Posability August / September 2017 by 2A Publishing

S THLETIC A A R A P WORLD S SPECIAL IP H S N IO CHAMP

ability

Aug/Sept 2017

MAGAZINE

HURRICANE HANNAH COCKROFT

Nothing is Impossible...

Storming to victory

GOLDEN GUY

WIN A WEEK IN A LUXURY HOLIDAY COTTAGE

JONNIE PEACOCK

Who he tips as the track stars of tomorrow

LONDON 2017

HEROESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HOMECOMING

ALSO FEATURED...Autism in books and film | Workplace stress | Kids' cabin | Puzzles FC_Aug_Sept_FINAL.indd 1

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WELCOME August/September 2017

Described as the most exceptional World Para Athletics Championships in the event’s 23-year history, London 2017 was a truly spellbinding 10 days of sport in which GB’s elite para athletes pushed the boundaries to smash records and deliver a clutch of golds. We couldn’t have allowed these monumental championships to go by without a fanfare by delivering to readers a World Para Athletics Championships special edition of PosAbility, which is bursting with our writers’ insightful interviews with British Athletics’ most dominant, elite sportspeople. Double World Champion Jonnie Peacock shares with us the anxious moment at the start line of the 100m final when crippling cramp consumed him with self-doubt about his ability to complete the race. On page 24, the quiet man of para athletics describes his elation at overcoming the pain to storm to victory, shares his tips for the track superstars of tomorrow and explains why he’ll be taking time out in 2018 to prepare mentally for Tokyo 2020. Also opening her heart on page 34 is the untouchable Hannah Cockroft who explains her overwhelming emotion at claiming her 10th World title and her relief that the two hungry rivals on her tail just couldn’t steal gold from her clutch in the women’s 400m final. She says she feels honoured to represent Britain and British Athletics – and we are honoured that she has shared her reflections and ambitions on our pages in this special edition. Self-confessed ‘new girl on the block’ Sammi Kinghorn explains how she was approaching her second lap of honour after winning gold in her trademark pink chair in the T53 200m, oblivious that she had toppled the world record with a time of 28.61 seconds. Meet the new poster girl of wheelchair racing on page 44.

Just as talented photographer Mark Davidson has captured captivating moments that have made sporting history at London 2017, so too has PosAbility travel writer Janet Myers. Her arresting images found on page 51 beautifully transport us to Nantes through an atmospheric palette of colour and tranquillity. Remaining with travel, but this time closer to home, Brickhouse Farm Cottages offers a lucky reader a chance to win a week’s stay at the luxurious self-catering getaway on page 49. Regrettably, it’s not unusual for autism to go undiagnosed until adulthood. But for Edmund West, the revelation that he has Asberger’s syndrome came through an unlikely source: the pages of a paperback novel. Read about that life-changing read and how it and other pieces of literature and film depict the autism spectrum. Turn to page 31. We turn the focus on employment on page 74, this time lifting the lid on workplace stress and how to beat it. If you’re a regular reader, thanks for returning. And if you’re new to our pages, welcome and enjoy. We’d love to hear your feedback on this special edition of PosAbility and welcome your thoughts on what you’d like to see in future issues. Until October…

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Mark Davidson Jane Hatton Janet Myers Sam Renke Mik Scarlet Dan White Edmund West Rio Woolf

DISCLAIMER

PosAbility Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in PosAbility Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2017 ©2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

Contact Details: Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, G46 8JT Tel: 0141 465 2960 Fax: 0141 258 7783 enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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CONTRIBUTORS

Acting editor

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017| ISSUE 38

CONTENTS 57

Check out

P49

FEATURES 07 FYI

23 AIMING HIGHER

13 PARALLEL – SIDE BY SIDE TOWARDS INCLUSION

24 THE PRIDE OF PEACOCK

News, stories and updates from around the world

Mik Scarlet looks ahead to Parallel London 2017

15 SAM RENKE

WIN! 7 NIGHT BREAK

AT BRICKHOUSE FARM COTTAGES

04_Contents.indd 4

Mind your launguage

Find out about the support on offer to prospective disabled University of Liverpool students London 2017 poster boy Jonnie Peacock talks everything Worlds, London and taking a break

29 ADAPTED INSTRUMENTS

17 PARENT POWER

Learn how disabled musicians are being given a helping hand

19 BAND ON THE RUN

31 THE BOOK THAT TOLD ME I HAVE AUTISM

21 SPECIAL OLYMPICS

34 HURRICANE HANNAH

Meet the parents fighting to raise awareness of rare Norrie disease Two-times Superbikes champion James Toseland on his band’s Special Olympics National Summer Games anthem The UK’s largest sporting event for athletes who have an intellectual (learning) disability

Edmund West recalls the remarkable moment reading a work of fiction made him aware of his autism Golden Girl Hannah Cockroft recaps her time at London 2017

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07 37 HOT STUFF

A look at the most innovative, must-have products on the market

44 SAMMI KINGHORN

Gold medallist Sammi delights at her London homecoming

47 SHARED OWNERSHIP

How shared ownership schemes can give you a foothold on the property ladder

49 COMPETITION

Win an exciting seven-night break at Brickhouse Farm Cottages

51 A FAIRYTALE REALM PAR EXCELLENCE

Janet Myers travels to Nantes in France to discover its many spectacles

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55 TRAVEL FOCUS

Explore the world with Limitless Travel

57 HEROES’ HOMECOMING

We bring you all the highlights from the best World Para Athletics Championships – ever!

61 KIDS’ CABIN

Columnist Rio’s puppy love, the kings of accessible castles and superhero parents

81 PUZZLES Keeping the mind active

74 STRESS: THE WORKPLACE TABOO

Looking at the worrying truth of stress in the workplace

77 ONLINE ACTIVITY

Jane Hatton warns candidates of the dangers of your online presence whilst job hunting

31/07/2017 14:57

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FYI

News and stories from around the world

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

SEE THE UK’S NEXT GENERATION OF GUIDE DOGS GROW Visitors to the fully accessible state-of-the-art Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre (NBC) near Leamington Spa can enjoy free tours of a light and airy puppy block, whelping area, kennel space designed with both comfort and social interaction in mind and high-spec research labs. Created in 2011 in order to modernise the breeding of future guide dogs, the centre helps to breed up to 1,500 guide dog pups annually. The fully equipped centre hosts free two-hour tours, three times a week, allowing visitors the chance to explore the space whilst being led by experienced guides, often accompanied by one of their dogs. Suitable for all ages and abilities, those

who attend the tours get a chance to see the puppies as they socialise and grow, gaining experience of everyday sights and sounds which help them develop the skills needed to become life-changing guide dogs. Specially built walkways enable individuals to view the work carried out at the centre without disturbing the pups and tour guides explain how the charity uses the latest technology and innovations in their breeding programme. Although the NBC is renowned for being the home of guide dog pups and dealing with the early stages of the puppies’ development, the tours also explain the important role the dogs will play in the life of someone who is visually impaired, once they qualify. With almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss, a sensory tunnel based at the NBC allows visitors to experience what it’s like to get about with impaired vision – highlighting the need for the mobility services provided by the charity, Guide Dogs. The free tours offered are fully accessible and cater for anyone bringing wheelchairs, mobility scooters or rollators. To find out more visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/nbc-tours

FESTIVAL CELEBRATES EVERYTHING WIRRAL One Wirral 2017 will take place on Saturday, August 19 in Birkenhead Park. The event will be a celebration of everything Wirral – its people, businesses, community groups and services. There will be something for everyone at this fun-filled summer festival with an array of music acts, workshops, stalls and crafters. The festival boasts a music zone hosted by Wirral Radio, an active zone with sports, dance and drama workshops, a community zone with fete-style stalls, market-style stalls, a nostalgia zone exploring Wirral’s past, a nature zone with animals, plants and outdoor activities and a chilled zone picnic space with acoustic vibes. The event has been organised by Wirral Mencap, Options for Supported Living and Wirral Evolutions with a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery. The three disability organisations have come together with partners from across the community sector to deliver a festival that promotes inclusion, diversity and community-connectedness. Strides are being taken to make the festival as accessible as possible to all residents regardless of age, gender, race, religion, cultural views, sexuality or disability. As well as being a great day out for the whole community, the event aims to highlight the achievements and positive contributions made to society by local people with a learning disability. For more information, visit www.onewirral.weebly.com or call Wirral Mencap on 0151 666 1829.  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 7

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FYI

DRINK! BLUE BADGE STYLE PLANS EFFORTLESS INDEPENDENCE AT PARTIES Blue Badge Style has created a prototype, universal glass holder for wheelchair users in the first of a series of planned products. “We want people to be effortlessly independent,” explained Fiona Jarvis, founder of Blue Badge Style, “and that includes being able to wheel yourself around at parties and networking events without spilling your drink.” The founder of the UK’s first style guide for people with disabilities, Fiona wants to bring style to inclusive design. She first realised she might have MS when she kept falling off her high-heels in bars. Today, Fiona glides through life in a wheelchair, but has found wheeling round parties with a drink a challenge. Fiona explained: “At a party or networking event, you want to be able to get around easily and talk to everyone. But it’s impossible to hold your drink and wheel at the same time. I usually ask my carer to hold my glass, but I’d rather be effortlessly independent. So, we’ve come up with what we think is an elegant solution to this problem - DRINK!” Blue Badge Style DRINK is a cool glass holder, which can hold a glass of any shape or size, from a beer bottle to a champagne flute, while leaving your hands free. Its clever design has a smart fixing so it can attach to practically anything; your wheelchair, a deck chair or even a garden table. There’s more to follow at the end of the summer, but now Blue Badge Style would like to know what readers of PosAbility Magazine think. If you’re interested in hearing more, or have comments, please email info@ bluebadgestyle.com

APPEAL FOR FRESH DJ TALENT AT RADIO STATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A community radio station for people with disabilities is calling on enthusiastic individuals to join its team of DJs. Direction Radio, which is run by social care provider Surrey Choices, aims to give a stronger voice to people with disabilities and provides all the training and technology to produce professional and engaging shows. In celebration of its upcoming second birthday, the station is now on the lookout for people with disabilities to learn the art of DJ-ing and get the exciting opportunity to interview guests and lead shows surrounding current affairs. Chris Fenn, founder of Direction Radio, commented: “We’ve gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years and now have listeners globally from Australia and Singapore, to the USA and across the UK. “Our aim has always been to grow the station and give as many disabled people as possible the opportunity to voice their opinions, whilst gaining really invaluable experiences and skills. We look forward to welcoming in the next generation of DJs.” Direction Radio hit the airwaves on 6 July 2015 and airs a wide variety of music and programmes, from topical subjects, news and chat shows. Presenters are given the freedom to plan and record their own shows, whilst developing their interviewing and production techniques. The station gives contributors the chance to attain recognised qualifications in radio and media and is available to listen to on www.direction-radio.com or through TuneIn, iTunes Radio and the Direction Radio app. Previous shows are also available on www.mixcloud.com.  “THE STATION IS NOW ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LEARN THE ART OF DJ-ING AND GET THE EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW GUESTS AND LEAD SHOWS SURROUNDING CURRENT AFFAIRS.”

8 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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27/07/2017 18:12

ALL- NEW FIESTA T TA ZETEC B&O PLAY A AY

££1195

Ford All-New Fiesta Zetec B&O PLAY with Driver Assistance Pack from only £195* Advance Payment. To find out more, visit ford.co.uk/motability or call 0345 60 40 019.

Important information

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford All-New Fiesta Zetec B&O PLAY 1.0T EcoBoost 100PS 6 Speed are: urban 40.9-52.3 (6.9-5.4), extra urban 67.3-78.5 (4.2-3.6), combined 54.3-65.7 (5.2-4.3). Official CO2 emissions 118-97g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. *£195 Advance Payment available only on Ford All-New Fiesta Zetec B&O PLAY 1.0 EcoBoost 100PS 6 Speed. Driver Assistance Pack subject to availability. This programme is subject to the standard conditions of the Motability Scheme 3-year lease agreement. Full written details and quotations available on request from a Ford Authorised participating Dealer of Motability Operations Limited. Through the Motability Scheme the vehicles are leased from Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Applications must be received and accepted by Motability Operations Limited between 1st July and 30th September 2017.

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28/07/2017 13:00

500 YOUNG PEOPLE

MOVE INTO WORK

An innovative programme for young people with learning disabilities is successfully helping people into full time employment. Project SEARCH is a transition to work programme for young people aged between 16 and 24 with learning disabilities. In the UK, there are now more than 500 young graduates of the programme in full time employment, paid at the going rate for the job. Project SEARCH came to the UK from its Ohio launch pad in 2007 and there are now 44 Project SEARCH sites across the UK; 25 in hospitals, eight in local councils, seven in private sector businesses, three in universities and one in a Public Health England national infection service centre. Each site typically has 8-12 students in their last year of education who begin and end their day with their college or school tutor in a classroom based in the host business. They spend the rest of the time with their managers and mentors layering on and learning job-related skills supported by the tutor and an experienced job coach. www.projectsearch.us.

PosAbility Magazine has two copies of AspergerWorld: My Fairy Jam Jar to give away. For your chance to win, email your contact details with ‘book competition’ in the subject box to enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk or visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk to enter online. Alternatively, complete this form and return to: AspergerWorld Book Competition PosAbility Magazine Caledonia House Evanton Drive Thornliebank Ind. Estate Glasgow G46 8JT

Name: Address: Postcode: Tel: Email: Publisher Troubador would like to send you more information about their products. If you prefer not to receive this, please tick the box. Terms & conditions: The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative. Only one entry per person. Closing date for entries is Monday, September 11. The editor’s decision is final.

The Joshua Tree Project Community Interest Company (CIC) has won its biggest contract to date to supply its bespoke furniture to student accommodation providers ‘true Student’. The Joshua Tree Project employs people who have learning difficulties/ disabilities, those with mental health issues and other people who have been marginalised by society. It was founded by Lee and Louise Bensley, the parents of Joshua, who was born with a rare chromosomal disorder which meant he had complex special needs. The contract will enable the company to increase its workforce and undertake some structural improvements to its workshops. The social enterprise will provide a range of exclusivea handmade designer furniture including tables, seating, shelving and doors for true Student’s developments in Newcastle and Glasgow.

