George Julian
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georgejulian.bsky.social
George Julian
@georgejulian.bsky.social
1.1K followers 110 following 390 posts
I like people watching, good food and people who speak out about injustice. Crowdfunded #OpenJustice journalist, reporting mainly about #LearningDisability and #Autism. Also can be found with a needle, all things #sewing #quilting #knitting
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georgejulian.bsky.social
It was low yesterday too, but today it’s like we’re actually living in it 🫣
In the foreground a deep sea wall covered in lichen, then the sea with some large rocks is still and greeny blue. The top of the photo shows heavy grey and white clouds with a sliver of light along the horizon.
December 26, 2024 at 10:20 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Serious Christmas cloud cover in Torbados this year; Xmas Eve was beautiful but today is like living in the cloud. Out walking for an hour and my hair looks like I’ve just washed it. Hoping everyone else’s weather is clearer/brighter.
A heavy layer of fog/mist fills the air; you can make out the outline of Oddicombe Beach on the left and some bushes in the front of the photo but the rest of the usual view is obscured by misty atmospheric grey air. A heavy layer of fog/mist fills the air; you can make out the outline of Oddicombe Beach on the left side and some bushes in the front of the photo but the rest of the usual view is obscured by misty atmospheric grey air. The top of a wrinkled forehead with mousey grey hair in a small quiff and tied into a pony tail. The hair is covered in water droplets. The background is cream bathroom tiles.
December 26, 2024 at 10:13 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Just read my 693rd Prevention of Future Deaths Report this year. Only:

16 relate to learning disabled people (who aren't autistic)
3 relate to learning disabled, autistic people
16 relate to autistic people (without a learning disability)

5% of all PFDs, feels way too low to me #NotFullyHuman
Two red felt ginger bread outlines sitting in wheelchairs. Text is hand stitched on them. The one on the left reads: CIPOLD 2013 43% of DEATHS of people with learning disabilities were UNEXPECTED, the one on the right reads: CIPOLD 2013 42% of DEATHS of people with learning disabilities were PREMATURE
December 24, 2024 at 2:23 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
My youngest godson turned 7 today; it looked a lot like this. Pretty pleased with the #MeMade blast off joggers, and first football match was a win for the Magpies (and I love their mascot) #Sewing
A child’s safe dartboard has one green and two red darts in it and too green darts on the floor. It’s on a beige carpet, in front of a white radiator Bottom half of a boy’s navy blue jogging bottoms with a triangle insert that has space ships, planets and the words blast off on it. He is stood on a beige carpet. A blackboard pig with chalk drawings on it. There are balloons and the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY underlined in the middle A large football mascot in a magpie costume wearing red Santa shoes and hat and a black and white striped football top, walks across a green and slightly muddy football pitch
December 21, 2024 at 7:59 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Sorry lost signal (and long answer), I guess I’m suggesting it’s not a place many good people would want to work, certainly not with current cultures. Was struck by this yesterday; the trust arguing they’re faultless. So dangerous. Dread to think how ‘safe’ patients currently are.
Screengrab of text: The coroner said this was the position the Trust had adopted throughout, by Dr Young at the inquest and by a 15 October 2024 statement by Dr Caroline Hubert. “Paragraph 5, made only two months ago, she said I can’t see any reason to refer or admit him to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department”
December 21, 2024 at 10:31 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
An epic read for Monday: Ella's Human Rights Claim www.georgejulian.co.uk/2024/12/16/e...

I spoke with @ellychapple.bsky.social about Northumberland Council unlawfully issuing care proceedings and the impact on their family

Also #MotherBlame #LearningDisabilty #DeafBlind #HumanRights #JusticeforLB
A pink floral banner attached to white railings with yellow cable ties. the cross stitch words are an Audre Lorde quote and read: When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed but when we are silent, we are still afraid, so it is better to speak A craftivism banner attached to grey railings. It's dark but the words are lit by the flash, they read: The local authority is a servant not a master, a truth which on occasion is too easily overlooked, Lord Justice Munby 2010
December 16, 2024 at 8:39 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Went for dinner with some of my oldest mates on Friday (c 30 years), the conversation included the trials and tribulations of elderly parents.

I understand the struggle, think I do anyhow, but it sparked a pang of such overwhelming loss and sadness. Not managed to shake it off since. Miss them.
A woman wearing a brown dress and a gold S necklace and glasses looks lovingly at the one week old baby in her arms. The baby (that's me) is wrapped in a white blanket and wearing knitted yellow cardigan and booties. I'm looking back at my mum. To the right of us on the side is a baby's bottle and a tin of SMA. A man in a white shirt with dark hair and a beard is sat in front of a wall with floral brown 70s wall paper. He has his arms around a young girl with short blonde hair. She is about 18 months old. She is wearing a light yellow knitted cardigan. She has her arm to his chest.
December 15, 2024 at 7:47 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Laura loved shopping and handbags and helping her parents with house work, dusting, packing shopping away, drying dishes, and prepping food. She particularly liked podding peas and peeling carrots and potatoes.

