Reality Check!

Right folks I think its time we all got a bit of perspective here.

I am from Bolton.

From a good, honest, working class family – and proud.

I don’t have any fancy idea’s, unless you count the fact I believe Tahini is an essential store cupboard ingredient.

I don’t consider myself anything special – in fact far from it. I am still waiting for the College of OT & Health Professions Council to find me out and strike me off.

So how did I find myself in a meeting with the UN Head of Human Rights division in Liberia?? Yes things have now spiralled out of all sense of perspective. The live BBC interview was one thing but this is now a little bit silly. OK I admit, I liked the bit where I was scanned by a fabulous looking solider with his big stick as part of the security check to enter the UN building. Well at least that’s what he told me it was!! But seriously guys, come on, all I really ever wanted in life was to be a housewife and well to be honest, eat pies!!

And worse than this, was the worship that I received almost constantly while I was in Liberia. In fact I hadn’t even got through passport control before it started. You see it appears that my body shape is even more admired there than in SL. So much so that women actually came and TOUCHED my thighs stating ‘Wow mam- God made you extra special’. Now firstly, whenever I refer to anyone as being ‘special’ it isn’t always a compliment! And second –err is this not a form of assault, someone rubbing your cellulite??

But oh, I was the talking point everywhere I went and was referred to more than once as the ‘White Liberian’ – I wonder if Peter Andre’s song applies to me now?? One man even explained that I belonged to the Lofa County.

So obviously I LOVED Liberia. Not because of the above, oh no! Its due to the fact I could buy wasabi peas and my favourite anti-dandruff shampoo in the supermarkets of course!!

My reason for being there, in addition to increasing my self esteem, is because I am actually in charge of coordinating and overseeing the Charities rehabilitation programmes in the country and offering technical advise and support. This is mean to be at a strategic level, for example while I was there I gave feedback to the government on its newly proposed mental health act ( I know I know, what the hell am I playing at, they’ll definitely find out I’m a fraud now) so just imagine my horror when someone came to the office to present this child to me who fell into a fire last year.

Because there are no specialised burns services or post trauma therapy, the scar tissue has contracted so that her arm is fixed in this position. Equally the burns extend across her face so she can’t smile; and down her leg so that as she walks, the skin tears apart.

There is a feeling much worse than bewilderment when you find yourself sitting in a reinforced, military protected UN building trying to think of something intelligent to say. It the feeling when a mother looks at you with hope that you can find some way to help, and give her child a future, and you know the odds are pretty damn low.

And thats the reality.

XxX