Sophie Morgan blog

My 2012 Adidas campaign

2012-01-20T18:48:00.000Z

http://rtister.com/news-2/adidas-stella-mccartney-limited-edition-my-2012-collection/

2011-10-22T10:14:00.000+01:00

So I am now writing a column for the great new magazine, Enable.


click on to enlarge!

Putting disabled youngsters in the driving Seat | Easier

2011-10-21T14:02:00.000+01:00

Putting disabled youngsters in the driving Seat | EasierA new initiative i'm involved in and helping draw attention to..xx

2011-09-12T21:18:00.002+01:00

So I have been away for a while and have been very busy painting! Here are some of my new finished and unfinished paintings!

Review!!

2011-07-20T14:52:00.000+01:00

The Social Issue (Click here for full article)

2011-07-16T23:05:00.001+01:00

Comment in "The Social Issue" on the artwork shown below which was shown at the Bloomsbury Art Fair this week. Click link above to see article in full.

Bloomsbury Art Fair

2011-07-14T09:56:00.000+01:00

So the Bloomsbury Art Fair kicked off last night, and was a great success! It featured the artwork of some famous artists such as Banksy and less famous artists such as me (!!) and aimed to raise money for a selection of charities that all deal with disability. Its on till Saturday and tickets are ten pounds, so if you are around pop down and check it out!
More pictures and news to come, but just wanted to thank the lovely people who came and expressed an interest in my art, and bought some of my work, it means a great deal and I hope you all enjoy them!
Love Soph x

Antiques Trade Gazette!

2011-07-03T10:53:00.001+01:00

Next Chapter

2011-06-26T18:57:00.002+01:00

Growing up on the Ashdown Forest, in a small isolated cottage surrounded by bracken, blackberries (not the mobile phone sort) and Silver Birch trees I would have to title that first chapter of my life’s story, 'Idyllic’. After this opening however, the story would quickly turn from an AA Milne adventure to Patricia Cornwell thriller as I naughtily stumbled from one playground crime scene to another, my mother as an exhausted Scarpetta, diligently following me as I ruthlessly rebelled from aged thirteen to eighteen, until expulsion saw her and my poor father shut the file on me, accepting me as a closed, and ultimately unsolvable, case.

The next chapter would be were the plot thickened, and the protagonist would meet the unexpected ‘spanner’ in an otherwise predictable ‘works’. With the end of school, came the end of school party, and on leaving this party on the 17th August 2003 I crashed my car and broke my spine. I was an eighteen-year-old wild child, on the verge of disappearing into the world to experience all that my little heart had dreamed of in those endless hours of detention and suspension. Life however had other plans for me. Entitled, 'The End', this chapter would be a defining, moreover, enlightening, journey. Much like the journey of the Fool through Tarot's archetypes, I stumbled and fell from my childhood path into life's deep and dark crevice, and have had to find my way out..In a wheelchair. Along the way of course, I have encountered the Hero's, Heroines', Gollum’s, Hermits, Sage's, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's and of course Death himself; characters that have all steered my path accordingly yet unconsciously. I have been over mountains, through jungles (literally, with the BBC), come face to face with Dragons (also literally, from the BBC), been bedridden for years and even kissed alive by Princes, and now, eight years later I can finally sit still (if the brakes are on my chair), and say that I am fully adjusted.

Two weeks ago my partner (the afore mentioned 'Prince') and I completed on a house in Poets Corner in Hove, and after the necessary wheelchair adaptation’s have been made (granny lift included), we will be leaving our studio flat of four years in Covent Garden, London, for our new two bedroom yellow house in Hove. I have settled into a comfortable life here in Covent Garden, tourist central, complete with strictly enforced Disability Discrimination Acts, easily accessible shops, adapted, free buses & subsidized Taxi's. Not to mention my friendly but noisy insomniac neighbour, Soho, packed with bars, restaurants and clubs, and of course Covent Garden with its countless cultural activities on offer and it's central position making all of London's villages, from trendy East to posh West, grubby South to lovely North, all easily reachable. Moving to a new city will be interesting, and as I discover its qualities I know I will reluctantly unveil a side that reveals its ignorance and intolerance to my wheels and I - like everywhere else in the world!

But the past few years have seen my disability as the main character in the story of my life, shaped by the complications and realities of paralysis. Every decision has resulted in happiness only by accident, a by-product from the appreciation that I can still do the majority of the things that I used to love to do. Now however I am aware of the choices that I want to, and am able to, make. I have chosen Brighton and Hove as my setting (and perhaps antagonist!), my happiness as my central character and cast my disability as the inconspicuous and well behaved extra in the background.

In the words of the Poet whose name title's my new home's Hove Street -
''Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future."
Wordsworth’s quote sets the scene for the next chapter of my life, in my new home, in which I will undoubtedly profit from the long journey of adjustment I have undertaken, to live life in the best way possible, here in the present. I can’t wait to see what the artisan streets and liberal, eclectic people of Brighton and Hove will reveal. Again, to obey Mr. Wordsworth, who encourages us all to, ‘Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart’; I will be updating this blog regularly and hope to give a unique insight into the extraordinary life of a young disabled woman who is embarking on the next chapter of her life. Hoping Hove will be the place where she could live happily ever after..!

Sophie Morgan : Revealing Culture

2011-06-23T16:52:00.000+01:00

Check out Tanya Raabe's blog entry, interviewing me for while painting my portrait (click here)..see finished portrait below -

SophieMorgan Revealing the Untold

2011-06-23T16:45:00.000+01:00

BLIND DRAWINGS BOOK FOR SALE!!

2011-06-18T12:02:00.002+01:00

Blind Drawings by Sophie Morgan | Make Your Own Book

I Support The Fawcett Society

2011-05-29T12:35:00.000+01:00

I Support The Fawcett Society

BBC Ouch! Podcast feat. Me

2011-05-28T19:37:00.000+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ouch#playepisode1

Play episode no.71 @ 11:05 mins

Bloomsbury art fair

2011-05-28T19:16:00.000+01:00

http://www.squaremile.com/events/97/Bloomsbury-Art-Fair.html

My painting used to advertise the event! Exciting! xx

learning to ski!!

2011-03-11T23:55:00.000Z

Aimme Mullins the extraordinary

2011-03-03T14:10:00.000Z

One of the most inspirational and incredible women in the world gives an beautiful description of 'The Opportunity of Disability'

The Mannequal®

2011-03-03T13:36:00.000Z

Talking at TED Canada - IdeaCity

2011-03-03T12:39:00.000Z

Special Profile! Click to read

2011-02-12T21:16:00.002Z

Me on the contents page! Picture by the amazing Maayan Ziv (CLICK TO READ)

Article by Emily Minthorn and picture by the Amazing Patricia Rodwell (CLICK TO READ)

New Portaits

2011-01-28T15:30:00.000Z

Article (click here)

2011-01-21T13:03:00.000Z


click on link above to read..

2011-01-13T11:44:00.000Z

Check out the show reel of experimental hybrid multi-media image-making team ANOMALOUS VISUALS.

Joff portrait

2011-01-04T21:00:00.003Z

New paintings

2011-01-04T20:02:00.000Z

Based on Nelson Kentons painting's 'Swim Party' Oil on Canvass

The paintings drying in my flat before they are packaged and posted off..

