Oct nov 15

ability

Oct/Nov 2015

magazine

Nothing is Impossible...

HANNAH COCKROFT Role Modelling

DRESSING UP DISABILITY Creating an accessible Halloween

WIN

A week in a fully accessible bungalow in Hampshire!

Wheely Good Fitness Revolutionising Exercise Cover_oct-nov_FINAL.indd 1

30/09/2015 00:02

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30/09/2015 00:21

THE TEAM

WELCOME Oct/Nov 2015

Every issue I work on PosAbility I learn something new or discover something fascinating and this issue is no different. However, the new things I have learned this time have not filled me with excitement or happiness, but with a great deal of sadness and disappointment.

Did you know that only 10 disabled children were adopted last year, compared to 5050 children without disabilities?

Or that only 1985 disability hate crimes were reported out of an estimated 62,000 crimes? And if you watched Sophie Morgan’s documentary, ‘The World’s Worst Place to be Disabled?’ were you aware of the extent of the atrocities in Ghana?

This sounds like a particularly depressing opening page for PosAbility, which prides itself on being a positive magazine, but these issues are very real and have sparked so many passionate discussions in our offices recently; the same discussions which are taking place across the world in homes and offices just like ours, people who want to campaign for change and equality. And we hope that some of our articles this issue will help to inform people and encourage change.

Moving away from this rather dark topic, we have some much sunnier articles for you to peruse, with a fantastic feature on creating an accessible Halloween for your child, to exploring a new wave of high energy fitness classes with Wheely Good Fitness. And don’t miss our interview with Hannah Cockroft on page 19.

CONTRIBUTORS Mik Scarlet Andy Wright Jane Hatton Peter Rimmer

A

Innovation not Imitation

PUBLISHING

Disclaimer

Plus we have a round up of the Special Olympics in LA this summer, highlights from the Wheelchair Basketball European Championships and the Wheelchair Rugby European Championships, which have secured our GB team’s places in Rio 2016.

You will also find our regular product pages, competitions, guidance for graduates and don’t forget to skip to page 93 to check out our new puzzles page.

Like us on Facebook Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’

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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 2015 © 2A Publishing Limited.

All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

Contact Details: Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, G46 8JT Tel: 0141 270 8085 Fax: 0141 270 8086 enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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To find out more about subscribing to PosAbility Magazine turn to p98

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30/09/2015 18:03

OCT/NOV 2015 | ISSUE 27

CONTENTS 23

80

WIN! A fully accessible break at a luxurious Hampshire cottage Flat Spaces is a purpose built cottage for disabled holidaymakers, located in a beautiful countryside setting.

FEATURES 07 FYI…

News, stories and quirky columns

28 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD SUMMER GAMES 2015

12 WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

A round-up of all the stars and happenings of this years’ Games

Highlights from the success of the GB squads

31 THE WORLD’S WORST PLACE TO BE DISABLED?

15 WHEN YES SHOULD BE THE

Sophie Morgan talks about her harrowing documentary set in Ghana

champions

ONLY WORD

Mik Scarlet shares his thoughts on positive discrimination

19 ROLE MODELLING

Paralympic heroine, Hannah Cockroft chats about everything from sport to lingerie

Check out

P35

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23 FINDING A FORVER FAMILY We explore the world of disability and adoption

26 TAKING CONTROL

Tabitha Fung takes to the gym to regain her independence

35 competition

Win a week in a fully accessible, luxury cottage in Hampshire

37 HOT STUFF

Bringing you the most innovative products on the market

43 TRAVEL ADVICE

Financial support for holidaymakers with MS by Andy Wright

44 ACCESSIBLE CRUiSING With Accessible Travel and Leisure

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56 28 49

19

31 49 THE INVISIBLE ISSUE

Uncovering the unseen world of disability hate crime

55 TOP TEN BLOGS

63 REVOLUTIONISING EXERCISE

Wheely Good Fitness introduce high energy exercise classes for disabled people

Getting ready for Halloween doesn’t need to be scary

56 SPINAL CORD INJURY

74 KIDS PRODUCTS

60 LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX

Mik Scarlet disbands the awkward and tells all about sex with a spinal injury

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New and different products for children of all ages

77 MANAGING YOUR MONEY

How best to keep your money on a leash when you’re on a budget

What Volvo can offer disabled drivers

85 GRADUATE GUIDANCE

68 DRESSING UP DISABILITy

Some of PosAbility’s favourite online disability writers

We talk to the Spinal Injuries Association about the support available for people living with a spinal cord injury

80 MOTORING

Deciding on your next step

91 GET THAT DREAM JOB

How LinkedIn can open up a bright future in the world of work

93 BRAIN TEASERS

Check out our new look puzzles page

75 30/09/2015 14:45

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Official fuel consumption for the Volvo V60 D4 Cross Country Manual in MPG (l/100 km): Urban 61.4 (4.6), Extra Urban 70.6 (4.0), Combined 67.3 (4.2). CO2 emissions 111g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Advance Payment of £1,999 is for the Volvo V60 D4 Cross Country Lux Nav Manual. Metallic Paint and Winter Pack with Active Bending Lights included. Offer available on the Motability Contract Hire Scheme. 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. 60,000 mileage allowance over 3 years. Offer available from 01/10/2015 to 31/12/2015 subject to availability at participating dealers. Offer not available with other promotions and may be subject to change. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. 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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30/09/2015 00:22 28/09/2015 10:07

FYI...

FYI

News, stories and quirky columns.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

SCOOPING SILVER AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS Katie Smith, a staff member at Marcos New York Italian in the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth, Warwick, has won a silver medal in the 200m kayaking singles race. She competed in the race at the Special Olympics, hosted in Los Angeles. This massive achievement comes after Katie winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics in Leicester, 2009 and winning another two bronze medals in Shanghai, 2007.

Katie, who has Down’s syndrome, has been a dedicated kayaker since she was 12 and she has grown from strength to strength.

Katie’s love of kayaking started from when she joined a local guide group in her home town of Kenilworth, where she gained her one star kayak badge. Ever since then, she has been a keen kayaker with a local group, which ventures out onto the river in Leamington every Wednesday during the Spring and Summer seasons.

The staff where Katie works, have been rooting for her since she started working at the restaurant in 2008.

Deputy General Manager, Louise Sheepy, had this to say about Katie’s silver medal: “We were delighted when we heard the news of her silver medal! We are so proud that we have been able to work with such an amazing individual!”

Katie thoroughly enjoys her sport and says that sport has changed her life and that she feels confident and fitter with sport in her life.

Katie has particularly enjoyed making new friends through kayaking and competing.

She enjoys meeting up with old friends, and has enjoyed making new ones at the Special Olympics training weekends and events. Katie had this to say in regard to why the Special Olympics is so important to her: “It’s good! It shows what people with a learning disability can do”.

Katie is back working at Marco’s in the Holiday Inn in Kenilworth, Warwick after an exciting Summer.

If you would like to keep up to date with what Katie aims to do next in her

kayaking career, ‘Like’ Marco Pierre White New York Italian, Kenilworth on Facebook or follow the restaurant on Twitter @MarcoKenilworth.

Wheely Good Fitness competition

To celebrate the release of the first ever Wheel-Fit™ DVD from Wheely Good Fitness we have five copies to give away to lucky PosAbility readers. This DVD is packed full of great exercises you can do from a wheelchair. For more info on the DVD you can visit page 63.

To be in with a chance of grabbing one of these great DVDs you just have to email your name, address and telephone number to: posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com or send them to Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow G46 8JT. 

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30/09/2015 15:04

FYI

GREAT BRITAIN WHEELCHAIR RUGBY SQUAD QUALIFY FOR RIO WITH RESOUNDING WIN AT 2015 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS The Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby squad has won gold at the IWRF European Championships in Pajulahti, Finland. After coming top of their pool they defeated fellow pool winner, Germany to win a place in the finals against current title holders Sweden, beating them 49-48.

Scoring 13 of the goals was 25-year-old Ayaz Bhuta. Born with Roberts syndrome, which limits the growth of limbs, Bhuta is 3ft 7in and weighs in around 42 kilos. A force to be reckoned with, he comments: “It feels great to be the champions of Europe, we have worked hard for this but it is only a step on our journey to win a medal at Rio”.

Performance Director, GBWR, Lorraine Brown comments: “Reaching the European finals has been a key goal in the performance plan of the squad this year. Our success means we can now focus our attention on Rio and further honing the skills of the squad. Next on our list is to medal at our own international tournament, the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge 2015 (BT WWRC 2015) which will take place from 12 to 16 October 2015 at the Copper Box, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, and to see London 2012 Paralympic Gold medallists Australia return to the UK alongside silver medallists

Jordanne Whiley made history at the US Open after becoming the first British woman to win a wheelchair tennis Grand Slam singles title.

Meanwhile Gordon Reid added to the British success as he claimed his second Grand Slam doubles title with French partner Stephane Houdet on a thrilling last day of competition for the Brits.

Whiley saw an early break advantage disappear in the first set, only to regroup and take the last two games to seize the initiative. Kamiji raced through the second set, but Whiley returned from a

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David Pond, Chief Executive Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby believes the forthcoming matches will test the squad considerably: “Our aim now is to provide the GB team with an opportunity to play the best in the world so that they are ready for Rio in a year’s time. At the same time, BT WWRC 2015 will be a fantastic chance for UK fans to relive the excitement of London 2012 and see some top class wheelchair rugby as part of the Rugby World Cup’s broader Festival of Rugby. It’s an exciting to be part of the wider rugby family.”

it - I’m a singles Grand Slam champion!

It was so strange playing Yui as she’s my best friend and we’ve achieved so much in doubles together but it means I know her game so well,” said Whiley, who will now go to a new career best singles world ranking after starting the US Open world ranked No.5.

Whiley makes history to win US Open singles

British No. 1 Whiley, playing in her first women’s singles Grand Slam final, beat defending champion and world No. 3 Yui Kamiji of Japan 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 in a match of fluctuating fortunes.

Canada and bronze medallists USA.”

comfort break before the final set with a renewed focus and stormed into a 5-0 lead.

Whiley then had her first five match points before Kamiji pulled a game back, but another thrilling final game eventually saw the Brit clinch a famous victory on her ninth championship point.

“It really hasn’t sunk in that I’ve done

“I felt bad seeing her crying at the end but that’s tennis and I knew I could win it. I kept telling everyone that I could do it in singles as well and now I’ve finally proved it!

Everything is clicking nicely ahead of Rio and now I can’t wait to play at the Singles Masters in December and I want to win that too in front of a home crowd.

“I’m going to treat myself to some pizza tonight but then it’s back home and I’ll keep working hard and build on this success with the support of the Tennis Foundation and UK Sport,” added Whiley.



30/09/2015 15:04

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30/09/2015 00:22

FYI

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

Sense launch inquiry into play opportunities Sense, the national deafblind charity, has launched ‘The Case for Play’ inquiry into the provision of play opportunities for children aged 0-5 with multiple needs, in England and Wales.

Sense is calling for evidence from parents of children with multiple needs, specialists from the disability sector and practitioners. The inquiry report will be issued in early 2016.

Play is a crucial part of every child’s development, helping them to develop social and communication skills. However, children with multiple needs often face barriers to accessing and enjoying play. Sense, who have supported and campaigned for people with multiple impairments for the last 60 years, would like families and professionals to come forward to share their experiences of the issue.

Former Secretary of State for Education and Employment, David Blunkett, will chair the inquiry, alongside Lesley Rogers, a parent of a deafblind child with multiple needs. Julie

2015 John Aspinall Coast to Coast

Jennings, from RNIB, will provide expert guidance.

The evidence submitted to the inquiry will form the basis of a report setting out recommendations for national and local Government and organisations that provide play opportunities.

The inquiry will focus on answering questions such as ‘What is the impact of play for children with multiple needs and their families?’, ‘Do barriers exist to young children with multiple needs accessing play settings and activities?’ and ‘What can be done to increase play opportunities for young children with multiple needs?’

David Blunkett said: “I believe that play is an essential part of a child’s development.

It’s how we begin to understand the world around us. I hope that this inquiry will help lift the lid on the barriers that are preventing children with multiple needs from enjoying play activities and potentially holding back their development.”

Sense Deputy Chief Executive, Richard Kramer said: “We know from our experience working with deafblind children and families that play settings and activities are not always accessible to children with multiple needs. As an example, parents and professionals often need more support to understand how to engage disabled children in play successfully. The inquiry will show the extent of the problem and help us to outline recommendations to improve the situation. We hope that parents and specialists take the opportunity to share their views and experiences.”

There are several ways parents and professionals can submit evidence to the inquiry. These include taking part in online surveys, attending focus groups and responding in writing.

To find out how to get involved visit: www.sense.org.uk/content/play.

The deadline for the submission of evidence is 27 November 2015.

On a bright sunny September morning in Morecambe, Team EMpowered people set off on, for some of the riders, their first C2C journey. This journey would consist of many miles covering the beautiful English countryside.

on a trike and Graham Sherwood (60) on an electric bike. All supported by a dedicated group of volunteers as marshals, brew crew and support riders. The EMpowered riders have all said that they couldn’t have achieved it without them.

The team was made up of seven EMpowered riders, Rashmi Barker (51) on a handcycle, Ian Jones (54) on an electric bike, Simon Lord (57) on an electric bike, Kathryn Perry (37) with Neil on the bike train, Charlotte Rainford (23) on a trike, Glenys Roberts (63)

Day one saw the support riders spring into action as they tackled some major inclines.

Everyone’s spirits were high as they rolled into a peaceful youth hostel with beautiful views and a disturbed sleep as the fire alarm goes off at 2:00 am.

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30/09/2015 15:04

FYI

VisitEngland launches ‘Access for All’ campaign VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has launched a new ‘Access for All’ campaign, aiming to raise awareness of accessible destinations and businesses in England; informing disabled people of accommodation and visitor attractions when planning a day trip or holiday.

Following a successful pilot project in 2013/14, with four destinations; VisitEngland accessed funding from the European Commission to expand the Access for All initiative, with a grant of €125,000. For the past year VisitEngland has been working with seven local destination partners across the country, to create a series of access guides covering coastal, countryside and city destinations, which include Visit Kent, Visit Lincoln, Visit Brighton and many more.

56 businesses are involved in the project; including a mix of accommodation and attractions such as Lincoln Cathedral, Brighton and Hove Buses, Chatsworth House, Turner Contemporary, Hotel La Tour, Vindolanda Roman Fort and Nottingham Belfry amongst many others. The businesses involved have worked hard to make changes – focusing on positive action – to improve perceptions of Accessible England.

Some of the great initiatives include those introduced by Brighton & Hove Buses (part of the Go-Ahead group) which provides wheelchair access to 100% of their fleet. They are trialling the use of hearing loop systems on a bus; have a Helping Hand yellow card scheme; offer a wheelchair taxi guarantee if someone cannot get onto the bus and have many innovations to help disabled visitors use their buses.

VisitEngland research highlights that the overnight accessible tourism market is now worth £3billion to the English economy, with day visits bringing the figure up to £12.1 billion. Over the past few years overnight trips by disabled travellers and their companions have increased by 19% with spend up by 33%.

VisitEngland, Chief Executive James Berresford, said: “The accessible tourism market is worth a sizable £12.1 billion to the English economy and many tourism businesses are realising that catering for disabled customers is not only a necessity but a wise investment that brings a host of business benefits.