Laura loved people and people loved Laura. They still do.

Happy birthday Laura

/END
A young girl smiles at the camera. She is wearing a zip up coat with flowers on it and a red Santa hat with a white trim and bobble.
December 14, 2024 at 5:19 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Laura was more than her death tho, she was a much longed for and adored child to her parents Ken and Patricia.

Laura was a cheeky character, always playing tricks on people, hiding a jigsaw piece under her bum in her wheelchair before whipping it out at the end to complete it herself.

7/
A young girl is sat in a wheelchair with a black tray table. She is wearing a green top and a Pudsey headband.
December 14, 2024 at 5:19 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Today is Laura Booth's 30th birthday, her parents have sent mugs out so people can raise a mug in her memory at 7pm.

Laura was just 21 when she went into hospital for a routine eye operation. She never got the surgery, less than a month later she died #DeathByIndifference #LearningDisability

1/8
A hand holing a mug with a photo of an 8 year old child in a red jumper on it. The text reads Remembering Laura Jane Booth on her 30th birthday Red script printed on the back of a mug. It reads: This cup is in loving memory of Laura, she would have been 30 on the 14th of December this year. Will you join us and remember Laura on this day by filling the cup with a drink of your choice and come 7pm say a big "Cheers Laura"
December 14, 2024 at 5:19 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
This is the only BlueSky in my life right now, it is so desperately grey here and so atmospherically/head achey.

This was 08:30, I swear is more grey not less since then. The sea is murky brown with mud too.

Keep reminding myself there's blue skies behind the cloud and they'll lift eventually 🤞
A photo taken from Babbacombe Downs looking over Oddicombe Beach towards Shaldon and Teignmouth. In the front of the photo you can see the trees on the cliffs immediately below. In the middle to the left is Oddicombe Beach, a brown sandy beach with a cliff protruding into the sea. The sea looks murky brown with the red mud swirling through it. The clouds sit low in the sky, heavy grey and white with tiny spots of blue peaking through in places.
December 12, 2024 at 2:30 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
In important #food news I had leek, lentil and feta gratin for lunch and it was banging. Not sure this photo does it any favours, but honestly was spot on.

I love a recipe that is as good as leftovers as first time round, possibly even better 👌

A one tin recipe too so minimal washing up #winning
A plastic container which contains leftover gratin, made of lentils, leeks and feta cheese. The top is golden brown, the leeky cheesey goo covers the other ingredients.
December 11, 2024 at 1:28 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
“And the knowing, that this is as it must be and everything will pass. Autumn does not shudder at the thought of Winter ahead; it peacefully basks in the last of the sun, counting every moment as a blessing and a vital part of the journey…. It’s the letting go, you see. Let it go”

Donna Ashworth
A brooding sky of grey clouds with blue sky behind, in the middle of the photo the sun is a weak yellow colour across the horizon, and in the front is a large sandy beach with an expanse of water (the sea) on the right. Autumn Most rejoice at the sight of Spring, but I have always loved Autumn. Rich, righteous colours, a shedding of weight and submission to a force larger than you. The revelation of one’s true self. Bare and unafraid. Warmed and dressed not by folly, but by innate wisdom. And the knowing, that this is as it must be and everything will pass. Autumn does not shudder at the thought of Winter ahead; it peacefully basks in the last of the sun, counting every moment as a blessing and a vital part of the journey. It lets its leaves fall to the ground to nurture the new, like droplets of nourishing gold, and finds peace where no peace existed before. I’ve always loved Autumn. It’s the letting go, you see. Let it go. Poem by Donna Ashworth
December 4, 2024 at 5:44 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied

and all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

and the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying”

John Masefield #Kernow #Cornwall
A corner of the beach at Mawgan Porth, Cornwall. In the foreground is smooth sand with a couple of rocks; on the right is a dark cliff and on the left is a large rock. In the middle of the photo is beautiful aqua green sea with the whites of waves breaking. A heavy grey and white cloudy sky is to the top of the photo. The picture/atmosphere is a little gloomy.
November 29, 2024 at 12:25 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
So cute; the person in my life who’d love that the most died last summer, one of those thumps in the gut when your brain catches up and realises you can’t share it.

So I’ll share with you the lining of a bag I made her the xmas before last 🐷❤️🐖
A photo of inside a cross body bag to show off a light grey lining fabric with lots of pigs on it and a pink card wallet made of pink piggy fabric
November 27, 2024 at 10:27 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
I'm no sailor, or shepherd, but pleased enough to see the sunset this evening, although am heading even further South West tomorrow for a couple days. Hoping we'll see a little Cornish sun.
Heavy grey clouds hang at the top of the picture, above a bright red sky. The outline of a large building is in the middle of the pic, although it's hard to make out.
November 27, 2024 at 4:50 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Random question for any Bluesky #gardeners #gardening

The local badgers (I think, could be foxes but I think it's the badgers) keep digging up my violas/pansies/primroses, to get to the bulbs underneath (again I think).