INK Conference

2010-12-29T18:07:00.003Z

I have recently returned from India where I was invited to talk at the incredible INK conference in Lavasa, outside Mumbai. It was a three day conference, organised by Lakshmi in association with TED. I was asked to talk about the Mannequal after Lakshmi heard a talk that I gave at IdeaCity (previously TEDCanada) earlier in the year.
It was an extraordinary expersiance, sharing the stage with such creative genius's as Matt Groening, James Cameron and Phillipe Stark to name a few, and I came home feeling humbled and dazed to say the least! But aside from the huge international stars that spoke there, I met some of the most creative and innovative people in India and the World; from mind blowing illustrators, poets, artists and photographers to jaw dropping designers, pioneers, human rights activists, surgeons, and even lego designers! It was as diverse as it was enlightening and I feel privileged to have been a part of such an amazing event. I have more pictures and a video of my talk coming soon but for now here's a small selection of some of photographer Gene Driskell's photography.

Phillipe Stark & organiser Lakshmi

Phillipe Starke

Deepak Chopra

Deepak, talking about consciousness..

James Cameron & Lakshmi, discussing his inspiration for Avatar

All of the INK Fellows, of which I am proud to be one of!!

The ONE AND ONLY Matt Groening..one of the NICEST people you'll ever meet! Over lunch he told me that he makes the noise for Maggies dummy..and then demonstrated it..hehehe..

Matt

Organiser Lakshmi

The Talented Smolan Brothers


Inspirational Linda Barry, gorgeous Nikhil, beautiful Shilo (a fellow Fellow) and lovely Matt

Gift Vouchers for Christmas Portraits

2010-11-17T15:59:00.000Z

New Portraits! click to enlarge

2010-11-13T15:11:00.006Z

Billy Mcleod. wonderful man who founded VIA, which is a registered charity that helps veterans suffering with PTSD or who find it hard to adjust to civilian life. www.v-i-a.org.uk
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

Doc
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

For Fran & Pete
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

'Daisy' for Laurie
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

Patrick detail
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

Patrick Sieff
© All rights reserved www.sophiemorgan.com

Hello! Magazine features Himalayan Adventure!! (Click here for online version)

2010-11-09T16:18:00.003Z

Hello! has done a feature on our trip to the Himalaya! There's a wee pic of me along side Ian Mortan, Rob Lawrence and Kevin Goddlington, and an even smaller quote in the piece..Charlie Stockting who is the Publishing Director for Hello! was on the trip with us, a lovely woman and all round hero. She was catapulted out of her sidecar on one of the terrible roads, but jumped straight back in - pretty impressive! Double click on the image below to enlarge it to read print version.


Article in Hello! November edition 2010

The Himalayas

2010-11-04T11:57:00.002Z

About a 3 months ago I was invited to go to the Himalayas in India, on an expedition that was going to be a dry run for an incredible new initiative, Global Adventure Plus. GAP was founded by Robert Lawence, and all round Hero who was shot in the head in the Falklands and as a result is paralysed in various parts of his left side. The adventure was intended as a form of adventure therapy to guys and girls attempting to make the transition from the military to civilian life. Rob wanted to show that there are still extreme adventures to be had, strong and lasting friendships and bonds to be made, other cultures to be inspired by and real challenges to be met all of which can only be beneficial. It not only inspires, but empowers and hopefully helps show that the world is an incredible place, full of adventure and you can take from it what ever you want, that you create your own reality.

Rob Lawrence, drawn by me

I have always believed in the benefits of adventure travel having battled through Nicaragua on Beyond Boundaries a year after my accident and learning so much out there that helped me develop. This time however I went on the adventure more as a guinea pig to help figure out the logistics of taking a wheelchair using ex soldier through the Himalayas in the future, and while I initially thought that the trip would be a lot of fun and a great experience, I didn't expect it would be a test of my mental strength or coping abilities..but it turned out to do just that, and I'm so glad it did! Its so easy to settle into your life and comfort zone and forget that there is so much out there to see, to learn, to experience and this trip really re-awoke my sense of adventure and reminded me just how much I love to travel. While I constantly challenge myself mentally at home, working hard and studying even harder, I have let the physical and emotional challenge of adventure travel be forgotten - something that has really changed now! The trip has highlighted to me that despite my condition I can still try and subscribe to the carefree and spontaneous nature of adventure travel - all you need is a bit of patience and a sense of humour!

View from Hotel in Kalpa where we were stuck for 3 nights due to a landslide!

So off I went with 3 other wheelchair users, a heap of ex soldiers, Rob and his team of merry men, the Enduro Team (who run the trip in India) and a film crew. We were driving in jeeps, or motorbikes or sidecars through the foothills of the Himalaya for just over 2 weeks.

Convoy of drivers in Mahindra Jeeps, Bikes ahead.

Amazing jeeps driving in Spitti Valley

It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, as well as one of the must humbling and subliminal. To be emerged in nature at it's seemingly most remote and grandest is so magical and I really have to say that unfortunately its addictive and I need to see more of the world!!

Here are some pictures - All taken by Iain Crockhart. Blind drawings by me.

The sidecar, best way to travel!

Jonny, a freelance journalist and all round nihilist on his bike

Driving deeper and deeper into nowhere..

Me at a Buddhist monastery - where the Dalai Lama has said he will retire to.

The View I'm looking at from the monastry!!

Simon the organiser and founder of Enduro. With Maz, Chris, Patrick and Alex. All at our morning briefing.

The whole team

Lone rider...

Prayer flags, beautiful but ominous!!

Jeep, motorbike and sidecar..our chariots!

Me being blessed for the long journey ahead!

Weed grows as it should - like weed

Weed Faerie

Happy Biker

The night sky

Me in the sidecar!

The majority of the bikers - Big Ian, Patrick, Chris, Maz, Si, Alex & Brunno

Mahindra

It was incredibly interesting seeing how the ex servicemen who are suffering with PTSD changed over the course of the journey. Each of us having our own versions of relative trauma was very leveling and I think we all learnt a lot from each other, and by the end of the trip could all talk openly and easily about our situations, something that I think a lot of them had never done before.

I'll be adding some stories about the trip and more images soon. But just to say big thanks to Rob and everyone for making a dream come true.
x

New Portrait & Blind drawing commission

2010-11-02T22:40:00.004Z

The beautiful Paige, My friends daughter

Blind Drawing of Chris and his daughter (above) Paige

Himalayas

2010-09-17T23:20:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to add a picture of my latest portrait of my very dear friend Charlie..

I'm off to the Himalayas tomorrow with Global Enduro, on the EnduroHimalaya trip, other wise known as the 'adventure in the sky'!! I can't wait!! See here for more info and I'll be back to write about its soon..if I make it back!! xx

Anomalous Visuals (click to link to site)

2010-09-07T16:41:00.004+01:00

Photograph by Sam Fisher

Commission

2010-09-05T11:53:00.000+01:00

Commission

New Painting

2010-09-02T17:28:00.000+01:00

On the easel in my room

For my Mum x

The mannequal

2010-09-02T16:33:00.000+01:00

There are so many things to write about that in fact I'm not going to write about them all..just one thing..

The Mannequal.

Blue mannequal in Katie & Jo boutique shop, London. Mannequin kindly donated by Mannakin Ltd.