Many of the changes businesses make may be small, but combined contribute significantly to the visitor experience.”

Doug Smith, author of The disABILITY To Cruise, is a fulltime wheelchair user and is offering one PosAbility reader the chance to win his book, a comprehensive guide to cruising with a disability. To be in with a chance of winning simply email your name, address and telephone to posabilitycompetitions @gmail.com or send to Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est. Glasgow G46 8JT.

The disABILITY to cruise competition

Depsite a cloudy start and little sleep on day two everyone was raring to go again.

Again some major inclines to climb but the support team or ‘wingmen’ as they were fondly known as, were on it like a flash.

Everyone’s spirits were raised as they turned the corner and saw the brew crew all set up.

Day three was the final day and everyone was up and in high spirits again despite a fuse blowing at 1.00 am, due to the batteries being charged up overloading the system. The plug sparking had caused some

hysterics with some of the EMpowered riders - a story for another time!

With 100 miles under their belt and very little sleep people were tired but still determined to finish. They had travelled from Morecambe to Scarborough 152.6 miles with over 7300ft elevation gain. An amazing journey by some awe inspiring individuals who overcame their own personal struggles to achieve this amazing challenge. www.empoweredpeople.co.uk

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30/09/2015 15:04

SPORT GB men celebrate gold

european champions Great Britain men’s wheelchair basketball team clinched a third consecutive European title beating Turkey 87-66 in the final at the Worcester Arena in September. By Peter Rimmer

T

hanks to a strong defensive display, GB led 34-25 at half-time and were then always in control. Terry Bywater top-scored with 29 points, and was named Most Valuable Player, with Ian Sagar adding 17 points. Turkey had beaten GB in the 2014 World Championship quarter-finals in Korea - so victory was sweet. In their semi-final GB avenged a defeat by Germany in the group stages but were made to work hard for their 77-68 victory. Some gritty defence and good shooting from Terry Bywater, including an opening three point basket, and Abdi Jama (22 points apiece) saw them through.

Katie Morrow

In the group stages GB overcame Czech Republic (92-42), France (80-46), and Spain (70-58) losing to Poland (73-85) and Germany (55-89), before defeating Italy (77-48) in the quarter-final. The GB team has a good blend of youth and experience. Talented young players like Philip Pratt (20) and Harry Brown (21) combine well with ‘veterans’ like Bywater and Simon Munn and the team plays with passion and a high level of technical ability. But, above all, there is a strong squad with a high work rate and a depth of talent embracing fine individual skills with the capacity to convert possession into points.

GB women secured their fifth European bronze medal in a row after an easy 69-39 win over France in their play-off with Helen Freeman and Jordanna Bartlett leading the scoring on 10 points apiece. In an exciting, tense and closely fought semi-final GB women lost 56-55 to Paralympic champions Germany. GB came from 10 points down in the last quarter but a 50-50 call on the final play denied them the chance of securing a final place. “We gave it everything we had so we’re very proud,” said Helen Freeman, who top-scored on 22 points.

The Last Leg’s sixth series is currently being Philip Pratt performing shown on Channel 4. the net cut

Net-cut

In the group stages GB women overcame Turkey (76-23), France (79-37), Italy (69-10), and Spain (54-50) with losses to Germany (39-53) and the Netherlands (52-64). In the final Germany defeated favourites the Netherlands (72-62) to take gold. Germany and the Netherlands have contested every women’s European final since 1989 while Great Britain have won bronze on seven previous occasions - 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

The tradition of cutting down the nets has its roots in Indiana where high school teams celebrated winning championships by ‘cutting down the nets’.

In 1947 Everett Case, head coach at North Carolina State, introduced net-cutting to college basketball after his team won the Southern Conference title.

Case wanted a souvenir. With no ladder available, the players hoisted Case onto their shoulders and he cut the net while cradled in their grasp.

Both GB teams secured their places at next year’s Rio Paralympics thanks to their performances at the European Championships.

At Worcester Philip Pratt performed the ‘net-cut’ as his teammates looked on.

12 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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30/09/2015 15:12

SPACIOUS, OPEN PLAN, EASY ACCESS LIVING IN THE HEART OF LONDON’S COOLEST QUARTER An exclusive collection of spacious two bedroom apartments in London’s coolest quarter, with an outstanding specification, balcony and views towards The City and The Shard.

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30/09/2015 00:23

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30/09/2015 00:24

Columnist Mik Scarlet

When “Yes” should be the only word At the end of July I was one of eight disabled people chosen to take part in a training course run by the BBC. The three day course was designed to give a taster of the world of weather presenting and was only open to disabled people. It was an amazing experience, allowing me to meet some talented disabled people while discovering that we all underestimate how skilled weather presenters really are. It also proved that certain elements of the UK’s press can spin a good news story into a shock horror example of ‘political correctness gone mad’. Why do I think that this example of positive discrimination should have been a good news story?

Well, other than the fact that I was chosen out of nearly 2000 applicants to take part, so it was great news for me, I met with the BBC execs behind the scheme and discussed with them their reasoning for creating a training course exclusively for disabled people. I found their desire to build a representative weather output a truly positive step forward. They all wanted the people who present the BBC’s weather to mirror the people who watch that output and that had to include disabled people. The press were enraged by the fact that the advert asked for ‘no qualifications’, yet after meeting many of the roster of current weather presenters it became clear that a misconception that they are all trained meteorologists had fuelled the headlines. Today’s modern media weather forecasting is fronted by people from all walks of the industry, who are all supported by trained meteorologists.

These experts fully admit that knowing what the future weather may be and being able to get that across to the public in an entertaining and informative manner are two very different skill sets. But let’s face

it, it wasn’t any lack of qualifications that caused the outrage. Oh no, it’s just a knee jerk response to any steps to level a playing field that has disadvantaged disabled people for far too long.

It might not fit the current equality ethos, but I believe that positive discrimination like this training scheme is the only way disabled people will ever really break into the world of work. Remember I am an Emmy award-winning TV presenter with over 25 years of experience yet I am not up there with people who were once my equal, such as Jonathon Ross and Chris Evans, who both fronted TV shows that gained the same number of viewers as my show Beat That in 1992. Why? On more than one occasion I was told my disability was a barrier to me getting a job. I was once told “I’m not having a f**king cripple on my show,” by a senior TV exec. Sure, this was way back in the dark ages - or the 1990’s, but even today most disabled people in the media are there to talk about being disabled. The numbers of disabled people on our TV screens that are there to front output that is not about disability can be counted on one hand. Yet disabled people make up somewhere between one eighth and a quarter of the population. So to be representative, at least one out of every eight people on TV should be disabled.

Once you consider that, I say the idea of positive action to get anywhere near this is not such a terrible injustice.

Our society is nowhere near offering equal opportunity to disabled people and, while this situation remains, moves to tap into the mostly ignored talent pool of disabled people should be applauded, not pilloried.

How can any moves to make society slightly less skewed against disabled people be

unfair, unless you are not disabled? And there’s the rub. All of the articles written about how terrible positive discrimination is are written by those who benefit from the current status quo - the non-disabled.

They have no concept of the barriers we face. How many places of business are so inaccessible we cannot even get through the door, let alone work there? With an Equality Act that states only ‘reasonable adjustments’ need to be made, it’s too easy for businesses to get away with poor access. What access provision we do get is aimed mostly at taking our money and not employing us.

The saddest thing is how much society would benefit from becoming more disabled friendly. Work places would blossom from using practices that allow more disabled people to join the work force, as these systems would benefit ALL staff. Flexible hours, working from home, shared responsibilities - the list of perfectly reasonable adjustments are endless and would add to building a more friendly and enjoyable working environment. That’s what is missed by those who decry positive discrimination. In the end it would result in a more inclusive society. One that benefits everyone who lives in it, thus making it a more positive experience for all. Of course I dream of a level playing field, but whether we like it or not for most disabled people the current playing field is up a flight of steps, in pitch darkness and covered in broken bottles. Positive discrimination is just ramping that field, putting in floodlights and making the green pristine.

Then everyone can enjoy a good game together. Eeek. I’ve just made a footbally type analogy, that’s how strongly I feel about this... I’ve mentioned sport!

I need a shower! www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 15

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30/09/2015 15:16

BMW on the Motability Scheme

The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE NEW BMW 3 SERIES.

NOW AVAILABLE ON THE MOTABILITY SCHEME.

• With new engines and higher specification, the new BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring are now available from £1,799 Advance Payment • Range includes BMW 1 Series Sports Hatch (3 or 5-door), BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and the seven seat new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer • Models accessible to drivers under 25 years old • Manual or automatic transmission and high standard specification includes metallic paint, BMW Navigation and BMW Emergency Call • A brand new BMW every three years, with tax, insurance, service and maintenance all covered

BMW RANGE FROM £599 ADVANCE PAYMENT* FOR THE BMW 1 SERIES SPORTS HATCH. To help find the right BMW for you, call 0800 325 600, visit www.bmw.co.uk/motability or contact the Motability Sales Specialist at your local BMW Centre.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range available on the Motability Car Scheme: Urban 33.6-72.4mpg (8.4-3.9l/100km).

Extra Urban 55.4-91.1mpg (5.1-3.1l/100km). Combined 44.8-83.1mpg (6.3-3.4l/100km). CO2 emissions 147-89g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

*The BMW range available on the Motability Contract Hire Car Scheme starts from £599 Advance Payment for the BMW 116d SE 3 and 5-door Sports Hatch. Models shown are the new BMW 318i Sport from £1,899 Advance Payment, BMW 116d M Sport 5-door Sports Hatch from £1,699 Advance Payment, BMW 216d Luxury Active Tourer from £1,899 Advance Payment and new BMW 218i Sport Gran Tourer from £1,999 Advance Payment. Prices are correct at time of going to print for orders placed and accepted between 1 October and 31 December 2015. All models on the Motability Contract Hire Scheme include optional metallic paint at no extra cost. Models featured may include options at an additional cost. The facilities offered are for the hire (bailment) of goods. The Motability Contract Hire 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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30/09/2015 10:32 00:25 18/09/2015

STUDENTS

Top Tips for

S

Students

tarting university can be a stressful prospect, being launched into an unfamiliar setting without your regular friends around can make this seem even scarier and having a disability or extra needs can make this situation even more difficult.

But fear not, we have compiled our list of top tips for disabled students to help make your first few weeks at university a breeze.

Stake out your campus We trust you’ve already chosen a university suitable to your accessibility needs, so now you just need to familiarise yourself with all the facilities; do you know where the accessible toilets are, parking spots, the library? If you don’t drive or get a lift, make sure you are familiar with your public transport options and ensure buses and trains are accessible for you. Most universities hold an induction and facilities tour for new students and often student support services offer a disabled student induction too. If you have made any access arrangements make sure you get these in writing and keep them to hand in case you have to show them to anyone.

Utilise your Union Student unions and societies are a great way to meet other people and they usually run tonnes of events in the first few weeks of classes to help everyone get integrated into student life, often they take place in the student bars and clubs, which are another great way to get chatting to like-minded people. Remember everyone you meet will be in the same boat! Most university unions have a disabled student support officer too who will be able to help with any questions or issues you might want to discuss.

Check your cash Most disabled students in England are eligible for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). The support you get depends on your individual needs and not on income.

There’s other grants available too so check the support you’re entitled to with your local Government. Be sure to also check your benefit entitlement as some disabled students will also be entitled to other financial support on top of your DSA. If you live in England you can call Disability Rights UK on 0800 328 5050 or if you live in Scotland you can call Lead Scotland on

0131 228 9441 for financial advice on the support you’re entitled to. Your university’s student support are also a great starting point.

Be Prepared Going back to that old Scout’s motto may seem cliché but it’s as relevant as ever when it comes to starting university. If you have any dietary requirements make sure you know that these can be filled, and if living on campus, in student halls or even private accommodation find out if these are available at local supermarkets. If you take regular medication make sure to have this on you, as well as perhaps bringing extra, sometimes classes can over run, or you may find yourself spontaneously in the local pub, so bring spares of anything you might use daily such as ostomy bags, batteries and essential documents.

Most university unions have a disabled student support officer too who will be able to help with any questions or issues

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30/09/2015 00:25

INTERVIEW

Role Modelling At the age of just 20, Hannah Cockroft was breaking world records and was honoured with an MBE – more than enough to be considered a role model. We had the pleasure of catching up with her to find out more about the driving force behind her success and the recent campaigns she has been involved in that champion strong women and sport. ďƒŽ www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 19

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INTERVIEW

I

The thing with Paralympic sport is, once you’ve got your foot in the door, it opens up this entire new world

n September 2012, Hannah Cockroft, MBE and Paralympic Champion was named FHM’s sexiest Paralympian.

“As a female athlete it is always so difficult to get people to see you for your athletic talent rather than your looks,” Hannah told.

In the same week Hannah had a much greater achievement, grabbing a double gold and breaking four Paralympic records in the wheelchair racing T34 100m and 200m at the London Paralympic Games.

“As a blonde with big boobs it’s even more difficult,” Hannah laughs.

Discussing her involvement with the Panache ‘My Role Model’ campaign, Hannah recalls having some understandable worries about the prospect

of a photoshoot with the lingerie brand, but is ultimately proud of her involvement.

“It was just a massive honour, I had so much fun doing it and it’s something different. We still hear about it, it’s still everywhere so it shows that, we’ve really made a difference with this campaign,” Hannah tells us.

“When I originally got the email it was a little bit like ‘oh, I don’t really know about this, I don’t really feel very confident’. I didn’t want the pictures to be really inappropriate. I had so many questions and worries, but with every question or worry I had, the team were more than willing to talk me through it all. They sent me test shots of the pictures they’d be doing, just to show that everything they’d be doing would be very glamorous.

“I kind of made the decision that actually, how many disabled women do you see modelling lingerie? Panache asking me

directly was quite a big honour and a big opportunity, to change something in the market and show that actually, it’s alright to be a little bit different and that’s what the whole campaign was focused on.

“There’s no women that look the same and everyone is different and everyone is imperfect in their own perfect way, and that just makes everybody beautiful.

“One of the most important things for me is you can be disabled and still be beautiful and sporty and feminine. I’m not just one personality, I’m 20 different people wrapped into one body and I think everyone is like that. It was nice to show a different side and show myself out of a tracksuit.

“I remember, I decided then, I’m not going to do this as Hannah the athlete, I’m going to do this as Hannah the 23 year old girl who happens to have a disability and I’m

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INTERVIEW

The young Paralympian’s passion is perhaps what saw her sporting career take off, when whilst at a mainstream school she strived to be included in sports.

“My PE teacher heard of Harry; a boy at the next school who played wheelchair basketball, and invited his team into our school. More so that the other children could understand what it was like to be me, rather than for me to be able to join in.

“But for me, it was my pathway into sport, I learnt what Paralympic sport was and I learnt how much I loved it. I started in wheelchair basketball and played with a team for six years.“ After representing Yorkshire at the Sainsbury’s school games, Hannah was invited to a Talent ID day, where she had her first ever taste of wheelchair racing, courtesy of Dr Ian Thompson, husband of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Don’t Quit Do It With Hannah’s commitment to sport, and tales of how important it was in growing her confidence, she was approached by Irwin Mitchell earlier this year and is not only now sponsored by the serious injury lawyers, but is involved in their ‘Don’t Quit Do It’ campaign.

going to show, you should be proud of what you’ve got.”

