Lynne is founder of  Kinder cancer choices and of Peace in our lifetime.org.

These people are proof there is still good in the world.

http://alternativeradio.caster.fm/

on now and Lynne of star wars fame and kinder cancer choices
https://www.facebook.com/KinderCancerChoices?fref=ts

Join Eddy Helen and Lynne on FRIDAY 20TH at 8pm

Have your say through the chat box .. 

Meet the Team: Eddy's Profile

Eddy Wright (Co Founder/Presenter)

Eddy was born in Cumbria , North West England in June 1973. I Have mental health issues I suffer from anxiety and depression which I have suffers for over 15 years now. It means I have good days and bad because of this I understand when people say they aren't feeling great. 

It also annoys me when people assume that just because you don't show a disability they assume you aren't. I therefore try to change this in everything I do. 

I also have been a advocate for over 10 years and have a very good record of wins (especially where issues with local authorities are concerned).

I am always happy to help, but as my health is not great and I can only do a few cases at a time which is why I am always here for advice at least.  Married to ANN long suffering wife!

On Air: 

Well that's a difficult one! I have been told I'm outspoken and 'gobby,' but my philosophy is 'if you cannot say it as you see it why bother?! 

I sometimes wind up Helen which is fun as its so easy! With with me what you hear is what you get. I'm a typical northerner you could say...!

Hobbies: 

That's easy... boats. I have five, and counting. I also enjoy fishing and the radio of course!

Politics: 

I have no affiliation. In my book they are all the same now. No one party seems to be interested in the disabled or their issues

Well that's a bit about me. If you do need advice or want to come on a show, please feel free to ask ether me or Helen

Meet the Team: Helen's Profile

Helen Sims (Co Founder/Presenter)

Bio:

Helen was born in Bath, South West England in November 1981. She has Cerebral Palsy (from birth) and is unable to walk or stand unaided.

In 1995 (age 14), Helen underwent major orthopaedic surgery, spending nearly 4 months in hospital, where she had to learn to walk from scratch. Since that time, she has suffered from depression.

A passionate disability rights activist and writer (both from age 8), she is outspoken, opinionated, has a strong sense of injustice, and is prone to giggles!

Has one sister. Married to Colin.

On Air:

She is the ‘sensible one’ of the team, providing facts, figures and an ability to see an argument from both sides. On air, she talks a lot – and attempts to keep Eddy in line!

Hobbies:

Writing,  listening to music, singing, drinking tea, surfing the net, history, derelict buildings, and a keen interest in figure skating, dance, and dance choreography.

Politics:

Helen is an idealist, and proudly left wing.  She loathes the coalition government, particularly their Welfare Reform policies.

Religion:  

Atheist

Nothing Short of Barbaric (written October 2012) - By Helen Sims

A Freedom of Information document from the DWP has revealed that rather than an average of 32 deaths per week as a result of Welfare Reform that figure has now risen to an average of 73 deaths per week!

When is this going to stop?! When are people going to wake up and help us fight against this government?!  We need help!

How many more vulnerable, sick and disabled people have to die before something is done?!

As a disabled person, I don't want to live in this country any more. We're frightened of losing our benefits and our independence. It is happening.

People are being left with nothing! Vulnerable, sick and disabled people are being left destitute after having their benefits wrongly cut, by a cruel and callous government!

THIS GOVERNMENT (Aided by ATOS) KILLS!

As a person with Cerebral Palsy, who cannot walk or stand unaided, I know my turn for an assessment is coming soon...and I'm terrified! I know I will fail.

I'm luckier than some I know, because I have my wonderful husband (and his Pension Credit) to help us live, but there will be no more independence for me (what there is of it), because if I lose my Disability Living Allowance, I may as well close my bank account. There will be nothing going into it!

I'm going to be completely reliant on my husband, and feel even more of a burden than I already do. At the moment I can help pay household bills - just like any 'normal' wife does. I can get taxis to see friends, and attend appointments alone when I am able. It enables me to feel just like everyone else.

The government has already taken a lot of my self esteem, and my place in society. The constant, relentless lies about Disability Benefit Fraud has done that for me.

