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Hmm. It says here in my handy guide to being an Ouch guest blogger that I'm to introduce myself to you, the Ouch readers, in any way I want. You will, apparently, want more information about me than I've already provided. Possibly you are labouring under the false impression that those of us who have been invited to write as guest bloggers live inherently fascinating lives, the sparkling details of which will amaze and astound you. Whilst I can't, of course, speak for the other five, I wouldn't hold your breath if you're expecting my own life to be full of incident. Because I can assure you it's not. (Although I did once serve Harry Hill a pint of beer.)

If you've been reading the Ouch blog for a while, you may have spotted that this isn't my first stint as a guest contributor. Although it is my first time writing as myself. Previously, I wrote as the redoubtable Lady Bracknell: this time, I'm coming out from behind my fictional alter ego and writing as me.

I live in the North West of England, and I'm a civil servant who has spent large portions of the last ten years fighting for equal rights for disabled staff. I also act as a business mentor to a disabled student from one of the local universities every year. I'm too frail and creaky these days to pursue any active leisure interests outside work, but I do have a great and abiding love for the theatre.

I've been blogging since September 2005. I had to be cajoled into setting a blog up, because I was quite convinced I had absolutely nothing of any interest to say. Three hundred and five blog entries down the line, I've barely stopped to draw breath. Blogging is important to me because it provides me with one of my very few ways of meeting new people. I wouldn't, however, describe my blog as "a disability blog". Committed though I am to disability equality, it's not the only thing I ever think about.

Here are some very kind things which some very nice people have said about :

• "Come for the smarts, stay for the snark"
• "Both very clever and very funny"
• "The new Saki". (I am really not worthy.)
• "Your wit is something to be aspired to"

Frankly, I suspect they're confusing me with somebody else. However overrated they might be, though, I'll do my best to bring those same qualities to my contributions to the Ouch blog.

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