Passion and Persistence And proud she should be, as Hannah has shown that sheer determination can get you to some amazing places.

Ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Hannah will be racing in the Athletics World Championships in Doha this October, where she will be partaking in the 100m, 400m and 800m, against what will be very similar to the Paralympic line up when it comes to Rio next year.

“If you win a gold medal at the World Championships then you are definitely on the team for Rio, you’re definitely going on that plane. There’s a lot of motivation there and it takes off a lot of pressure for 2016, just knowing that you’re on that plane, but there’s a little bit of pressure on now because you just want it so bad.”

Irwin Mitchell work with people who have a disability, or need rehabilitation. As part of their campaign they get their clients involved in sport and leisure activities and aim to show them that life can actually begin when they’re disabled.

“I’ve been disabled since birth so I know no different, but I’ve done things that my friends and other 23 year olds could only ever dream of doing and I’ve done that because I’m disabled and I’ve gone out and said, ‘this isn’t going to stop me’.

“For me, I found sport really helpful. I think sport is helpful for anybody. I use sport as ways to do my physiotherapy. Ask any disabled person and it is the bane of their life having to do all these exercises and my mum and dad went out of their way and did my exercises through dance lessons or swimming lessons and I didn’t realise at the time, but I was making my body stronger, and making my disability that little less serious. And that’s what Irwin Mitchell try

Hannah Cockroft Fun Facts Hannah has a fear of fish: “If you’re eating fish, I don’t want to sit next to you, I don’t like goldfish, I don’t like fish in the sea, I don’t like aquariums, I don’t like the smell of fish.” Even if they’re on the TV Hannah will ask you to change the channel!

Hannah is incredibly superstitious: “Before every race I have to paint my nails to match my kit or my chair, my chair has to be clean, I have to eat jelly and listen to ‘Skepta - Hold on’. Oh and I also have lucky underwear and socks!”

Hannah wanted to be a Ballerina: “Not the most realistic of ambitions in my situation but my parents scoured the area for a dance class that would accept me.

They eventually came across Dance 4 All, who allowed me to join their creative dance classes, where I stayed for 13 years of lessons, shows and hard work.

The dance lessons helped greatly with my mobility and flexibility and were, in effect, an enjoyable form of physiotherapy as I was able to be among friends.”

to encourage through their whole idea of sport.

“Sport is fun, and especially if you were sporty before your accident there is no reason to lose that personality trait. I think with the Paralympics in 2012 that has been an idea that has been thrown out into the world and people truly believe that now, that you can be disabled and still be really amazing at sport.”

Hannah believes wholeheartedly in the campaign, as she goes on to explain how important she feels sport is, not in rehabilitation, but building some important life skills.

“It’s a really important campaign I think, because it does send out that message and it also shows how much they support people with disabilities and just the idea that disabled people are equals and we are equal members of society, we can do anything we want and we can do anything we set our minds to really. “

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30/09/2015 00:25

ADOPTION

Finding a Forever Fa m i ly Nelson Mandela, John Lennon and Eleanor Roosevelt are all iconic figures and examples of greatness in their fields.

However, they are also all examples of children who were adopted. All have been quoted saying that without their adoptive parents they would never have achieved what they did.

N

ational Adoption Week will be commencing in a few short weeks. During 19 - 25 October 2015, there will be nationwide drives and appeals for more couples and families to consider adopting. Adopting a child or teen and raising them as your own, is one of the most selfless acts that anyone can do, giving a child a quality of life that would otherwise be denied to them.

Adoption is a way of providing a ‘forever home’ to children whose birth family can’t take care of them anymore and can change the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

Today, the majority of adoptions in the UK involve less fortunate teens and sibling groups. Even though adoption numbers are rising, there are still so many children

looking for life-long care from a loving family. There are many websites, magazines and agencies that have vast amounts of children on their databases that are waiting to be homed. Sadly, many are forgotten about and spend their childhood in a turbulent journey from home to home.

According to CoramBAAF, by the end of 31 March 2014, 5,050 looked after children were adopted. However, only 10 of those children were disabled, that’s a total of 0.2%. If you compare that to the 72% of children who were adopted from backgrounds of abuse or neglect, there is a desperate need for families for disabled children.

Many people think that they wouldn’t be eligible to adopt when, in fact, it is a very



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ADOPTION

wide range of backgrounds and lifestyles that are encouraged to help give children a ‘forever family’. The adoption process doesn’t discriminate against sexuality, disability, religious beliefs, marital status, age or whether you’re a homeowner or renting.

Disabled adoptive parents are always thought of as excellent role models and strong-willed parents. It is recognised that their life experiences give them a unique insight into the lives of children in care, who often have a sense of feeling ‘different’ or may also have a disability.

According to Adoption UK, they say: “Living alongside a disability in the context of positive relationships can teach children the importance of inclusivity and how to value difference.

“A medical advisor will assess the information that has been provided through a medical on a disabled applicant and an assessing social worker will also explore with [the hopeful parent] any potential impact this may have on parenting and how these would be managed.”

agency, you will begin by agreeing a Prospective Adopter Plan. This outlines certain responsibilities and expectations that yourself and the agency must follow for this stage of the process. They will then collect basic information from you, such as: • Information on you and your household • Information on you and, if you have one, your partner • Names of three referees that the agency can contact, two of which can’t be related to you • Information on the children you would be open to adopting Your GP and an agency appointed medical advisor will then perform checks in order to see if you are prepared for the rigours of parenting, this is also followed by a police background check to clear you

Is adoption for you The first and most important question to ask yourself when you are considering adoption is; is it right for you?

Some people dive into the process without considering if adopting a child, usually with pre-existing problems, is really what fits in with their lives. Talk to people who are going through or have been through the process and learn from their real life experiences and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Research some of the agencies in your area and ask for some information from the professionals who deal with the process every day.

Make sure you outline what support you have available to you. This is a tremendous undertaking and you will undoubtedly need help from family, friends and local services. Look into what types of children are needing adopted, would you consider adopting a child with additional needs, an older child or teen or a sibling group?

These are questions you need to ask yourself and will your background or lifestyle allow for children like these.

If you do decide that adoption is the right path for you, the process can be a long and complicated journey.

However, there are ways of navigating the system legally and correctly with the appropriate support. The first step is to choose an agency. There are over 500 registered professional agencies, volunteer agencies and local authorities on the databases of CoramBAAF all over the UK. It is important to pick an agency that is right for you and you feel confident in. The whole process is emotional, so having an agency there that will help you and you have a rapport with is a solid starting point.

The Adoption Process As potential parents, you undergo the first basic checks after you have registered with an agency, this will take roughly two months. If you are accepted by your chosen

She has a lovely, funny and mischievous personality. She gives so much laughter, happiness and joy

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ADOPTION

of any criminal convictions or cautions that could prove harmful for a child entering your home.

The next stage involves attending a lot of preparation groups, where you will explore the benefits and challenges of your upcoming life with other new and experienced adopters. This will end in the decision by the agency, based on the information you have given, then you can move onto the four month long approval stage.

This stage will include ‘home studies’ and lengthy conversations with your social worker. The aim here is to find out the ‘real you’. The ‘you’ who the child will be living with. They will discover all about your past, your childhood, your relationships with family and friends, essentially sussing out if you are going to be a healthy match for a child. If you pass this stage you will go to a panel to be approved. Then after a tough and emotional process, it’s down to your agency to match you with a child.

“Adoption is talked about freely in our household, with Ellie knowing she has a birth mum and dad and also two sisters. We thought it was important for Ellie to meet up with her birth family, rather than have just letter box contact with them.

Once you have been matched you will go through the formality of introductory visits with the child before they officially move in and you can go through the courts to make them your child by law.

Ellie, who is now 19, has also reflected on her full and exciting life with her family and with help from her mum she was eager to talk about it. Ellie said: “I love going on family holidays, especially when it means going in an aeroplane. I enjoy being out and about with other members of the family and going to various clubs and groups with them all.

Parents who know this process only too well are Janet and Keith Jones. They adopted Ellie, who has Down’s syndrome, at four months old. Janet said: “We decided to adopt because we felt we could give a child with a disability a loving home, having gained experience of having a birth son with a disability. We also gained knowledge by working alongside our son in playschool and education settings.

“We found the process of adoption very interesting. We had great support from Barnardo’s and we were matched with Ellie as soon as we were approved. Our social worker at the time already had Ellie’s details and linked her to us.

“When Ellie was 10 months old she contracted croup and had pneumonia and was on a life support machine for three weeks. Thankfully, she survived and has been in perfect health since. She has a lovely, funny and mischievous personality. She gives so much laughter, happiness and joy.

“Our family’s view on adoption is very positive. Our daughter and son in-law have been approved to adopt a child with a disability. We are all excitedly awaiting the new arrival.”

“I love being in a big family and we all get on so well. I enjoy the birthdays, party celebrations, and the many activities we do together.”

Javed Khan, the CEO for Barnardo’s, who have a highly successful rate of approved adoptions, said: “Disabled children wait longer than average to find loving families.

“Here at Barnardo’s we specialise in finding, training and supporting adopters who can provide the love, safety and security disabled children so deserve.

“Our adopters transform the lives of disabled children, and I’ve heard first-hand about the love and joy these children bring to their families.”

Giving a child a ‘forever home’ has been shown to be fulfilling and rewarding by many parents. Not only will you be able to teach, love and care for a child that might not have had the best start in life but they can teach, love and care for you too.

If you are thinking of adopting a child please visit the websites below for more information: CoramBAAF www.baaf.org.uk Barnardos Adoption Service www.barnardos.org.uk/fostering andadoption www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 25

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FITNESS

A West Midlands woman says a specialist gym saved her after she was suddenly left paralysed.

TAKING CONTROL

W

ith no conclusive diagnosis and treatment available, Tabitha Fung started undertaking bespoke classes and training programmes at Sandwell Leisure Trust’s Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, near Birmingham - a centre of excellence for people with disabilities and one of the few ‘Excellent’ accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) facilities in the Midlands.

In just six months the 32 year old has dropped two dress sizes, has a lot more energy and confidence, drives an adapted car, has been on holiday to Turkey on her own, started work again and is now finally back on her feet and using a frame to walk round with at home. She has also started writing a blog that tracks her progress.

Tabi says: “Before joining Portway I had no idea what I could or couldn’t do and I’ve surprised myself at my abilities. It’s transformed my life and is definitely the best thing I could have done. The staff there are so helpful and knowledgeable, like my personal trainer, Scott.”

Tabi uses a wheelchair after suddenly losing the feeling in her legs in May 2014.

Doctors were left baffled by the unexplained paralysis, but she was eventually told she had multiple

degenerative changes of the spine, plus protruding discs that caused impaired sensation and mobility of her limbs. They couldn’t pin-point a definite diagnosis or treatment, but Portway has managed to concentrate her training programme around exercise types and protocols specific to her needs and goals.

Scott explains: “Although there are spinal issues with Tabi her spinal cord is still intact, so I have focused on improving her core, muscles which deal with stability and balance. We also needed to address posture imbalances and muscle overuse brought on by the wheelchair. I evaluated her movement patterns and identified weaknesses and strengths, plus I noted she has the ability to move on all planes of movement at her trunk. Our Synrgy 360 station is ideal for this as it combines several pieces of kit and dynamic exercises that allow us to train these specific movement patterns and improve Tabi’s everyday life and performance.”

and help. Everyone in the area who has a similar disability to me, or other mobility issues, needs to know what a fantastic facility this is.

“Thanks to Portway I’m now taking the first steps to a full recovery and feel strong enough to reduce my medication. In my head, 2015 is the year I fully regain control of my life, whether I’m in a wheelchair or not.”

To find out more visit: www.slt-leisure.co.uk/leisure-centre/ portway-lifestyle-centre

Tabi adds: “I started out joining the gym just for me, but have since discovered that my Portway journey and blog has inspired other people to get motivated and try things they have never done before. Scott tells me he’s been forwarding it on to people for inspiration and ideas and others have even stopped me in the centre to ask about it, so I’m only too pleased to listen

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30/09/2015 00:26

SPORT FOCUS

Swimming

Athletics - Jordan Okonta (GB) with GB athletics coaches Ed McLoone and Ellen Baldwin

Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015 Peter Rimmer took to Los Angeles earlier this year to witness the amazing performances of those involved in this year’s Games.

All images © Peter Rimmer

Athletics - Jennifer Kitchener (GB)

T

he Special Olympics

World Summer Games took place in Los Angeles this summer and saw 500,000 spectators watch 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 177 countries compete in 25 sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Kayaking, Open Water Swimming, Powerlifting, Sailing, Softball, Roller Skating, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon and Volleyball.

Great Britain finished with a total of 179 medals at the biggest ever Special Olympics where 115 competitors from Special Olympics GB won 68 golds, 69 silvers and 42 bronze medals across 19 sports, including 36 medals for Britain’s rhythmic gymnastics squad.

Athletics - Daniel Wolff (GB), gold medallist

But medals are not the true measure of success in the Special Olympics. There was ample evidence in Los Angeles that

through the power of sport, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success, and their own opportunities to make sporting history. For example, Daniel Wolff from Surrey who won gold in the 400m - 79 years after his great-grandfather Frederick Wolff did the same in the 4x400m relay at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Or, the smile on the face of the young badminton player from Iran when she won a point against a much more experienced opponent. Or, the team spirit of the GB basketball team who came from behind in each of their three qualifying games to reach the final and defeat China for a second time to win gold.

Special Olympics are held every two years, alternating between Summer Games and Winter Games. A direct descendant of the July 1968 event organised by its founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics has grown to touch more than 4.4 million athletes annually worldwide. Where the Paralympics provides sports competitions for elite level disabled athletes with physical and sensory disabilities,

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Basketball - GB v Italy

Athletics - 100m start

Judo - Mongolia on top

Softball - India v Australia

Bocce - USA

including intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics fosters community sport year-round at all levels for those with intellectual disabilities.

generally includes three steps: by gender, by age and by ability. All finishers receive an award, with medals for the first three places and ribbons for places 4-8.

One of the unique aspects of the Special Olympics World Games is the “divisioning� process. Unlike competitions such as the Olympic or Paralympic Games, where athletes entered in a specific event will move through elimination rounds toward a final competition, every World Games race or tournament is a competition in itself.

Competitors and teams participate in a series of preliminary competitions to determine the creation of competition divisions with a minimum of three to a maximum of eight entrants. The divisioning process, under supervision of the Special Olympics sport technical delegate,

The ultimate goal of the Special Olympics is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society. By offering a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sport and by increasing public awareness of their capabilities and needs, attention on disability fades away. Instead, athletes’ talents and abilities emerge through the opportunity to show who they really are.

For more information, visit www.specialolympics.org and www.la2015.org.

Equestrian - Trinidad & Tobago

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29/09/2015 22:56

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30/09/2015 00:26

INTERVIEW

The World's Worst Place To Be Disabled?

This BBC Three documentary aired in July this year and showed Sophie Morgan visiting the West African country of Ghana to explore the treatment of disabled people living there.

T

his was a hard documentary to watch.

From the very beginning you know you are in for some harrowing truths as Sophie manages to uncover the stark reality for people with disabilities living in Ghana today.

We spoke to Sophie about her time there and she explained to us that Ghana was chosen for the documentary because both the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the United Nations (UN) named Ghana as one of the worst places they had come across in terms of the treatment of disabled people.