You see, the real fraud figures are very different to what the government would have you believe. In reality only 1 in every 200 claimants is committing fraud, but  the unceasing'scrounger' rhetoric has made me, and many others feel virtually worthless, and very unwanted - no matter how genuine we are.

I hate this country and I'm beginning to hate myself again. I thought I'd accepted my life, it's limitations and constant pain.

I know I will never be a mother and I know I won't work again. I did work once - for a year. I was dedicated, hard working, and always there when needed, but I was exhausted and in agony. I came home...and slept.

My boss knew I was struggling. I was pale and losing weight. When my contract came to an end, they didn't renew it.

I was heartbroken because I loved my job, but I was relieved at the same time. In reality I didn't know how much I could take.

I'm exhausted now, and my pain (through wear and tear on my body) is worse. It is always there, and some days I can barely move, never mind get myself out of bed and get to work!

Who is going to employ me? I'd have  to take regular days off because I am mind numbingly exhausted and in agony. Not to mention the frequent hospital and GP appointments...!

How many times will my employer put up with me saying "I'm sorry, I can't come in today"...before they sack me, in favour of somebody who CAN?!

This is not my fault. I didn't choose my life - none of us did. None of us would! To cut our benefits now, in this economic climate when there are no jobs even for the able bodied, is nothing short of barbaric!

It is inhumane, callous and cruel to treat a whole section of society in this way. The fact that we are some of the poorest, most vulnerable people in society just makes it worse!

How can they do it? How can they hurt people like this? How is it right that this government is able to drive people to suicide (regularly) and hardly anyone bats an eye lid?!

Why is this not a real Human Rights issue by now? Surely it counts as one! It is the oppression of people, and that should be covered somewhere...somehow.

Where has the compassion gone? That's what makes me saddest I think. People just don't seem to care like they used to. Have we become that selfish and blinkered as a society, that we can close our eyes to the suffering of others? If we have, it makes me more ashamed of what is happening here!

I no longer trust people like I did, and I will never forgive this government for that. When is it my turn to become a statistic in the 20% national rise in Disability Hate Crime? I'm terrified it will happen.

Will I be one of the people who gets my property vandalised? Will I be verbally abused or physically attacked when I go out in my wheelchair? That thought crosses my mind every time I go out. People should not have to live like this!

We suffer enough, and now we have to deal with victimisation, extra anxiety and pure fear for our futures as well.

It is easy to make judgements. In my case, my disability is visible, but there are so many illnesses and disabilities that aren't, and it is these people who are often victims of 'Scrounger' abuse, but just because you can't see it, it doesn't mean it isn't there.

It is these people too, who will suffer most as a result of the assessment process. The suffering caused by mental illness or invisible disability is not as easily quantifiable - but it can be just as debilitating as any physical visible condition.

As for me, I don't know what will happen to me on assessment day. I don't know if I'll be able to handle questions based on a 'tick box' computer programme, that doesn't allow for pain or variation and rarely takes a person's medical records in to account. I know that I'll be set up to fail.

I know that it could be a person who is not medically qualified and who, after meeting me for forty five minutes, will decide whether I get to keep my life, my independence, and my pride intact.

No wonder I wake up sweating, (that's if I actually get to sleep of course)! No wonder I am plagued by anxiety that buries itself in the pit of my stomach every night and refuses to budge. I am fighting for my life. We all are. I'm waiting for an envelope to drop on the mat and tell me that it's my turn.

Every time the letter box goes, I jump half a mile out of my skin! I am unable to open, or even look at official envelopes because I am so scared that it just might be it. It isn't just me. The panic and fear I feel every single day is widespread through the disabled people of this country.

My only consolation, is knowing that I am not alone.

Disabled and ill people like me need your help now, We need the help of our Councillors, MP's and society at large. This should not be happening to us.

Even if you feel that can't get involved in our fight, you'd be surprised how much difference a few kind words of support can make. It gives people hope when it can feel like there is none.

I'm asking you - one human being to another - to not let them take our lives. There is no difference between you and I. Anyone can be struck by illness or disability at any time. No one is immune. It only takes a second for lives to be changed forever, and I hope that if it does, there will be someone there who is willing to fight for you.

For full 'Freedom of Information' document - see link below:

http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2012/incap_decd_recips_0712.pdf