Concerned about Josh’s job prospects when he reached adulthood, Lee and Louise founded Decon-based Joshua Tree Project so that Josh could work in a safe and comfortable environment, in a job that he loved, as he had always shown an interest in joinery. They created a fully working joinery, with the aim of also employing other local young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, to make high end, bespoke furniture for sale. All of the company’s furniture is made from recycled and reclaimed wood, which is kindly donated by the community or sourced from local companies. www.joshuatreeproject.co.uk

WIN AUTISM ACTIVIST SHARES HER INSPIRING STORY

AspergerWorld: My Fairy Jam Jar is a fascinating, recently-launched part-autobiographical book written by Joely Colmer, a young woman with Asperger’s syndrome. It aims to inspire and empower those on the autistic spectrum and teach them the joy of self-acceptance. It shares Joely’s journey: from the challenges she faced as a child, to successfully completing her education, to her current role as an autism activist and a passionate awareness-raising campaigner. PRICE For those living with an autism spectrum disorder, AspergerWorld provides helpful tips for day-to-day living. It also contains invaluable advice for both parents and professionals on how to best support those with autism. Most importantly, it aims to educate, igniting what Joely calls ‘a positive rainbow of change’ into the heart of the autistic community. “I have always dreamed of changing lives, and being a role model for others as an autism activist,” explains Joely. “I write so I can empower; I wish to enhance understanding of the hidden hardships and quirks of Asperger’s syndrome.” www.troubador.co.uk

£12.99

10 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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31/07/2017 15:03

FYI

HOLIDAY BUNGALOW PROVIDES BIRD’S EYE VIEW FOR ALL GUESTS Owners of an accessible holiday bungalow have demonstrated their commitment to making the outstanding natural beauty of the surrounding countryside enjoyable by all by flying a drone over their seaside resort. Suzanne Morrison and husband Malcolm were inspired to pull the Gower house apart and fully adapt it after their son, John, who has cerebral palsy, finished college in 2006 and wanted to be somewhere with pubs and pavements. Bramwood Disabled Holiday Bungalow, which was last year named among The Guardian’s top 10 wheelchair accessible cabins, lodges and cottages in the UK,

opened for lettings in 2013. This year, thanks to Letsinspire Media, the couple flew a drone over their bungalow on the slopes of Rhossili Downs so that those guests who are not able to walk or use their wheelchair in certain areas can enjoy terrain they wouldn’t otherwise see. “We know from personal experience what it is like to travel with someone who is disabled, having fallen foul of the many things that can happen when travelling,” explained Suzanne. “With every booking at Bramwood, we endeavour to create a unique experience for all our guests by discussing their needs and trying our very best to ensure everything is in place prior to their arrival.” The owners, who recently purchased a Mobi beach wheelchair for guests’ use, source local Gower produce which they stock in their welcome basket. The basket includes Bramwood’s mascot dragon named Sizzle and guests are encouraged to photograph him on their outings and post pictures on Sizzle’s own twitter page. Bramwood Disabled Holiday Bungalow, which sleeps nine, includes latest equipment from leading manufacturers including ArjoHuntleigh all provided to aid guests’ stay. It has been graded 4 Stars with Visit Wales. www.bramwoodgower.co.uk 07920 181312

ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR NATIONAL STAR A Gloucestershire-based charity received the royal seal of approval for enabling young people with disabilities to have a ‘limitless life’ rather than a ‘life with limits’. The Countess of Wessex met students, staff and supporters of National Star at its campus near Cheltenham to mark the national charity’s 50th anniversary. The Countess who met scores of students as she toured the campus took off her heels to sit on the mat beside 22-year-old Richard Cadbury as he received physiotherapy. “The Countess was wonderful with the students. She took time to stop and chat

with so many of them and understood that some of the young people have very different ways of communicating,” said David Ellis, chief executive of National Star. The Countess had a tour of the students’ art exhibition and watched a display of aerial dancing. National Star started in Cheltenham in 1967 with just 10 students. This year it will support 1,500 people with disabilities and learning difficulties at Ullenwood and various locations across England and Wales.

HAPPILY DATING AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS

Sister and charity worker, Helena Reed (pictured right) has launched happily Community Interest Company (CIC), a notfor-profit friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities and autism in London. The idea of happily was born from Helena’s first-hand experience of helping her younger sister, Jessica, who has learning disabilities to find love and friendship. Having exhausted their efforts on numerous online dating websites, apps and introduction agencies, Helena realised that more needed to be done to connect people and to support them to build meaningful relationships. “There wasn’t a service dedicated specifically for adults with learning disabilities in London, which had appropriate safeguarding measures in place and was also accessible to members,” explained Helena. “We spoke to families, charities as well as other dating agencies based outside of London who all agreed there was a need for something like happily.” happily aims to provide a safe environment for members to make new friends and go on dates with appropriate support. As a way of giving back to the community, happily will also host free workshops about relationships for its members and partner charities. The social enterprise will be led by Helena and supported by volunteers and her mother Dr Corriene Reed (pictured left) who is a developmental psychologist. To celebrate its launch, happily hosted a garden tea party in West London, where the company’s headquarters are based. For more information about happily,visit happilydating.co.uk. To become a member or to find out more about volunteering call 07397066761 or email hello@happilydating.co.uk.

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31/07/2017 15:03

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Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo V40 range in MPG (I/100 km): Urban 33.2 (8.5) – 70.6 (4.0), Extra Urban 54.3 (5.2) – 85.6 (3.3), Combined 44.1 (6.4) – 78.5 (3.6). CO2 emissions 149 – 94g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment, which will be taken in lieu of the four-weekly rental for 36 months’ duration. 60,000 mileage allowance over 3 years; excess mileage charges may apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.motability.co.uk. Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB.

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28/07/2017 14/06/2017 13:01 16:50

Columnist Mik Scarlet

Follow Mik on Twitter

@MikScarlet

PARALLEL – SIDE BY SIDE TOWARDS INCLUSION

he Queen Elizabeth Park in Stratford, home

of the 2012 Olympic Games, will be hosting on September 3 the fully inclusive mass participation event, Parallel London. It will be an amazing day out for the family and for all abilities. Alongside sporting challenges of 100m, 1k, 5k and 10k events where you can run, walk, wheel or whatever other means of getting around you use, there will be a stunning sensory 100m course. Dancing, acting, painting, music, the list goes on. I am proud to be an ambassador for Parallel, along with my fellow PosAbility columnists the wonderful Sam Renke and Dan White. I had to support Parallel London as I believe it shows the way the future could be, fully inclusive. As disabled people, we are used to hearing excuses why things aren’t accessible but Parallel isn’t about accessible, it’s about the dream of inclusion. While going through a special rear entrance is better than not being allowed into a building at all, in a perfect and fair world

I would wheel through the same door as other people walk. I use this analogy a lot when I run training around equality and inclusion, to try to easily explain access compared to inclusion. I am still a little shocked each training session I run that I have to explain the concept at all, but alas I do. So, events like Parallel, with inclusivity at their core, show the way for a better world.

“EVENTS LIKE PARALLEL, WITH INCLUSIVITY AT THEIR CORE, SHOW THE WAY FOR A BETTER WORLD.” I have never been a very sporty person, preferring the arts and creativity to all that exertion but at Parallel I can give one of the distance events a go without fear of shame at coming last. It’s only about winning or beating some personal best if you want it to be. It can just as easily be about the taking part, which is lucky for me. 51 years of being a sofa bear

is hard to undo. I am actually training, with daily sessions of sit yoga and wheeling around the streets of Camden, but I know I will never be the next David Weir. I love that I can join in, have a go, enjoy the trying and be happy with just being there. I also wanted my taking part to mean something, and with that in mind I contacted the international charity Motivation. They provide wheelchairs for disabled people in developing countries, and offer training for them as they get used to using their new chairs. The plan is for me to do my event in a Motivation wheelchair, to promote the work they do. I’m writing this sat in a chair that costs over £3000 and to many throughout the world this sum is unimaginable. To spend it on a wheelchair is unthinkable. If we want to build an inclusive society worldwide, then people like those at Motivation really need our support. There’ll be loads of celebs at Parallel too, disabled and not, so bring an autograph book. Somewhere I’ll be there, hoping that my extended wheels to the local coffee shop got me ready for the big day. If you come over to say hi and I’m out of puff, you’ll know they obviously did not. www.parallellondon.com/ family-festival/

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27/07/2017 20:59

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26/07/2017 13:01 15:30 28/07/2017

Columnist Sa

Our favourite teacher-turnedactress, Sam Renke, brings you her take on life and the colourful experiences it throws her way. You can follow Sam on Twitter @samrenke

e ke

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

few weeks ago, I

had the pleasure of working with Katie Price on her current ITV reality show. The topic of discussion was online trolling, in other words online bullying – something to which both Katie’s teenage son, Harvey, who has a severe disability and I are no strangers.

“ONE PARTYGOER WAS EVEN SHOCKED WHEN I TOLD HIM I WOULD BE OFFENDED TO BE CALLED A CRIPPLE OR FREAK.”

Katie had started to campaign heavily against online bullying. She ultimately wanted to criminalise ‘trolling’ and those who partake. She proposed that they be put on a list of offenders for the whole world to see. As part of her campaigning, she appeared on a number of television and radio stations to promote the cause. During the interviews, she would retell or recall some of the vicious and appalling language used by the trolls about her son. Thousands of people joined us in supporting the campaign. However, Katie nevertheless came under scrutiny. During one particular interview, Katie told the viewers some of the names her son has been called by online bullies. He was called a ‘spaz’, ‘hairbo’, blind, ‘king mong,’ black and they had also repeatedly used the ’N’ word to describe Harvey. Before I go on, I must stress that I do not condone the use of the ’N’ word ever and I am not diminishing its severity. However, this got me thinking about how we use language and what it means to the individual, those at the receiving end of its twisted use. As an ex school teacher I am no stranger to

hearing the words: gay, spaz, retard, freak used within the classroom and honestly the word ‘GAY’ would be disciplined more than the word ‘SPAZ’. Why? A few weeks later at a house party this whole subject was brought up. I expressed my upset to the partygoers at the lack of concern for the use of cripple, spaz or freak. One partygoer was even shocked when I told him I would be offended to be called a cripple or freak. Another simply said that you can’t compare the ’N’ word with freak because of all the slavery history that goes with it! It dawned on me that people have no idea about disabled history, they are blissfully unaware that for over a hundred years people with disabilities were enslaved in American ‘freak shows’. Many people aren’t aware that over 250,000 disabled people were killed during Hitler’s extermination policy ‘eugenics’ and the institutionalisation of the ‘Untermench’ at the T4 project. Even today, slavery of disabled people in South Korean islands exists wherein families are known to send their disabled relatives to toil in salt farms so that they don’t have to look after them. This is one example. Slavery, cruelty, torture and murder of disabled people is not a new thing and is still happening today, yet I still hear the word retard on my television screens and ‘spaz’, ‘cripple’, ‘freak’ and ‘crazy’ is flung loosely around classrooms and workplaces with barely anyone batting an eyelid. I wonder if the history of disability were to be taught in schools, the use of the ‘C’ word would be taken as seriously as the ’N’ word? www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 15

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27/07/2017 21:48

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arents of children who have a rare genetic disease have pulled ranks to establish a charity to promote vital research and slow the trajectory of their sons’ condition.

Norrie disease affects boys and is a rare X-linked genetic condition that causes blindness or severe sight impairment at birth. While known to affect only 30 families in the UK currently, the Norrie community believes more widespread awareness of the disease will dramatically increase diagnoses. Josh Horrobin, aged eight, from Blackheath, London, was only two weeks old when he was diagnosed with Norrie disease. Although it is a congenital genetically

FAMILIES inherited condition, his parents Wendy and Simon had no prior knowledge of the disease and the diagnosis came out-of-the-blue. “At time of diagnosis, we were told not to look at the internet because a lot of the information out there is inaccurate. It is variable, you do not know how it will affect your child and that is why they try to shield you,” remembers Wendy, who said parents often find themselves telling their own doctor what Norrie disease is. “When families receive a diagnosis, they may feel they want to reach out to others, but we couldn’t find them.” She approached the Norrie Disease Association in the US, which led to helpful online exchanges with other families. A breakthrough came in the UK when Wendy linked with Sense and Contact a Family, which led to contact via a social media forum with a UK family two years ago.

PARENT POWER Words by Niki Tennant

By then, the Horrobins had realised that Josh’s hearing was deteriorating – a secondary symptom of Norrie disease. With the Horrobins’ plight mirrored by other families, coupled with the race against time to get vital research underway and the desire to create a support network for those affected, Wendy joined forces with other parents, Tom and Kelly Leggett and Theresa Peacock, to set up new UK charity, the Norrie Disease Foundation (NDF). “The aim of the foundation,” explained chairperson Wendy, “is to offer support to Norrie families. We do not want them to feel isolated and alone. We are there if they feel scared. They do not have to contact us but information is a powerful tool and you can prepare to offer your child the very best.” It is her sincere hope that the six-month programme of research the foundation will embark on in September will lead to better understanding of how individuals like Josh may go on to be further affected by hearing loss. Music lover Josh, as his mum describes him, is a fun and sociable boy, who is cheeky, mischievous and spirited and enjoys a close relationship with sister, Chloe (11). The family has had to make adaptations to account for Josh’s condition. Accepting that routine tasks take so much longer, they as a family now automatically put touch rather than sight at the forefront of their senses. Wendy is full of praise for Josh’s extremely supportive school, where the curriculum is converted into braille and regular events are undertaken to raise awareness of Norrie disease. She stressed: “NDF wants to change the future for those affected by Norrie disease and believes that through the Medical Advisory Board, we can engage in new research across all aspects of the disease that will improve the lives of children and adults with Norrie disease worldwide.” To volunteer, donate or find out more, see www.norriedisease.org.uk

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 17

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31/07/2017 15:23

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31/07/2017 11:52

TOSELAND

Image © Paul Harries

BAND ON THE RUN

wo-time World Superbikes Champion and South Yorkshire native James Toseland and his band Toseland will lift the curtain on the Special Olympic National Summer Games this year with the official anthem ‘We’ll Stop at Nothing’.

Words by Colette Carr

world. That’s what the organisation, coaches, carers and volunteers are so passionate about in giving them something to strive to. It’s eyeopening. “It’s really nice to merge music and sport and I’m really proud to perform at this. I’ve been to their promotional events and even though this is a national event, I went to one where global SO organisations came together in the UK. I was speaking to a woman from New Zealand and you can tell the worldwide communication. When you’ve been kept away you then see how massive an issue integration is.”

Performing with Sheffield Choir ‘ChorusUK’ at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, Toseland have also released a special version James Toseland and would-be competitors of the Special Olympics in Sheffield of the track to raise funds for “They asked if I could write a song for it, but I the organisation and James says James, who is a patron of Sheffield Children’s actually already had one on our second album the passion of the event and being able to Hospital amongst other local charity work, said that I knew would be perfect. It’s called ‘We’ll link sport, music and local pride will make the Games will bring him huge local pride and Stop at Nothing’ and it captures that sense of it a “special experience.” reignite his competitive spirit. determination and pushing towards goals that the Games embody.” He said: “It started with a phone call from “It will be very emotional. There’ll be 2000 After the company agreed that the classic rock the production company who are dealing people and for those 10 seconds before starting song was a perfect fit, Toseland teamed up with the opening ceremony who were I’ll have all the same emotions as in sport, and with ChorusUK to re-record a special version at asked to supply entertainment with a then it’ll be more heightened as the anthem of Sheffield City Hall and created a new SO-centric Sheffield connection for the ceremony. the games kicks it off. I just want to give my best music video to go alongside it. piano and vocal performance to make it really “It’s amazing to have one of my songs “I have a close relationship with the special,” he added. connected to an amazing event,” he admitted. company Liz Hobbs Group having helped “The meaning behind everything is great in with equipment and the likes so they To buy ‘We Will Stop at Nothing’ or tickets for the that it’s giving kids an opportunity in a world asked if my band would be interested and ceremony, visit sheffield2017.org.uk. where it can be difficult by creating a sporting it was a no brainer.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 19

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31/07/2017 15:09

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28/07/2017 13:03

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Words by Niki Tennant

GAME ON

he city of Sheffield has been warming up for the longawaited Special Olympics Great Britain – the largest sporting event to be held in GB for people who have an intellectual (learning) disability.

The event, from Monday August 7 to Saturday, August 12, will bring together around 2,600 athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities from across England, Scotland and Wales who will compete in a variety of sports. Special Olympics National Games sees 20 sports take place across over a dozen venues in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Special Olympics GB National Games, which are held every four years, are a chance to make a huge difference to the lives of many inspiring athletes with learning disabilities and their families. WHY THE GAMES ARE IMPORTANT Through participation in this large national competition, people with an intellectual (learning) disability will acquire the confidence and social and life skills that will help their inclusion in society. The games offer people the opportunity to give back to the community and make a

difference when coaching, officiating and volunteering at the event.

Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of a year-round, all-ability, sports programme in Great Britain and supports over 10,000 athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities on a continued basis. Across the country, approximately 27,000 regular sports coaching sessions of at least one hour each, are delivered locally each year by 140 accredited programmes across 28 different sports.

“SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF A YEARROUND, ALL-ABILITY, SPORTS PROGRAMME IN GREAT BRITAIN AND SUPPORTS OVER 10,000 ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL (LEARNING) DISABILITIES ON A CONTINUED BASIS.” This coaching activity leads to an annual average of 100 all-ability, inclusive sports competitions. Its competition pathways make Special Olympics Great Britain unique within the disability sports sector as it provides for athletes of all abilities

opportunities to compete and progress at local, regional, national and international levels. This extensive programme is led by over 4,000 dedicated volunteers in a variety of sports coaching, administrative, event, logistic, fundraising and supporting roles. For Games athletes, excellence is personal achievement, a reflection of reaching one’s maximum potential – it is a goal to which everyone can aspire. For those athletes who attain an elite level in their sport, Special Olympics signposts and supports a pathway into Paralympics and other elite competitions. A special piece of artwork and outdoor mural to celebrate Special Olympics National Games has been unveiled opposite Sheffield rail station. This ground-breaking collaboration between professional Sheffield digital artist Greg Harris, local art students with an intellectual (learning) disability and athletes from Special Olympics GB sees famous Sheffield landmarks celebrated with images of local icons and Special Olympics Sheffield athletes.

2,600 ATHLETES | 20 SPORTS | 4 DAYS www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 21

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STUDYING

ONE-ON-ONES EXIST BECAUSE WE RECOGNISE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE DISABLED WILL HAVE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT WILL CONCERN THEM

AIMING HIGHER

Support for students dipping a toe into university life Words by Colette Carr

o matter your age, taking the step to begin university or college can be a daunting time. And if you have a disability, you may be even more apprehensive. While nerves are natural, more disabled people than ever are entering higher education, but what support is available to help young and mature disabled students join thousands of undergraduates starting in September? University of Liverpool Widening Participation & Outreach Manager Deonne Hill tells PosAbility about the wide range of support networks available to students studying at the university and those looking to apply.

While Widening Participation is a national agenda, Liverpool offers bespoke and supportive techniques, beginning at ‘pre-16’ level in underrepresented groups. Deonne said: “We look at students with potential and desire to progress but are facing barriers such as disability. We have a number of different programmes, but one that we do specifically to support disabled students is a direct contact here in our team who is available for bespoke one-onone visits. “Generally, we do group visits with greater numbers but the one-on-ones exist because we recognise that students who are disabled will have specific things that will concern them, whether that is access, progression or

their own individual needs. They’ll want to see additional things around campus to someone else, so finding something bespoke is a great way to do that.” While the university often runs large open days where it welcomes thousands of prospective students through its doors, these bespoke visits offer a further opportunity to visit the university that is specifically tailored to suit potential students with disabilities, whether they are from Liverpool or further afield. “It can have a personal touch rather than a generic open day. It might include looking at accessible accommodation, meeting a range of disability and dyslexia contacts across different subjects. “It might be an appointment with the Disability Advice and Guidance team, so they can talk about their needs before they make an application, to see what it’ll be like at Liverpool, find out what they are entitled to and once they make an application, our Disability Advice and Guidance team will then themselves work with students. “Parents can also come and if there is a subject that the student is interested in we’ll try and get a current student or tutor to come and meet them and introduce them to a contact who can help with their application. If they do apply and enter the university, the support continues,” Deonne added. To find out more about the University of Liverpool and the Widening Participation and Outreach programme, visit liverpool.ac.uk/widening-participation. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 23

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28/07/2017 13:15

THE PRIDE OF

PEACOCK Words by Niki Tennant

Days after he stormed to victory at the World Para Athletics Championships in London to clinch his second World gold, star sprinter Jonnie Peacock shares with PosAbility Magazine his biggest doubts, his thrill of again competing before a London crowd, the young athletes he tips as the track para superstars of tomorrow, and his plans to now wind down and take 2018 off…

hen Jonnie Peacock took his place at the start line for the T44 100m final at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, he was suddenly buckled by cramp – an experience that would consume him with anxiety and self-doubt about his ability to finish the race. He had earlier in the day won his heat comfortably in a personal best of 10.64 seconds, just 0.03 seconds short of rival Richard Browne’s world record. In previous competitions, such a performance during a heat has set him up well for the final and given him the impetus and determination to excel. Yet, at the start line in the 100m final, his loyal following in the crowd looked on anxiously as, his face etched with pain, he repeatedly stretched his hamstring in a bid to banish the cramps. “I have never been at a start line with that much doubt and that much worry,” Jonnie confessed to PosAbility Magazine.

“There was a huge part of my head that was asking whether I’d be able to run even 30m here. When the starter says: ‘On your marks’ and you’re on the blocks, you have to focus on what you need to do. Sub-consciously, you turn on your experience of previous World Championships and try to make sure you are ready to do the best you can.” The honed tactic clearly worked for the 24-year-old two-time Paralympic champion, who finished in 10.75 seconds to clinch his second World title. The single-leg amputee crossed the line victorious, ahead of German Johannes Floors and American Jarryd Wallace to claim Britain’s eighth gold medal of the Championships. The elite sprinter managed a celebratory “quarter of a beer” after

24 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

024_Jonnie_Peacock_SF.indd 24

27/07/2017 18:25

INTERVIEW

his dramatic win, insisting water had more of an appeal in his quest to rehydrate following his victory in the first Sunday of the Championships. “The celebrations are still on hold,” he insists. A gruelling schedule of media engagements ensued, with cameras, reporters and broadcasters never far from his side for the remainder of an event Jonnie describes as “the biggest and best championships Paralympic sport has ever had.” “London 2017 was the best World Championships I have ever seen – 10, 20-fold better than anything before,” he enthused. “The crowd was everything to do with that. It was a special stadium to go back to, with London 2012 holding so many special memories there because of the amazing crowd. The fans this time did not disappoint. The way they have been turning out has been fantastic to see.” Speaking to PosAbility Magazine just five days after he stormed to glory to clinch his second World title, the adrenaline was still pumping through the champion’s veins. The quiet man of para athletics, who unlike some of his rivals has never been one for bluster and fighting talk, has mapped out a new pace for himself after he competes in the few more races left in the season, including the Great North Games in Newcastle and Gateshead on September 9. Jonnie has announced his decision to “pretty much take 2018 off” to recharge his batteries and restore mentally for what is ahead for him in his athletics career. “Having a year to myself is the best way to describe it. I have made sport my priority for seven years now and the time is right to have fun in other ways,” explained Jonnie. “I will continue training, but it will be maintenance training rather than improvement training and I’ll be training only two days a week rather than six.” For the past 18 months, his training

024_Jonnie_Peacock_SF.indd 25

"HAVING A YEAR TO MYSELF IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. I HAVE MADE SPORT MY PRIORITY FOR SEVEN YEARS NOW AND THE TIME IS RIGHT TO HAVE FUN IN OTHER WAYS" regime has been dominated by weight training, particularly in winter, which has helped him to gain a few kilos and increase power. Throughout his sprinting career in training and competition, the focus has been consistently on synergy and balance. It has been an art in itself to sprint with speed, power and precision on one prosthesis, as he does not have the natural balance enjoyed by a twolegged sprinter or double amputee on two blades. He has battled injuries for the past four years and, while he admits it’s frustrating, his quiet acceptance of the inevitability of injury is characteristic of the champion’s mild-mannered regard for his sport. “I think you just have to accept when you start sport that injury is part ‘n’ parcel of that,” explained Jonnie, whose fitness to compete in the World Championships in Lyon in 2013 was questionable due to injury. He went on to race at the event and won gold. The challenge injury presents to para athletes came into sharp focus when he was forced to sit out the 2015 Worlds in Doha with a sore to his stump which prevented him from training. “Yes, Doha 2015 slipped through my fingers,” admitted Peacock, but I managed to make sure I was on good form for Rio and London. You learn a lot as you grow and you always have to keep at the back of your mind that injuries will crop up.” Following his ‘year out,’ Peacock has vowed to return in Winter 2018 with his sights firmly set on his bid to be selected for Tokyo 2020. He is also backing the bid for the World Para Athletics Championships to return to London in 2019, saying: “That 

27/07/2017 18:25

INTERVIEW

would be amazing to see.” It is no surprise that the unassuming young sprinter from Cambridgeshire, whose leg was amputated below the knee after contracting meningitis at the age of five, has become a role model for aspiring young athletes the world over. Jonnie seems genuinely humbled when asked about how it feels to know that so many children and young people view him as a hero and a super human – an inspirational figure and someone whose accomplishments they themselves can aspire to achieve. “I meet so many kids who overcome things because of what we as paraathletes do,” said a softly spoken Jonnie Peacock, who lacks the brashness and cocky manner of the typical sprinter, answering questions patiently, modestly, yet with conviction and purpose. “When you see that happening, it does take you back and I know that as a child, seeing what can be achieved by Paralympians would have made me want to get involved. It proves to everybody that life is what you make of it and there are many positives. “I want to send that message to all the kids – and to everybody of all ages – to always try to focus on the positives, look ahead and be as happy as you can be in the short and long term.” When asked who he tips as the stars of tomorrow, the two-time World title holder’s response was as spontaneous as it is to the starter’s gun: “Felix Streng. He’s going to be the sprinter to take things forward. An incredible athlete.” German track and field athlete Streng has won medals at both European and World Championship level and was part of the German men’s 4 x 100 metres relay team that won gold in 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio. Injury meant that the single amputee, who competes in T44 classification, was unable to compete at London 2017. Peacock was also swift to tip Sophie Kamlish, who bolted her way to gold in the women’s T44 100m on the final day of the Championships. “I think she will dominate the event for a long time,” he predicts. “It’s really exciting to see the younger generation coming through and seeing para sports becoming more competitive and more

JONNIE PEACOCK

WINS

THE MEN'S T44 100M

people getting involved.” As the season comes to a close and Jonnie prepares to wind down for a year out of the competitive circuit, he insists he has no plans to retire, but is keeping his future options open. But, as someone who will be 27 in his comeback year of 2019, has he considered life outside of athletics? “To a point,” he says. “I will try to take up any opportunities that come my way in this year and next.” If 11-time Paralympic champion Barnoness Grey-Thompson is anything to go by, he won’t be short of those. “Tokyo seems like a long way off,” she told the BBC. “Everyone will want to see him there but he will have to be in better and better shape as he gets older. “It’s wise to think about life after sport, but he won’t have to worry about it because he’ll have so many opportunities.” Articulate, personable and a dream to

watch, Peacock is a sponsor’s dream. And to him, those sponsors – primarily Sainsbury’s and Virgin Media – have been pivotal to his success. “I cannot do what I do without the support of my sponsors. They have given me the ability to completely focus on my training and give every inch to sport and training,” he stressed. “It’s great to see the shift in para sports in the past five or six years. There was barely any sponsorship before that. Hopefully, it will just keep progressing.”

"I WANT TO SEND THAT MESSAGE TO ALL THE KIDS – AND TO EVERYBODY OF ALL AGES – TO ALWAYS TRY TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES, LOOK AHEAD AND BE AS HAPPY AS YOU CAN BE IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM."

SOPHIE KAMLISH

WINS,

THE WOMEN'S T44 100M

26 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

024_Jonnie_Peacock_SF_AB.indd 26

31/07/2017 15:11

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28/07/2017 13:04

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*The BMW range available on the Motability Scheme starts from £999 Advance Payment for the BMW 216d SE Active Tourer. Models shown are the BMW 216d Luxury Active Tourer from £1,799 Advance Payment, BMW 118i M Sport 5-door Sports Hatch from £1,999 Advance Payment, BMW X1 sDrive18d SE from £1,749 Advance Payment and BMW 216d Sport Gran Tourer from £1,999 Advance Payment. All models on the Motability Scheme include optional metallic paint at no extra cost. Prices are correct at time of going to print for orders placed and accepted between 1 July and 30 September 2017. Models featured may include options at an additional cost. The facilities offered are for the hire (bailment) of goods. The Motability Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP), which will be taken in lieu of the four weekly rental. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

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31/07/2017 09:59 11:52 03/07/2017

MUSIC

ADAPTED INSTRUMENTS GIVE DISABLED MUSICIANS A HELPING HAND Words by Niki Tennant

CASE STUDY: ANIYAH, AGE 10 Aniyah was in Year 4 when she joined the OHMI project. She was born with cerebral palsy and does not have full use of her right hand. Each year, her school offers ‘Fife as a Wider Opportunities’ musical instrument. However, with her cerebral palsy, Aniyah found she struggled to keep up with her peers. For Aniyah, learning the one-handed recorder was an opportunity to join in her wider opportunities music lessons as well as receive one-to-one tuition and even progress above and beyond her classmates. Over the course of the year, Aniyah worked towards her Copper Music Medal, a teacher-led assessment certified by examinations board ABRSM – a pre-grade 1 qualification that most in-school students are not expected to reach within a year. Aniyah and her teacher worked hard over the first few months and Aniyah became the first OHMI student to be awarded her Music Medal in the project. Proud Aniyah was presented with her Music Medal in an assembly at her school and it was a total surprise for her. Last summer, all OHMI students were invited to perform in a concert to celebrate their achievements. For Aniyah, this was the first time she had performed in front of so many people and it was her debut performance in front of her family. When asked how she felt when she performed, she said, “I felt nervous in case I messed up a little bit but I was really happy when I was doing it.”

Millions of people the world over who have a disability or have experienced an injury, stroke or have developed arthritis have been excluded from the joy of music-making. Due to the absence of suitable instruments, the relaxing and gratifying pastime which so many others take for granted is not accessible to people who lack full strength and control of their upper limbs. The OHMI Trust is a UK charity that is working to change that by removing the barriers to music-making for people who have physical disabilities. The Trust enables music-making for people of all ages with physical disabilities through the creation and provision of playable instruments. Instruments are sourced primarily through the annual One Handed Musical Instruments (OHMI) Competition in which people are challenged to adapt or create instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm. Once the Trust has the best instruments and equipment, many can then be reworked for a variety of physical disabilities.

Aniyah’s teacher, Emily-May Roebuck, added: “It’s great to see she isn’t shy to play in front of people any more, and I’m really proud she was the first one to get her Music Medal.” Attending the concert was the CEO of the ABRSM, Michael Elliott, who was delighted to present music medals to the children. Aniyah’s story is similar to all OHMI students. Many have never had the opportunity to learn a musical instrument before, or have felt side-lined by the options currently offered in school music lessons. The OHMI Teaching Project has proved that adapted instruments can provide a path to full inclusion, especially when schools choose appropriate classroom instruments on which to learn. www.ohmi.org.uk

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AUTISM

THE BOOK THAT TOLD ME I HAVE

The simple act of reading a work of fiction was life-changing for a teenage Edmund West when, through the book’s pages, he was struck by the sudden realisation that he had autism.

dmund was aged 14 when

his concerned mother sat him in front of a television programme about Asberger’s syndrome. She was convinced her son had it. But it wasn’t until years later when he read what he considers to be the best fictional depiction of an autistic character in Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, that he became certain he had autism. In the book, the main character, Christopher Boone, describes the overwhelming moment he finds himself alone in a London station trying to figure out where to go. The myriad of signage was an information overload for the character, who found it bewildering and terrifying. “From that moment, I was certain I had autism, though I did not get a diagnosis for another seven years. I have been through that kind of

experience hundreds of times in classrooms, stations, shops – any noisy environment,” explained Edmund, who works with the National Autistic Society in day care centres for adults with autism. His diagnosis at the age of 26 only came about when he responded to an appeal for people who have autism to take part in MRI scans as part of a clinical trial. Inspired by the revelation he gained from the book, Edmond explores on the pages of PosAbility the depiction of autism in literature and film and assesses how accurate the portrayal of the spectrum really is.