She remembers a five year old girl who was crying, shackled to a tree, she had been there for three days with no water or food.

She defecated there and slept there

Sophie speaks to Shantha Rau Bariga, Director of Disability Rights at the HRW at the start of the documentary and she explains to Sophie that she wouldn’t have believed the things she witnessed if she hadn’t seen them with her own eyes.

In an article Shantha Rau Bariga wrote for the Huffington Post in June this year she tells of the inhumane conditions at a prayer camp she visited where children and adults were chained to trees, starving and in need of medical help.

She remembers a five year old girl who was crying, shackled to a tree, she had been there for three days with no water or food.

She defecated there and slept there.

Shantha wrote: “I was overwhelmed with shock, anger, sadness, disbelief. How could these children -- and adults I also saw there -- be put in shackles, deprived of food and water and essentially treated worse than animals? And why was there no Government oversight of these camps?”

This is the question on everyone’s lips.

How can these atrocities go on in the 21st century? Why are the Government in Ghana not addressing these issues? Will it ever change?

Journey of Discovery Ghana is a prosperous country with a stable economy. However, an estimated 80% of 

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INTERVIEW

Blessing was abandoned by her parents

the 2.5million people living with a disability are living below the poverty line.

Sophie shows us that for most people with a disability, begging is the only option to make ends meet. Near the beginning of the documentary she meets a young man called Adamson who is a wheelchair user and he spends his time weaving in and out of traffic on the busy road by the airport, stopping cars to ask for money.

Francis Akoto was kept hidden in a room for 15 years. He passed away in July 2015 at the age of just 30.

On a bad day Adamson will only make the equivalent of £2, an amount that won’t even get him home in a taxi which would cost about £10 and public transport is not an option, as we are shown when the bus drivers openly laugh at the prospect of trying to include Sophie and Adamson in their vehicle.

We are then shown Adamson’s ‘home’, essentially a patch on the street where he erects a makeshift tent to cover him when he sleeps. He has a friend who he pays each week to look after his belongings everyday.

Amongst his belongings are his well read bible, no doubt his only comfort in a world where he is treated as though he does not matter.

Sophie then travels to a rural village to meet Francis Akoto, a 30-year-old man who can’t walk. He tells Sophie that he has remained in the same room for 15 years because no-one will help him go out. When talking of his family he confides: “They think I’m hopeless, they have no use for me. I hate it, but what can I do.”

Sophie tells us that this was the person who affected her most: “For me the hardest part was meeting Francis, who had been confined to his room, hidden by his family for over 15 years. Francis had become physically impaired aged 15 and his family abandoned him due to the stigma that surrounds disability and of course the social, attitudinal and access barriers that his disability caused. It was heartbreaking to speak with

him and to know that he had really been left to die.

He passed away only 9 months later, this July.”

Spiritual and Cultural Beliefs It becomes apparent in the documentary early on that disability is seen to be a ‘curse’ of some sort, the work of the spirits or the devil. Some people even believe that if a baby is born with a disability it is because people have been jealous of the mother. These beliefs may seem outrageous to us, but they are so ingrained into Ghana’s society that most people will attend prayer camps for spiritual healing before they would seek help from Western medicine. Their faith is so strong that parents remain hopeful that spiritual guidance and healing will help their children, they truly believe that these prayer camps are the best option. An unwavering faith that many would envy.

Posters for spiritual leaders and prayer camps line the roads, but these prayer camps are not what you would assume. Sophie visited one of the largest camps, Edumfa, and spoke with someone who explained that about 60 people would come to this camp everyday for healing. Sophie asks if they could ‘heal’ her and he seems confident that she could be ‘bewitched’.

Unfortunately they were not allowed to film at Edumfa.

This brought Sophie to a Muslim prayer camp led by Madame Irene who claims to be a Muslim spiritualist, healing people with herbal mixtures and prayer. Here we see adults chained to posts, one girl is physically hit after being forced to take some ‘medicine’ and we hear

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INTERVIEW

Sophie told us it was hard to speak to these people: “I tried so so hard to maintain my composure, especially when talking to those people who believed that disabled children were ‘not human’ and should be ‘returned to the Gods’. I tried to respect the cultural differences, but ultimately genocide is genocide and it’s hard to forgive people who condone the murder of children - no matter how disabled they may be.”

A Glimmer of Hope

the desperate screams of a young girl.

The child who is screaming has just received a herbal liquid medicine in her eyes, ears and nose. It transpires that seven-year-old Charlotte has epilepsy and her mother, whose tear-stricken face belies years of pain and desperation, has visited several prayer camps and paid in excess of £800 for treatment, but to no avail.

It becomes apparent at this point that these prayer camps are a lucrative business and in my opinion they are taking advantage of people’s faith and beliefs.

Murder in Disguise It is at this Muslim prayer centre that Sophie discovers the horrendous truth of what happens to disabled babies.

Speaking to a man who worked there, he openly shares with her that parents bring their disabled babies here and leave them for three days, after which they are ‘returned to the spirits’. Sophie manages to extract that he was simply telling her that they kill disabled children. He casually agrees to this statement and outlines the process of the ‘rituals’ they undergo before ‘the river comes for them’. Translated, this means they are given a poison, dumped in a nearby river and left to die.

Sophie also visited a fetish priest who openly confirmed that he would perform this same process on disabled children. And he is paid to do it.

Amongst the atrocities and darkness uncovered in this documentary, Sophie manages to find two shining lights. Sister Elizabeth and Mr Barima. Sister Elizabeth runs a rehabilitation clinic for people with disabilities and we see wonderful shots of the children taking part in physio exercises, running around in the open and looking happy. She explains that this clinic, which offers Western medicine and treatment, is often a last resort for people as the prayer camps are always the first port of call. Sadly this means that in some cases it can be too late for certain treatments or prevention of further problems.

Mr Barima has been working for years to protect disabled children in Ghana. He runs the Physically Challenged Action Centre with no Government funding whatsoever. They accommodate 80-90 people with disabilities and support them to learn new skills like dress-making, tailoring and agriculture work, to enable them to gain independence and seek work.

The selfless work of Sister Elizabeth and Mr Barima touched Sophie so much that she has set up a charitable trust to raise funds for these organisations. If you would like to support these organisations visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/ philanthropy-through-children-s-fashion#/story.

Will it ever change?

Personally, I found his documentary really hard to watch. In this day and age I struggle with the realisation that such cruelty, violence and distorted views can exist. The bare-faced murder of children is something that cannot be ignored. In my eyes the Ghanaian Government is guilty of these murders and atrocities by ignoring these issues and turning a blind eye. I understand that problems like these will not be solved overnight, it’s a societal and attitudinal change that will be very difficult to achieve, but they must try.

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COMPETITION

Flat Spaces are offering the readers of PosAbility a chance to win a seven night luxurious, fully accessible, break in the scenic countryside of Hampshire.

WIN! Flat Spaces is a totally new and exciting concept for travel for people with disabilities. Designed by people with disabilities to be used by disabled travellers, Flat Spaces is a state of the art, fully accessible three bedroom holiday bungalow. Located in Hampshire and opened by TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, Flat Spaces is the first of what is planned to be many internally identical, completely flat holiday bungalows located around the country.

table and worktop housing the sink, cooker hob and microwave. We are confident that the majority of our disabled holiday makers, family, friends and carers will be able to holiday at our bungalow in the knowledge that all their needs will be catered for.

Hampshire is home to a variety of different accessible day trips and activities.

Only a short distance away from the Flat Spaces cottage are countryside trails, The Watercress Line Steam Railway, historic towns and family attractions.

The bungalow is equipped with an OpeMed ceiling hoist with a straight track linking the first bedroom, with a king size bed, to the 17sqm wet room. It also links to the second bedroom which has two electric profiling beds with sides. These bedrooms are 5m, enabling electric wheelchair users to navigate with ease. The large wet room is well equipped and includes a Clos-o-Mat Lima Lift rise and fall shower toilet, a rise and fall Pressalit wash basin, bath and wheel-in shower. Bedroom three is a twin room with its own wet room and all bedrooms have TVs. The spacious open-plan living area/ wheelchair accessible kitchen is well equipped and includes a rise and fall dining

Q

Which TV Personality opened the Flat Spaces bungalow?

a) Keith Chegwin b) Alan Titchmarsh c) Noel Edmonds

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize simply answer the question correctly andwww.posabilitymagazine.co.uk return your details to the 28

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A week in a fully accessible bungalow in Hampshire!

In a fantastic location with many local attractions, this is an ideal base to visit the South of England. Flat Spaces Foundation is a newly formed charity to enable people with disabilities to travel with access assured.

For more information visit www.flatspaces.co.uk.

Terms & Conditions The prize consists of 7 night’s accommodation for up to six people, Friday to Friday in Flat Spaces Hampshire to be taken before 31 Dec 2016, excluding bank holidays and school holidays and subject to availability. The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable and nonrefundable. We will ask for a refundable security deposit of £250 which is returned after your stay. Only one entry per person. Deadline for entries will be 30/11/2015.

following address, email posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com or visit www.posabilitymagazine. co.uk to enter online.

Name:

Flat Spaces Competition PosAbility Magazine Caledonia House Evanton Drive Thornliebank Ind. Est. Glasgow G46 8JT

Postcode:

Address:

Tel: Email: ü

Flat Spaces would like to send you more information about their services. If you would prefer not to receive this, please tick the box.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 47

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PRODUCTS

HOT STUFF We bring you a mix of the most innovative and helpful products on the market today Prices available on request

küschall Champion The küschall Champion offers all the benefits of a high end rigid chair – lightweight, easy to propel, stylish aesthetics – with the added benefit of folding.

Adjustability and quality are the hallmark of küschall products, meaning the küschall Champion can be set up to suit any individual preferences and be trusted to perform time and again. A

cleverly engineered folding mechanism has resulted in a chair that boasts levels of rigidity to match any fixed frame.

Lightweight, with a soft lockable folding backrest and quick release wheels, the küschall Champion is easy to dismantle, breaking down to an easily manageable package for transportation or storage.

Available in carbon, titanium or aluminium frames, the küschall

Champion is complemented by a host of options and accessories and in a range of modern küschall frame colours.

Discover your own küschall Champion today.

Invacare Ltd 01656 776222 uk@invacare.com www.invacare.co.uk

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PRODUCTS

Defiant Beauty Skincare Range British beauty brand Defiant Beauty by Jennifer Young was created in order to meet the needs of cancer patients. Women don’t stop being women when they get cancer, but they do fear what ordinary beauty brands do to their skin because of the ingredients they contain. Jennifer Young understands that women can become sensitive to their usual brands and with this in mind, created Defiant Beauty. The range is specifically formulated using minimal ingredients, which are oil based and offer skin-healing properties. Vitamin E helps stabilise the product, Shea butter and mango butter softens skin whilst calendula oil soothes. Other skin-nourishing oils include macadamia, jojoba and rosehip oil. Jennifer combines her knowledge from all areas of science and applies them to skin. The Defiant Beauty range uses minimal ingredients, is oil-based, fragrance-free and also free from preservatives.

Prices from ÂŁ4

Beauty Despite Cancer 0800 999 8518 info@jenniferyoung.co.uk www.beautydespitecancer.co.uk

Genie V2 Standing Wheelchair Providing independence and comfort through standing, the Genie V2 can revolutionise the users day to day life and wellbeing. Each Genie is produced bespoke to the individual’s needs and requirements.

From made to measure upholstery to our wide range of posture supports, comfort aids and optional accessories.

V2 allows a user to stand or recline in comfort and at their convenience.

The Genie can revolutionise day to day life for many, from performing tasks in and around the home, talking to friends at eye level and even returning to the workplace as many of our Genie users have.

Providing independence and a better quality of life.

Standing can help maintain many aspects of good health, provide personal independence and aid vital pressure management. The Genie

Easyrise Ltd 01952 610300 www.geniewheelchair.co.uk

Prices available on request

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PRODUCTS

multisonic InfraControl Nebuliser A small and handy ultrasonic nebuliser, that is portable for easy use at home or away with a fully encapsulated design. The intelligent infra-red control enables ultrasonic generation of very small droplets of medicine which can penetrate the alveoli to match the breathing pattern of the patient. Optimal effects are achieved with sparing usage of the medicinal product. It also comes with a bag and optional batteries.

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

Ring Pull Can Opener

Prices from £3.25

This handy gadget makes light work of tough can ring pulls.

This product is ideal for those who have limited function of their hands and fingers. It can help make the cooking process easy for those with arthritis or poor fine motor skills. Easy and safe use for children too as it keeps hands away from sharp edges. Simple to use with an easy grip rubber handle, the can opener is dishwasher safe and affordable.

Mobility & Bathroom Solutions 01489 584443 www.mobilitybathroomsolutions.com sales@mobilitybathroomsolutions.co.uk

Ideal for patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic diseases of the airways.

Easy to operate, the effective inhalation device is safe and hygienic.

Prices from £42.50

The multisonic InfraControl provides patients with respiratory disorders with effective relief from their symptoms.

The unit can nebulise all agents commonly used in respiratory therapy and is extremely economic in use.

PureLifestyleWonders 02035982689 info@purelifestylewonders.co.uk www.purelifestylewonders.com

Mat-On-Guard The Mat-On-Guard Care At Home is ideal to use for someone with dementia, special needs or a patient who is being supported at home by a carer or family member.

The Mat-On-Guard is a wireless pressure mat sensor complete with chime receivers and it forms an effective monitoring system that helps the carer ensure the safety of a patient and helps to manage the risk of falls or wandering.

The mat, that now includes a special grip mat to prevent slipping, is placed on the floor in a convenient spot on the floor, at the base of a bed or in front of a chair. The chime receiver units can be used all around the house. The mat will be activated and the chime will sound when the patient steps out of bed. When pressure is applied on the sensor mat, the chime on the receiver monitor unit will be activated and alert a nearby carer that the patient is out of bed.

Prices from £650

Power Options Ltd 020 8660 6404 info@grandoffers.co.uk www.grandoffers.co.uk

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Wheelable Winner of the 2015 NAEP Product Innovation award, the Wheelable is a truly unique solution to the age old problem of travel. Just six clicks folds the stylish wheelchair commode into a lightweight, compact, carry-on bag which can be taken anywhere you go.

Six more clicks unfolds the Wheelable into a solid wheeled commode that fits over standard toilets and can also be used in level access showers. The solid plastic design, reinforced with stainless steel components gives the Wheelable a solid feel and a 100kg safe working load.

Prices available on request

The innovative design using the latest plastic moulding techniques means the Wheelable weighs in at a skinny 11kg. So wherever you wish to travel, the Wheelable is the perfect travel companion.

The Wheelable is available with a commode pan, a full seat (for showering only) and a stylish suitcase style carry bag as optional extras.

For a demonstration of this product you can call Wheelable on 01257 472255 or visit www.wheelable.co.uk

Stickman Wristbands Prices from £6

A pack of three wide silicone wristbands, in traffic light colours, which allow you to let people know how you are without them asking or you having to explain. Green reads: “Today is fabulous! It’s a maximum ability day. Orange reads: “Today isn’t amazing, but it’s not too bad either.”

Red reads: “Today is tough, Tomorrow should be better.” All feature appropriate stickman faces.

