Keep moving - Mobility is the key

But will it provide access to a venue?

Friday was a good day.  I was excited going into work on Friday morning to witness the opening of the Stadium to the track and field events and the buzz of the Park.  I caught the bus at 5.00 as it became light.  The night bus had other Games Makers on it so didn’t feel alone with drunks as had expected and very surprisingly, felt awake.  Caught the Javelin for the first time at Ben's favourite station - St Pancras -  he preferred it to Paris! It was full of the purple and red army.  Met a lovely physio based in the Velodrome - how nice! It’s a very fast way to get across town.

Walking into the Olympic Park at 6.15 was actually quite moving with the early morning light and lots of red and purple movement.  I asked to be moved into Mobility into what is known as a Stop with a walkie talkie - definitely a promotion! Would not be doing any driving, however, not because they had heard about my driving record but due to not being trained to drive the buggies that go 3 mph. I was positioned in the area right by one of the entrances to the Stadium known as World Square.  Immediately met two more interesting girls who I could tell were more fun than anyone previously.  Their mission was to get into a venue by pushing in someone in a wheel chair every day and so far they had achieved it.  Who knows if they pushed each other? Within minutes our post of 3 were asked to do things by our very effective team leader. Then it was quiet while we waited for the huge crowd to start pouring in. Whilst we waited a TV crew arrived and asked one of the young, attractive girls to pose for the camera - a Locog shoot for the closing ceremony.  She declined and as a last resort they asked me.  Having been involved in TV production I know what it's like to try to get people to do things so I agreed, possibly out of boredom.  So I walked into the camera and posed as she had requested - sadly, minus my hat and shades.  Oh no!  What was I thinking?  I had had no time to get my hair cut or do my roots but worse than that  I had got up at 4.45 and had no time to shower, wash my hair and put on make-up.  Apparently there was no budget for costume and make-up.  Now here I was potentially exposing myself in this raw state to the world.  What was to be done?  Well obviously make myself look such an idiot that no-one would ever believe it was me so when she asked me to look cheeky I went along copying her movements - she was really quite engaging, cute and impish.  She should have been on camera!  I am relying on the fact that 50% of what is shot ends up on the cutting room floor but if it doesn’t - I will deny it's me if anyone asks!  Would be incredibly ironic if I am shown on screen as representative of the enthusiastic, role model, Games Maker when I am probably the least enthusiastic cheerleader/Games Maker.

My role as a Mobility Stop consisted of assisting people to get on and off mobility buggies and sometimes helping them into wheel chairs.  Within a short while I was busy and became more so when we had a lost teenager who had become separated from her school teacher whilst taking a photo for them.  It took half an hour for them to realise as we kept calling the emergency contact mobile that was switched off.  Just as we were calling the school the teacher appeared.  The lost teenager was quite anxious so I spent time trying to tell stories to keep her occupied such as my getting lost story -aged 4 on Blackpool beach, being taken to a lost children's caravan, waiting what seemed like days to be collected and being anxious that my nan wouldn’t be able to afford the half crown to buy me back.    A few minutes after she had been found, I noticed she had left her information sheets with me - notices about 4 days worth of tickets.  Lucky girl! Needle in a haystack to look for her? - Possibly, but I managed it against the odds!  Actually felt like I had played a role and done something worthwhile - hurrah at last!  But not for long as I was then sent to Victoria Gate, also known as the back of beyond, and sat in the wheel chair talking to the friendly security guys and another EVS Games maker clicking everyone in to count numbers because the ticket scanners throughout the park were not working.  Stayed for about an hour and a half before lunch at 11.00 (oddly).  On my return I was posted on the opposite side of what is known as the spotted bridge (due to the circles of colour in the middle) of World Square with the Gloriana (the Queens boat for the Jubilee) below me.  Took lots of pics of people with it and had much more interesting conversations with people as they waited for the mobility buggies to arrive because just like proper buses, they arrived 4 at time after a 10 min wait.  No-one had previously had the ingenious idea to provide seats at the pink mobility points so it was another day of standing and chatting to occupy the time of the disabled passengers standing, waiting, patiently.

Saturday - not so good.  Same early start but weather cold and dull with imminent rain.  This time met another lady similar job to me but based in the Stadium.  Able to watch everything.  The Olympic Life really isn't fair!  Offered to do Mobility again thinking this was  more interesting but not today!  I was out at The Aquatic Centre near the Orbit which had few spectators until 1.00 when it opened.  Was partnered with a lady who was used to bossing people around.  Nice enough but not really fun.  However, my friend from the BBC, Elaine, came and entertained me while my partner was at lunch and for the first time I laughed as a Games Maker!  Thank you Elaine!  She is working for EDF, getting paid and having a hard but jolly time working there.  The Next plastic poncho got its first outing.  Think I helped one pregnant lady onto a buggy and helped get off one wheelchair other than that it was the usual yes toilets in front of you, water fountains next to what looks like the wailing wall and photo in front of the Orbit and stadium? Sure!  Left cold, wet, miserable and tired!  Then what a great night to be home watching the sensational Team GB win so many medals.  Completely moved me and turned my mood around.  So maybe I will give it another shot on Monday.