BY EDMUND WEST The earliest fictional autistics were known as Changelings. Elves were thought to have swapped their offspring for human children. They were more likely to take males (80% of people who are on the autistic spectrum are male). Those children were obsessed with counting seeds, eating as much as possible and they would suddenly lose seemingly simple abilities like talking. All of these are symptoms of autism which can appear rapidly in apparently ‘normal’ babies. ‘Holy Fools’ were saintly Christians who would wander the streets dressed in rags, performing apparently  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 31

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AUTISM

“FROM THAT MOMENT, I WAS CERTAIN I HAD AUTISM, THOUGH I DID NOT GET A DIAGNOSIS FOR ANOTHER SEVEN YEARS.” pointless tasks such as digging endless holes or memorising vast numbers of psalms and biblical quotes. They seemed to be immune to hunger and cold. In all likelihood, they were homeless autistic people fed by religious institutions where there was a belief that ‘fools’ and ‘lunatics’ were the closest to God. One example was St Juniper, an original Franciscan. While caring for a sick friar, St Juniper asked the patient if there was anything he needed. When the friar requested pig’s feet, Juniper headed to the nearest pig farm and sliced off a pig’s trotters under the nose of the furious farmer. When confronted by St Francis, Juniper failed to understand what he had done wrong. They concluded that he was a simple saint when, in fact, he had ‘mind blindness’ – a cognitive disorder occurring in animals, toddlers and people who have autism where an individual is unable to attribute mental states to others. It means that you have no empathy, believe that everyone thinks the same as you and this accounts for incidents such as the episode with the pig’s feet. It is tempting and flattering to diagnose all detectives in books and film as autistic, but being intelligent and observant does not make a person autistic. On-screen detectives Inspector Morse and Miss Marple are not remotely autistic, even though they have savant-like abilities. They use their profound social skills to solve cases, observing facial expressions and listening to hearsay. Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, on the other hand, would definitely fit the spectrum: Holmes is able to identify 243

types of tobacco ash while Poirot stores all his crockery by height. Neither shows any desire for marriage, although they do have a handful of close friends. Blockbuster movie Rainman introduced many people to autism through endearing character Raymond Babbit. While it is very rare to find autistic people with multiple talents (art, photographic memory, card counting), the character also has multiple disabilities, such as intolerance of rain, a phobia of flying with an airline that has crashed at least once and only wearing clothes from K Mart. This is helpful, because people’s expectations of us will be neither too high nor too low. So too is Raymond’s unusual affection for people, despite being touchaverse. At first glance, Rowan Atkinson’s portrayal of Mr Bean seems an insult to the autistic community. Clearly someone who is on the autistic spectrum, he rarely speaks, has an unusual voice, shows great delight when plans succeed, always wears the same suit and lacks social skills. Yet, he is a positive character because he is well meaning despite his self-centred life and he is not as idiotic as he first appears. With an ability to swiftly park his car without a scratch and to reprogramme a funfair ride demonstrates remarkable visual-spatial reasoning. Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory is the most over-the-top autistic character I have seen. He has every symptom imaginable: multiple obsessions, phobia, quirks, disabilities and social gaffes so that the viewer is overwhelmed by his complexity. Although partly due to the hundreds of 20-minute episodes produced, it is in my view also down to lazy script writing. I’m not saying the script writers are wrong in that depiction. Nothing that arouses curiosity and promotes dialogue about mental health disorders can be wrong, no matter how grotesque the image is. With the exception of Raymond Babbit, none of these characters is explicitly

WHAT IS AUTISM? Like a learning disability, autism is a lifelong condition. Someone may have mild, moderate or severe autism, so it is sometimes referred to as a spectrum, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are three common features of autism, which might affect the way a person: • interacts with others in a social situation • is able to communicate with others • thinks about and deals with social situations. Asperger’s syndrome is a form of autism which also causes communication and emotional problems. The signs of autism will be different for everyone, but are notably: • a lack of responsiveness to noise and sounds • late development of speech • obsessive behaviour or attachments to certain objects • a love of order or routines • challenging behaviours such as episodes of frustration or in some cases, violent behaviour.

labelled as being autistic. Indeed, most of them were created prior to 1943 when autism was discovered. I don’t believe it’s wrong not to be blatant about a character’s autism, as I believe it’s better to let the reader or viewer work it out for themselves. It is tempting to see these autistic characters as geniuses or idiots – but on close observation, in my view, they are both and this is how it should be. 10% of the autistic population are geniuses, while 30% are mentally impaired. There is enormous overlap between the two, reflecting the ability of the brain to compensate for damage, which gives hope to all people who have a disability.

32 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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27/07/2017 17:39

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All images © Mark Davidson

Words by Colette Carr

HURRICANE

HANNAH

t’s the morning after the night before for Halifax hailing, hat-trick hero Hurricane Hannah Cockroft. The T34 wheelchair racer celebrated clinching another coveted treble in London and turning 25 in a joint celebration ahead of jetting off to New Zealand for three weeks for a well-deserved break from her strenuous schedule. But before hopping on a plane, the Paralympic poster girl spoke to PosAbility Magazine about the bout of illness that threatened her treble hopes, the media perception of her competition, the possibility

of London 2019 and what could be in store for her next. The 10-time World champion’s London 2017 success is just the latest chapter in her remarkable career to ensure her name is cemented in the history books, as the prolific racer battled stiff competition and illness to add three more golds to her growing medal collection. She kicked her London campaign off in style, rushing to gold in the T34 100m in the competition’s opening evening smashing the world record, bringing it down to 17.18 seconds trumping fellow Brit Kare Adenegan.

Further success followed Hannah – as it has done since she burst onto the global scene in 2012 – on the Monday evening, turning out a Championship record breaking performance in the 800m final - despite a nervy start with Adenegan getting out in front quickly - crossing the line first with a time of two minutes 01.78 seconds, before completing her trio of golden prizes on the Thursday in the 400m with another championship record, clocking in at 58.29 seconds, despite a nasty case of food poisoning. “The 400m was pretty tough,” Hannah opened up.

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INTERVIEW

“Before my first race I got food poisoning so it all went a bit wrong by the time the 400m came around. “I had been feeling sick and cold and had been in bed all day trying to bring my energy levels up because there was a point where I felt like my head was going to explode. “The whole race was a weird experience. Normally, it is really noisy and there’s a great buzz from the crowd that you can use. But as we lined up it was silent because the blind long jump was on at the same time. So, we were waiting for a while in silence and it was so surreal, and the longer we waited, the more I thought, ‘I can’t sit here, I’m going to be sick’. “I felt so ill but I managed to talk myself out of it. I couldn’t pull out in front of that many people. Then the race itself was weird because I didn’t really feel like I was in it, I was just going through the motions, telling myself that I needed to go quicker because I could hear the girls behind me, so I was so thankful after it to have won. “The 400m is my favourite so it was really frustrating. It was my last race and I really thought I could’ve done something special in it, but by the time I got out there I was like death warmed up!” she admitted. But it’s in these situations where athletes call on their gruelling and taxing training, as all the hours put in help push them over the finish line in the face of adversity. “You just need to keep pumping as fast as you can. I actually watched it back and heard the commentators speak about how emotional I was, but I wasn’t. I just needed to get off the track because my stomach cramps were so bad and I thought I was going to be sick,” Hannah recalled. Ahead of it all, you’d be forgiven for just assuming Hannah is an absolute stick-on for her events. With the media branding her the favourite, they often report on a lack of competition for her, but as Hannah explains, her closest rivals Adenegan and American Alexa Halko are capable of far more than they showcase on the world stage. “I know these girls can go faster, I don’t know why they don’t when it comes to Championships. “All year they have pushed me harder than ever before - Alexa has broken records and Kare has PB’d in every 100m she’s done. Everyone always says that I only win because there is no competition, but that’s not true at

HANNAH CELEBRATES AFTER WINNING WOMENS T34 100 M

"LONDON DOES HAVE THE BEST CHAMPIONSHIPS, CROWDS AND SUPPORT AND ALL THE ATHLETES LOVE COMING HERE" all – I just don’t know why they can’t repeat what they’ve been doing all season long. “Being world champion, my results are posted everywhere and it is the same for Kare but on a smaller scale, but I need to search for Alexa’s results. In May we thought I’d broken the 1500m by 11 seconds, but it turned out that Alexa had broken it a week before so I only really broke it by about one second. “The rest of the world has no idea about this. They all think I’m sitting pretty at the top of the world rankings, but nobody sees what happens all year to push me to do that.” Hannah’s triumphant return to the Olympic Stadium allowed her to enjoy the British support again, but when asked her thoughts on the possibility of London 2019, she was hesitant to pin her colours to bringing it back. “I have opposing thoughts on it.

“London does have the best Championships, crowds and support and all the athletes love coming here, but if it stays in London, elsewhere won’t learn how to love or host para sport,” Hannah posed. “It wouldn’t grow the movement elsewhere in countries that don’t get great crowds. London can’t host it forever, so you need to think about it in the long-term, even for when after I’ve finished. It could then even open discussions about if the Paralympics should stay in one place, so I don’t think it would be the best thing in helping the movement,” she shared. After her adventures in New Zealand, it’s back to the track for Hannah and back to normal, but she’s not yet sure what 2018 holds for her. “I don’t have any events in the Commonwealth Games which is a shame, so I’m keeping an eye on the Europeans but I’m not sure if I’ll have any events there either yet! “Half of my competition are from outside Europe so we’re not sure yet if there’ll be enough girls to secure an event, so part of me hopes the Russians will be back so we can get the numbers up and I get the chance to get my European title back!”

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hearing instruments in the centre, close the box, turn on and set the timer option to two, four or eight hours. The larger capacity DB200 bedside model (pictured) is easy to clean with a removable tray (dishwasher safe) and features a battery tester so you can clearly see the power left in batteries. The DB130 is a compact Travel Box ideal to take away on business or leisure trips in its hard-wearing carry case. www.amplicommsonline.co.uk Tel: 01737 247571  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 37

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CISCA SALTPIPE Snoring affects around a quarter of people on a regular basis and is most common in adults aged 40 to 60. The Cisca Saltpipe can help reduce some of the causes of snoring as it will help widen the airway passages and clear mucus. It is a handheld porcelain salt pipe that harnesses the natural healing power of speleotherapy, or salt cave therapy. It is a simple and natural way to help maintain optimum respiratory function to help you breathe more easily. The pipe is placed in the mouth and the user inhales as normal, exhaling through the nose. Air is drawn through the filters and is purified as it’s drawn over the natural salt crystals. This gives the user a sensation that is similar to taking a deep breath of fresh sea air or visiting salt caves. When using the salt pipe, the moisture of the air absorbs the microscopic particles of salt, allowing it to penetrate the entire respiratory tract. It opens the airways and helps you breathe more easily and reduce snoring.

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DUO The Duo adds another handle to a mug to help those with gripping problems or other conditions.

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Suitable for those who require two handles, it can also provide a handle to glasses or bottles without one to aid in drinking. It wraps around to protect hands from the hot surface. Essential Aids Tel: 01273 719 889 essentialaids.com

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Handy Fasteners have created new magnetic clothing fasteners which can be fitted to existing shirts or blouses, removing the hassles often associated with traditional buttons. Not only will they speed up the dressing routine, but they will breathe fun and life back into your old clothes!

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ID FIT&FEEL PANTS WHEN INNOVATION IS ADAPTED TO YOUR NEEDS. Thin and discreet, users claim that Fit&Feel iD Pants offer 20% more comfort than a standard product. Thanks to a unique elastifit material, the waistband perfectly moulds to the shape of waist and hips and adapt to all the body’s movement, no matter what the activity. With built-in, ultrafast absorption materials, odour neutraliser and optimal stay-dry technology, skin is protected from any trace of dampness or odour and the very soft external unwoven mesh lets the skin breathe. 99p per pair Order online or call the free phone number for advice. www.id-direct.com 0800 389 6185

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“THE FASTENERS CAN PULL THEMSELVES TOGETHER AT ONCE, VASTLY REDUCING THE TIME REQUIRED TO FASTEN A GARMENT”

 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 41

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AMPLICOMMS TCL400 LOUDEST RADIOCONTROLLED ALARM CLOCK WITH SAFETY ALERTS For people with a visual impairment, the 7.5” LED jumbo display and six extrabright LED lights can easily be seen and the brightness can be turned down using the three dimmer settings. The TCL 400 adds an extra safety element for people with hearing loss. It can detect alarm tones from other devices such as smoke and burglar alarms, triggering its own loud alert for people sleeping. If you’re still not convinced that setting the adjustable volume to 95dB will wake you, the TCL 400 has the option to hook up to one of the most powerful vibrating pillow pads. The PTV 100 (sold separately) popped under your pillow will shake you awake too. You will never need to adjust the time on this clock because the TCL400 automatically synchronises with a radio transmitter set to standard time. TCL400 also features a snooze button and a USB socket for charging your mobile.

NAVINA SMART

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It can be difficult to establish a regular bowel routine if you are living with chronic constipation, incontinence or time-consuming bowel management. One highly effective and proven solution is Transanal Irrigation (TAI), which involves emptying the bowel using lukewarm water.The award winning Navina Smart from Wellspect HealthCare is designed to make TAI as safe and user friendly as possible. Featuring an electronic pump and touch sensitive controls, Navina Smart makes TAI easier for users, even with reduced hand function. It allows you to individually tailor the settings to suit your bowel management, giving you the best results. There is also the option to track your progress using the Navina Smart app.

SPOTEEE Medimotion is proud to announce the addition of Spoteee, a great way to enhance your movement therapy experience. Spoteee is a video system that allows you to journey through a series of beautiful and stimulating locations from around the world and motivate your daily training. Available with the purchase of new machines or as a retrofit accessory. The Spoteee package includes a minicomputer with 30 stunning HQ videos, remote control and cables for your MOTOmed and TV or monitor. Contact Medimotion for a free demonstration. Prices available on request. www.spoteee.com

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27/07/2017 21:41

Sammi It’s a hat-trick for

Words by Colette Carr

o and I’m not sure it will either,” beamed golden girl Sammi Kinghorn when asked if it had all sunk in yet, still on a high from smashing a world record and claiming her first major medals at London 2017. “It’s crazy!” the 21-year-old told PosAbility Magazine. Sammi, a T53 wheelchair racer who became paralysed from the waist down at 14 in an accident on her family’s farm, has had quite the breakthrough year culminating in London at the World Para Athletics Championships – and now she wants to see the 2019 Championships back in the capital.

Kinghorn stormed to victory in her trademark pink chair in the T53 200m to topple the world record to 28.61 seconds before grabbing her second gold in the 100m final with a time of 16.65 seconds, plus scooping the bronze in her least favoured 400m - all in the Olympic Stadium to which British Athletics are working on bringing back the Worlds. “It’s hard for para athletes because we don’t get great crowds, so it’d be amazing if they come back and hopefully it’ll keep the popularity going. It’d be great to bring it back and get even bigger crowds,” she enthused. “You need to keep it going! None of our other events are on telly and that’s where it’s tough for the rest of the year so it’s about keeping it out there.” For self-confessed “new girl on the block” Sammi, the scores of fans in Stratford were a world away from her experiences in Rio last summer and other competitions.

44 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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31/07/2017 15:14

INTERVIEW

"YOU CAN PUFF UP YOUR CHEST A BIT MORE AND THINK, ‘THEY’RE HERE FOR ME, THIS IS MY HOME GAMES"

And despite having not competed back in 2012 as Paralympic fever gripped the nation, the overwhelming support didn’t come as a surprise after speaking to her London 2012 alumni teammates. “Competing in front of that many people was incredible, it did give me a massive boost because I do get really nervous before my races, but then when they were running down the line at the start, I got the biggest scream! It makes you feel a bit better, you can puff up your chest a bit more and think, ‘they’re here for me, this is my home games’ and it makes you feel that bit more confident. “They’d all said about how that stadium was brilliant in that even if the crowds weren’t that big, the stadium just seems to throw the noise into the middle and told me to be prepared for a really loud scream,” she shared. The Red Star Athletics sprinter had already enjoyed an incredible 2017 even before the highs of last month. In preparation for the meet, Sammi flew out to Arizona for what would be an exceptional leg of the Grand Prix for her. Her five-star performance saw her rack up no fewer than five golds and a 200m world record, but despite the stateside success, she exceeded even her own expectations on her home turf and couldn’t quite believe the feats she achieved. “We’d been on the track down there for a couple of days before. I didn’t feel very fast and I prefer a really hard track that would roll faster,” she admitted. “At the end of the 200m, I knew I had won and was so excited and was screaming because I was so happy, but it wasn’t until I came back around again and they said, ‘Can we get a photo of you for the world record?’ “I was like, what? I’ve got a world record?