Coloured silicone wristbands, printed with a white design. Each pack contains one red, one orange and one green. The width of the band is 24mm.

Stickman Communications 07717454648 admin@stickmancommunications.co.uk www.stickmancommunications.co.uk

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25th and 26th Nov 2015 NEC Birmingham theotshow.com

Stand E20 ‘live hands on demonstrations’

@QuantumRehabUK

#ileveluk

A Seat Lift with a Difference...

• 10” of elevation in 24 seconds while at walking speed up to 3.5 mph • Advanced functionality and stability strengthens daily independence and quality of life • Improves the health, social interaction and independence • Operate the seat lift whilst driving the power chair.

Tel: 01869 324600 Email: sales@quantumrehab.co.uk Web: www.quantumrehab.co.uk

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25/09/2015 00:29 16:10 30/09/2015

TRAVEL

travel advice Andy Wright, managing director of Accessible Travel and Leisure, has a wealth of knowledge about travelling and knows firsthand about the problems many disabled people can face. Each issue Andy will provide us with advice on common problems of travel and will welcome questions from PosAbility readers.

Financial support for holidaymakers with MS The MS Society are able to provide funding to purchase holidays by taking advantage of the MS Society’s Short Breaks and Activities (SBA) Fund. The fund provides grants to people with MS and/ or their carers to access the sort of holiday they choose, whatever that may be. It can be used to contribute towards the cost of short breaks, respite care and other activities for people with MS, their carers and families.

For some people with MS and their carers, arranging a holiday can be a daunting prospect. Other people may know what they want to do, but need some financial assistance to achieve this. As a result, the MS Society can now give grants towards holidays and respite care, if there is no health or social services funding available.

Holidays and Short breaks aim to support carers caring for a family member, partner or friend in taking a break in a variety of ways giving both the carer, and the person cared for, positive results. In the past, respite has meant a break in a care home or nursing home, but times have changed and a break can come in many forms; a time to rest and recharge your batteries, or a chance to experience new things. You might like to take a break with your loved one, maybe with some extra support, or you might like the idea of pursuing separate activities.

What Accessible Travel & Leisure can help with: • Planned and emergency respite care/ short breaks • Holidays • Additional costs of equipment hire and accessible accommodation • Transport needed to enable a holiday or short break To find out more about financial assistance from the MS Society, contact your local branch or the grants team at the MS Society’s national office in London on 020 8438 0700. If you live in Scotland, contact the grants team in Edinburgh on 0131 335 4050.

As soon as you receive confirmation from the MS Society that your funding assistance has been approved by the grants team, contact Accessible Travel and Leisure on 01452 729739 or visit www.accessibletravel.co.uk and we will help to organise a holiday to suit your requirements.

To view Andy’s Top Tips for air travel visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk.

Travel, the UK’s only Care Inspectorate registered Travel Company, we can now provide support to those with learning or physical disabilities.

With a pool of experienced care staff who can assist with personal care tasks, medication, mobility, moving and handling, emotional support, companionship, keeping you safe and much more, you can now be confident that you no longer have to cope on your own without assistance.

Our travel companions can pick you up at your home, hotel or meet you at your departure destination and provide travel assistance with all aspects of your trip - from baggage handling, to check in, security and even accompanying you on your flight.

Everything you need to get you safely and comfortably to your final destination.

For further information please contact Accessible Travel and Leisure on 01452 729739.

Accessible Travel & Leisure can now offer carers and travelling companions Accessible Travel and Leisure are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer experienced care staff and travelling companions to assist you on our holidays.

As a result of an alliance with Altogether www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 43

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ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

Why not try an accessible river cruise for your next holiday?

Have you ever wanted to step back in time and cruise through Germany’s stunning Rhine Gorge, explore the charming medieval towns and learn some of the legendary tales of these magical waters? The Rhine is famous for its spectacular scenery, with magnificent cliff top castles, pretty riverside villages and historic towns and following the overwhelming success of our 2015 river cruise sailings, Accessible Travel and Leisure are happy to announce more exciting itineraries for 2016.

The MS Alegria is a very special river cruiser, being the only ship available to British passengers sailing on the Rhine, which provides facilities for the less mobile and wheelchair users. Accessible Travel and Leisure are exclusively able to offer you a range of itineraries on the MS Alegria for 2016, which include UK departures via an accessible coach.

The ship has a total of 50 cabins offering a variety of options to suit individual needs and requirements. With its own spacious lift, the MS Alegria can take passengers in wheelchairs, scooters, or using mobility aids, from their cabin deck to the promenade deck, where the first class restaurant, library and cosy bar are located. The accessible lifts also go up to the large sun deck, allowing unrivalled spectacular views of the magnificent surrounding scenery.

With over 15 years’ experience providing fully audited, wheelchair accessible holidays all over the world, Accessible Travel and Leisure has acquired the necessary expertise and understanding to ensure each of our holidays meets your access expectations. As I’m sure you can appreciate, many of the historic towns and places of interest we include in our itineraries were not necessarily constructed with wheelchair users in mind, but each itinerary offered has been assessed for its access and suitability.

So why not take the opportunity to experience the wonders of a European river cruise in 2016.

Amazing value for money • Adapted coaches departing from the UK - no flying required • A variety of adapted cabins to suit individual requirements • Manual/electric wheelchairs and scooters welcome on-board • Collection and return service of mobility aids, from your cabin • Wide corridors and spacious public areas • Fully trained and knowledgeable staff • Wheelchair accessible dockings - no tenders or big queues to leave the ship • Wheelchair accessible excursions • Equipment hire available • Casual dress code - no dinner jacket required

Prices from

£1,656pp

(based upon 2 persons sharing an accessible cabin)

2016 scheduled sailings: 4th - 11th May - Rhine in Flames cruise 18th - 24th July – Dutch Waterways & Hollands Hidden Treasures 15th - 22nd September - Majestic Rhine cruise

In addition Accessible Travel and Leisure will also be offering the following Accessible Coach Tours: 13th - 20th April – Amsterdam & Dutch Bulbfields 18th - 25th June – Scotland Explorer Prices from £1185 per person.

All on sale from 9th November. To pre-register your interest, or to find out more information, please contact Accessible Travel and Leisure on 01452 729739 or visit our website www.accessibletravel.co.uk

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Example of a 2015 Rhine River itinerary: Wednesday – UK to Bonn

Depart the UK to join the MS Alegria in Bonn. You can settle into the relaxed atmosphere of this wonderful ship.

Thursday – Bonn to Koblenz

In the morning we head to Koblenz, which sits on the corner where the Rhine meets the Moselle. Here you will see spectacular views across the two rivers, you can take a cable car ride from the town centre to the fortress across the Rhine or explore the city, steeped in history and culture.

Friday – Koblenz to Rudesheim

As we travel to Rudesheim we take in the Loreley Rock, where the beautiful Loreley lured navigators to their doom with her singing. Once in Rudesheim explore the famous Drosselgasse and sample the locally made wine.

Saturday – Rudesheim to Andernach

Marvel at the green hills, castles and forts as we cruise through the Rhine Gorge. Explore the town streets that date back to 11th century along with the spectacular St Mary’s Cathedral.

Sunday – Andernach to Cologne

Testimonials from passengers who travelled on the Rhine River cruise in 2015: We just wanted to thank you, as well as Steve and Joy, for another very enjoyable week on the water. From our point of view we seem to have been a pleasant enough group of people, hopefully we weren’t all too high maintenance. As always it was good to know that there were helpful hands available if need be. It is still a very easy holiday for us, I even got to read a whole book!

With very best wishes, David & Caroline It was lovely meeting you and Joy, and thanks so much for such a good holiday. The organisation and amount of work you put in before and during the cruise was exceptional and it was nice for us to meet other ‘normal’ people who cannot walk so we could compare notes and make new friends. We especially loved the captain who was so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

Thanks again for all the time and effort you put in to make the trip so special.

Pauline & Trevor

This morning we relax as we cruise to the charming riverside town of Bonn, the former West German capital where modern edifices sit alongside historic buildings. Arriving before lunch gives you time to explore or take our coach tour to Cologne’s mighty cathedral.

Monday – Cologne to Bonn to Dusseldorf

We arrive in Dusseldorf in the morning. Be sure to join our tour, where we will have the opportunity to visit the historic town famous for is bustling atmosphere and attractive market place. After lunch sit back and enjoy our cruise to Nijmegen.

Tuesday – Nijmegen to Rotterdam

This morning we head to Rotterdam the world’s second largest port, it has been significantly rebuilt after much World War II destruction and some of its architecture is quite innovative and at night enjoy the city’s dramatic illuminated skyline.

Wednesday – Rotterdam to UK

After breakfast we will say goodbye to the MS Alegria and disembark and travel back to the UK.

What’s included?

• Return coach travel from London or Maidstone • Welcome drink • Hot and cold buffet breakfast • Four course lunch and evening meal • Complimentary afternoon tea and coffee • Complimentary wine with the evening meal • Complimentary local brand beer, house wine, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee served • Captains farewell dinner and cocktails • Midnight snack • Entertainment on-board • Full services of an Accessible Travel Cruise Manager

Not Included

• Optional excursions • Gratuities • Regional UK transfers • Flights and transfers as an alternative to coach travel to the ship • Travel insurance • Equipment hire.

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Award Winning Care Homes

Care homes for people with learning disabilities/ physical disabilities/neurological conditions

Sussex Healthcare is an award winning group of care homes providing 30 years of healthcare in Sussex. The Group operates 20 homes, predominantly in the West Sussex area, providing over 550 placements, incorporating specialist care provision as well as care for older people.

Care for older people Clemsfold House Forest Lodge Horncastle House Kingsmead Care Centre Longfield Manor Rapkyns Care Home Upper Mead

Horsham Nutley East Grinstead Horsham Billingshurst Horsham Henfield

01403 790312 01825 712514 01342 810219 01403 265335 01403 786832 01403 265096 01273 492870

Beechcroft Care Centre and Hazel Lodge

East Grinstead

01342 300499

Beech Lodge and Oak Lodge

Horsham

01403 791725

Horncastle Care Centre

East Grinstead

01342 813910

Kingsmead Care Centre

Horsham

01403 265335

Kingsmead Lodge

Horsham

01403 211790

Norfolk Lodge

Horsham

01403 218876

Orchard Lodge and Boldings Lodge

Horsham

01403 242278

Rapkyns Care Centre

Horsham

01403 276756

Rapkyns Care Home

Horsham

01403 265096

Redwood House

Horsham

01403 790948

Sycamore Lodge

Horsham

01403 240066

White Lodge

Croydon

02087 632586

Wisteria Lodge and Stable Lodge

Nutley

01825 714080

Woodhurst Lodge

Crawley

01444 401228

STOP PRESS: Brand new purpose built services now available to view for anyone wishing to arrange a visit. The service provision includes specialist care facilities for people with acquired brain Injury, profound learning and physical disabilities, and new residential services for people with Autism.

Great care starts with great people – are you one of them?

Due to expansion, Sussex Healthcare has fantastic opportunities to become part of a leading healthcare company that provides exemplary care to the service users in a positive and friendly environment.

If you are thinking of a career in care please visit our website www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk and submit your CV to recruit@sussexhealthcare.co.uk stating the position you are interested in working in.

To find out more about our homes and the services we offer, contact: Corrine Wallace Director of Operations

01403 217 338

enquiries@sussexhealthcare.co.uk | www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk

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CA LVE RT TRU ST K IEL DER

A

t Calvert Trust Kielder, it’s what you CAN do that counts. For over 30 years, they have provided adventurous, outdoor activities for disabled children and adults together with their family, friends and carers. The Trust offers all-inclusive fully accessible accommodation in centre rooms and a range of self-catering chalets for those who prefer more privacy, independence and flexibility.

Self-catered accommodation is provided in ten 4* Scandinavian style chalets, the luxurious Straker and Bradbury Chalets and Sky Den. The chalets have three bedrooms, level-entry shower, bathroom and adjustable kitchen work benches. The three bedroom Straker and two bedroom Bradbury are fitted to the highest standard with spa baths, Sonos sound systems and exceptionally equipped kitchens. The master suite has an Integra hoist fitted discreetly above the bed and each has a hot tub, al fresco dining and BBQ on a private

terrace. Sky Den is a quirky accessible tree house designed by George Clarke for his ‘Amazing Spaces’ show on Ch4 TV and features an opening roof to star gaze and bi-fold doors to a balcony overlooking the river.

Unique to Calvert Trust Kielder, adult respite care activity holidays are for those with physical, learning or sensory disabilities, who require personal care and support while away from home. Accommodation is in single, double or twin rooms with en suite facilities, level entry showers or bathrooms and fitted with specialist equipment such as hoists, grab rails and shower seats. Several bedrooms have five-way profiling beds and a number are fitted with ceiling tracking hoists. All care bedrooms have an electronic call system with some offering Vibra alarms.

Inclusive action and adventure holidays include accommodation in single, twin, triple or quad bedrooms, freshly prepared meals, where all dietary needs are catered for and a wide range of activities. Kielder Water is perfect for sailing, canoeing,

ACTIVITIES

kayaking and motor cruising delivered by fully qualified instructors. On dry land, indoor and outdoor climbing, abseiling, high ropes course, archery and laser clay shooting are just some of the onsite challenges. Relax in the hydrotherapy pool or sensory room after your busy day and join friends, family and carers for a drink in the bar before a delicious evening meal.

The centre is located in the stunning Kielder Water & Forest Park, home to the largest man-made lake in Europe, the largest forest in England and the Northumberland International Dark Skies Park. Don’t miss a visit to the Kielder Observatory. Follow the Lakeside Way on foot or bicycle and view art installations such as Freya’s Cabin, Robin’s Hut and Belvedere.

Self-catering accommodation is available all year. Centre breaks from Feb to midDecember. Staff available every day except 25th/26th December and 1st Jan, (emergency on call service). Call 01434 250232 email enquiries@calvert-kielder. com or visit www.calvert-trust.org.uk/ kielder.

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HATE CRIME

The Invisible Issue Disability hate crime uncovered

nly one in 30 disability hate crimes are reported. When you compare this to one in four race hate crimes, an already harrowing figure seems even worse.

Reviews by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary also show that police reported feeling awkward or uncomfortable asking about disability when it comes to reporting a crime. So trials or convictions based on disability often go under the radar, convicted with a different offence.

A quick bit of research shows that casual and institutional ableism is clearly rife, with inconsistencies in the law making it even more challenging to highlight disability hate crime. This in turn creates a society in which disability hate crime can go unchallenged or unrecognised and therefore, unreported.

In 2013, the Office for National Statistics found that there was an estimated 62,000 disability hate crimes in England and Wales, official police figures from the same period found there were only 1,985 reported and even less convicted.

The CPS are now striving to ensure that those affected by disability hate crime are aware they’re able to report the incident and police and prosecutors should highlight the cause of the crime as related to disability.

Whilst changing laws can be difficult and timely, changing attitudes is much easier and raising awareness of the importance of reporting disability hate crime, and providing easy information and access to reporting this, is one step further towards a fairer and more equal society.

So with only an estimated 3% of these crimes being reported, why is there such a large discrepancy in the figures?

Reporting rates are also so low in those with disabilities because of factors surrounding the physical act of reporting a crime. Often police stations are not always fully accessible or wheelchair friendly, and those with hearing or speech impairments or communication barriers find it difficult to approach the police to report the crime, which in itself can be intimidating.