Any advice for how to deter them or do I just give up on spring blooms?
Photo of the side of my house, mostly with gravel on the floor and two planters, one large round terracotta circular plant pot and one long trough. There are small plants in each and lots on the floor where they've been dug out. At the front left corner are some succulents in shot. In the terracotta pot there is a copper mushroom on a tall stem.
November 27, 2024 at 12:55 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Finally finished and gifted this #quilt to my cousin for her 50th.

It had pained me to make it, I prefer projects that looks like someone has vomited colour over them so the monochrome greys and whites were sooooo boring, but she loves it.

All #quilting done by hand #QuiltSky #YouCantBuyThis
A large home made quilt made up of monochrome grey and white fabrics cut into triangles randomly placed. It has a bright yellow polka dot binding around the outside. The back of a homemade quilt with a busy background in dark green and white. It’s a fabric with drawn woodland characters like a fox wearing a scarf, a hedgehog in a tree stump house, an owl, a snail and others Close up of the front of a quilt with the back turned over. The front shows hand quilting in rows where the grey and white triangles are sewn together and in hexagons. The yellow binding with white polkadots pops. Close up of a green owl from the back of the quilt and two leaves, the yellow polka dot binding and two triangles in grey and white (one white with grey spots, one white and grey stripes). You can see the hand stitches on the binding up the middle of the picture and a label added into the side seam that is black with silver capital letters that says YOU CAN’T BUY THIS
November 26, 2024 at 6:11 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
...total disregard for her history of #trauma and that she was a young #autistic mother

The merry go round of admissions and discharges, with no planning at all ... being treated in such a punitive way, retraumatised Morgan & caused a complete and catastrophic deterioration in her mental state

3/
Morgan, a young mum with long blonde hair is stood side on to the camera at the beach. She wears a cream jumper and is cradling her newborn baby in a white baby grow/winter suit thing. The sky is blue and you can see the beach behind them. She is smiling with her eyes closed.
November 26, 2024 at 4:29 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Morgan Betchley's family statement www.georgejulian.co.uk/2024/11/25/m...

The past 2wks have been gruelling for us as a family.

We wld like to thank the jury for the diligence and care they have taken

#autism #OpenJustice #TraumaNotPD #NotFullyHuman

🧵1/8
A beautiful young woman with long blonde hair sweeping over her shoulders smiles at the camera. There is a blue sky behind her.
November 26, 2024 at 4:29 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Cat Rubens shared her experience on social media yday. I've written it up, adding context, and a statement from AXA www.georgejulian.co.uk/2024/11/26/a...

Cat's mum has a severe brain injury, is in a coma and her doctors do not wish her to fly. Her family feel pressured by AXA to return her to UK
A joyful photo of two people smiling at the camera, with ice creams that look to be the size of their faces (which is a slight optical illusion). On the left, Cat is wearing a khaki top and sunglasses on her head. On the right Jane is wearing a yellow top, glasses and a blue starfish necklace. They both look so happy.
November 26, 2024 at 10:19 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
I’ve made many more clothes than quilts but have made a couple ‘proper’ quilts.

Oooh @sarasiobhan.bsky.social is a crochet whizz too, I’m a bit too cack handed to find crochet relaxing, but love knitting too. Find when my hands are busy my head is less so, thankfully.

Today’s job
A green and white quilt backing with a yellow polka dot bonding being hand sewn on. Behind is the front of the quilt made of grey and white large triangles. Underneath that quilt is a puff quilt with pink puffs on show.
November 24, 2024 at 9:10 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
Morning lovelies, #StormBert is still on one down in Torbados so it’s a day for schnuggling under a #PuffQuilt on the sofa (and trying to finish another #quilt). The first I made includes one of my mum’s skirts from when we were kids and lots of her fabrics. Loved by humans and #cats alike #quiltsky
A colourful quilt made of stuffed mini pillows of fabric is displayed on rocks at the beach. In the distance you can see the sea out of focus. A corner of a puff quilt with puffs made from various pink fabrics and floral fabrics. It is sitting on a dark grey rock at the beach Corner of a puff quilt on a dark grey rock at the beach. The puffs are teal green colours and the bottom right one is teal with a white script saying fuck cancer A large white cat is sat in a ball on a puff quilt with his head tucked into his feet and tail
November 24, 2024 at 8:32 AM
georgejulian.bsky.social
He wasn't the most tactile of Grandads but I spent a couple hours with him, mostly in silence and holding his hand, the day before he died.

Always kind, generous and encouraging. He was also incredibly accepting and inclusive, and had no time for injustice or small mindedness.

A true gent

/END
A photo of two people holding hands. One hand is bruised and purple, the other not. There's a pink striped fleece blanket in the background.
November 23, 2024 at 7:24 PM
georgejulian.bsky.social
That was him all over.

He was accepting and patient. The only time I saw him even slightly angry was if we touched his car, which would prompt him to retrieve his hanky and wipe it clean and we'd get a slight reprimand.

9/
A slightly blurry old photo from the 80s. Three small children stand with their grandparents on a door step. Behind a garage door is open and a small white dog is wandering around.
November 23, 2024 at 7:24 PM