I always baulk at the thought of New Year Resolutions, as I am to self-discipline what Tony Blair is to listening skills. However, I think now is the right time to break that particular resolution, thereby proving that I can go on as I mean to start. Well ? here goes nothing?..

I will continue to treat official statements on Disability Rights with the contempt they deserve.

We all saw ? or maybe didn?t see is a better description ? the impact that the European Year of People with a Disability, complete with it?s much-lauded bus, had on the disability awareness of Joe Public. Actually, the bus was less apparent than accessible public transport in Britain which, as we know, is as rare as rocking-horse droppings. In reality, it was Year Of The Ashtray On A Motorbike, for all the good it was worth. Consequently, I shall treat October?s much-heralded introduction of the final measures of the Disability Discrimination Act with equal contempt ? but I won?t be able to get on a train to complain to the Disability Rights Commission a) Because the rail network isn?t scheduled to be fully accessible until ? wait for it ? 2032; and B) Because the DRC, in finest Turkeys Voting For Christmas tradition, are all behind measures to immerse the Commission into an all-singing, all-dancing, one-size-fits-nobody anti-discrimination quango ? but that?s alright, as long as their cushy seats on the Gravy Train are safe, innit?

I will continue to be a bolshy, uncompromising, ?wet liberal?.

I was lucky enough to receive Michael Moore?s Dude ? Where?s My Country? for Christmas ? mainly because I asked for it from my aunt. It both confirms what I?ve always believed about Dubya ? and gives me hope that the REAL America is more liberal than Dubya or Fox News would like it to be. Some of you will know about the terrible incident my family endured over Christmas ? we were burgled at my parents? house in Spain on Boxing ? thankfully, we were out. Initially, I?m sorry to say that I succumbed to less-than-liberal sentiments towards those who?d ripped us off, but I was back on track as soon as Dad threatened to come over all Tony Martin on us and purchase a gun. Sadly, the Spanish Police would be on his side ? mainly because they have such an aversion to paperwork ? and anything approaching real crime detection, like forensics ? that they?d condone such actions as ?Doing us a favour?. As for my regular contributions to Youreable?s forums, you can expect no change. I shall be as combative in my defence of what I believe to be right ? unfettered by allegiance to any party, news source or fellow YA user ? as you are. I know you?d be disappointed if I didn?t.

I will continue to challenge the misrepresentation of Disabled People in the media.

I have been writing like crazy in the last year, since having my talent (their assertion, not mine) for writing acknowledged. As a result, I?ve developed some great new friendships, and learnt some valuable lessons. I can see with greater clarity that representations of disabled people in the media which I?d previously accepted are no longer valid ? and I intend to do something about it. Indeed, I told Julie Fernandez, who was in the recent series of The Office ? including a blink-or-you?ll miss her appearance in the Christmas Specials, that although her part may have raised some important issues about disability, she was under-used, and deserved better. However, it has led to an upsurge in her career that we hope will continue. I?m fortunate that certain opportunities have fallen into my lap as a consequence of being in the right place at the right time (for a change), and I will hopefully soon be in a position to at least start the ball rolling on this thorny subject. As with all that I do, I shall undertake the task with a dose of honey, tempered with a little vinegar for balance. Thankfully, the greater part of the world doesn?t accept any of the isms which blight our society ? let?s add disablism to that list, because it seems to be last ?acceptable? one. So, to the media ?suits? (and fellow writers) I say: putting non-disabled actors in disabled roles when there are many suitably trained disabled actors literally begging for their big break is no longer acceptable ? nor is portraying disabled people with cloying sentimentality or as tragic victims. Don?t you realise Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol was ironic ? an attack on charity?

There you have it. I?ve set my stall out for the coming year ? and I expect you to challenge me if I appear to be slipping. I hope you do as well with yours ? and resolving NOT to make resolutions IS making a resolution ? but that doesn?t count. Don?t put it off ? Procrastinators Anonymous can?t be bothered to help you?

Happy New Year!

Chris Page