It will be launched this week in Debenhams and I am so incredibly excited and happy that I don't really know how to express myself. The shop have bought two mannequals and will feature them for a month, inviting feedback on them from their customers. Without doubt I am very nervous, not so much from the fear of any negativaity, but moreover from the concern that I have so much to do, and the product is so fantastic that I'm worried I'll let it down..The big PUSH is about to start and I am very excited about taking the product and the concept to all the retailers I possibly can. I could not have got here without the help of so many people though and I just want to write a few names name to whom I am eternally grateful. Celia Graham, C&M Consultants, Camilla Mabbot & Vikki A, Natasha Wood - without whom none of this would have happened - Jonathan Berlin, Bob Lindsey, Tom Rix and Mark Stevens from Debenhams. All of these people have helped the mannequal to exist, but it'll be a big challenge to take it further now I know and I have a lot of doors to push open, but it'll be a good challenge, one I'm up for!!! I'll be back with more updates soon..

I'm going to be focusing on the Mannequal for a while now, so any other news will have to wait..oo except to mention that I'm off to the Himalaya's in about two weeks for another challenge!

Sophie x

Mannequal coming soon

2010-06-30T14:59:00.000+01:00

Women taking over the world!

2010-06-26T18:24:00.000+01:00

Make Your Mark!

2010-05-20T22:50:00.001+01:00

An interview for Make Your Mark!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHF0EOR06S8

BMTM VIDEO (Click here to watch)

2010-03-31T20:59:00.003+01:00

Entertainment Tonight Canada! (Click here to watch)

2010-03-31T20:52:00.004+01:00

Zoomer News! (click here to watch)

2010-03-31T20:48:00.004+01:00

Presenting on THE ONE SHOW BBC1 (click here to watch)

2010-03-26T13:32:00.003Z

More Candaian Press

2010-03-22T23:40:00.002Z

Truro Canada

2010-03-22T23:40:00.001Z

Novia Scotia Paper!

2010-03-22T23:39:00.004Z

The Chronicle

2010-03-22T23:39:00.003Z

Winnipeg Press

2010-03-22T23:39:00.001Z

Advert for B.M.T.M

2010-03-19T18:06:00.002Z

Interview with CBC Radio

2010-03-19T18:03:00.002Z

Filming with Izzy Camerilli for ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT CANADA @ S-VOX

2010-03-19T17:59:00.005Z

Interview with The New FM Toronto

2010-03-19T17:53:00.005Z

Radio Interview with the New FM AND the New Classical FM Toronto. Above with Radio DJ.

Britain's Missing Top Model in Canada

2010-03-19T17:45:00.002Z

Click on title

Radio Interview with CJOB Canada

2010-03-19T17:39:00.003Z

Listen to CJOB on the 16th march at 3pm..
Click on title

'Metro News' in Toronto

2010-03-19T17:38:00.003Z

Style Watch Article

2010-03-19T17:36:00.003Z

click on title

Article in Candian Press

2010-03-19T17:34:00.004Z

Click on Title

'Web Watch' article for Disability Now!

2010-03-19T17:31:00.002Z

Click on title

update

2010-03-02T23:14:00.005Z

It has been a while since i last posted anything. I've been incredibly busy this year and don't know where to start really but here's a few updates..

Am working really hard on a new product called the 'Mannequal'. It's still under wraps but i'm planning on revealing more later in the year. It's an exciting addition to the fantastic new developments in the disabled modeling industry. I am so so incredibly proud of the beautiful Shannon and the unbelievable Tasha Wood - and Maverick TV Company too of course - for the ground breaking, life changing, earth shattering feats that they have preformed to finally integrate a wheelchair user in a high street shop window. Debenhams have shown just how easy it can be, and just how right it is. I hope it's the start of many more campaigns, and many more opportunities for disabled models.
IMPERFECT is coming along too. We are planning an art exhibition later in the year showcasing the talent of disabled artists, selling work to raise money for disabled soldiers through Help for Heroes. Still in the planning stages but very exciting for everyone involved.

Had corrective surgery on my nose, 4th time lucky! Seems to finally resemble my first nose which is exciting, but even more importantly i won't have to have any more operations on it as the deviated septum is straight! woo!

My own art work has taken a back seat of late as it's been a busy few months, but i have recently finished a commission for Major Phil Packer which i'm excited about and will add to my website once i've given it to him. My dad gave me Simon Schama's 'The Power of Art' book & DVD for my birthday last week and i have been so inspired by it that the Rubens at the National Portrait Gallery have been visit as often as possible! One of the perks of living in covent garden is the proximity to the most amazing galleries on the planet..

I'm reading 'My experiments with Truth' by M.Gandhi, am drinking '2xkiwi, 3xapples & 2x bananna' juice (from my new juicer), am listening to Cinematic Orchestra's 'joly mukerjee' and am working on an essay for my English lit degree..think that's about all i can remember for now...xx

Press Shot - Croome

2010-02-20T15:57:00.004Z

Radio 4 @ 7:15 pm Tues 19th 2010

2010-01-18T16:19:00.001Z

I'll be reviewing the new Gok Wan 'How to Look Good Naked- with a difference' on Tuesday 19th evening at 7:15pm! Can't wait! xx

THANK YOUS

2010-01-07T12:47:00.011Z

I just wanted to write a post to thank all the amazingly kind people who have written comments on my blog. In particular the recent posts from some B.M.T.M viewers in the states who have been incredibly supportive!! (comments shown below) thank you all so so much, i honestly am so touched by your words and hope i can express to you just how grateful i am that you took the time to write to me.
I hope that attitudes to disability are being whittled down and we will soon start to see a change in how disabled people and their parts in society are considered. Shows like B.M.T.M act as destruction balls against the walls of misconception and ignorance and i'm so glad it has reached so many people. While the media is not usually considered a force for good, i can't help but recognise its power; through it stereotype and normalcy can be redefined, so the more disabled people it promotes the easier life can become in the 'real world'; disabled people less ostracised, accessibility enforced and opportunities created. The world is our oyster..but as my hero Jung said
“We cannot change anything until we accept it"
and we have a way to go, but i think we are getting there..
I hope you all had a brilliant christmas and new year and, like me, are looking forward to an exciting adventures in 2010!!
THANKS IN ABUNDANCE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!
love Sophie xxxx

"Hi, Sophie!
You wonder how BMTM is going down here in America...well, for this New Yorker, it's a fascinating, occasionally painful, often frustrating and equally inspiring experience. The painful and frustrating aspects come from watching the judging, and from seeing casual ignorance sometimes issue from those judges' mouths. The inspiration comes from the contestants, and, may I say, mostly from you. I know you were characterized as more of a role model than a model, but I gotta tellya, though I know the outcome, my money was always on you. You are beautiful, clever, remarkable and creative. You may not have won the contest, but you were the one every viewer's eye goes to -- and not because of the chair. Some of those girls may have been pretty and/or deserving of recognition, but the TV camera loves YOU. I foresee a huge career -you could take television by storm if you so wished.
And as a post script - my boyfriend walked into the room while I was watching one episode and glanced at the screen, and said, "Who's the girl in the chair? She's f**king gorgeous." There you have it. Unsolicited commentary from a hard-nosed New York dude. All the best - SHAY"