A report from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found that people who have experienced disability hate crime were faced with difficulties when reporting their crime, or it wasn’t reported specifically as a disability related crime.

Changing attitudes In his documentary ‘The Ugly Face of Disability Hate Crime’, actor, presenter and researcher Adam Pearson looked at the facts behind the figures. He asked why people commit disability hate crimes and discussed his thoughts on tackling disability hate crime. 

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HATE CRIME

Disability hate crime is recognised as one of the most under reported crimes in the UK, with Mencap estimating around 97% of incidents currently going unreported “I think the issue of disability hate crime is systemic. In order to best tackle the issue change needs to occur at all levels. A large number of people with disabilities who experience these incidences of hate are unaware of the laws that surround hate crime - as a result they are unaware that they are a victim of a hate crime, meaning the incidents aren’t reported as a disability hate crime, and the issue doesn’t even begin to get onto the radar.”

Adam, too, recognises that there is much to be done in terms of leading the way to resolving disability hate crime, but hopes that with laughter and awareness, those who are affected by disability hate crime are aware of their rights and will report it.

“I think that humour is an amazing communication method and find laughter to be communal. If you look at things like

the Edinburgh Fringe, people are coming together en masse, simply to laugh. I am a huge fan of using this as a communication tool as it puts people at ease, if they can see I’m OK with my disability it tends to take the awkwardness out of the conversation.”

Whilst the situation may seem hopeless, all is not lost and things are easily changed.

As Adam highlighted in his documentary, one of the easiest ways to create a society in which disability hate crime is always challenged is to raise awareness and highlight to those affected by it, their rights and the importance of reporting their crime.

Help at hand I Am Me is a community led project in Scotland which works in partnership with organisations to raise awareness of disability hate crime.

Working alongside Police Scotland the project has developed the Keep Safe initiative, currently being piloted in Renfrewshire, before being rolled out across Scotland.

The Keep Safe initiative involves a network of businesses such as shops, libraries and cafes who have agreed to make their premises a safe place for people to go if they feel frightened, distressed or the victim of crime when out in the community.

Carol Burt, chair of the I Am Me committee said: “Disability hate crime is recognised as one of the most under reported crimes in the UK, with Mencap estimating around 97% of incidents currently going unreported.”

Adam Pearson

The project has two key initiatives; I Am Me

and Keep Safe. I Am Me is a suite of resources which raise awareness of what disability hate crime is and the effects that incidents can have on individuals as well as the wider community. There is an awardwinning film, for high school and adult audiences and a comprehensive training pack.

“Keep Safe works with Police Scotland and a network of local businesses to create safe places for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people when out in the community. Keep Safe places will identify themselves by displaying the Keep Safe logo and staff within are trained in how to support someone if they need to use the initiative.

“Keep Safe cards are available for disabled and elderly people and hold information such as health concerns, communication requirements and details of who to contact in an emergency. If someone is feeling lost, scared or has been a victim of crime they can enter a Keep Safe place and staff will assist,” Carol explained.

Preventing hate crime against people with disabilities was the focus of the first week of a month long Police Scotland campaign which aimed to tackle prejudice in its various forms under the banner ‘Scotland No Place for Prejudice’.

Superintendent Ross Aitken of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities team said: “Tackling hate crime is a priority for Police Scotland.

“If anyone feels they have been the victim of a crime which is motivated by malice or ill will because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, ethnicity or disability, they should report it to us. We take all such 

50 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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29/09/2015 22:14

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HATE CRIME

reports very seriously and will conduct thorough investigations to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Leonard Cheshire Disability also run a similar scheme in Northern Ireland as part of their Be Safe Stay Safe programme.

The Get Support to Report programme addresses community safety issues, which directly affect disabled people and their families.

Shane Gorman, the charities first disability hate crime advocate spoke about the work the programme has done to raise awareness of disability hate crime.

“We provide training sessions in services such as the local police and community partnerships and any other service we feel is applicable. We also take part in a training programme delivered to new Police Service NI recruits, so police officers are aware of what a disability hate crime is, and the different issues around disability, when they’re dealing with victims.”

The Get Support to Report disability hate crime advocacy service was developed in

July 2013 and is based within the Be Safe Stay Safe programme.

The service was developed in response to the police service identifying the need for advocacy support for victims and also the gaps in service, which were highlighted from the Be Safe Stay Safe training.

The advocacy service supports those who have experienced disability hate crime through the investigation and criminal justice process.

“We provide a person centred one-to-one service, by working with victims and third parties, that can include anything from reporting on their behalf or communicating with investigating officers on their behalf or maybe just accompanying the victim to the police station which can be quite daunting,” Shane said.

“This is to ensure there is accessibility through effective communication for each person, that the information is supplied in the correct format and that the disabled person has an equity of service. So the service is there, it’s just making sure it’s equal for them to access it.”

Hidden in Plain Sight In 2011, the Equality and Humans Rights Commission concluded their inquiry into disability-related harassment. As a result they compiled a list of recommendations.

A Commission spokesperson said: “The Equality and Human Rights Commission has long been calling for tough action to end the pernicious incidence of disability harassment and hate crime. It blights the lives of disabled people and makes them feel unsafe in their own homes and communities.

“In the new year we will be publishing our three-year review of actions taken towards meeting the recommendations arising from our 2011 legal Inquiry, Hidden in Plain Sight. This will report on the progress made by relevant authorities to prevent and respond more effectively to disability harassment and hate crime across the criminal justice, health and social care, education, housing and transport sectors.”

After some recent scrutiny the Crown Prosecution Service followed up on their 2013 investigation, Living in a Different World. The follow-up report identified many

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HATE CRIME

REPORTING A CRIME A crime becomes a disability hate crime when it is ‘perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by malice or ill will based on a persons disability or perceived disability’.

Deciding whether a crime is, or is not a disability hate crime can be difficult. If the victim or any other person believes that the crime was ‘motivated by malice or ill will’, motivated because of someone’s perceived disability, it should always be reported to the police as a disability hate crime.

areas of improved good practice, however also noted that “neither the police nor the CPS has succeeded in significantly improving performance at an operational level.”

The CPS have since strived to make disability hate crime a priority. From nationwide mandatory training for prosecutors, to generally raising awareness of these crimes.

Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Disability hate crimes are toxic. They create fear and undermine people’s trust in society. No one should have to live in fear of being attacked, especially when that attack is based on prejudice.

“At the Crown Prosecution Service, we are committed to tackling these despicable crimes. As prosecutors, it’s vital we do all we can to maintain confidence in our society so that where safety, justice and tolerance are challenged by acts of hate crime, we act robustly through the courts. This is why we are rolling out training for all of our prosecutors on this important issue.

“However, we know these crimes are under reported and my message to victims is clear – report these crimes so we can do everything we can to bring these criminals to justice.”

How do I report hate crime?

There are lots of different ways to report a hate crime, whether it happened to you, someone you know or you were witness to it.

In an emergency, call 999.

If you can’t make voice calls, you can now contact 999 emergency services with a text message, but only if you have previously signed up. You can do this at www.emergencysms.org.uk.

It’s a useful tool to have regardless so make sure you sign up if you’re hard of hearing, deaf or speech impaired.

Contact the police You can contact your local police force on their non-emergency number or 101, or by visiting your local police station. For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this info can be

found at www.police.uk, or for Scotland, www.scotland.police.uk You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 File a report online You can file a report entirely online, through several websites such as www.report-it.org.uk, via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or via your local police website.

Third party reporting Leonard Cheshire, Citizens Advice Bureau and Stop Hate UK all offer expert services to help you if you have been subject to hate crime. You can call them on the numbers below, or visit their website for more advice on how they can help you. Many more services are also in place depending on where you live to help you report a crime, your local police service may be able to advise where to find somewhere.

Leonard Cheshire Disability 020 3242 0200 028 9066 1281 (NI support service) www.leonardchesire.org Citizens Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk Stop Hate UK 0800 138 1625 www.stophateuk.org

Disability hate crimes are toxic. They create fear and undermine people’s trust in society. No one should have to live in fear of being attacked, especially when that attack is based on prejudice www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 53

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30/09/2015 16:12

SIT UP-FRONT IN YOUR WHEELCHAIR

This is the new Sirus Berlingo.

It’s a wheelchair accessible vehicle where you sit up-front next to the driver. It’s built using the latest composite technology making it faster to build and less expensive to buy than many other up-front cars.

It features our exclusive patented self-lifting SL-Ramp fitted as standard which means you don’t ever have to bend down to deploy or pick it up. It also makes accessing the car far quicker - less than 30 seconds.

We wanted to make it the most affordable way to sit up-front yet, so we can offer you a full conversion on a suitable used Berlingo donor vehicle that you supply to us for just £10,995.00 Or we can offer complete vehicles from just £15,995.00 using Sirus Approved Used stock that can offer fast delivery. We can even help with finance packages to suit your budget.

For further information, to book a free no obligation home demonstration or to see the rest of our range, visit our brand new website or connect with us via social media today.

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30/09/2015 00:31

BLOGS

PosAbility’s

Top

10

Disability Blogs

There are countless blogs from every corner of the planet. In no particular order, we have narrowed down your gargantuan reading list and picked some of the best.

4. Arash Recovery Arash’s life was turned upside down when he shattered the C5 and C6 vertebrae in his spine. Posts are accounts of his recovery and trying to get back on his feet. www.arashrecovery.com

1. Downs Side Up

8. Lisa on a Limb

Natty is a beautiful little girl living with Down’s syndrome. Her mother, Hayley writes the blog with the aim of sharing her tips, resources and stories with other parents of children with Down’s syndrome. www.downssideup.com

Amputee, Lisa Brewer, is exploring a whole new world of disability, accessibility and positivity. Learning as she goes with friends, family and fellow amputees. www.lisaonalimb.com

5. Cats and Chocolate As a deaf writer, Liz Ward’s blog features all of her fictional and non-fictional work and some food for thought for fellow deaf writers. www.catsandchocolate.com

9. One Breath at a Time

2. Fashioneyesta Emily Davison is legally blind and seeks to bridge the gap between sight loss and style. She delves into looks new and old, adventuring into realms of unique fashion and beauty for the visually impaired. www.fashioneyesta.com

6. Stimeyland Written by a mother on the autism spectrum raising children on the autism spectrum. Trials and tribulations paired with tips, tricks and laughter. Between them they have autism, ADHD and SPD. www.stimeyland.com

10. Broken Clay

3. Around and Upside Down Chronically disabled, Vicky Kuhn blogs about family, food and plus-size fashion.

Beautifully designed and easy to navigate, her writing focuses on life’s luxuries. www.aroundandupsidedown.co.uk

Cystic Fibrosis sufferer, Kayla English, writes of her courageous journey with the degenerative lung disease. Follow her posts on marriage, treatment and transplant. www.kayla-onebreath.blogspot.co.uk

7. Memories from my Life This moving blog is written by Pat White who cares for her mother with Alzheimer’s.

It gives advice to other carers, scientific updates and features a tear-jerking diary of her life with her mother. www.memoriesfrommylife.wordpress. com

Well-travelled multiple sclerosis patient, Katja Stokley, is spectacularly successful.

She is a software engineer for an aerospace company, a wife, a mother, a singer, a web designer and an athlete. Read all about her amazing life whilst getting around in a wheelchair. www.journal.brokenclay.org

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30/09/2015 16:15

SPINAL INJURY

Spinal Cord Injury Spinal cord injury is the general term used to describe damage to the spinal cord. Here we examine how an SCI can affect your body and the support availablt to help you rebuild your life.

S

pinal cord injury is most often the result of some sort of trauma, most commonly car accidents, falls, violence or sports injuries. However, it can also result from infection of the spinal cord and certain medical conditions. By managing complications such as loss of bladder, bowel and sexual function, a normal life can be led with a spinal cord injury.

The Spinal Injuries Association is a charity dedicated to people affected by spinal cord injuries. The charity has a user-led approach, and as such they understand the everyday needs of living with a spinal cord injury. They aim to meet these needs through the services they provide One such service is the Peer Support Service, which provides one-to-one support, practical help and advice, encouragement and a listening ear. It also provides help for family members and friends by allowing them to talk through the impact of such an injury with someone who understands and who can signpost them to sources of help and support.

“At the Spinal Injuries Association we believe the best support comes from our peers, which is why all of our Peer Support Officers are spinal cord injured. They use their knowledge and experience of living with spinal cord injury to support people as they come to terms with their injury, rebuild their lives and take on new challenges, such as getting back to work or exploring new options.

“Our Peer Support Officers support those with new and long-term injuries, as well as their family and friends. The service is available in specialist Spinal Cord Injuries Centres,

Jamie Rhind

Major Trauma Centres, District General Hospitals, Neuro-rehabilitation centres, residential and domiciliary settings and out in the community. Last year our Peer Support Service helped over 1,600 spinal cord injured people, 487 of which were newly injured, and also supported over 500 family members and friends.”

Jamie Rhind co-manages the peer support team and has supported hundreds of people through this service, along with 12 other support officers across England and Wales, all of which have personal experience of a spinal cord injury.

“We support people from as early as they want or need support so we can support someone from literally days or weeks after they’ve had a spinal cord injury, we support people right through to

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SPINAL INJURY

My mantra has always been that your disability is not the thing that will hold you back it’s your attitude towards it “It seems really strange to say but I actually had quite a good time when I was going through rehab, there was lots of other people who had similar experiences to me and we could share and get through it together.”

However, when Jamie was discharged and living at home, it was a very different story, although going to home to family, with his parents at work all day and his sister at college, he felt very socially isolated.

“My mantra has always been that your disability is not the thing that will hold you back it’s your attitude towards it and our peer support team are about changing peoples attitudes and raising the horizons of people that are affected by a spinal cord injury.”

The peer support service has helped people go from being at home alone, to getting involved in volunteering, getting back into education, work and learning to drive. They aim to demonstrate that life goes on after a spinal cord injury.

rehabilitation, through post discharge and support people in the community.

“There’s lots of examples where we’ve supported people in the community who have been incredibly isolated, who have maybe never been out of the house since they’ve been discharged from hospital. It’s become very apparent to us that people that do sustain a spinal cord injury often do have access to support either through our service, through other services, through healthcare professionals when they’re in a healthcare setting but once they go home they’re very much left to their own devices and that can be the time when they really struggle.”

Jamie was 19 when he sustained his spinal cord injury and laughs about admitting he had a good time during his rehabilitation.

“A spinal cord injury is not the end,” Jamie tells, “it’s just a new beginning. Although we live our lives slightly differently than how we lived them before, it doesn’t mean to say that there needs to be any less of a quality and people can go on and lead very happy and fulfilling lives.”

Jamie believes that given the chance to change one aspect of their injury; the majority of people with spinal cord injuries would choose the incontinence. Many people who sustain a spinal cord injury will be double incontinent, they won’t have control of their bladder or their bowels.

“With the people that we meet and especially those we meet in the community, that’s the thing that can hold people back far more than being a wheelchair user.

