Sign the petition to protect Rimsha

My blog doesn't receive much traffic nowadays because I don't have much useful stuff to say (and that's the truth, isn't it :)) but occasionally something comes along that I feel I need to post on my blog. The story of Rimsha in Pakistan is just one of these things.

This little girl has Down syndrome and she is to be burned alive on blasphemy charges. On so many levels this story affects and touches me; I consider how inhumane this whole situation is, and then I try to emphathise with the family. I just can't accept oppression on grounds of religious beliefs and when it comes to a mentally handicapped person - a child! - this sort of evil reaction is totally unjust. I have often considered what I would have done had I lived in a time or place where my daughter would have been taken away from us (and possibly murdered) because of a condition she had no choice about.

Not sure how much impact this petition will have but if you don't sign it, you're just allowing it to happen without putting up a fight.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists, 
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.


SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_save_my_daughter/?bCiCibb&v=17431

Win a LEGO Death Star

GAME is doing an awesome competition at the moment: win a LEGO Death Star! All you have to do is sign up here: http://www.game.co.za/Competition.aspx ... it's a pretty simple competition with one of the most AWESOME prizes EVER!

New Layout

Times change. So too does BLOGGER and, along with it, my blog.

I am moving with the changing times. Kind of. I decided to embrace the new template designer offered by BLOGGER after months of resisting (and also since my old template doesn't always integrate so nicely without me having to hack some CSS or HTML). This is the result. Do you like it? Please vote on the poll ... I don't expect too many responses but hopefully at least one vote will indicate if it's considered an improvement or not :)

* I am not very artistically inclined so if there are horrible clashing colours then vote NO!

To see what my old BLOG looked like, click here:

Kalahari BIG MAMA SALE

If anyone is interested, there's FREE DELIVERY until the end of March 2011 on Kalahari.net orders, so go over there and check out the merchandise available - and if you're lucky enough to also have a R50 voucher, maybe score yourself something really cheap :)

Are you registered for voting?

Last chance to register is this weekend for the local by-elections. If you aren't sure whether or not you're registered, you can visit the IEC website at https://www.elections.org.za/content/Pages/AmIRegistered/VoterRegistrationStatus.aspx and verify your details.

Alternatively, SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS sent or received),

OR

Call the toll-free (from a landline) number 0800 11 8000.

Do it! Add to the democratic way... AKA the dictatorship by the ignorant masses :)

It's all in the Genes this Friday

Wednesday 20 October was National Down Syndrome Day, and the theme this year was "It's all in the Genes".

Down Syndrome is the largest single cause of intellectual disabilities affecting one in every 650 children born each year, and it is vital to raise awareness and make a difference to change society's preconceived ideas and prejudices on Down Syndrome.

Support the Down Syndrome Association of South Africa this Friday 22 October by wearing jeans and paying a 'fine' of R5 to DSA KZN for doing so. There are also skin mark tattoos available at R5 each. Let's help and raise awareness and assist in this important initiative. 

You can call the DSA on 031-464-2055 to get involved.

For those that know Kat and I personally, you know that our whole perspective on Down Syndrome has recently been shifted quite dramatically, so we are passionate about this sort of awareness drive, and also speak from experience when we say that it's as far from your mind as everything else until it's thrust into your lives. Regardless of other factors, I can confidently say that my understanding and appreciation for how Down Syndrome affects lives has changed completely recently - and I am pleased to say that my change has been for the better! Please, consider the simple action of wearing jeans this Friday and show your support for raising awareness. It's very unlikely that you will choose to think about this genetic disorder unless / until it becomes a very real aspect of your lives, but I encourage you to not wait for something to happen before your prejudices and ideas are transformed! There's so much that can be improved in society if ordinary people just take the time to sincerely think about others and work at understanding the mysterious, usually unthinkable, sides of human life.

Below is a photo of the article in this week's Highway Mail.