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I didn’t even know about it during my lap of honour, so it was pretty cool! I was really, really chuffed and I still think I can go faster! “So, I had my lap saying, ‘oh my goodness,’ and then I had that excitement again from the surprise and shouted, ‘oh no way!’,” she recalled. Her happy disbelief overcame her despite her developing a morning mantra of ‘I’m as good these girls’ following failing to make the podium in Rio, where she watched her competitors revel in the glory, telling herself, ‘one day I want to be up there, I want to be the best in the world.’ It was that resolve that launched the Scot into her most successful period yet, allowing her to enjoy her racing and take the experience in. “The 800m was my last and I think I was ranked sixth going in and I came fifth, so it was amazing to come in at that nicely. “I enjoyed that one because I had already achieved more than I had expected so I thought this was my time to enjoy my two laps on the track and try and soak it in!” For track athletes like Sammi, these competitions present a long gruelling schedule, meaning tactics must be spot on

when planning the week. “With the 100m, 200m and even the 400m it’s just go out as hard as you can and try and stay out but for the 800m I couldn’t talk about it before, because you don’t know your lane draws or anything so you don’t know where you’ll be or who else has entered. “You find that out the day before and then you plan how hard you’re going to go out, who you’re going to try and stick behind,” she explained. But there’s not much time for any more celebrations, as the newly crowned world champion looks to turn her hand to marathoning for Gold Coast 2018, before having another crack at the Paralympics in Tokyo 2020. “I’m going to try and qualify for the Commonwealth Games. None of my sprints have been selected, so I’m going to try for the marathon, so it’s slightly different to what I normally do, but it’d be fun to get out there and try that. “Tokyo is obviously on my mind too because it’d be back to my events and I’d love to get the sub 16 seconds. “I’ve three years to try and do it which would be amazing, but it’ll be tough. No one has ever done it, so we’ll wait and see!” teased the ambitious and optimistic Sammi. Watch this space.

SAMMI KINGHORN

WINS

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31/07/2017 15:15

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31/07/2017 12:01

SHARED OWNERSHIP

Image © Paul Harries

SHARE & SHARE ALIKE

he current housing market is as volatile as ever and it is fast becoming even more impossible for people to get their first foot on the housing ladder. And for people living with disabilities, it can be even harder still. Finding suitable, accessible affordable housing is an already arduous task for those living with disabilities, but there are initiatives and services in place to help make it that little bit easier. One option disabled people may wish to consider is the shared ownership avenue. Shared ownership is a scheme that allows buyers to part purchase a home and pay rent on the remaining part. PosAbility columnist Mik Scarlet recently waxed lyrical about the venture, saying, “This route is available all over the country, and is usually open to new build. The thing about new build is that most developments must provide wheelchair accessible homes and every home on offer should fit Life Time Home standards. If you buy off-plan, you could even get adaptions put in before the home is finished and thus

Words by Colette Carr

you can move into a perfectly adapted home. “This is a great route for those with low incomes and is actively being promoted for disabled people. The only drawback is that you tend to need to live in the area of the shared ownership developments, which is great for most people but not if you want to move around the country.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? To be eligible for the scheme, you must meet the following criteria: • You must have a long-term disability • An annual household income of no more than £80,000 per annum outside London, or no more than £90,000 in London • Be unable to purchase a suitable home without assistance • Not a current home owner (or be named on another)

“At a great ownership exhibition, my wife and I discovered a great company called Heylo, which offers shared ownership on older properties all over the UK. They only allow buyers to buy existing property, but it would open the property world to many more people. The process is dead easy and I can’t recommend them highly enough.” The service goes even further to help support disabled people into home ownership, by offering a specialised branch of the initiative called HOLD – Home Ownership for people with LongTerm Disabilities. The scheme gives people with long-term disabilities an opportunity to purchase a shared ownership home and live independently. People with disabilities can buy a share of a home between 25% and 75% of the home’s value and pay the rent on the remaining share as in line with the original policy. People with disabilities can only apply through HOLD however if the homes available on other shared ownership schemes don’t meet the needs of the user, for instance, if a ground floor home is required. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 47

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27/07/2017 21:59

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31/07/2017 17:29

WIN! 7 NIGHT

COMPETITION

BREAK

AT BRICKHOUSE FARM COTTAGES

Words by Niki Tennant

ituated just 10 miles from the bright lights of Blackpool and an hour from the Lake District, Brickhouse Farm is in six rural acres in Lancashire and provides a fun-filled break for families and friends. Each of the purpose built, accessible cottages overlooks the fully stocked Brickhouse fishing lake and is finished to the highest standards. Alongside stunning British-made oak furnishings, incredible wet rooms, underfloor heating and modern amenities, access is key. Brickhouse Farm’s 12 cottages are kitted out with ceiling track hoists, and nine have hoists above the outdoor hot tubs. Ian and Sue Rainford’s home-from-home cottages all have that touch of luxury and disability aids are provided on request. Since opening four years ago, Brickhouse Farm self catering cottages have gone from strength to strength, with four more new accessible cottages opening in September 2017, each with profile beds, wet rooms, baths with hoists and accessible hot tubs. These new properties are a great addition to an already thriving holiday destination. Ian

and Sue also have a private accessible hydrotherapy pool that they hire out for only £35 for an hour’s session. They would like to offer one lucky PosAbility reader the chance to win a seven-night break at their self-catering Brickhouse Farm cottages for up to six people. The cottage has level access throughout the ground floor and patio. Accessible fishing pegs around the fishing lake are also available. All bedrooms have stunning en suites and the accessible bedroom downstairs has an adjustable electric bed and ceiling track hoist leading into a contemporary, spacious wet room.

01253 702122

Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages www.brickhousecottages.co.uk Terms & Conditions Entries must be received by Friday, September 15. One entry per household. Prize includes a one-week holiday (Friday to Friday) at Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages. The winner can stay in one of their three-bedroom cottages, which sleeps up to six people. Accommodation only. Food, drink and travel not included. The prize winner will be required to disclose any access requirements upon booking. In Pine and Willow Cottage, up to two dogs are allowed at an additional cost of £50 per pet. Registered service dogs are welcome in any of the cottages free of charge. You can upgrade to one of the cottages with a hot tub for an added cost of £100.00 for the week. The prize must be taken in November, December 2017, January, February, November or December 2018 (excluding 22nd December 2017 to 4th January 2018, 9th to 16th February 2018 and 21st December 2018 to 3rd January 2019). Dates may be subject to change and availability. The prize is not transferable and there is no cash alternative.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question: How far is Brickhouse Farm from Blackpool?

YOUR ANSWER ................................................................................................................. Email your answer and your contact details to posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com or visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk to enter online. Brickhouse Farm Cottage Competition PosAbility Magazine Caledonia House Evanton Drive Thornliebank Ind. Est. Glasgow, G46 8JT

Name: Address: Postcode: Tel: Email: Brickhouse Farm Cottages would like to send you more information about their accommodation. If you would prefer not to receive this, please tick the box.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 49

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28/07/2017 13:07

TRAVEL [Below] Puy Du Foie tells it's own story of King Arthur

A FAIRYTALE

REALM PAR EXCELLENCE Sleep in a chateau, meet Jules Verne's mechanical menagerie, roar with the crowds in a packed Roman Amphitheatre, sample life in a royal medieval encampment and watch a night-time spectacular with a cast of thousands. Nantes and its environs certainly have a magical attraction. Words by Janet Myers

WELCOME TO THE LOIRE VALLEY The drive through the Loire valley with its wide but parched river on one side and its steep roofed white shuttered stone buildings on the other was a journey not to be missed. Here and there, bright patches of lavender and roses reared amongst bleached tall architectural grasses. We stopped for coffee en route amongst old medieval buildings which lined the main street in Angers but this was nothing compared to our first glimpse of Saumur with its grand historical chateau set on the hill overlooking the river and the town. Up close, we recognised it as the backdrop in so many films and TV series. Grape vines grew on the approach to the long main drawbridge and I fancied it would be difficult to pass by at harvest time without sampling them! When the sun broke through the clouds it set the new golden embellishment on its tallest turret into overload. The fact that the chateau is currently the subject of a restoration project in

no way detracted from its history and fascinating interior with its old tapestries and artefacts. With major events taking place in the amphitheatre outside throughout much of the year, visitors often find themselves enjoying more than they bargained for.

SPENDING A NIGHT IN A CHATEAU Besides the awesome Saumur Chateau, there are many more scattered around this region and if you wish you can even choose to spend a night in pampered extravagance inside one of them. We stayed in Chateau du Beaulieu and our hosts were great. They made us feel very welcome. Mary was warm, bubbly and a font of information and her husband tall with a warm aristocratic air which befitted his surroundings. The whole house and grounds with its grand French furnishings was ours to roam in as we pleased. There was even a billiard table with just three balls and no pockets one of the very first tables with play very  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 51

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27/07/2017 22:14

“GETTING HIGH ENOUGH TO BOARD REQUIRES CLIMBING TO A HIGHER LEVEL WHERE YOU ENTER THROUGH ONE OF THE TWO ORNATE SIDE BALCONIES INTO THE VERY BODY OF THE BEAST”

much removed from its modern counterpart. After waking to the sound of birds singing in unison outside the beautiful circular round window we made our way down the wide twisting staircase. Breakfast was served at a banquet table around which there was room to seat several dozen guests. If you want to feel special, then this is for you. Countless wineries offer tastings. At la cave aux moines, we sampled some great bottles produced in the region around Saumur. The wine is stored in a labyrinth of limestone caves. Here too they grew mushrooms and snails, both of which featured on their menu in their gourmet restaurant.

POY DU FOU A few days later saw us in a brightly coloured medieval tent in an encampment with the early morning mist swirling outside. Inside, we enjoyed all the trappings royalty would expect including a four-poster bed. Breakfast was no scratched affair around a campfire but a sumptuous spread in the Great Hall nearby. The night before, we had indulged in a banquet followed by a show with a cast of thousands - a spectacle that dreams are made of. It is the world's biggest night-time show which has become an absolutely unmissable and legendary experience. It involves 3,000 actors and hundreds of animals on a stage

spread over 23hectares with a great lake in the foreground. It bombards the senses with its special effects, brilliant lighting and fireworks. Cinéscénie is a sight to behold! The French know this place well but for others it remains a mystery. Its name is Poy du Fou and it is only an hour's drive from Nantes. It is a theme park like no other. It has no rides but it still sets adrenalin rushing in its collection of historical shows in which engineering evokes a magic of its own. You can expect to see horses riding from the centre of the lake in the story of King Arthur, a Viking ship disappears below the water with its crew still onboard and in the great Roman amphitheatre, catch your breath as the chariots race and the lions enter. For those who do not fancy the encampment, there is a Roman villa, a castle or an early thatched settlement built on stilts above water.

MECHANICAL MENAGERIE Trumpeting and with its leather ears flapping, the four- storey high mechanical elephant leaves a former industrial warehouse in Nantes on numerous occasions throughout the day to begin its slow majestic stroll. We joined over 40 other passengers on board and waved like royalty to the jostling crowds who followed it. Amongst them were many children who sought to get its attention, knowing that it squirts water from its life-like snaking reticulated trunk. As jumbo blinks and

trumpets again, they creep ever closer to its massive feet as the hydraulics and gears bring the beast’s feet down in a characteristic stomping gait. Getting high enough to board requires climbing to a higher level where you enter through one of the two ornate side balconies into the very body of the beast - a space created with American tulip wood, industrial steel and mighty rivets. From here, the machinist gives it life and an open iron spiral staircase beckons you higher onto its back where a giant canopy shields you from the elements. Should you wish, it is possible to climb even higher onto a platform on its head. The mechanical elephant is to be found in Nantes, France's zany city. Once a thriving Atlantic port, the city has reinvented itself as a cultural capital with a flavour of craziness and it makes you smile and feel good. The Machines de L’iIe is the brainchild of two mad inventors, Francois Delaroziere and Pierre Orefice, and there is much more to see than the mighty jumbo. It reflects the imaginary world of Jules Verne who was born in the city and often feels like the workshop of Leonardo de Vinci. A stroll on the mechanical elephant brings you to the towering 80-foot carousel. At first glance, it looks like any other traditional ride except for its size and the fact that it appears

52 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

051_Travel_Nantes_SF_AB.indd 52

31/07/2017 15:20

TRAVEL [Clockwise from left]Nante's famous four-story tall mechanical elephant; Saumur Chateau; the towering 80-foot carousel; lions star in the ampitheatre's collection of historical shows; home grown snails grace the menu in gourmet restraurants; racing chariots.

DISABILITY INFORMATION PUY DU FOU

It takes at least two days to explore this place. Those with disabilities have no reason to miss out, for their needs are well catered for on every front, thanks to the national Tourisme et Handicap label. Register at the gate for your badge and pack. There are ramps, disabled transport, toilets and spaces reserved for wheelchairs at shows. You can get 25% off for a single Grand Parc entrance or Cinéscénie ticket or 20% off for a Grand Parc + Cinéscénie combined ticket. To book, call +33 (0) 251 62 76 82 or email resa@vendee-tourisme.com. Translator sets are available for those who don't speak French but in this magical place language is no real barrier. The logistics needed to produce Cinéscénie mean that it only takes place on a limited number of evenings. You need to be looking now to secure a seat for next year. The hotels are also in high demand.

to stand on a very high plinth. The reason for this becomes apparent when you enter at ground level. The carousel takes its inspiration from the 1870 novel 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' by Jules Verne who created the mysterious Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus. It contains three levels each featuring creatures from the deep. These can be viewed from all levels and although parts of it are unsuitable for those who are unsteady on their feet. The top level is a simple walk onto any of the boats, flying fish or even a sea serpent. A bathescope climbs the central mast while retracting platforms give access to the mechanical wonders on lower levels and there are knobs, handles and levers which passengers can use to give the creatures life. I was placed in charge of the farting engine control! Younger children have their own carousel near the gallery workshops which is just as exciting for them. Back in the former ship yard, the Heron Tree is a giant project in the making and when complete will stand over 35 metres tall. Two years from now it is destined for an old quarry. It is a metal structure with numerous plantings which will eventually cover much of it. There will be numerous walkways and all manner of mechanical creatures and surprises within it. One of the completed prototype branches sores high above the shop giving you an idea

051_Travel_Nantes_SF_AB.indd 53

of the finished project.

LES MACHINES DE L'ÎLE

In the machine gallery, which has the feel of Leonardo de Vinci's workshop, all the finished elements which will be incorporated in the Heron Tree are on display. With great passion, albeit in French, those involved explain their ideas and demonstrate the interaction of elements which have been completed. These include a caterpillar, a spider, a giant ant and a slug.

Tickets for the mechanical elephant, the carousel and the workshops can be bought online to ensure you do not miss out as they do get very busy www.lesmachines-nantes. The elephant departs from the old Nantes shipyards. There are lifts up to the boarding area for the elephant and some seating inside and on either side outside and wheelchairs have space inside.

There is also a giant heron, one of two which will eventually fly from two platforms on the top of the Heron Tree. In the high roofed workshop, you can even opt for a ride in one of its panniers suspended below it and take a flight into the roof of the warehouse!

There is also a lift to the upper levels of the carousel but if you prefer, like other aspects of Les Machines de l'île, it is almost as much fun to watch, soak up the atmosphere and dodge the elephant’s squirting trunk! There is a great coffee shop/restaurant in the main area with indoor and outside seating.

In the upstairs workshop, which can be reached by a lift, more elements and those who build them can be seen at work. They design and build their mechanical creations for many global buyers so you may well encounter others throughout the world - maybe even the dragon which has just been delivered to China.

The workshops are all accessible and are intended for viewing. The branch of the Heron Tree is a maze of walkways and twisting stairways but all the mechanical elements which will be added to the finished project are in the workshops and gallery.

Nothing in the Machine de L’ile is small scale and everything excites both adults and children alike. Like so much around Nantes, it all seems like some kind of fairytale realm per excellence.