“Thankfully we live in a country that has taken strides to make provisions and services accessible for wheelchair users, there’s not many places I go, or many of us go, that aren’t  www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 57

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SPINAL INJURY

Spinal Injuries Association team

We can’t do anything that will quickly change someone’s functionality, but what we can do is help change their attitude towards their disability to the brain, this means that the message that tells the bladder or bowel is full, is not passed on. accessible in some way, shape or form. But if you are restricted by not having a regular routine with regards to your bladder and bowels then that’s the thing that can really hold you back and that’s the thing that people find very difficult to discuss and that’s a very personal, intimate area of life and it’s not one that we’re used to discussing. That’s where it can be difficult for somebody newly affected by a spinal cord injury, to open up and discuss that with the people that are close to them.”

Jamie, along with the Spinal Injury Association believes that a tailored approach and peer support is key to helping those who have sustained a spinal cord injury.

“We can’t do anything that will quickly change someone’s functionality, but what we can do is help change their attitude towards their disability.”

Bladder and Bowel Preventing bladder and bowel problems are usually one of the biggest concerns for people who have spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injury nearly always affects control over the bladder and bowel. This is because the nerves control the internal organs are attached to the base of the spinal cord. Messages are no longer passed from the nerves in the bladder and bowel

Normally, the kidneys fill waste and water from the blood to form urine, which is then stored in the bladder. When the bladder is full, a message is sent from the bladder to the brain. The brain sends a message back to the bladder to squeeze the bladder muscle and relax the sphincter muscles that control the flow of urine.

After an SCI, the kidneys usually continue to filter waste, and urine is stored in the bladder. But messages may not be able to move between your bladder and sphincter muscles and your brain. 80% of those with an SCI will experience bladder dysfunction.

Depending on the injury, your bladder may become either ‘floppy’ (flaccid) or ‘hyperactive’ (reflex).

Reflex bladder is the inability to store urine.

This means that your bladder may contract automatically and you cannot control when your bladder empties. Flaccid bladder is the inability to empty the bladder. Your bladder is full, but you cannot empty it, it stretches as it continues to fill with urine, which can cause damage not only to your bladder but also the kidneys.

Good bladder management can ensure you stay clear of urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney and bladder problems and sepsis.

There are lots of different types of bladder management programmes and a

rehabilitation team can help decide which is best, taking into account the injury and how it has affected bladder function, as well as lifestyle.

Bowel care is also high up on the list of concerns with living with an SCI. Like with the bladder, bowels can be reflexive or flaccid and again, a good management programme is essential to prevent unplanned bowel movements, constipation and diarrhoea.

There’s a whole host of products on the market to help manage bladder and bowel incontinence, from urinary catheters to absorbent products and special diets. In regards to management of bladder and bowel incontinence it’s best to speak to your health professionals and discuss your personal options with them.

Sexual function is also an important issue for many people with spinal cord injuries.

How this affects everyone is different. Due to the way bodies are constructed, physical barriers are less likely to be an issue for females, male function however can be a lot more complicated following a spinal cord injury, with issues arising around arousal and erections.

For anyone, confidence after an SCI can be low, counselling, or an open conversation with a partner can help make sex less of a taboo, build up your confidence and allow you to lead a fulfilling sex life.

58 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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30/09/2015 16:26

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30/09/2015 07:22

SPINAL INJURY

Let's Talk About

I

know from my own experience, when you gain a spinal injury you grieve for the person you once were, the future you have lost and what you imagine lies ahead. Our society doesn’t paint living with a spinal injury as anything other than a nightmare and this is a stereotype you wake up to post injury.

You imagine your tomorrows to be a whole world of hell, with so many things now closed to you and a major element of this loss is something rarely talked about; sex.

Spinal injured people are always painted as losing the ability to have sex and this really hits home when you find yourself joining the SI gang. But the truth is far from the myth and it can actually open up a whole new world of sexual bliss.

I may be jumping ahead here. Let’s start with the facts. Not the facts that you are given by your surgical team at the beginning of your life with a spinal injury but the facts as seen by me, someone who has been living with an injury for over 35 years. Spinal injuries can impact on people in many different ways. I once met someone who had an injury at the exact same place on their spine as mine, yet they had full function and no sensation while I have little function and nearly full sensation. In layman’s speak, they could walk but were numb from the waist down while I couldn’t walk but have pretty much

full sensation. Now this is a pretty extreme case of difference, but it indicates what I have found to be the truth around spinal injury, it’s not a cut and dry story. Just because two people have a T12 level break (spinal injury type speak here - each vertebrae in your spine has a level and number and within the spinal injured community these numbers are normally a conversation opener) doesn’t actually mean they share the same level of loss of function due to their injury, and this goes doubly when it comes to sexual function. Some people may have no change in the function of their sexual organs, some have partial loss of feeling or function and others have no feeling or function at all. When I woke after my spinal injury I worked fine, but when I was taken off steroids that were helping me heal quickly I found I lost everything. Then over a few months my feeling came back but I was left unable to gain erections or to ejaculate. This was very upsetting as a fifteen year old, but any loss of sexual function can damage your confidence whatever your age. Note, that’s another truth I have discovered as the years rolled on, that things change as the years progress.

However, a spinal injury can change how your body works, and if you do have issues around sexual function this impacts how you feel about yourself. No matter if you are a man or woman, straight or gay, when spinal injury impacts on the way your downstairs area works it is very easy to

Mik Scarlet shares his personal experience of sex with a spinal cord injury.

feel less. Less confident, less sexy and less sexual. Usually the advice is to get used to the way your body works and try to find solutions that allow you to give pleasure.

For women you are told about methods to ensure lubrication and men now have several methods for achieving erections via medical intervention. These can be mechanical or they can be chemical, via injection of prescription drugs. There is of course Viagra, plus a system for introducing a drug via the urethra. All can give you back some level of function, but having tried them all I should point out that not all work, depending on how your spinal injury has effected your function and all are real passion killers. Nothing ruins the mood like injecting your penis, especially if, like me, you are in a relationship with someone who is needle phobic! These methods of regaining function in men can help with confidence but I have found that they reinforce that feeling of loss and otherness that comes with spinal injury. For both sexes it’s easy to continue to see sex as being what we were taught in school, reproductive sex. Not that reproduction is closed to anyone with a spinal injury. Most women can still have babies, with support, and for men there is new techniques for producing sperm no matter what level of function you have. It’s the same kind of method used for years in the breeding of live stock. It involves having an electrical stimulation probe put up your rectum and this causes you to ejaculate. Then you can use artificial insemination to finish the job.

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SPINAL INJURY

Or you could be like me and just view that part of your life as closed, maybe get a dog!

However sex is so much more than the method for making babies. It should be fun, exciting and a great way of bonding with a partner, whether they are the love of your life, your current squeeze or a one night stand. It’s this element of their sex life that many spinal injured people feel they have lost, especially early on when they are learning to live with their injury. Trust me, nothing could be further from the truth. If you are a man and have lost the ability to gain erections, but can still feel, with a little effort you will find that you can achieve multiple orgasms. It transpires that it is the erectile system that prevents men enjoying sex in the way women can, and once you experience this you tend to not miss a ‘hard-on’ in quite the same way. If you have lost sensation, there are now a growing group of therapists and disabled people, myself included, that are promoting various ways of turning the

erogenous zones on the parts you can feel into orgasmic zones, which opens up a whole new world of sexuality. I don’t have enough room to fully explain my technique here (maybe in another article - hint hint please Editor?) but check online. There are many differing techniques so it might be worth trying a few to see which suits you.

But trust me, it really is possible to orgasm even if you are paralysed from the neck down.

I haven’t mentioned things like incontinence but that doesn’t impact on your ability to have sex, just your confidence around your body and how others may consider you. My only advice here is the same I give to all disabled people. If someone isn’t into you because you are incontinent then they aren’t the right person for you. Look upon it as a filter to make sure you don’t waste time on the wrong one, while the right one walks on by.

I also haven’t explored issues around position, but as this really is different for

each person it’s another huge subject.

Sure, sex after a spinal injury will be different than it was before, but with the right attitude, support and partner it can be better.

I know when I incurred my SI I thought my sex life was over, but I know that nothing could beat the sex I have now. A lot of that is due to my injury and how it made me re-examine what it means to have sex. Yes, that’s a big ask when you’ve just set out on a life with a spinal injury but believe me, things get sooo much better!

For more information on sex, relationships and having a family with a spinal injury contact the Spinal Injuries Association www.spinal.co.uk.

If you want to ask me a question directly contact me via Enhance The UK’s Love Lounge - enhancetheuk.org/enhance/ mik-scarlet/

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Telephone: + 44 (0) 1422 314488 I Web: www.drivemedical.co.uk I Email: info@drivemedical.co.uk

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FITNESS

Revolutionising EXERCISE

A

survey last year showed that 72.1% of disabled people did not take part in any sport or physical activity (Active People Survey, June 2014). Compare that to 47.8% of able-bodied people that didn’t take part in physical activity and not only does it appear that across all abilities we are not a particularly active nation, but it also highlights a stark gap in the figures between disabled and able-bodied people doing exercise.

This gap can be attributed partly to the lack of accessible gyms that are available across the UK and also to the intimidating nature that comes with them. Gyms can be a daunting place for people of all abilities, with their terrifying equipment and super fit, lycra clad, regular gym bunnies that never seem to break a sweat. Add to this, inaccessible entrances, changing rooms, toilets and machinery and it is easy to see why many disabled people would be put off trying to access their local gym.

Benefits of Regular Exercise Regular exercise is of vital importance in leading a healthy lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic we should be aiming to do 30 minutes of exercise everyday and we will reap the benefits, which include; helping you to lose or maintain weight,

improving your mood, increasing your energy levels, helping to combat or prevent health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Attending the gym, exercise classes or joining a sports club is also a great way of meeting people, boosting your confidence and it can be a lot of fun.

According to the Mayo Clinic we should be aiming to do 30 minutes of exercise everyday and we will reap the benefits Kris Saunders-Stowe is the founder of Wheely Good Fitness and a wheelchair user himself. Last year he launched exercise classes specifically aimed at disabled people. He runs a WheelFit class and a WheelSpin class at The Point4 in Hereford and his high energy approach has attracted many attendees. We spoke to Kris to find out his ethos behind these classes.

“I did my gym instruction course and while I was doing that and chatting to different people ideas were going through my head. 

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FITNESS

I ended up looking on YouTube for aerobics for disabled people and everything I came across was so slow and gentle and quite patronising.

“That got me thinking and led me along a slightly different path and within six months I had become a circuits trainer, indoor cycling trainer and I had finished my disability qualification. Then I went on to do my exercise to music, which would allow me to teach aerobics. I had a few friends who I used as guinea pigs and I have watched the videos and they are cringeworthy, I can’t believe I ever thought I was capable of anything at that point.

Kris goes on to explain the new approach he took towards his classes. Instead of simply adapting an exercise or movement designed for an able-bodied person, Kris looked at the bigger picture and focused on what exercises would benefit a disabled person in everyday life.

“It was a case of saying ‘how does this person fit into the everyday world, how do they use their body, what is the equivalent of their legs, how do they work’? And then do an exercise that would focus on that. So for us obviously, as a wheelchair user, our arms are our legs and I just imagine if you turn somebody upside down and look at the equivalent muscles and how they function and what you have to do to look after them. It all progressed from there, so all the moves were about reaching and grabbing but then you had to put the speed in there to get the cardio workout.

“My main focus is the group exercise because it has proven to be so popular and quite unique. We have been invited to

several different conferences to do shows and demonstrate what we are capable of. And it is great because it is changing people’s perceptions now. We have able bodied people coming to the class and they are exhausted within 10 minutes, so it reminds you that you are getting a good workout from what you are doing. It’s very easy when you do fitness to get used to it and then you forget actually how challenging it can be.”

As a result of his work, Kris has become an ambassador for leading disability charity Scope. Many of his clients are supported by Scope and those who have cerebral palsy who have been attending the classes have made some amazing progress. Kris explains to us that the muscles of people living with cerebral palsy are tight and the less they are used the tighter they become, resulting in limited mobility.

“The tighter the muscles get the less people do from a range of movement point of view and they get tighter and tighter and what we have noticed within the group who have cerebral palsy, is that their range of movements and abilities have radically improved just from that constant stretching and pushing themselves and focusing a bit more on their coordination. And I look through the old videos and you can’t believe they are the same people, it’s fantastic.”

A Unique Experience Kris’s goal is to provide a high intensity, fun workout that will burn calories, increase fitness and boost disabled people’s confidence in themselves.

He also wants to encourage other instructors to take an interest in teaching classes for disabled people, but he feels that the

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FITNESS

industry is not geared up enough yet to offer instructors enough information or opportunities in this area. He believes that the perception around disability and fitness is still very condescending and that most believe it to be very gentle and slow, which is the opposite of what Kris believes: “These are ordinary people who just want a good workout and you can punish them. You want them not being able to feel their arms anymore and thinking what on earth has just happened to me.”

Another issue around training instructors to confidently teach classes to people with disabilities is the ‘health and safety’ aspect. Kris found when he was doing his qualification that his instructor would tell him he couldn’t do certain things in his wheelchair because they were seen as ‘dangerous’. However, as a wheelchair user, Kris could comfortably combat these worries, one particular instance was when he was using the step blocks to wheel up on as part of a class and Kris replied, “how do you think we get up on a kerb in the street?”

“Straight away, as soon as you change it to being a daily function or ask people to look at it differently, they change. This is what needs to be seen, to take the life of somebody in a wheelchair or with a disability and see how they function on a daily basis and make that their exercise and suddenly you start to see things very very differently. We use sledge mats as well, which are the 2-3 inch gym mats – you put a wheelchair on one of those and it is like dragging yourself through mud, which is great training.

“Another thing you find with a lot of the qualifications is not to get someone out of their chair if they are disabled, where as I almost insist on them getting out if they can. One of the people I was working with said ‘I don’t like being out of my chair, I don’t like being on the floor,’ and I asked what she would do if she were in the supermarket and came out of her chair and she said, ‘well I don’t know’ and I said ‘that’s why you need to be out of your

chair’. It’s so you can find a way of getting into your chair so you can build up the muscles you need to do that, so that if you come out of your chair you could say to someone ‘please put my chair there and put the brakes on, I will lift myself up,’ and then you are in control of that situation. If you are scared and don’t know what to do, you are gong to be manhandled and you are going to be pulled here, there and everywhere and surrounded by a big crowd and probably never go out again. So it’s about giving people control and saying find a way that works for you that allows you to feel safer and more in control of your life.”

Success Designed to cater for all abilities, Kris’s classes have been a great success and he fondly tells us of one particular lady who has been coming to his class for 18 months and has transformed from a very shy personality with limited mobility to a confident woman who has pushed herself in every class, has lost two stone in weight, now takes part in the WheelSpin class and will confidently speak to others now.

No Excuses Now

There has been such a demand for these high energy classes, that Kris decided to launch a DVD with a workout set to two different tempos, to ensure there is a workout for all fitness levels. This allows all those people who can’t make it to Kris’s classes in Hereford the opportunity to get fit in the comfort of their own home. And we have five copies of the Wheel-Fit DVD to give away to some lucky readers! Simply email you name, address and telephone to posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com.

So lets act on our good intentions, make no more excuses and challenge ourselves with a Wheel-Fit workout!

Visit www.wheelygoodfitness.com for more information on Kris’s classes and to buy a copy of the DVD.

“A few weeks ago she did the para-triathlon and did a 1km push, which she did in 11 minutes. She has wanted to be an athlete all her life and I was told that she hadn’t pushed herself properly in her wheelchair since she was 13, she is 60 this year. That for me is the biggest success because she has gained so much confidence and independence – even though it is very small, for her that is huge, it means that she can be in a shop and go where she wants without saying ‘take me over there’.

