Well, it’s been another week and a bit since I last wrote a blog.

I wasn’t going to write this one, but I feel like I should explain my actions because a lot of people have been asking questions.

Most of you know what I’m about.

Everything I do is about promoting disability awareness, LGBTQ+ awareness, and helping people who often don’t get a voice. I’ve always believed we should be helping everyone, not just the rich and the people already in power.

Yesterday, I met with Lee Anderson.

Yes, I know some people will be disappointed by that.

I know what his party has said and done regarding disabled people and the LGBTQ+ community. I understand why people feel strongly about it.

But hear me out.

With Blue Badge Bunch, Disabled Cants, and all the disability awareness work we do in schools, libraries, community groups, and corporate events, there is only so much funding available each year.

To keep going, we have to think long-term.

We spend a lot of our time cold calling businesses, emailing schools, contacting NHS organisations, speaking to solicitors, finance companies, and anyone else who might be interested in disability awareness training.

This year I decided to start reaching out to MPs as well.

I’ve emailed every MP I could think of in the Nottinghamshire area.

So far, only two have replied.

The first was Nadia Whittome.

That was a fantastic meeting.

We spent the whole time talking about disability, barriers people face, and how we could potentially work together in the future.

There were lots of good ideas discussed, and when I get back from Edinburgh, I’ll be following some of those up.

The second MP was Lee Anderson.

Now before everyone jumps on the train of hating me for going, just stop for a moment and think about why I might have done it.

I’ve lived with a disability my entire life.

I’ve spent years reading policies, watching governments come and go, and seeing decisions made that affect disabled people.

So when an opportunity comes along to spend fifteen minutes talking directly to someone in power, I take it.

I had a choice.

I could have walked into that meeting angry.

I could have spent fifteen minutes arguing.

I could have spent fifteen minutes talking about trans rights, Pride, disability cuts, and everything that frustrates me about politics.

But honestly?

That wouldn’t have achieved anything.

Instead, I went in with a plan.

I spoke about Blue Badge Bunch.

I spoke about Disabled Cants.

I spoke about the hundreds of disabled performers, children, and adults we’ve worked with over the years.

I spoke about disability awareness and why education matters.

I spoke about how businesses can become more confident working with disabled people.

Most importantly, I spoke about solutions.

Whether people agree with him politically isn’t really the point of this blog.

The point is that I got an opportunity to put disability awareness in front of somebody who might not otherwise have seen it.

And if that creates one conversation, one opportunity, one workshop, or one piece of work for disabled people in the future, then surely that’s worth trying.

At the end of the meeting, he said he would invite me to a business lunch where I could promote Blue Badge Bunch and hopefully make more connections.

Will anything come of it?

I don’t know.

Maybe yes.

Maybe no.

But if I hadn’t gone, there would have been zero chance.

That’s how I look at it.

There’s something else I’d like people to think about as well.

I’ve got several jobs on the go at the moment because I’m trying to earn enough money to keep my independence and stay in my flat.

Every month, like many disabled people, I have to think about what happens next.

Will I have enough work coming in?

Will I be able to pay the bills?

Will I have to move back to London?

Some of you know me well enough to know that moving back to London wouldn’t be the right move for me or my family.

Don’t get me wrong, we get on well. We always have. We support each other when we need to.

But after living independently for so many years, moving back home wouldn’t be fair on them or me. I’ve got my own challenges, and they’ve got theirs.

That’s why I work so hard.

That’s why I run Blue Badge Bunch.

That’s why I perform comedy.

That’s why I make artwork in the shed.

That’s why I write these blogs.

Because I’m trying to build a life that works.

So when people see me meeting politicians, applying for funding, cold-calling businesses, emailing schools, selling artwork, performing gigs, running workshops, and doing three or four different jobs at once, please look at the bigger picture.

Look at what we’ve achieved over the last seven years.

We’ve helped disabled comedians.

We’ve educated thousands of children.

We’ve worked with schools, libraries, businesses, and community groups.

We’ve built something positive.

I sound a bit like a politician saying that, don’t I?

Maybe comedians are politicians in a strange sort of way.

We’re telling jokes, making observations, and trying to make a point along the way.

Most of us do it without even realising it.

I also want to thank those friends who messaged me privately.

You know who you are.

Some of you said you wouldn’t have gone yourself, but you understood why I did.

And I appreciate that.

It’s okay to disagree with people while still respecting them.

In fact, I think we need more of that in the world.

And sometimes people read my posts and think I’m down or feeling sorry for myself.

Honestly, I’m not.

I’m just trying to show the reality of building a life as a disabled comedian, artist, workshop leader, and self-employed person.

This page isn’t just about comedy.

It’s about disability awareness.

It’s about woodwork.

It’s about mental health.

It’s about trying to create something that works.

If you saw my post about the meeting, please feel free to comment respectfully about the issues that matter to you.

Maybe nobody listens.

Maybe they do.

But I genuinely believe that talking to people is better than saying nothing at all.

I’ve never been someone who enjoys shouting.

I’ve never been someone who enjoys confrontation.

My way has always been education.

My way has always been humour.

My way has always been getting people into a room, making them laugh, making them think, and helping them see things from a different perspective.

Because if twenty people come into a room and five of them leave with a better understanding of disability, LGBTQ+ issues, or simply treating people with respect, then that’s progress.

And that’s what I’ve always been trying to do.

One conversation at a time.

Most importantly, this page is about the real Benjamin Elliott — Benny Shakes.

I’ve always been honest with people, and I always will be.

Because at the end of the day, honesty is what matters.

And I believe that’s what will help me shine.