STAYING IN A CHATEAU

Always enquire if they have a lift or a room on the ground floor as many of these wonderful old heritage buildings do not have easy access. We stayed at Chateau de Beaulieu. www.chateaudebeaulieu.fr Email: info@chateaudebeaulieu.fr

31/07/2017 15:21

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28/07/2017 13:07

HOLIDAY FOCUS

TRAVEL

Explore the World with Limitless Travel Words by Niki Tennant

Limitless Travel provides

HOW DO I KNOW ALL MY NEEDS WILL BE MET EN ROUTE AND WHEN I GET THERE?

amazing holidays, tours, accommodation and travel for people living with disability. Founded by Angus Drummond, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in his early 20s, Limitless Travel is an organisation run by people with disabilities, FOR people with disabilities. This means the team better understands your requirements as a traveller. You can use their friendly, specialist advisors to plan and book your holiday, tailor made to meet your needs and personal tastes. Be it a beach holiday to Tenerife, a group getaway to Spain or a luxury coach trip to Devon, the Limitless Travel team will do the hard work, so you don’t have to.

On all our luxury coach tours, we have a care team with us to ensure that our customers (and their travelling companions) are receiving the highest level of support. They are dedicated, caring, and always there to lend a hand. With years of experience they offer support ranging from personal hygiene, administering medication to a helping hand pushing a wheelchair. With other destinations in the UK and abroad, we ensure that one of our colleagues with a disability has travelled to and stayed in the destination – meaning we know the environment, and we know if we are saying a venue is accessible, it is accessible. We also offer a 24 / 7 direct phone line to our team in the UK in the event of any emergencies.

I’M NOT SURE WHERE I WANT TO GO. WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? Here at Limitless Travel we firmly believe that no impairment should stop you holidaying anywhere you want to go. We offer some amazing fully accessible luxury coach tours to amazing destinations like Amsterdam, Devon and Scotland. If you want a beach holiday, we work with excellent accessible hotels in Tenerife. If a city break is more your thing, Barcelona is one of the most accessible cities in Europe, and there is so much to see and do, as our team discovered when they went out recently to check the facilities and level of accessibility with our destination partners there.

DESCRIBE WHAT I CAN EXPECT WHEN I BOOK. You can expect exceptionally high levels of customer service from our friendly advisors. We take a little longer than most other holiday companies to talk to you to understand your requirements and any other possible care needs, so we can ensure you have the perfect holiday. Over half of our team are living with some form of disability themselves, so we really do understand the challenges that exist for the disabled traveller.

I DON’T WANT TO LUG LOTS OF EQUIPMENT ON MY TRIP. HOW CAN YOU HELP? We bring a variety of equipment on our tours such as shower chairs, bed rails and a hoist that are available to hire. We also have partners to supply specialist equipment if this is required, either on our tours or if you are holidaying on your own.

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We currently have two luxury coach tours running to Scotland this summer from various nationwide pick-up points, travelling on 19th – 24th August and 16th – 21st September 2017. Travel on luxury coaches and spend six days exploring the beautifully scenic Lochs Lomond and Ness, the historic town of Stirling and enjoy a day out in Edinburgh. CALL 0800 612 2605 quoting ‘POS2’ or visit www.limitlesstravel.org/scotland to find out more.

WHAT MAKES A LIMITLESS TRAVEL HOLIDAY DIFFERENT? Due to our inhouse disability experience and expertise we understand the issues that people can face when travelling. Ultimately, we believe that no disability should be a barrier to experiencing all that the world offers and we will continue to personally research and vet the destinations our customers visit before we send them there. Call one of our friendly, specialist travel advisors on 0800 612 2605, or visit www.limitlesstravel.org to find out about our range of destinations. PosAbility readers can save 10% on all bookings by quoting POS1. www.facebook.com/limitlesstravelofficial @limitlesstr4vel www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 55

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27/07/2017 22:22

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28/07/2017 13:07

LONDON 2017 All images credit Mark Davidson

World Para Championships London 2017 Words and pictures by Mark Davidson

HEROES’

HOMECOMING

RICHARD WHITEHEAD MISSES OUT ON THE T42 100M GOLD

Left to right: GB's Sophie Hahn, Poland's Lukasz Mamczarz and USA's Taleah WiIlliams

"IT WAS JUST ONE RACE ON THE OPENING EVENING THAT WOULD MAKE THE NEXT 10 DAYS OF COMPETITION THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PARA CHAMPIONSHIPS."

t is nearly 9 o’clock on a Friday evening, 14th of July 2017 2017, and the large crowd in the Olympic Stadium is hushed in anticipation of the sprint that is about to unfold. Hannah Cockcroft is to go for gold in the women’s T34 100m wheelchair race. A few seconds later, with the race won, she realises she’s broken her own world record, taking gold in a time of 17.18 seconds with 16-year-old teammate Kare Adenegan finishing second in 18.01 seconds. It was just one race on the opening evening that would make the next 10 days of competition the most successful in the history of the World Para Athletics Championships. Like London 2012, the venue was the same and featured many of the same athletes who went onto become household names. However, one familiar star who wasn’t competing was David Weir, who had announced his retirement prior to the championships and now has a new career as a commentator. Yet there were still many more athletes capable of creating their own piece of history. To start the opening evening, the crowd was treated to a firework display which set off the 8th World Para Athletics Championships in London. Sir Philip Craven, the outgoing president of the IPC and London Mayor Sadiq Khan opened proceedings with speeches to the enthusiastic crowd. With the organisers confirming the event had the biggest audience in world para sport history, the events on the track did not disappoint the crowds. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 57

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31/07/2017 17:05

ALED DAVIES WINS THE F42 SHOTPUT

All images credit Mark Davidson

Para athletics has a number of classifications and there are at least 30 different 100m races alone for men and women reflecting the different categories in disability sport, ranging from partially sighted athletes to those in wheelchairs. There were many outstanding performances in both the track and field and unlike able-bodied events in athletics, the para games are often seen as a true test of how athletes can overcome adversity to compete at a world-class level. Besides events on the track, there was also a championship record and gold for Ukraine’s Zoia Ovsii in the women’s F51 club throw with an effort of 23.74m. It wasn’t to be for reigning champion team GB’s Joanne Butterfield as American Rachel Morrison pushed the British athlete out of bronze medal position with her final throw. Elsewhere on the opening weekend, there was success for many athletes including the diminutive figure of Raoua Tlili of Tunisia in the women’s T41 discus who threw a championship record of 32.29m. Britain had its first success in the field with Stef Reid getting gold in the women’s F44 long jump, jumping 5.40m and this was followed up on the Saturday evening with Hollie Arnold who became world champion in the F46 javelin winning gold, saying: “That was a fantastic series for me, I went out there to smash it and I did. It was great to get the world record. I knew that the fourth throw was close but I wasn’t sure if I’d got it and the support of the crowd was absolutely amazing.” On Sunday, Aled Davies won gold in the men’s discus throw F42 final. Reflecting on his efforts, he said: “This probably wasn’t my best performance but it doesn’t matter how far I throw as it is about winning the gold medal. That is what it’s all about. In the British team, we’re all in the same boat where anything could happen, so it’s never easy. But as I’ve been here so many times, in this stadium, with this crowd, I’m always confident.” For Great Britain’s other representative in the discus, however, this time in the F44 category, it wasn’t a successful competition. Dan Greaves finished out of the medals and commented: "This is heart breaking. I have been consistent this year and I don't know what happened. Loads of people have been supporting me and this is such a strange feeling. I feel I have let so many people down. It's awful but the support has been incredible. And for me not to deliver a performance I know I am capable of is so frustrating. " Paralympic sport, like any other, has had its fair share of controversy and Germany’s

"I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO BREAK THE WORLD RECORD IN HERE, SO I GUESS I HAVE A REAL SENSE OF HISTORY AND I WILL ALWAYS CALL IT MY HOME."

MARCEL HUG STORMS TO T54 100M VICTORY

Middle pic: Markus Rehm is in a league of his own on the long jump / Bottom pic: Team GB captain Hollie Arnold won the F46 javelin

Markus Rehm is trying to compete in ablebodied sport. He is the Paralympic and world champion along with being the world record holder in the T44 long jump. His personal best jump of 8.40m would have seen him win gold at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Despite a partisan crowd, every athlete was cheered on during each event and when Michael McKillop of Ireland won gold in the men's 800m T38 final the decibel levels were raised up a notch. On his victory, he said: “There is no better feeling coming on the track right after your best friend has just won his world title and it helped me a lot to see Jason Smyth winning a gold. I am very privileged and humbled to be back at the Olympic Stadium. It is my stadium really, because I was the first person to break the world record in here, so I guess I have a real sense of history and I will always call it my home.” Unlike the forthcoming world championships, the medal ceremonies took place in a specially built medal plaza within the

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LONDON 2017 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It allowed members of the public to see all of the competitors receive their medals in front of large crowds outside the stadium. It added to what has become a fantastic venue for athletics and many of the athletes said they thought London was the best ever games, with the general consensus that it should host the games again in two years’ time. The blue riband events at the athletics are the 100m races involving athletes with lower leg amputations, commonly known as the ‘blade runners’. One of team GB’s stars in these classifications is Jonnie Peacock. Up against the American duo of Jarryd

Wallace and Jerome Singleton, he won gold in the men's 100m T44 final with a time of 10.75 seconds. As the gold rush kept coming, Scott Reardon of Australia won gold in the men’s 100m T42 final but Richard Whitehead could only come third in the same race, adding bronze to his previous gold medal in the T42 200m. Despite being victorious previously, he was in a different mood after this latest event. “The false start didn’t help me but I’m still gutted. I’ll be back from this,” he pledged. “I’m not really a 100m runner or a 200m runner, I’m an athlete, but 12.21 seconds for the winner is not taking the event forward.” Kadeena Cox won gold in the women’s 400m T38 final and was ecstatic with her victory. “I’m absolutely shattered. That was a very painful run but it meant a lot,” she admitted. “This was for a lot of people. I may have got carried away in the first 200 metres and I knew the last 100 metres would kill me, but I got through and a win is a win. This makes up a bit for the 200 metres, which was just lack of races. But when you don’t do yourself justice, it’s disappointing.” Elsewhere for team GB, Sophie Kamlish broke the world record in the heats of the women's T44 100m and went onto take gold in the final. Over the duration of the 10 days which saw the most successful Para Athletics World Championships ever, there were

plenty of other remarkable achievements. In events such as the men's high jump T42 final, athletes like the American Sam Grew, who has just one leg and competes wearing a blade was able to clear the bar at a height of 1.86, a championship record. Not only did British athletes excite the crowds, but Akeem Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago stunned the audience in both the javelin and shotput events. In the javelin, athletes usually run up to the throw line and launch it into the distance. However, Akeem just took one step forward and produced a throw in excess of 50M, much to the amazement of everyone in the stadium. He then followed that up by breaking the world record in the shot put by nearly 5m with a throw of 19.08m. As the games drew to a close, the public were treated to the spectacle of the relays in the different classifications with the unusual situation of a silent stadium whilst those who compete in the T11-T13 classifications were racing. These athletes are either partially sighted or totally blind and rely on the coaches and fellow competitors to scream and shout at them telling them when to hand over the baton. It was the only time during the entire event that the crowd sat in total silence. The noise level rose once the competitors crossed the line and were able to complete their lap of honour. It was a fitting end to what had become another major milestone in Paralympic sport.

HURRICANE HANNAH CELBRATES HAT-TRICK

[Clockwise from left] Olivia Breen, Maria Lyle and Isis Holt and Tatyan McFadden

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KIDS

PRODUCTS

PAGE

Kids’ CABI N Words by Niki Tennant

It’s a sad indictment that two of the inspirational young people featured in this issue’s Kids’ Cabin pages have had to call on their significant talents in order to overcome the torment of cowardly bullies who have cruelly pounced on their disabilities. Firstly, meet Lee Grimes – a teenager who was so shy after being bullied at school that he’d pull his hoodie or blazer over his head so people wouldn’t speak to him and the bullies would leave him alone. Not anymore. Jubilant Lee has gone from a timid, nervous person to an outgoing and confident, award-winning young man and managing director of National Star College’s Young Enterprise Company. Read his uplifting story on page 63. Then, there’s PosAbility Magazine regular columnist, nine-year-old Rio Woolf, an aspiring future Paralympian whose new fur baby brother, therapy puppy Rosso, always has a warm welcome for him and makes him feel happy even after a particularly bad day at the hands of bullies. Find out more about his latest brush with the stars on page 65. Artist Dan White’s popular Strongbones comic strip returns on page 73 and on page 71, he talks about how parents are required to find powers of super human magnitude when fighting for the entitlement of their children to live full and independent lives.

With some of the country’s most spectacular castles featuring in small screen blockbusters such as Game of Thrones, we creak open their doors to reveal the adaptations that have been made to historical buildings to make them accessible to disabled visitors. Turn to page 68 to find out about the kings of all castles and how a trip to one of them could be a highlight in your school holiday calendar. As always, we bring you a mix of the most colourful and funky kids’ products on the market this summer. They’re on pages 66 and 67. Finally, we wanted to share with you this latest photograph of Sara, the beautiful young model who graced the cover of our June/July issue as part of talent agency Zebedee Management’s campaign to challenge exclusion by working towards a society that is more accepting of people with disabilities. Pretty as a picture. Do you have an idea for a topic you think younger readers would like to see featured in PosAbility? If so, please share it with us. Email niki@2apublishing.co.uk. See you in October!  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 61

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28/07/2017 13:08

STUDYING

JUBILANT TEEN LEE

MEANS BUSINESS A teenager who was so shy he’d pull his hoodie over his head so people wouldn’t speak to him proved how far he has come by giving a moving speech at the national HSBC Young Enterprise Awards. Lee Grimes won the national special achievement award in recognition of his personal development from a shy and nervous person to an outgoing and confident young man and managing director of National Star’s Young Enterprise Company. Not only did he collect his award, Lee spoke in front of almost 500 people at the gala dinner BFI, London. “I couldn’t believe it when they said I won,” said Lee. “When I went on to the stage to collect my award they asked me about my goals for the future and told them that I had had a paid job.

NOW, I THINK I CAN BE INDEPENDENT AND HAVE MY OWN LIFE.