"Hey there - I've been really encouraged with seeing you (and the other ladies) showing up, busting stereotypes, and rockin' the modeling stuff. I've just hit my one year anniversary since my injury, and you're a real inspiration. Intrigued, I read up more about you, found your artwork, and so forth. You're not a one-note song. The idea of you going to Central America one year after makes me feel better about my goal of (eventually) moving back to either London or Holland and pursuing a Industrial Design masters degree. I'm so happy they've shown this in the USA. I'm watching this after a hard day, and knowing that a hard rest of the week ahead (a bad snowstorm plus the holidays), but seeing you pursuing your talents, plus putting your face out there... wow. I am going to channel your invincibility and dedication tomorrow at work!
Okay, enough stroking your ego. Just wanted to comment personally somewhere you'll see it. Thanks much, dear. I really needed it. <3,>

"Hi Sophie, I'm in America and just saw the last episode. I must say I am extremely disappointed in the ending. I sat on my futon screaming at the T.V. "What the Hell are they doing?" I hope that you continue to be a visible role model for people with disabilities. That bull shit about not being pretty enough is simply not true. You have a prettier smile and can go much further in life. I heard one judge say that he wondered if you needed to win, and I don't think you did. I think the win, even if I was disappointed, would have just held you back from your greater role in society. Keep going.And as a side note, I'm a mom with a disabled child and this shoe inspired me. I hope my son grows up to be as remarkable and head strong as you are.Best of luck,Carina"

"I just saw the first 4 episodes of BMTM, and as an avid fan of ANTM, I was blown away. I think it's awesome to change not only the views of disabled people in the fashion world, but in the way disabled people are perceived in every day life as well as on television. Even though I'm able-bodied, and have no disabilities, I want to let you know how much of an impact you had on your viewers. I honestly think you are beautiful inside and out, and definately should've won. I'm also an art student, and I checked out your work. You have so much raw beautiful emotion in your work, keep growing with it, it's awesome." "Just finished the series last nite. We are in US and enjoy BBCAmerica alot. My money was on you! Hope you are doing well."

"You were great, Sophie! Loved you here in the States!"

"I actually stumbled across the show when I was looking for Dr. Who on BBC America. I started watching for a few minutes, got caught up in the stories, and started watching every week. I was rooting for you; I liked the way you wore your emotions on your sleeve. When you were happy, your smile lit up the room. When you were angry or disappointed... watch out :-). Steve in Austin, Texas"

"I loved the show. At times it was hard to watch because some situations must have been painful for you and some of the girls. The way MOST of you held yourselves is beyond amazing. I was rooting for you and was really bummed when you didn't "win". I think your impact will reach beyond the modeling world. You are beautiful just the way you are. On a side note my very single brother was rooting for you, too! ha ha :-)"

"Sophie, I was rooting for ya! I was so f@*$ing bummed when you did not win it! It should have been you. That being said, I think you are beautiful, intelligent, and totally creative. Since my accident I cannot get the images in my head to come out.grrrr. I have enjoyed watching, and re-watching you, you are an inspiration, so whether you won the show or not, you still won in the end and it seems as though you are accomplishing what you set out to do!" "Well, I just saw the final vote, and I am crushed. I had been rooting for you from the start, and was sure you'd win. I can only imagine how you must have felt. You were the very best, in attitude, work ethic, and beauty. I truly believe they picked the wrong woman as winner. My heart goes out to you, but I know you will be a success in whatever you do Sophie. I hope you've put the contest behind you, and I wish you all the happiness you deserve (which is a lot).Ken D. USA"

"i'm a brit living in the states and saw the show. i was rooting for you - i thought you grew a lot and i think you would have been an amazing model AND spokesmodel for them. i just took a look at your website and saw your amazing artwork. you are amazingly talented! best wishes,roxy"

"I watched the series and enjoyed it. Although some of the moments made me cringe with what judges and people were saying about each others disabilities. I wanted you to win. I'd hope you would. It broke my heart that you didnt, but then again I thought maybe this will bring you and your cause out out even more. I bet you gained a lot of US fans just like myself. Keep growing inside and out. Your so f***ing beautiful!"

Earth Mother

2009-12-10T15:54:00.002Z

A new portrait of the beautiful Rachel, my friend Alex's partner. She was a pleasure to paint, a true earth mother. Her face emanates warmth. I hope i captured it.

free write

2009-12-10T15:52:00.002Z

Aching stiff hospitalized body. Bruised. Purples not yet yellows, like rotten roses. Oozing wounds and unclosed wholes lowered down into the water unknowingly. Where are my feet? Are they in yet? Is it warm? Does the sea feel different? Salt and sunshine and other worlds. Blue gowns to brown skin. Long locks and crinkled pages warped by wet fingers and dried by a silk breeze. Every evening the private show, front row seats in a deserted theater made of sand and mosquitos. Distant music. The performance is ours alone. The round red sun moves just for us. We sit inside each other with our entertainment, well rehearsed, completing its age-old journey into the stage floor, to be replaced by an understudy of evening sky. New stars appearing. Our skin drinks the warmth and sleeps heavily and drunken. Another view, at another time with another person, in another world. A castle and a landscape. How the cool water trickled over my skin and collected on the faded henna. The sun set the scene electric here too. On the same planet but in different worlds. Not colour here but black and white. A round of applause turned into a terrifying revelation. Love. Love and lust. Lust and lost. The lover with a thousand moments, each wrapped tightly in the back of my mind, in barbwire and locked with a broken key. ‘Must I dream and always see your face?’ Drowning so young and both of us able swimmers in white waters

BBC America

2009-12-02T11:33:00.006Z

So Britain's Missing Top Model is now being shown on BBC America
I wander how we're going to go down over in the States...will have to wait and see..

Dutch Imperfect

2009-12-01T20:20:00.010Z

I met up with my friend Deb yesterday who came over from Holland to come to the RADAR awards party with me last night. I was nominated for 'Young Disabled Person of the Year' which I didn't win unfortunately, but we had an amazing evening! I met Frank Gardener who was host for the evening, as well as so many more wonderful people. Deb was one of the B.M.T.M girls and we have been friends ever since we met on the series so it was great to celebrate the evening with her. (Second on the left, in between Kelly Knox and I)She is an incredibly inspiring person to say the least, loosing her arm in a bus accident a few years ago but never letting anything or anybody get in her way!
Deb is going to help spread the word, and I'm so excited to announce that as of next year there will be a Dutch IMPERFECT!

Like IMPERFECT over here it'll have a lot of work to do, but we are both so excited about the future and I'm so pleased that Deb is involved! Little rock star that she is!

It is so encouraging that the IMPERFECT message is going to be spread to another country. Having spent the evening surrounded by such a strong and empowered disabled community, I recognise the need for continued determination from those individuals who are ardent for a change in disability perceptions - or more accurately misconceptions!
What IMPERFECT wants to achieve is not a pipe dream, but instead a vision that with enough perseverance will come true. I met people last night who have made their own visions materialise though hard work and genuine intentions and I believe that we will get there in the end, and that IMPERFECT will make a difference, and be a small ingredient in the mix that will see disabled peoples lives bettered.

Onwards and Upwards!

John D & The Philosophers Stone

2009-11-25T21:03:00.003Z

"Disability and beauty and normality are silly. To even see these, people are being deceived. We are all souls, wrapped up in a visual form while we're here on Earth. But small nose, big nose, blue eyes, brown eyes, straight hair, curly hair, disabled, able bodied - none of this is who we are.

