Good day to all those supportive resolutioners who have kept my ‘J’ challenge in relation to journeys. On a scale of 1 to 10, how successful have you been? How many people have you encouraged to think carefully about making and keeping pavements safe for disabled people?

For the less brave, have you helped by ensuring that your actions are not causing danger? Every little bit helps, so take heart – by December I hope we will see the result of our campaign to raise awareness.

Now for our next resolution, just keep your eyes, ears and minds open. You can even do this sitting in a chair having a coffee.

The two words – yes, two this time – beginning with F are facilities and freedom. We all need facilities in varying degrees and for disabled people they have a greater and specialised need, but one that unites us all is toilets.

Removal of public toilets means less freedom for many disabled people to enjoy a trip to the shops. At last, most of the general public are not only aware that disabled people find it difficult to wait long once they need a toilet but are now actually leaving it available for people who need the extra space.

However, so far, this has not been realised by the people whom we voted to look after our interests – district councillors.

Although we have lost several public toilets in Oxford city, at least we still have a few thanks to those organisations and individuals who campaigned heavily.

And of course, we are looking forward to these being graced with books and flowers. I do hope we get national coverage – Oxford city leads again.

But what of the news that has greeted us recently? “Public toilets in the Vale could be closed to save £110,000.”

This goes to the cabinet on Friday and you can be sure I will be there making my protest.

Would these councillors be willing to fill themselves to the brim with liquid and go around the shops for a few hours? Because for many disabled people, just drinking normally is like anyone without a disability being full to the brim.

There is much to do to get our voice heard and, even more importantly, to be understood.

Without available toilets, the disabled will again be isolated in their homes, denied social interaction, denied the stimulation from choosing their own clothes, or just the sheer pleasure of being regarded as part of society.

This erosion of disabled people’s freedom has to stop. Disabled people already face barriers, so what right have councillors to add to them?

How many organisations looking after equality of opportunity did they consult? Can they produce evidence that they consulted widely? What do shopkeepers in the towns of the Vale think?

So what is your part in this? Contact your district councillor and protest, if you wish, using some of the words I have used in this article.