“Then they asked me what words of inspiration I would give others and I said: ‘listen to your thoughts and feelings and ask for advice’.” Michael Mercieca, chief executive of Young Enterprise, said: “Lee overcame his extreme shyness to lead his team to win the Team Programme area final and he captivated myself and the whole audience with his eloquent and inspiring acceptance speech Lee fully deserves this award.” Lee, who is a Skills for Work student at National Star College in Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, last month won the South West regional achievement award. “When Lee first arrived at National Star he was the most shy, quiet and nervous person I had ever met, partly from his experience of being badly bullied in his previous mainstream school,”explained James Garrod, enterprise developer at National Star. “He wore a hoodie at all times with the hood up to cover his face. He wouldn’t

Left to right: BBC reporter Steph McGovern, winner Lee Grimes and young entrepreneur Ben Towers

speak to anyone on his course and would not join in any activities.” Lee has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. The 18-year-old said hiding in his hoodie was his way of coping with bullying. “At lunchtime, I would sit with my blazer over my head so that people wouldn’t talk to me and the bullies would leave me alone,” he said. “I never felt included. That changed at National Star. There, I was asked my opinion and encouraged to voice my concerns.” He reluctantly agreed to be managing

director of National Star’s Young Enterprise Company - called PIP for Personal Image Printing - after being voted in by the team. Lee, who is a Skills for Work student at National Star, is currently working two days a week in a placement at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. It is hoped that it will become paid work when he leaves National Star later this summer. “All my life, I thought that I had a disability and who in their right mind would hire me. I always used to put myself down. Now, I think I can be independent and have my own life,” said an upbeat Lee. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 63

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31/07/2017 11:54

KIDS

A PARALYMPIAN

IN WAITING

Words by Rio Woolf

RIO WITH PRIZE-WINNING COCKAPOO PUP, ROSSO

RECORD HOLDER SOPHIE KAMLISH WITH RIO, SPORTING HER GOLD MEDAL

RIO WITH 'BLADE BUDDIE' JOHNNIE PEACOCK

i again, friends. In the most exciting few months since I wrote my last column, I have celebrated my ninth birthday, appeared for the third time on Good Morning Britain to talk to Eamonn Holmes and Charlotte Hawkins about the 2017 Invictus Games, attended the WheelPower Primary Sports Camp and I took part in the Great Newham London Family Run with my parents. As if that’s not enough, London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships gave me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview T44 100m gold medallist, World Champion and world record holder, Sophie Kamlish. Wow! I was very lucky to go three times to the London Stadium with my parents and my favourite events were the blade runner races! It was fantastic to see my Paralympic heroes Richard Whitehead win gold and Dave Henson win bronze in the T42 200m. It was also great to see Hannah Cockroft race to glory again and I was really happy to get a photo with her the next evening when we went back to see my ‘blade buddy,’ Jonnie Peacock win gold in the T44 100m. It was an amazing race – I knew he’d win it! Every evening during the 10-day event I was glued to C4 Paralympics and it was fantastic to see another of my blade runner heroes, Sophie Kamlish, win gold. I got an amazing surprise when Mummy told me I’d been invited to do filming for ITV London News about the

Image © Lloyd Jones, LAJ Photography

Games. I had no idea what I’d be doing or who I’d be meeting. Then, Sophie Kamlish appeared as if by magic and then reporter Ruth Zorko asked me to interview Sophie! I asked her about how she became an amputee and about her prosthetics. When she showed me her running blade, I asked Ruth if I could race Sophie and she got special permission for us to race on the track in the Hero Village! I was really happy that I beat her and she put her gold medal on me! We returned to the Championships for the last time on July 22 when our friend Anna Parisi of Ottobock gave us a tour of the Technical Repair Centre and while I was there, I met T43 double gold medallist, Johannes Floors. I can now talk about an exciting event for my family that had until now been kept top secret. My parents got me a puppy back in January as a kind of therapy dog. I’ve been bullied a lot at school since I was in Reception – mainly about my disability and my prosthetic leg. Having my Cockapoo puppy, Rosso, in my life has really helped me because, no matter how bad my day at school is, I know I’ll come home to a very warm welcome from my fur baby brother and he makes me feel happy again. The reason I kept it secret is that Rosso and I have been involved in around 100 hours of filming for BBC 2 programme, ‘10 Puppies and Us,’ which started at the end of last month and runs on Thursdays at 8pm until August 17. Hope you can tune in!

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Kids’ PRODUCTS

We bring you a mix of the most innovative and helpful products on the market today

BASIC MUSIC KIT Fun and ideal for encouraging group participation and co-operation, the Basic Music Kit contains a selection of high quality instruments, providing an ideal introduction to the world of music making.

PRICE

£171.80

With enough instruments for groups of up to 20 people, stored inside a box, it’s great value for money. The kit contains one of each of the following: maracas (pair), 5” brass cymbals (pair), tambourine, triangle, maple claves (pair), castanet, jingle stick, duck call, wooden two-tone block, wooden single tone block and a pack of 10 kazoos. nrshealthcare.co.uk

BUNDLEBEAN BUGGY ORGANISERS BundleBean has unveiled the new additions to the ever growing BundleBean family - a new range of buggy organisers to co-ordinate with their ever-popular ranges of BundleBean covers. Buggy Organisers will be available in elephant, penguin, gecko and flamingo designs.

PRICE

£14.99

The organiser has a universal fit by using adjustable Velcro straps. The Buggy Organiser fits neatly over the handlebars, fitting all two and one-handed pushchairs/ prams or strollers. This makes it perfect for keeping everyday essentials such as nappies, bottles and dummies close to hand within grabbing distance. The Buggy Organiser is taller than most on the market, giving more room and making it better for keeping bottles upright. It also has two neoprene bottle holders that stretch to fit all bottles, cups and beakers. With a hidden secure pocket for your phone or keys, a snap close top and semi rigid sides for easy access, this Buggy Organiser is the perfect accessory for any busy parent on the go. www.bundlebean.com

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27/07/2017 20:41

KIDS

MCDRAGON BY PAM G HOWARD

BUNDLEBEAN WHEELCHAIR COSY

When a child is being bullied at school, it can be a stressful and confusing time, particularly when thinking about the steps to take to get the bullying to stop.

Are you tired of feeling wet and cold when out in your wheelchair during inclement weather? Or do you simply stay in if there is a chance of rain? Well BundleBean has the answer: the BundleBean Wheelchair Cosy!

According to NSPCC, more than 16,000 young people are absent from school due to bullying.

Their Cosies are easy to fit with no fiddly fixings and they attach to the frame of the chair or buggy via four Velcro straps. They are also nonrestrictive and comforting. Big kids love the signature pouch pocket to keep special things to hand. They are 100% waterproof, warm and easy to stow in their own matching stuff-sac, with the added bonus of being machine washable too.

Author Pam G Howard aims to raise awareness in her children’s book, McDragon, which centres on how a young boy, Peter, escapes his bullies while on holiday with his family. Peter has a disability and throughout this story, set in the Outer Hebrides, he becomes empowered and soon learns that the criticism of bullies does not define him. Through Pam’s writing, readers aged seven and over, will feel more confident about speaking out against bullying while enjoying a lively and imaginative read. Available on Amazon

The kids’ size fits neatly on to all special needs buggies and child wheelchairs. It measures 80cm wide by 1m long.

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£39.99

BundleBean wheelchair cosies for kids are available in elephants, flamingos, geckos and plain black. www.bundlebean.com

TROJA FOURWHEELED FOREARM WALKER

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£6.99

“THROUGH PAM’S WRITING, READERS AGED SEVEN AND OVER, WILL FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT SPEAKING OUT AGAINST BULLYING WHILE ENJOYING A LIVELY AND IMAGINATIVE READ.”

Practical and lightweight, the Troja Forearm Walker offers additional support in the form of padded gutters. This allows the user to rest their forearms comfortably, and grip the upright handles in a fist grip, making it ideal for someone with hand/arm impairments. Available in extra small size to suit a child or small adult. Also available with a backrest for increased comfort and safety when seated. Easy to fold and manoeuvre. Tel: 0345 121 8111 nrshealthcare.co.uk

PRICE

£678.56 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 67

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27/07/2017 20:41

Britain’s captivating castles are proud monuments to the country’s historical treasures. Visitors can be transported thousands of years back in time to relive the dramas that shaped history. Yet, by their historical nature, castles don’t always make for an accessible day out. PosAbility visits five of the best and explains the challenges as well as the adaptations that will help you make the most of your visit. Words by Niki Tennant

STIRLING CASTLE

Disabled parking spaces are available on the castle esplanade and there is also a park and ride scheme (Monday to Saturday). A courtesy vehicle is available for visitors who have difficulty with steep inclines and steps. Check availability in advance. Most parts of the castle are accessible by wheelchair but, as an historic building, some are not. Areas unsuitable for wheelchair access include the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, the Great Kitchens and the Elphinstone Tower. Admission is free for one-to-one carers accompanying visitors with a disability. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are permitted included in the roofed areas. A braille guide book is available and there are braille information boards around the castle. Disabled access toilets are available in the Guardroom Square and Great Hall. The access gallery in the palace vaults allows visitors with mobility difficulties to experience areas that are hard to reach. There are colourful displays, images and objects to touch and hold.

LINCOLN CASTLE

There is no visitor car parking available on site but there are several car parks in the vicinity. The accessible entrance to the castle is via the East Gate and there are two wheelchairs available for hire. The Medieval Wall Walk is accessed by a turnstile where a wheelchair pass gate is located. There is a lift to the east section of the Medieval Wall Walk, which overlooks the Cathedral West Front and has spectacular views. This area is accessible for wheelchair users between the lift and Cobb Hall. Beyond here, the steps, uneven walkways and narrow sections make it inaccessible for wheelchair users. An audio guide is available for the Medieval Wall Walk. A transcript of the full script for visitors with hearing impairments is available at the turnstile entrance. The path up to the Bath House is ramped and only accessible by a wheelchair user with assistance. There is a platform lift to the Victorian Prison, though this may not be suitable for larger wheelchairs and/or mobility scooters. There is an accessible viewing platform for the Victorian Prison Chapel. Assistance dogs are welcome on site. Wheelchair accessible toilets are located on the ground floor of the prison, where there is a toilet hoist, or at the East Gate entrance.

WINDSOR CASTLE

All visitors should be aware that Windsor Castle is situated at the top of a steep hill and there are long distances to be covered on site. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Mobility scooters can be used in the precinct areas, and are permitted inside the castle provided they are compatible with the lifts. The ticket sales desks, shop till counters and the audio tour collection point are equipped with induction loops. Large print labels are available in the Drawings Gallery. Orders of service, hymn books and psalters are available in large print for use in services in St George’s Chapel. Some orders of service are available in braille. Tactile boards with materials and

fabrics used in the structure and decoration of the castle are available in the King's Drawing Room, the Guard Chamber, the Grand Reception Room and Lantern Lobby. Accessible toilets are located at the entrance, on the North Terrace and in Engine Court and are locked with a RADAR key. Concessionary rates are available for visitors with disabilities and an accompanying companion is admitted free of charge.

CARDIFF CASTLE

There are six stone steps with a handrail up to the entrance of the house, with a further five stone steps inside to reach the entrance hall. On this floor, it is possible to view the library, study, drawing room and the small dining room. There is a lift to the

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CASTLES

KINGS OF THE

CASTLES

next floor where it is possible to view the Arab room and banqueting hall. A concession ticket for disabled visitors is available and a single carer can come in for free. The Interpretation Centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users, including the firing line exhibition, film presentation, café and shop. Disabled toilets are located on the first floor. A lift takes visitors from the ground floor to the roof terrace. From the terrace, there is level access around the Battlement Walks and a ramp leading down to the Castle Green. The castle grounds are flat, with much of it laid to lawn. Just over the drawbridge at the castle entrance, there is a cobblestone path running the length of the site. The Education Centre and 15th century Undercroft, where the Welsh Banquets are held, are also accessible to wheelchair users. The Castle Apartments contain many steps and spiral staircases and for this reason house tours are not suitable for wheelchair users. Audio guides of the site include a signlanguage tour (BSL) and a tour for visuallyimpaired visitors (in English and Welsh). Large print script audio guides are also available. Touch tours of the castle apartments can be arranged for pre-booked groups with visual impairments. Assistance dogs are permitted on site.

CASTLE WARD, NORTHERN IRELAND

Castle Ward has become extremely popular recently as the set of Winterfell Castle in Game of Thrones. Situated in a stunning location overlooking Strangford Lough, the lawns rise up to the unique 18th century house and its Gothic façade. This fascinating house features both Gothic and classical styles of architectural treatment, internally and externally. Inside the beautiful 820 acre walled demesne you will find an exotic sunken garden and paths that wind their way through woodland and suddenly open onto the quiet shores of the Lough. There is separate mobility parking, 50 yards from the entrance as well as a drop-off point.

At Castle Ward, there is an adapted toilet in the farmyard and stable yard areas. There are six steps to the entrance of the building with a handrail and a ramp is available. There is an alternative entrance but it too has a few steps and again, a ramp is available. On site, there are two wheelchairs and booking is essential. Although the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, the basement and tunnel are not. The grounds have some steps, making them partly accessible. Visitors can take advantage of a map of the castle and grounds’ accessible route and they can get around on a staff-driven multiseater vehicle.

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28/07/2017 13:16

Kidz to Adultz Scotland Thursday 14th September 2017, 9.30am - 4.30pm Highland Hall, Royal Highland Exhibition Centre, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB

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Win £250 worth of vouchers! Register online & attend an event in 2017 to be entered into the draw. The winner will be announced on our website December 2017.

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28/07/2017 13:08

Columnist a

Dan White, creator of the amazing Department of Ability superheroes and dad to Emily, who is 10-years-old and has spina bifida, is a regular face in PosAbility as he shares his experiences of life as a family with a disabled child. Dan has been shortlisted in the Positive Role Model for Disability category of the National Diversity Awards 2017. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DeptOfAbility

ite

WE CAN BE HEROES

he Stegosaurus; a huge dinosaur,

old and extinct like a Conservative manifesto should be. The rumour abounds that this plant eater had two brains, that’s one more than you and me and two more than any Love Island contestant. Parenting is a huge time-consuming event, disability parenting even more so, and the fact that mother nature committed an epic fail when giving us just one cerebrum at the moment of creation makes you question the very nature of evolution, and whether she had been at the prosecco at a pivotal design moment. Medicines, exercises, appointments, splints, ordering supplies, prescriptions, wheelchair maintenance, Bipap maintenance, hospital trips, physio, school meetings, and the rest. I am exhausted listing just some of the very few things we as collective parents and carers struggle to balance all the time, and it’s got me thinking with my raddled singular brain… arms! Yes, additional arms are also required as well as a second brain! And while we are on the subject of instantly needed evolution, how about a spine of steel when lifting is required? Imagine no more backs deciding to act like a Lego tower and separate when the public toilet is once more apparently designed by Stan Laurel. It always sounds like a cliché when people gaze into this community and shout, “mums, dads, carers, you’re all Superheroes!” but I think these people are possibly on the right track.

If the opportunity arose that we could be bitten by a radioactive stegosaurus who himself received a lifesaving blood transfusion from Dr Octopus, would we take it? I mean, if the chance came along to become a Lycra-clad, cloak-wearing all-round hero who could remember everything for their wonderful child, it would be harder to turn down than a free bar at Costas. However, I am uncertain whether Emily and indeed any of our children would appreciate us removing oxygen masks, wedges and pulling open curtains dressed in an ill-fitting garishly-coloured outfit, complaining that our flapping cloaks are once again caught in the splint Velcro. Emily is approaching her secondary school years and the sight of mum or dad flailing around her bedroom, a multitude of arms separating shelves from walls whilst strapped into a suit so unflattering that it could give Gok Wan a nervous breakdown, may be something best left to house only and not the school run…I mean…the chafe-ing. Seriously though (yes in THIS column) we as a collective do have exceptionally large spinning plates to keep going, and despite being single brained anthropoids we all do our job without our underpants on the outside (well, except on those tired mornings) and we do it with a smile, a flourishing heart and always without reward or sometimes a break. We do this because as parents or carers, our love is unconditional. So, knee-length boots and eye masks aside, we all do our best, try to remember it all and guide our brilliant children into every day, because everyone is a hero. Everyone.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 71

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27/07/2017 18:05

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31/07/2017 11:21

FROM DAN WHITE CREATOR OF THE FORTHCOMING WWW.DEPARTMENTOFABILITY.COM COMIC...

INKED AND WRITTEN BY DAN WHITE

COLOURS BY DARREN STEPHENS

ESTABLISHMENT & ORLAC CREATED BY BRADLEY DAVIES

TEAM STRONGBONES HAVE BEEN LURED INTO A TRAP BY ORLAC THE COLLECTOR! AN OLD ENEMY OF THE D.O.A! HAVING AWOKEN IN A PRISON CELL, TEAM STRONGBONES USE ALL THEIR GUILE AND IMAGINATION TO BREAK FREE! BUT WHERE IS ORLAC? AND MORE IMPORTANTLY… WHERE ARE THE TEAMS WHEELCHAIRS AND POWER GLOVES?? ..READ ON!

HOWEVER MEG’S KEEN EYES SPOT AN OPPORTUNITY...

OH MAN! THERE’S NO EXIT! WERE STILL TRAPPED!

WAIT! LOOK! A LADDER! THAT’S OUR WAY OUT!

AS A BREAKOUT OCCURS, ORLAC CONTINUES ON HIS EVIL PLANS SOMEWHERE WITHIN HIS GLOOMY FORTRESS...

SWEET!!

BEN, BRADLEY! CLEAR THE GLASS! I’M COMING THROUGH!