I really believe we are souls; persons who are more than our physical form. I don't want to approach the question of heaven, or the afterlife, but really if you say someone is not normal because they are disabled, or that the problem is that normality doesn't cater for disability, you're just being misled.

The human body, the entire physical form, is to a person what a wrapper is to a chocolate bar. For all our lives and a thousand times beyond that, the real story is who we are; what we cared about; who we loved; why we were.

If anyone wants to argue about bodies, let them argue over our bodies long after we have left them. It's not even the beginning of the real story."

This comment from John is amazing. Thank you John!!
I agree, we are more than bodies, we are souls, ancient souls and we are here to learn lessons that our previous souls felt we needed to learn. "Life is just a ride" as the late Bill Hicks would say, and it is one that we are all seemingly unaware of, but for those of us that know, the game is a pleasure, a privileged and a joy. As you say, we are defined by more than our bodies, and at the end we will all learn that..
but as the great and wonderful writer Virginia Woolf once said, "the eyes of others are our prisons; their thoughts our cages" and unfortunatley there is a huge amount of insecurity in society - by design perhaps i might add - and accordingly it is important that people do as much as they can to help others see that they have all the tools they need to be who they want to be!
Thanks John!
xx

Dissertation

2009-11-19T13:42:00.005Z

Some one just emailed me and quoted me the following disability theory 
"the 'problem' is not the impairment, the 'problem' is the way in which normalcy is constructed" 

She asked me to give an opinion on this, but to give an opinion on this i think i'd have to know what exactly the world "problem" means in this context. If it means there is a problem in how we view our selves in comparison to others then yes i feel that there is a huge problem. We are all individual and i think that in many ways there is no such thing as an anomaly, as we are all irregular versions of the 'normal' and its is precisely this that makes us perfect. I think that we should all look internally for strength and confidence and not externally as this is resulting in the shallow world that revolves around us now. If we judged our selves on our characters in stead of our appearance the world would be a far better place.

But I think it is ingrained within us, it is almost instinct to fear something that is different and disability is a visual representation of the vulnerability and fragility of human kind, so it is only natural for people to fear it, and in turn ostracize it.To quote Jung, 'man is a religious animal' and years of conditioning and control has left man in many cultures and societies relatively scarred of death and what it means, so any 'impairment' reminds us that we are immortal, it is all that one fears.

Normalcy is constructed now by our society and media and they manipulate us by playing with our insecurities, which we all have naturally. It is powerful and by design, and results in an almost Orwellian society where we feel we are free to think for ourselves but in fact we are not. So I could say that i agree with the above statement, and that if we were to change how normalcy is constructed we would remove the problems associated with impairment. But as i have written earlier, i don't think that we will change as a society, it is nature not nurture that forms societies preconceptions of disability

All that you can do to help the 'problem' is judge your yourself and not fear others judgment, because as Virginia Wolfe wrote, 'other people's thoughts are our cages'

The girl who emailed me was also looking at the idea of beauty and its definition and asked me if i think that the fashion industry are looking for a particular kind of 'beauty"? I think that the fashion industry are always trying to reinvent the wheel to generate constant interest, Oscar Wilde's quote on fashion sums it up perfectly! - 'Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months!!' I think that yes they are looking for something in particular and I don't think that they see beauty in disability, or age, or size or in some cases colour. They seem to want to dictate what is beautiful and i think and they disregard variety in humanity.

BBC Horizons @ 9pm on Tuesday

2009-10-25T20:17:00.004Z

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nnkqm

The Horizon's show that was filmed earlier in the year in L.A is being aired on Tuesday night at 9pm. It follows Dean, Antony and my journey to find out whats going on in the world with regards to treatments for our various conditions.
I had an amazing time out there, and while the show does hint that i am very very desperate to walk again, i want to clarify that while of course that is something i really want, its not the most important thing in my life..
What was really the most important thing i learnt on the journey was actually how dangerous some treatments on offer are, and how many people continue to travel overseas for them. I really hope that the message comes through about just how terrible some of these treatments are, and that it helps make a relatively more informed decision easier.

Finding the cure isn't the most important thing in my life as i said, inner happiest is, but i suppose that as i had an accident and wasn't born this way i will always compare my two different realities. I was asked by a journalist about this very point, and i am very aware that for many people 'cures' aren't important. My incentive with the show wasn't to find a cure especially, moreover it was to see what was going on. In the light of the recent suicides of daniel jones aged only 23 i really wanted to try and bring the subject of treatment to the forefront and give people some hope..as for many there is no hope.

I don't think that this was stressed enough in the show as they were making a show about our respective journeys and that was irrelevant in many ways, so i want to try get the message out about these dangerous treatments as well as tell people that there is something to hold on to - if you are waiting..
I wrote about it earlier in the year in a post called, 'Dangerous Charletons'

The is a lot to learn from the show and i really hope it helps some people out there make a more informed decision as i said above bout traveling overseas to dangerous clinics, as well as give some hope about the more imminent treatments! I don't want to say too much, but its all very exciting!!

Arty Farty

2009-10-25T19:58:00.004Z

I had an amazing exhibition a few weeks ago. It was up at Croome National Park so it wa sa great chance to get out into the country side again, as London has been getting very claustrophobic. I sold some of my favorite blind drawings which was sad but great! I always miss them when they go, but its amazing that people want to buy them.
I've been so busy that i've not been able to make alot of art recently but i completed a portrait for the lovely man who paid £4000 to charity for a paintingAm really pleased with it, but it was very hard!
Anyway am tired so can't write anymore!!xx

YOUNG DISABLED PERSON OF THE YEAR!

2009-10-25T19:57:00.001Z

I've been nominated for Young Disabled Person of the Year!!

updating

2009-09-14T19:30:00.003+01:00

Exciting things are happening! I am going to try and set up a support line to help those that really need emotional support, guidance and advice when they suffer discrimination. We are having a big business meeting this evening to discuss the finer details, and i am so excited! RADAR have offered their support so thats great news..
There is also a rumor that Riam and I have been nominated for an award..very exciting, so will have to wait and see what happens..
what else??
The clothing label is coming along beautifully, i cant wait to reveal it!! I think next year may be our big launch..but maybe Christmas, fingers crossed!!
Ive just painted a portrait for a man that bid £4000 for a painting, by me, of anyone, for the Back Up Trust auction..no pressure!! i painted his wife for him, which was amazing as she is very beautiful, which made my life a little easier, although the pressure of painting someones loved ones is so huge as they know their faces, even better than they know their own..
But i worked my hardest, is all i can do!
I'm starting my second year of my degree, It's a lot of work but i love it, and its open uni so at least i can do it in bed if it's raining!!!!
Life is manic at the moment really, but exciting, and i'm hoping all my dreams come true.All the hard work i'm putting is being done with true and honest intentions and i just hope that karma will reward me as i deserve..no matter what that be..
at the moment i want to be rewarded with a huge glass of wine and a steak..and thats just what i'm getting!!yey!

very very interesting..

