Linda and I met as planned this morning in welcome sunshine at Teddington station, although the temperature was chilly and Linda had had to make her way very cautiously in her wheelchair on frosty pavements.
Mustafa, Linda's regular guard, was ready with the ramps for the 9.11 train. So I took a quick photo before the train arrived, with Linda holding the placard I had hastily made that morning. Our journey to London was enlivened by some very well behaved young school children off to visit the Tate! After a short wait for the ramp in Waterloo -"nobody told me" puffed the guard, who came rushing along the platform to rescue us from being swept back down the line- we stood under the clock untill 10.10.
As no-one else appeared we enlisted the help of a passerby to take another photo.
Then we went across Waterloo Bridge with glorious views of London in sunshine on either side. Negotiating various pedestrian crossings, some blocked by roadworking barriers resulting in Linda bumping down kerbs and a teeth rattling stretch of cobblestones, we finally reached the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. Here we met Sarah, and after more photos, found the accessible route into the Courts.
Outside room 76, Cath was marshalling everyone and supplying supporters with BRAME blue ribbons. It was great for me to meet her IRL! Inside the courtroom the hearing had started and all the public seating was taken but an usher appeared and showed us where to get folding chairs and where to sit at the side with other wheelchair users and late arrivals. The splendid room had a high platform at one end where the court ushers sat facing the body of the court and behind them the Judge was behind on even higher staging. He wore a black frock like robe with a scarlet neck scarf and all the other court officials wore black gowns with the barristers and their clerks wearing wigs. It made them look very arcane as the judge was bareheaded.
The plaintiff's barrister was addressing the Judge and we realised that the defending barrister will be putting his argument tomorrow. I don't know how many people will have the stamina to go tomorrow as well but there were about 60 people there; some people left during the session and others continued to arrive, Alan for one.
The case against NICE was being slowly and meticulously spelt out by the plaintiff's barrister who although we thought he was making some good points was not a clear or good orator. A few interruptions by the opposing barrister revealed a strong voice and style; tomorrow may be nail biting for the plaintiffs. But, as Alan pointed out, the Judge seemed to be meticulous in taking notes and clarifying every step of the argument. Proceedings progressed very slowly with much reference to volumes of trial paperwork and other legal cases creating long pauses as all the court flipped through looking for page and paragraph numbers.
Eventually it was time for the lunch break and we heard that Charles Shepherd was going to be interviewed by the main entrance and everyone who was able was asked to muster there. Retracing our steps we found our way back through the labyrinth and out onto the Strand at the magnificent main doors. Charles Shepherd was being interviewed by a production company who are making a documentary for ITV about teenagers with ME. But when this was over he joined us and other placard holders for another photo opportunity.
We now await the Judge’s decision.
Alan, Sarah and Linda with Charles Shepherd of the ME Association (on the right) with other ME 'protestors' outside the Royal Courts.
Carolyn Forsyth
