Here we are in the season of goodwill; pantomimes, lights and Christmas trees bringing with them the feelings of expectation and jollity.

So I thought in this article, I would follow this theme and highlight some of the good things that have happened to me.

Often small things but, for me, they made a big difference.

I might add that it is not only the act of kindness but the raising of spirits and warm glow that is left behind.

One day, being careless and not concentrating on what I was doing, I rode my scooter down a kerb and there I was, on the road under my scooter with no hope of getting up, of course.

A car stopped. Out stepped the passenger and problem solved.

The only damage was to my dignity. But – wait – this was not enough for the good Samaritan. She insisted on accompanying me all the way home, making sure that I was safely indoors before finishing her own journey. A small kindness with added thoughtfulness made such a difference.

Shopping, especially for food, is often a challenge for people in wheelchairs as even items on low shelves are sometimes unreachable.

However the shopping public is alert to our problems and ready and willing to help and even go the extra mile.

Asking someone to reach a grapefruit for me one day, I watched in surprise as she turned them all over to find the one that she thought was best. No hastily grabbing the first one she saw. Another customer wanted to know what else I needed and insisted on helping me finish my list.

Why would I want to shop on-line when I can feel part of society and not isolated at home?

Recently I attended two conferences in London which meant that I would be travelling on unfamiliar territory – no friendly bus companies that know me but the faceless London ones that I needed to tackle.

Any worries that I had were soon dispelled as the good old British public were on hand to help.Wheelchair users must sit with their back to the driver which makes it impossible to read the visual information that is on all buses so I used the old tried and tested method of asking a passenger to tell me when I get to my stop.

A little voice piped up: “That is my stop; don’t worry I will tell you and let the driver know that you need a ramp.” And so, true to his word, he did exactly that and I was led down the ramp by a nine-year-old boy.

Will London hold any more worries for me? Not if my recent experiences are anything to go by.

And nearly last, the Oxford Mail which has given Niall and myself the opportunity to bring to the attention of all readers, the issues affecting disabled people’s lives.

And lastly you readers. Thank you for the encouraging comments, the smiles and conversations that we have enjoyed. A Happy Christmas to all.