2009-08-13T20:43:00.001+01:00

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/going-nowhere-my-life-in-a-wheelchair-1761724.html

IMPERFECT CAMPAIGN

2009-08-05T17:01:00.004+01:00

IMPERFECT

In 2008 Riam Dean an employee of international clothing company, Abercrombie and Fitch, was banished to the stockroom, as she did not fit their strict, “look policy”. On meeting Riam it is hard to see why this would happen, she is beautiful, personable and everything you’d expect from an Abercrombie sales assistant. On closer look however there is something that sets Riam apart, a prosthetic arm. Born with out her left limb Riam has grown up wearing a prosthetic, and it is as much a part of her now as her right arm. This inexplicable and unforgivable discrimination lead Riam, a law student, to take further action and she has sued Abercrombie and Fitch, the verdict being decided next week.

Riam and I are teaming together to create the IMPERFECT campaign which will be launched on the back of Riam’s case with the aim of drawing attention to the widespread and institutionalized disability discrimination that is still practiced in workplaces, and society at large. The ethos behind the campaign is that imperfection lies in everybody and these beautiful anomalies make each one of us perfect in our own way.

Riam and I aim to use the campaign in various ways, not only hoping to raise awareness and call an end to inequality, but to provide support for those that have felt ostracised or discriminated against, and isolated in feelings of intolerance.

A website has been created for this very purpose, with an interactive forum and many other features to provide assistance, information and guidance. T-shirt’s with the logo will also be sold online alongside a gallery into which supporters can upload photographs of themselves wearing the T-shirts. This feature has been created to reinforce a feeling of community, to help show that no one should feel alone. An IMPERFECT clothing label is also being designed by graduates of the London College of Fashion.

Have a look at the website and buy a t-shirt @ www.imperfect.uk.com

And please feel free to spread the word as together we can unite to help make a change to what is considered right, just, fair or even perfect..woohoo!

N.O.T.W

2009-07-27T13:11:00.003+01:00

Christy Turlington hanging at the exhibition for finalists of the North of the Wall art prize! Winner annonced in a few weeks..

IMPERFECT-ING

2009-07-26T19:51:00.002+01:00

Soon Riam, her PR team, mash media and I will be launching the IMPERFECT campaign..watch this space!
This is Riam in one of our new IMPERFECT tshirts..
Photograph - Patricia Rodwell
Post Production - Sophie Morgan

Dangerous Charlatans

2009-07-09T13:55:00.007+01:00

At the beginning of the year i decided that i wanted to try and get some support from an independent production company to help me investigate doctors overseas who claim to be able to cure spinal chord injury. Doctors who list parkinsons, m.s, alzheimers, spina bifida, ataxia..as curable. I was fascinated obviously, but cynical, i wanted to know why they could do what no one else was doing over here in the U.K, and why would i have to raise thousands and travel off to the otherside of the world without consent from my G.P to get treatment that, "may or may not work". I contacted one clinic and asked if my injury would be suitable for treatment as i am a complete injury which means that no amount of physio or placebo will back any difference unfortunately. The doctor said - with out even consulting my MRI scans or my doctor - that yes, i could be treated and while it , "may or may not work" i should raise the money and come out as soon as possible. I was nervous.
This was when i decided i need the weight of the TV crew behind me to get some answers. I had to find out some opinions, from professionals on both sides, from scientists in the know and from patients who had been treated by these Miracle workers. I went hunting and after a long haul i was rewarded with an interest from the science strand of the BBC, Horizon. This could not have been better really. The kudos that they have around the world would no doubt get me into the offices and labs of the people in the know..
A larger look at stem cell treatment was decided upon, and the Horizon researchers began to dig out scientists around the world that were researching various areas within this complicated field. After a month of searching the team decided that the best place to get some answers was in the United States since President Obama had recently lifted the veto that Idiot Bush had place on stem cell research. So a trip over to L.A was being planned.
In the meantime we filmed here in London.
We looked at the various websites that other doctors/scientists were offering people all over the world -

Medra - from Robert Winston programme, includes video
http://www.medra.com/?gclid=CMOa7OrWuZoCFRIgZwod_QtRcQ
Xcell centre of regenerative medicine. Treating patients in Netherlands
http://www.xcell-center.com/treatments/diseases-treated.aspx
Cell Medicine, treating patients with their own stem cells in Panama
http://www.cellmedicine.com/?gclid=CP_ft_TO7poCFRIeDQodXA5sBw
EmCell - offers treatments for various diseases using ES
http://www.emcell.com/?gclid=CNPFoMzR7poCFSAgDQod3j-NCA

Stem Cell China - full of patient blogs
http://www.stemcellschina.com/?gclid=CN_c-abQ7poCFQzxDAodYFZVCA
Rusty without wheels - patient blog
http://www.rustywithoutwheels.com/?page_id=29
Amanda Boxtel ( patient of Geeta Schroff) blog.
www.amandaboxtel.com
Cells 4 life - safeguard your babies future with umbilical chord bank
http://www.cells4life.co.uk/?ppcseid=3639&ppcsekeyword=stem+cell&mmtctg=1011169731&mmtcmp=5911431&mmtmt=3&mmtgglcnt=0&gclid=CJTBu6fT7poCFSAhDQodjXNGBw

It was confusing. It was irritating. It was and is dangerous. I say this because i feel that people looking for answers to these unanswerable questions, searching for hope, for cures..they are alone. I want to clarify that searching online, trawling through websites, testimonials and blogs will only help to confuse you and in the end you will find the answer that you are hoping to find..even if its not safe. It is easy to convince your self that hope lies somewhere in those typed words, and that you have found the answer for you..but i have to ask - why aren't these treatments offered here, at home, from your doctor? why do you have to do it all alone? unguided? unadvised? and basically uninformed..
I think the answer is is that you don't. You have to wait.

I have been privileged enough to have spoken now to the scientists who will end this wait. They are the ones with the safe and right cure, and the ones with the answers.

I will not reveal exactly what i found out as that is what the show is all about, and i will write a lot more about it when the show is over but for now i just want to say that if you are considering traveling to these clinics, if you are thinking that the treatment in China, India, Russia..etc will cure you, save you, help you - be careful, be cautious and be afraid. In the end if it gives you hope then i can't condemn it, as i know that hope is all that matters sometimes, but if you can hang on, for a while longer then i think that hope will come to you, safely packaged by that all powerful pharmaceutical company that owns the world - and rightly so.

I'MPERFECT

2009-07-08T23:12:00.019+01:00

I've just spent the weekend at "Beyond Boundaries Live Event" where i organized the fashion show.. it was an amazing experience but incredibly hard work!( pictured Chantelle and I, and Kelly Knox)

I was approached by the PR team

as i'm linked to the B.B show as i was in the first ever B.B on BBC2 in 2004, and of course after being on B.M.T.M they asked me to be involved in the fashion side of things!..it was a challenge! I knew from the outset that i had to use disabled models..its very rare that they are given such a unique opportunity so i jumped at the chance and used my newly acquired power to find my self nine disabled models!( pictured Ross and Azi)

In the end i was able to select three girls from B.M.T.M.(pictured left and right) - Kelly Knox, Debbie Van De Putten and Rebecca Legon, then two from B.B series 3 - Holly Edwards and Oliver Stalker and then added in Chantelle Leadbeater, Azi Pooloo, Sarah Zacaridies and Riam Dean (Pictured right) who is involved in the case against Abercrombie & Fitch at the moment - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11 92674/I-banished-stockroom-says-disabled-shop-girl-suing-Abercrombie--Fitch-discrimination.html )
It was a wonderful selection of beautiful girls and teamed with clothes kindly donated by Debenhams,and make up from Emma Hollingwoth (Pictured below) http://www.myspace.com/emmaluisahollingworth

and styling from Ross Forsyth (Pictured right with Azi) from the R.C.F it was a wonderful show!