EVEN THOUGH MEG’S CHAIR IS GONE, SHE CRAWLS TO THE LADDER..

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ALL YOUR CHAIRS COLLECTED AND COMBINED FOR A WEAPON OF…

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UPWARDS!! 073_comic_strip.indd 1

NEXT TIME … FIGHTBACK! 27/07/2017 17:53

Words by Niki Tennant

STRESS: THE WORKPLACE TABOO

UK employers are being urged to play their part in helping people with mental health problems to overcome the barriers they face to getting into and staying in work.

IN A SURVEY OF MORE THAN

15,000

EMPLOYEES

FROM ACROSS 29 ORGANISATIONS, FOUR IN FIVE WORKERS WHO REPORTED HAVING POOR MENTAL HEALTH SAID THEIR WORKPLACE WAS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR.

lthough the majority of people with mental health problems are out of work, they tell mental health charity Mind that they want to work and would be able to do so with the right support. Employer attitudes towards mental health issues and other disabilities means that they face many hurdles in getting into work and keeping a job. UK workers with mental health problems contributed £226bn to the UK GDP in 2015. That contribution made up 12% of the UK GDP, which is nine times more than the costs associated with the problems themselves. In a Mind survey of more than 15,000 employees from across 29 participating organisations in 2016/17, four in five workers who reported having poor mental health said their workplace was a contributory factor. Recent research by Mind and YouGov found that more than half of the workers surveyed found work very or fairly stressful. Despite this high prevalence, 95% of people who took time off for stress cited a different reason – often a physical health problem – when phoning in sick. This is compounded by the fact that 41% of

survey respondents said stress is a taboo subject. Common signs of stress include feeling irritable, anxious, nervous or afraid, racing thoughts you can’t switch off, feeling uninterested in life or a sense of dread, worried about your health, unable to have fun and feeling like you have lost your sense of humour. You might find it hard to make decisions, snap at people, feel unable to concentrate, fidget, feel tearful, eat too much or too little and smoke and drink more than usual. Physically, you may experience shallow breathing or hyperventilating, have a panic attack, loss of libido, problems sleeping, headaches, chest pains, high blood pressure, constipation or diarrhoea.

74 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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27/07/2017 22:26

WORKPLACE STRESS

There might be one big event in the workplace that causes stress, such as redundancies, or it could be a build-up of lots of little challenges in your daily working routine. Seven per cent of workers in England and Wales started taking antidepressants due to the effect of the recession on their workplace and one in 10 had visited their GP for help. On average, employees take seven days off work a year for health reasons. Mental health problems are estimated to account for 40% of this, or 2.8 days a year. Workplace mental health problems cost the UK economy over £26bn a year through lost working days, staff turnover and lower productivity. Yet, Mind insists simple steps can save employers up to 30% of the costs associated with mental ill health at work. “Given the high prevalence of stress and mental health in the workplace, employers are increasingly prioritising the wellbeing of their staff,” explained Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at Mind. “Employers have a responsibility to promote workplace wellbeing and help prevent poor mental health and it’s in their interests to take workplace wellbeing seriously, as those that do report having more engaged, productive and loyal employees who are less likely to need time off sick.” Emma continued: “We urge employers to adopt a three-pronged approach to workplace wellbeing which aims to tackle the causes of workplace stress and poor mental health at work, promote wellbeing for all employees and support members of staff living with a mental health problem.” Wellbeing initiatives, she insisted, needn’t be large or expensive, and those that do incur a cost will save money in the long-term. Practical solutions such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs), flexible working hours, buddy systems, subsidised gym membership, cycle to work schemes, public transport season ticket loans and regular catch-ups with managers can all make a difference. When advising employees how to manage mental health at work, Mind recommends identifying which factors trigger stress. Even if you can’t avoid these situations, they say, being prepared can help. Consider issues that arise regularly in your job that can cause stress, one-off events that linger on your mind and on-going stressful events such as meeting deadlines or hitting sales targets. Making adjustments to the way you

organise your time could help you feel more in control of tasks you face and more able to handle pressure. Identify some of the causes that put you under pressure. Although there will be some things you can’t change, there may be practical ways you can improve the issues, such as flexible working or working partly from home. To achieve a better work/life balance, be realistic. If your work life is regularly spilling into your personal life, speak to your manager to see if you can jointly come up with solutions, such as delegating work to other members of staff. Avoid working over contracted hours unless it’s absolutely necessary. No matter how passionate you are about your job, try to leave work at work. A good way to ensure

you switch off is to reflect on everything you have achieved in your working day so you can refresh your task list for the next day and feel that you have wrapped everything up sufficiently. In recognition of good practice, Mind has launched a Workplace Wellbeing Index* – a benchmark of best policy and practice when it comes to mental health at work. The index enables employers to celebrate the good work they do to promote staff mental wellbeing and get support to do this more effectively. The charity’s Workplace Wellbeing programme aims to help people understand and begin discussion about the costs of neglecting wellbeing in the workplace. It offers free resources for employers to help improve mental wellbeing and employee engagement.

“SEVEN PER CENT OF WORKERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES STARTED TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS DUE TO THE EFFECT OF THE RECESSION ON THEIR WORKPLACE AND ONE IN 10 HAD VISITED THEIR GP FOR HELP. ”

*If you work for an employer that is passionate about promoting staff wellbeing, register your interest in next year’s Workplace Wellbeing Index by emailing work@mind.org.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS:

mind.org.uk/stress

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393

www.bigwhitewall.com

(Anonymous online community of people who are finding it hard to cope)

www.stress.org.uk

(Information from the Stress Management Society and tips on how to cope)

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 75

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27/07/2017 22:27

Ads_Pos_AugSep17.indd 76

31/07/2017 17:30

CAREERS

GET THAT DREAM JOB MANAGING YOUR ONLINE ACTIVITY

he world has completely changed with the increasing use of technology, and none more so than the internet. For disabled people particularly, it can be a lifeline and a way of engaging with the outside world. Platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram mean that we can communicate with friends and family we may find difficult to meet face to face. It also offers us many opportunities in terms of looking for work. We can search for jobs online, apply for jobs online, research employers online. We can have a presence on platforms like LinkedIn to showcase our knowledge and help recruiters find us. However, we do need to be somewhat cautious about what we post publically when it comes to our chances of being employed. Just as we may research potential employers online to find out more about them, increasingly recruiters may do the same with short-listed candidates. The competition for jobs is still high, and employers and recruiters want to limit the risk of appointing the wrong person.

Jane Hatton of Evenbreak warns job hunters to exercise caution when posting information on social media platforms that can be seen by prospective employers Words by Jane Hatton

What would they find if they carried out a search on your name? Try entering your name and home town into Google, and see what comes up. Do it right now, while you think about it. I’ll wait! Back? What did you discover? Some people find their name doesn’t appear anywhere at all, or not on the first few pages. Others may well come up in the search. Often this will be LinkedIn profiles (which is fine, because it is likely to be professional). But often it may be a post only intended for your family and friends rather than prospective employers. Did you check google images as well? It may be that photographs posted online appear there too. What you are happy for your friends and family to know about you may well not be the first impression you want a prospective employer to have about you, especially if it doesn’t show you in a very positive light! If this is the case, there is a limit to what you can do (other than think carefully before you post in future), but there are two main actions you can take to reduce the damage. The first is to manage your ‘privacy settings’ on platforms like Facebook. You can choose who can see your posts – just people you’ve

connected with as ‘friends’, people who are ‘friends of friends’ or ‘public’. These are fairly self-explanatory, but there are still things you need to be aware of. If you have been ‘tagged’ in someone else’s status or photograph, for example, it will show on their timeline, and anyone who can see their timeline. The best way of moving search results you would rather your potential employer didn’t see further down the list of results (in extreme cases you can ask for particular entries to be removed, but this is complex and takes time) is to ensure that other, much more positive results come further up the list. One way to do that is to make full use of LinkedIn and possibly Google Plus as both have good results on google. The best advice is to be very cautious about what you share on public platforms, manage your privacy settings with great care and actively post content which will impress employers if it comes up on an internet search. For further tips, and jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak website (www.evenbreak.co.uk).

“WHAT YOU ARE HAPPY FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO KNOW ABOUT YOU MAY WELL NOT BE THE FIRST IMPRESSION YOU WANT A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER TO HAVE ABOUT YOU” www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 77

077_Jane_hatton_SF.indd 77

27/07/2017 18:20

CLASSIFIED Norfolk Disabled Friendly Cottages

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5 bedrooms | 3 en-suite with wet rooms | 2 wheelchair accessible

Holiday in the sun ESTRELLA LODGE

If you are looking for a wheelchair accessible home from home let Estrella Lodge be the one! Situated on the outskirts of Javea, Costa Blanca, Spain, the Villa overlooks a beautiful valley. B&B or

full board

We are a family run business providing 8 self catering cottages designed to suit both disabled and able-bodied guests. Situated on a converted farmyard on the outskirts of the quiet village of Bircham, about 5 miles from the Royal Estate at Sandringham and 7 miles from the North Norfolk Coast. There are many nearby attractions, pubs and family activities to ensure there is something for everyone. For more information or to book call 01485 578 354 or email lavinia@nd-fc.co.uk.

www.nd-fc.co.uk Newton Meadows Holidays

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY COTTAGES IN THE HEART OF SHROPSHIRE Large car park, level access, wide doorways, ground floor bedrooms, wheel in shower room, selection of mobility equipment, complimentary Wi-Fi, large lawn with fishing pond

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Alba Highland Cottages

Alba Highland Cottages are newly built luxurious, self-catering cottages with wifi, full disabled access, accessible toilets and wetrooms. · 2 accessible adjacent cottages · Situated a mile from Boat of Garten, 5 miles from Aviemore · All rooms are accessible to wheelchairs (upper level access to rooms is by stairs only) · Downstairs wetrooms, adjoining parking and ramps · Free use of a wheelchair can be arranged

To book or to find out more call 01505 842 062 / 07748 432 648 or visit www.albahighlandcottages.co.uk

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Free wifi and pets welcome

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CLASSIFIED FILL THIS

SPACE

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31/07/2017 16:35

CLASSIFIED CLOBER FARM, MILNGAVIE, GLASGOW Lower Cottage flat Level access throughout Open plan kitchen and living area Three bedrooms, one of which hosts a tracking hoist, height adjustable profiling bed with air mattress and ensuite wetroom For more information on this property: Web: www.cloberfarm.co.uk Email: info@sisonline.org Phone: 0800 0132 305

Great

fin

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PL G 23 ola 1L nt, A Fo ,C w or ey nw all

holidays in Cornwall

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A wheelchair accessible cottage that sleeps 4. Also has 2 en-suite level access wet rooms, electric single bed and riser/recliner chair plus an accessible heated swimming pool.

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY COTTAGES

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Two specially converted wheelchair accessible detached cottages. • Shower chairs • Ensuite wetrooms • Electric profiling beds • Riser/recline chairs • Local care • Air or pressure available mattress • Hoists • Adapted kitchens We are only 15 mins from Truro and 30 mins from the Eden Project, making Treworgans the ideal place to explore this beautiful county.

Our other cottages warmly welcome autistic visitors and guests with learning disabilities.

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Scotland's Oldest Independent Bottler

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28/07/2017 13:09

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL PUZZLES

Brain Teasers

Puzzles are a great way to pass the time and keep your mind sharp. Why not take a break, make a cup of tea and give these puzzles a go? If you correctly complete the crossword and post it to us with your details, you could be in with the chance of winning Â£25. Good luck!

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH

Test your eyes and find the words below from this issue of PosAbility Magazine

C O C K

ACROSS

DOWN

7 Ceded (7) 9 Wear away (5) 10 Creatures (7) 11 Scowl (5) 12 Remove dirt with a broom (5) 14 Cosmetic brand (7) 16 Permanently inactive (7) 18 Aegean island known for its sweet wine (5) 20 Gaiety (5) 22 Ffestiniog (7) 24 Form of address for a woman (5) 25 Late (7)

1 Road around an obstruction (6) 2 Dregs (8) 3 Notion (4) 4 Acts (8) 5 Game played on horseback (4) 6 Minute (6) 8 Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nickname (5) 13 Wide view of an extensive area (8) 15 Fruit drink (8) 16 Bivouac (6) 17 Forbidden (5) 19 Shallow dish (6) 21 Whirlpool (4) 23 Peak (4)

Â£25 PRIZE! Complete the crossword correctly and send to PosAbility Magazine, Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind Est, Glasgow, G46 8JT to be in with a chance of winning Â£25. Closing date for entries is 30 September 2017.

Solutions to June/July crossword

2 3

(

( 1 5

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& 2

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N G H O R

W H I

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C O C A E

D E

A D T P

U H

C U H M Q H A H N N Q

COCKROFT

GREAVES

PEACOCK

ARNOLD

KINGHORN

HENSON

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BLAKE

DID YOU KNOW....LONDON 2017?

39 medals

Team GB won including 18 golds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; their best since 1998

230,000+

people attended this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s championships - more than in all eight of the previous championships combined

49 athletes

in Team GB â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including 21 Rio medallists and three Worlds debutants

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www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 81

81_Puzzles.indd 81

27/07/2017 21:46

ability MAGAZINE

Nothing is Impossible... TRAVEL REVIEWS

Expert travel reviews to help you make the best choice when booking your holiday.

PRODUCTS

An innovative mix of products to support you in everyday living.

EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION

Regular columns and features on getting your dream job. Providing advice on CVs, interview tips and much more.

PERSONAL STORIES

Inspiring tales from our readers.

COMPETITIONS

Exclusive competitions that give you the chance to win dream holidays, amazing products and once in a lifetime experiences.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Every issue is packed with information designed to help you live life to the full, from products and sports to holiday ideas and employment advice, so make sure you don’t miss out on any future issues and subscribe today! Like us on Facebook Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’

HEALTH AND FITNESS

We look at sports and activities available for you to get involved in to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.

DAYS OUT

Great ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

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Address:

Email: Postcode:

Date of birth:

PosAbility Magazine, Caledonia House, Evanton Dr, Thornliebank Ind Est, Glasgow, G46 8JT Tel: 0141 465 2960 Fax: 0141 258 7783

AUG/SEP 2017

31/07/2017 17:00

Ads_Pos_AugSep17.indd 83

31/07/2017 17:31

MITSUBISHI MOTABILITY OFFERS OUTLANDER DIESEL 3

MIRAGE JURO CVT AUTO

ADVANCE PAYMENT

£1,999

NIL

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Reversing sensors

7 seats

Bluetooth1

Optional auto

Optional leather

Air conditioning

Intelligent 4WD

Heated front seats

Electric heated front mirrors

Pop in and see us | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer. The Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations PLC (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of the Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment which will be taken in lieu of the four weekly rental. Models shown are the 17MY Outlander 3 2.2 diesel manual, Mirage Juro CVT automatic 1.2 petrol and ASX 2 1.6 petrol 2WD manual. Terms and Conditions apply. Please ask the dealer for full details. Rentals valid for applications placed between 1st July and 30th September 2017. 1. Please note that Mitsubishi cannot guarantee compatibility with all mobile phones and Bluetooth devices with the handsfree system fitted to this vehicle. Please check with the mobile phone manufacturer for further information on compatibility. Fuel figures shown are official EU test figures, to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

Mirage range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 55.4 – 57.6 (5.1 - 4.9), Extra Urban 72.4 - 72.4 (3.9 - 3.9), Combined 65.7 – 65.7 (4.3 - 4.3), CO2 emissions 100 - 99g/km. ASX 2 fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 38.2 (7.4), Extra Urban 57.6 (4.9), Combined 48.7 (5.8), CO2 emissions 135 g/ km. Outlander diesel range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 40.9 – 45.6 (6.9 – 6.2), Extra Urban 54.3 – 58.9 (5.2 – 4.8), Combined 48.7 – 53.3 (5.8 – 5.3), CO2 emissions 154 – 139g/km.

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28/07/2017 23/06/2017 13:10 15:46