It was featured on BBC NEWS on saturday and a link will be added as soon as i can.

The whole experience was inspiring and i wish that fashion industry big wigs could have seen the girls..someone with the power to implement change and integrate diversity! The girls were modeling "IMPERFECT" shirts as you can see on model Azi in the picture below,as well as the group photo below.. we were bombarded with requests to buy them!! They are part of a new campaign against discrimination toward disability, after Riam's case, which i will talk more about at a later date! Anyway, it was ace and i'm please that i put in the hard work to arrange it all..once again true to the year of the ox, hard work has paid off!

Thank you to all the girls and the incredible back stage team..you are all perfect! x

North of the Wall

2009-06-04T10:37:00.003+01:00

"Chirsty Turlington" and " Dream hug" have made it to the finalist category of the North of the Wall Annual Art Prize..

http://www.northofthewall.co.uk/store/show_by_tags/2009%20Prize%20-%20Finalists

van

2009-05-23T11:56:00.003+01:00

you are a traveler, a free spirit who can't stay in one place unless you are 100% happy hence i think the hippy series has you in it... you need to be content, and for the moment you are a wanderer, happy in your floating, but always guided by an incentive to settle one day, somewhere with your friends and with love and happiness..and also because you are independent and you like to be yourself..not a loner but happy to be alone and facing in your own direction.

otium

2009-05-14T00:11:00.000+01:00

"The right to be lazy" is a piece of writing by a french man called Paul Lafargue. He wrote it when he was in prison in 1883. it polemicses heavily in critique of the contemporary attitude and ideas of work. He writes thats laziness, idleness, leisure, what the greeks called, "otium" is equated to freedom..a freedom in which people can flourish and human creativity can progress. He suggests that working is almost dehumanising..

"A strange delusion possesses the working classes of the nations where capitalist civilization holds its sway. This delusion drags in its train the individual and social woes which for two centuries have tortured sad humanity. This delusion is the love of work, the furious passion for work, pushed even to the exhaustion of the vital force of the individual and his progeny. Instead of opposing this mental aberration, the priests, the economists and the moralists have cast a sacred halo over work. Blind and finite men, they have wished to be wiser than their God; weak and contemptible men, they have presumed to rehabilitate what their God had cursed. I, who do not profess to be a Christian, an economist or a moralist, I appeal from their judgement to that of their God; from the preachings of their religious, economics or free thought ethics, to the frightful consequences of work in capitalist society.

The Greeks in their era of greatness had only contempt for work: their slaves alone were permitted to labor: the free man knew only exercises for the body and mind. And so it was in this era that men like Aristotle, Phidias, Aristophanes moved and breathed among the people"

it resonates that it is in this climate, a climate of, "otium" these great philosophers could exist.. men were free to debate, to question and to think and that was the core of there existence. Aristotle and Epicurus both felt that leisure should be the aim of life," eudemonia" they called it, happiness or well-being are paramount. Aristotle assumes that the aim of human life is not to acquire certain things, but to engage in certain activities to achieve a certain state of mind. used properly, he felt, leisure enables people to realise human nature at its best.. Epicurus argued that the key to tranquillity lies in the knowing that pleasure can be found in simple things and that the objective of human life is not reason but pleasure, which he conceives as a state of mental and physical tranquillity, "ataraxia"..last year I was give Bertrand Russell’s book, “in praise of idleness”. The subject of the book follows on from the theory’s that the great philosophisers had and really doesn’t develop the ideas as much as clarify them and set them in a more contemporary context. Since reading this book, as well as some of his others and now studying roman attitudes to leisure I can’t help but think that so much has been lost in the past..in many ways people seem to disregard the distant past, and maintain that we are - in this day and age – the most correct that we can be but I cant help but think we are no where near as astute as we were..
it seems we’re over weight, over worked, over medicated and over populated and it seems the more developed the country is the more of the above categories it fits into.. marx was right

"Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy more and more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable. “
we are paying, literally and metaphorically for the damage that we have done to our selves, and we have no one to blame but ourselves as we had the answers to it all along long time ago and we ignored it…

sunflowers

2009-05-08T11:00:00.004+01:00

it has been a while since i have written my blog. for some reason ive been forgetting/forgetful. i think its because for a while i've been wrapped up in my painting, but really i think ive been slipping off into an unknown place. on a really exciting note i've just joined vivienne clore's agency and am mow tucked - on her website site - between Chris Moyles and Annie Mac..so im watching this space to see what will happen next.
http://www.vivienneclore.com/
my exhibition has been postponed as the people in charge of the space in covent garden have had a bit of a melt down and no ones running it anymore so im waiting till they get their ***t together again. last night there was a fund rasing event for the BackUp Trust and i put in an auction lot, offering to paont a portrait of the winner and it went for £4000 so im really pleased! all in all about £100,000 was raised i think so the resession cant be too bad hey!

Merged Documentary

2009-03-23T20:35:00.001Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jISImLiKwso

MERGED COLLECTIVE

Kate Moss

2009-03-16T17:56:00.003Z

Ive been super busy painting away so blogging has fallen to the side for a bit..its amazing to be painting so much, for the first time in my life im free to make make make!nothing to stop me, not bed rest, no sore, nothing!yipeee!!!

Merged

2009-03-06T12:22:00.002Z

rant in the independent

2009-03-02T19:12:00.001Z

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/victims-of-the-fashion-industrys-prejudice-1634237.html

to be continued...

2009-02-13T23:40:00.007Z

karma

2009-02-13T22:44:00.005Z

last week as my flight was canceled due to the snow i found myself in london with ten days ahead of me with nothing planned..i was also incredibly gutted not to go away as i was meant to be learning to ski, and my grandma had passed anway that day...so i sat still and thought for a while -there had to be a reason why i was in london again and not going away..id wait and see what that was..
the next day i was sent an email from dea birkett a writer for the guardian and founders of, "kids in museums" inviting me to a drinks dinner in celebration of a new manifesto that she had written. so i went down to the beautiful royal academy in piccadilly. not knowing anyone there except for the host, i entered the room and immediately started talking to the first person i could catch eyes with..after a few glasses of champagne and a few speeches from dea, mariella frostrup and the head of the royal academy i was suddenly whisked over to meet someone. It was alison lapper.
a few years ago when i had my accident and i started my foundation course i came across alisons work and found her fascinating. her art seemed very similar to mine in content and i admired her incredible, inexplicable tenacity and bravery..and talent. i sat in trafalgar square for an hour when she was unveiled and felt better about the world..i hated the artist for making art that i felt alison should and could have made herself and would have is she had had the money, but i was glad that the work existed and that it was existing in the public eye. i didnt know what to say to her when i met her to be honest..she recognised me from the two tv ive been on and i got the impression that she didnt have a good opinion on me, understandably..i gathered that pretty quickly and as with every other time i realise someone doesnt like me before theyve met me, i ignore it...so we started talking and
i have a feeling that the reason i missed my flight was so i could that chat..
ive got another three days to see if anything else happens!

YCTV

2009-01-30T15:17:00.003Z

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=cVlrA9N2r0U

newness

2009-01-23T14:45:00.004Z

well I've been all over the place and am continuing to live life as a jet setter as i zoom of to hong kong tomorrow and then to America..whilst i write this I'm nursing a hang over from a weekend in France..was a very successful trip! i met a gallery owner who wants to show my work in his various galleries thought Paris, Marseilles and Nice, so I'm very very happy and excited about the future!
in the mean time I'm still painting like a mad woman .white spirit has seeped into my clothes, skin, hair..my studio seems as though it could burst into flame if a match was sparked!
i will also be showing some of my work in an exhibition in shoreditch on the 19Th of Feb with an art collective named Off The Wall. the show is in the basement space of the town hall and will be showing work from various artists and photographers as well as an opera singer from Italy dressed in cling film, and several rooms which will be navigated by torch light with some visualisers and projected art installations..will be brilliant so hope to see you there!
www.offthewagoncollective.com/index.php
have added some more of the images from our press release shoot so have a look!
sophie

new

2009-01-10T17:35:00.004Z

my new site for the exhibition that im planning is up and running!!
www.prsm-exhibition.co.uk

2009

2008-12-29T11:37:00.002Z

big things will be happening!
www.prsm-exhibition.co.uk

laid back

2008-12-29T11:22:00.003Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrsou0OEPRE

hero

2008-12-05T22:29:00.005Z

i met a true hero the other day. his name is phil packer. he was shot in Basra earlier this year and is now paralysed and in a wheelchair. he was - and still is - an officer in the army.
what is truly inspirational about Phil is his attitude. i've always been blessed that i have no one to blame for my accident except for myself. i am free from anger or resentment toward someone else.. how people cope with there injuries when they are inflicted upon them really interests me. the fury that i imagine must consume them was no where to be seen in my new friend phil..he is on a mission..
i know that missions are often the way that people deal with situations, a band aid over a wound that is too much to manage.. i have to admit that that is how i cope, i get busy livin'..not in denial, just a reaction of reaction..
phil is having a ball to raise awareness and money for a charilty called "help for hero's" and his own challenge, called phil's million..

http://www.philpacker.com

im glad that i have met a hero as there aren't very many around

life is beautiful

2008-12-05T22:10:00.003Z

i've started panting again. its so amazing to finally be back in my flat, working again. so amazing. i am planning an exhibition for april of next year in covent garden. i am going to be basing all of my paintings on different bodies, featuring some of Britain's Missing Top Model winner Kelly Knox as well as some of Lilli Risner and Debbie Van de Putten, two other beautiful girls from the show. I'll also be doing some of my friend and her baby which im so excited about as the two of them are my favorite people in the world and i want to make something beautiful.

showreeling

2008-11-23T19:18:00.002Z

http://www.reels.org.uk/?id=morgan

playlist.6

2008-11-04T01:32:00.003Z

mortem sibi consciscere

2008-11-03T12:47:00.003Z

i read an article in The Mail yesterday that really really shook me and i can't stop thinking about.
it was written about dan nicholls a 23 year old guy who was being interviewed on his opinion, as a quadriplegic , about euthanasia. this topic is quite hot a the moment with the suicide of Daniel James, also 23,who died on September 12 after traveling to a Swiss clinic to kill himself and also the impending assisted suicide of the woman with ms.
i read a story about a paralysed man who wanted to die so badly that he set light to a sofa and then drove his wheelchair into it to kill himself in the fire. he succeeded.
i thought about the movie "million dollar baby" when the girl bites her tongue to kill herself, fails and Clint Eastwood's character kills her with a lethal injection.
5 years ago when i had a car accident at four in the morning i was rushed into hospital and the police called my parents at home. immediately my mum asked if everyone walked into hospital. no they said, not sophie. mum collapsed.they said i'd broken my back at t-6.... t-6 or c-6 my mum asked?
they told her the answer but she blanked and didn't hear it properly.
she flew up to scotland to come and see me planning to put a pillow over my head.
when mum arrived she realised that i wasn't a c-6. i was a t-6.
this 10cm gap was the difference of life and death for me.
to explain it properly t-6 stands for thorasic level 6 which is the vertebrae in my spine which i damaged and as a result am paralysed from this level down. there are many different types of spinal injuries, like a fingerprint every one is different. you can be complete or incomplete. i am complete. this means i have no movement or feeling below my level of injury..some people can have no movement but total feeling, no feeling but total movement or all variations in between.if you break your neck - cervical - you can loose control of your lungs, you may not be able to use your hands, you could be restricted to a motorised wheelchair and in need of 24 hour care.
two very different ball games
my mum knew that if i was a cervical level 6 that i would want to die.she made that decisison and i know that if i had been she would have ended my life for me..if i hadn't died naturally as i nearly did.
i can't say whether or not she was right in making that decisison.
thankfully i will never have to know
but i think about it a lot when i'm struggling with my life..about how lucky i am despite the problems that i have to cope with everyday. i look at my hands now and am grateful that i can type these things.its easy to forget just how amazing it is to be able to live independently, freely and to have the ability to look after yourself.
i cant judge those paralysed people who want to end there lives..but i have to say that i can't help but understand. i feel trapped in my body and i still have the power of use of my hands and arms. i feel powerless and small at times and i can still yell and take control. i still dream about my other life and mourn for it but i continue to live a life that in many ways is exactly the same as before. so if i can have these emotions as the comparative baby sister of the higher-leveled older brother of paralysis..how must they feel everyday?hope less?
what do we need to want to continue?hope?...is it my comparisons with those worse off than me that awards me with a key the sanctuary of inner strength and ambition and contentment?or is is just the way i am?
what would i say to daniel james if i could talk to him?
i would want him to have some hope and i'd want to tell him that despite his situation he can still live. he could study, learn about the world and about things that interest him, he could go on adventures with the help of charities like the backup trust, he could read, travel..i could say all these things but i think that all he'd want is someone to say that they had the cure and that there would be an end.
someone once told me that a human being can cope with anything as long as there is an end.soldiers can fight in war as they now that one day it'll end, cancer patients can battle with the disease as they can fathom an ending..and i realised then that death has to be an option of an ending for some people..and as paralysis is - at this moment - unending, untreatable..the only option for change is death!??
give that man another opinion and i'm sure he would have taken it and run with it..

censured

2008-10-20T23:26:00.001+01:00

to all the people who didn't like the emin photograph i've taken it off!sorry

Spending Time with Morgan

2008-10-17T01:26:00.002+01:00

how old are you pet? your a youngin' you are..so sad so sad i only ever seen them old people, not young ones like you..
how much is that?
oh sorry love, thats three quid..so young so young..
here you go
thanks pet. i ain't never seen one like you. how old are you then?
twenty three
oh lord! oh dear! twenty three? so sad so sad eh..
yeh, so goodnight. thanks for getting me home..
you live 'ere?
yeah
you live on your own?
yeah
yeah im sure.. no husband then?
no
oh im sorry...bet you cant have children..
...n'
oh sorry pet, didn't mean to hold you up off you go, you alright? need me to push you anywhere?
no im ok thank you, night
night....so sad my god so sad..

tragic init my god tragic - he said to himself as he closed the door and started the engine of the taxi