“It is a fantastic change and to see that regardless of age or ability that you can make improvements.”

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CORNWALL - TRENONA FARM HOLIDAYS

Maison des Landes is a hotel catering exclusively for disabled guests and their families or carers in accommodation which has been specially designed to meet their needs. Set in glorious unspoiled countryside overlooking a major international heritage area.

Heated indoor pool with ramps and hoists : En-suite facilities including walk-in showers : Gardens with magnificent views : Licensed lounge : Pétanque (a version of bowls ideal for players in wheelchairs!): Daily Island tours in specially adapted minibuses if you don’t want to drive.

Open from the beginning of April to the end of October

RATES per person per day include full board accommodation, daily excursions and transfers to harbour and airport and return.

Come and stay in one of our two wheel chair accessible holiday cottages on the Roseland Peninsula, South Cornwall.

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Wet rooms, level/sloped access throughout, central heating, quality furnishings and plenty of parking.

Children and pets welcome.

AA 4 Star Rated CONTACT US NOW FOR A BROCHURE St Ouen, Jersey JE3 2AA Tel: 01534 481683 Fax 01534 485327 Email: contact@maisondeslandes.co.uk Website: www.maisondeslandes.co.uk

Full brochure on request – online booking – see www.trenonafarmholidays.co.uk 01872 501339 01872 501253 (fax) 07775 698953 (mob) Mrs P Carbis pam@trenonafarmholidays.co.uk

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FITNESS

The Invictus Active Trainer The trainer is suitable for

everyone, from weight loss, building muscle strength, through to improving balance and technique. Users of the Invictus Active Trainer vary from someone who has only been using a wheelchair for a short period of time to someone who is looking to lose weight, through to GB athletes who are looking to improve speed and fitness that will be transferred to their sport and give them a competitive edge.

The trainer has a number of benefits; it can help improve your fitness, balance and pushing technique

The trainer is also widely used by athletes for high intensity sport workouts and as a key training aid to increase speed around a basketball court, a tennis court or a race track.

The trainer has a number of benefits; it can help improve your fitness, balance and pushing technique as well as stimulating a ‘road-like’ pushing when maintaining a constant speed.

It can also help you burn up to 350kcal with a 30 minute workout. The easy set-up and lightweight easy to wheel on and off trainer, allows you to work each arm individually, with four independent rollers, which separate easily for transport and storage.

Roll on

To use the Invictus Active Trainer you wheel backwards up the ramp and onto the rollers, with your wheels fitting between each roller. You can then secure yourself using the strap provided and ‘push’ your chair as you would normally.

The Invictus Active Trainer is designed specifically for wheelchair users and is ideally used in conjunction with a fitness plan to help improve your fitness, balance and technique. your progress, weight loss and improved fitness over time.

The trainer is designed to simulate road-like pushing. Resistance is built up in the rollers as you push and maintaining a constant speed is the key to getting the most out of your trainer – a ‘stop/start’ push will not provide any resistance nor will it get the heart rate going!

The first challenge is to push for 5 minutes maintaining a speed of 3 mph – unless you are in the GB Paralympics team this may feel like a workout!

Generally all ‘active user’ wheelchairs are the best type to be used on the trainer – although most manual wheelchairs will be more than suitable. Having a camber (angle of the back wheels) between 1 degree and 3 degrees will give the best roll and optimum performance. The angle of the rollers can be altered if the wheelchair camber is different.

The trainer was invented by Paul Cooksey and Scott Smith - both full time wheelchair users - and is manufactured in the UK. Wheely Good Fitness have incorporated the Invictus Active Trainer in one of their DVD’s to show various workouts you can use to make use of your rollers, as well as highlighting all of the additional benefits they can offer.

For more information you can contact Invictus Active on 0121 330 0559, email info@invictusactive.com or visit www.invictusactive.com.

The Smart model also records your speed, distance and heart rate, connecting to all smart phones via an app, allowing you to keep track of

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KIDS CORNER

Up Disability Fun, frights and flamingos to be enjoyed by all

H

alloween is fast approaching.

While some people don’t indulge in the holiday spirit and turn out the lights and hope and pray that sugar-crazed kids will think they aren’t home, some people are chomping at the bit to show off their creative flair.

31 October is the one day a year that we can all pretend to be someone else and celebrate with kitsch decorations and themed food. For children – and adults – living with disabilities this holiday can either be long-awaited or much-dreaded. However, there are ways for everyone to enjoy Halloween, you just need to know mind sets, limits and plan, plan, plan!

Planning For potential trick or treaters there is lots to consider. Costumes and dressing up are usually the first port of call for any All Hallows Eve reveller. Having a disability doesn’t need to be an issue when choosing an outfit, you can get as big and innovative as you like, but this will need a lot of planning; does the costume interfere with movement, either with crutches or wheelchairs?

Will you design and make it yourself?

If so, where will you get your materials? Will assistance be necessary when in the costume? For your costume to be the best it can be, forward planning will be essential.

You will also need to be prepared for a

variety of trick or treaters. On the occasion that a child with allergies or intolerances to certain foods comes to your door you will need non-food treats to give them. If you are a parent of a child with additional needs and are getting ready to trick or treat, maybe for the first time, it is important if your child wants to dress up to get an outfit early, this will allow them to get used to it and see if they like it, well in advance of Halloween night.

If your child is anxious about change, try decorating your house gradually throughout the month, adding just one or two things, so it will be less of a shock.

If your child has autism, Asperger syndrome, a learning disability or sensory processing difficulties, they may not understand the concept of dressing up and may get distressed at people they know not looking like themselves. The busy streets may also cause anxiety. Routine, being an important factor to them, is key, get a calendar on the lead up to Halloween and have a daily countdown whilst learning facts about it; when it started, why it is still celebrated, etc. Explain why people are wearing costumes and that they are still the same people they know underneath. Allow them to dress up at different times of the year and it will help them understand the idea.

Perhaps try a visual story of what happens on Halloween and role play what it will be like when you do go out knocking on doors. Remember, if you only make it to three houses, that’s alright. Many parents plan ahead and

Toy Story theme Reese dressed up as Woody and his chair as RC

Costumes for Halloween offer a great opportunity to embrace your disability and today, especially with social media, it is your time to shine!

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Kids’ CORNER

Star Wars

Wall_E

give neighbours appropriate treats to give back to their child when they come around.

If your child doesn’t feel up to making the journey around the neighbourhood, but still wants to dress up, tell neighbours and friends to make an appearance at your door while on their routes trick or treating and your child can still show off their costume and be a part of the fun.

Costumes Costumes for Halloween offer a great opportunity to embrace your disability and today, especially with social media, it is your time to shine! American Paralympian, Josh Sundquist knows this all too well. Josh, who

lost his left leg to cancer when he was nine, has become an internet sensation with his wildly creative costume ideas. The former ski racer has embraced his disability and designs his outfits with his amputation in mind to give the best possible effect. Now a motivational speaker, Josh wasn’t always a Halloween enthusiast. For religious reasons, Josh and his family never celebrated the occasion, he remembers locking all the doors and he and his family hiding out in the dark, tricking devilishly dressed door knockers into thinking they weren’t home.

He didn’t properly dress up until he went to college, where he got his business degree.

Another Toy Story inspired costume with Reese as Buzz Lightyear

In 2010, he dressed up as the Gingerbread Man from Shrek with the missing leg.

He said: “A lot of people thought it was really funny, but this was before photo sharing was a big thing online, so it was not widely circulated. Mostly people just thought it was funny at Halloween parties I went to in real life.

“People didn’t realise I was an amputee; everyone was like, ‘Dude, how are you hiding your leg?’”

Josh dressed up as a Foosball player last year, complete with bar through his midsection

Then in 2012 he dressed as the lamp from ‘A Christmas Story’, donning a frilled skirt and a stiletto. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that he gained viral notoriety. Josh, kitted in a pink morph suit and pink crutches, posed as a flamingo, expertly balancing upside down on his crutches, using his leg 

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the

Kids’ CORNER

Captain America

being more elaborate than the last. We were even featured on the evening news for our Comic Con costume in 2015 when we introduced the debut of Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes.”

as the neck and bill emulating the instantly recognisable bird.

Josh is a member of the US Amputee World Cup football team, this spurred on the inspiration for his costume last year as a Foosball player, complete with the Mono-block and horizontal bar through his midsection.

He hasn’t always been so embracing of his disability but has learned to love himself as he got older. Josh said: “I’ve always dealt with the social discomfort of my disability by having a sense of humour, but I used to be much more self-conscious. In high school, I wore a prosthesis all the time and didn’t want anyone to find out I was missing a leg.

“But now I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I look like and I guess with these Halloween costumes you could even say that I celebrate what makes me different.”

He keeps his costumes a closely-guarded secret until a few days before the big day, when he releases photos for the amusement of his colossal online following at www.joshsundquist.com.

There are hundreds of ways to incorporate a disability into a costume for a fun-filled night of partying or trick or treating. There are many sites where you can snoop for inspiration if you are stuck. One American website that is going above and beyond to make sure everyone can enjoy Halloween is www.walkinrollin.org. Some of their popular outfits designed around wheelchairs have been, Disney Pixar’s

lovable robot Wall-E, Cinderella in her carriage, Ironman, Peter Pan and even Buzz Lightyear when he is in the claw machine.

No one ever wants to feel excluded, especially not children at what is supposed to be an exciting time of year for them. This doesn’t need to be the case at all. With the proper planning, precautions, preening and props, you don’t need to be spooked

by Halloween.

Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes is a non-profit organisation that turns kids’ walkers and wheelchairs into Halloween costumes.

Lon and Anita Davis are the parents of two boys, one of whom, Reese, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 2 months old. The tumour was on his spine and ended up crushing his spinal cord, preventing him the full use of his legs and trunk muscles. Together, with the help of now 10-year-old Reese, the family launched Walkin’ & Rollin’ Costumes with this simple goal in mind: “To provide any child with special needs equipment a unique and custom built costume for them, free of charge to the family.”

Lon said: “When Reese received his first wheelchair around the age of 3, he was really into the movie Wall-E. So for Halloween he wanted to be the title character. We knew there wasn’t a way to purchase a costume that would work for him, so we decided to build it from scratch.

The end result featured mechanical arms that Reese could control from within the body and large track treads on the side of his wheelchair. The costume blew people away and it even ended up in the Kansas City Star newspaper.

Peter Pan

“Fast forward to 2015. We have numerous costumes under our belt, each

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30/09/2015 16:48

DO YOU HAVE SPEECH OR MOVEMENT PROBLEMS? WOULD YOUR LIFE BE IMPROVED BY THE PROVISION OF A COMMUNICATION AID TO HELP YOU LEAD A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE? Then perhaps The Sequal Trust can help

We operate throughout the UK, fundraising to provide speech aids for disabled people of all ages.

3 Ploughman’s Corner, Wharf Road, Ellesmere, Shropshire, Sy12 0EJ Tel: 01691 624222 Sequal aims to provide speech aids to those people who cannot afford to purchase such very vital equipment, to allow them to lead more independent lives and especially when statutory bodies are unable to help.

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KIDS

the

Kids’ CORNER

SENDirect is an online service led by the charity Contact a Family, it allows families with children with additional needs to find, compare and buy specialist activities, support and services. The website allows visitors to search by postcode, price range and age suitability for everything from health services to specialist equipment to childcare. It lists statutory, not-for-profit and commercial products so families can find everything in one place.

It also allows families to find peer support by providing a space where famillies can keep up with what other families are doing (through regular blogs), swap tips on activities and support (through reviews) and get accurate and up-to-date information on the services, support and activities available to them.

SENDirect has already received the Big Chip Award for the best Not-For-Profit project along with the project’s developers Connect. And now it has been shortlisted for the Third Sector Awards as Charity Partnership of the Year.

SENDirect works with families to make your community better by giving you the chance to: • Share with providers the adjustments they’d need to make to include your child – this could help them be more inclusive for other disabled children • Review services to help other families choose what suits them best • Search for something and if you can’t find it they know something is missing and can put the word out in your community • Tell services about SENDirect so they become easier for all families to find – your great hairdresser, your wonderful ballet teacher, that fab dentist • Talk about what’s important to you to other families so you feel less alone, and that’s what their blogs are all about.

SENDirect doesn’t only work with families; they also work with providers so that families can search for services and products both locally and nationally and can book or purchase directly through the site. SENDirect is free for families to use and free for providers to register and list their first service – this means that the online community doesn’t exclude anyone.

Why should providers list all of their services? Well, the more services listed, the more likely it is that families will find the services they want and need in the areas that are most convenient to them. And why should providers become members? Membership of SENDirect offers providers a chance to properly shape their market through a personalised information dashboard and invitations to workshops and conferences with families, commissioners and other providers. Members are also able to help families hear their message through provider blogs and the SENDirect social media drums.

Visit the website at www.sendirect.org.uk or email info@sendirect.org.uk for more information.

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Kids’ PRODUCTS Special Tomato

Moorings Mediquip, who have been trading for over 20 years in the healthcare market, have been appointed as exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland for the Special Tomato range of paediatric equipment.

Chairman Girvan MacCorkell commented: “We are delighted to partner with the US Company Bergeron Health Care who manufacture Special Tomato. As an already well-established, leading supplier of disability equipment this initiative has enhanced the range of products that we have available

for NHS Trusts, special schools and end users”.

Prices available on request

Moorings Mediquip has an experienced and committed team of Area Consultants throughout the UK and Ireland. As a result of this recent appointment the sales team has been expanded.

Full details of the Special Tomato products are available at www.specialtomatouk. co.uk or by calling the Customer Freephone Number 0800 031 6571. www.mooringsmediquip.com

The Rody

Suitable for children 3-5 years, the Rody promotes balance and coordination in children while providing a fun workout. The Rody can be changed according to the size and age of a child by adjusting the level of inflation and comes with a pump and valve.

Prices available on request

Available in a range of colours and with soft latex-free vinyl, the Rody can be purchased with an add-on rocker, turning it into a colourful rocking horse. Great for fun exercise, sensory play and developing gross motor skills.

Tuftex 02476 346 939 info@phillipstuftex.co.uk www.tuftex.co.uk

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KIDS

SwimFin

SwimFin is a teaching aid and a floatation device to help children learn to swim or help those who can’t stay afloat in the water. The buoyancy is enough to support even a grown adult. By being worn high upon the child’s back the SwimFin ‘suspends’ a child in the water, meaning they will not tip while wearing it. Unlike armbands or noodles, the Fin is designed to work in harmony with the body and is suitable for all abilities. SwimFin is also fun, helping build confidence as well as providing safety and security, motivating and encouraging imagination and play.

Prices from

SwimFin, 01604 416 916 www.swimfin.co.uk

£21.99

Feeding Tube Covers

These sew-it-yourself feeding tube covers can be used to integrate discreet access to a button or stoma when required. Easy to add to any of your favourite t-shirts these feeding tube covers are cute, stylish and discreet. Helping to keep the integrity of the t-shirt intact the cover allows you to create a hole in the t-shirt to be used as an access point for any G-tube, J-tubes or GJ-tubes.

CAPR Style 07804512186 www.capr-style.com Prices from

£4.50

BundleBean Special

BundleBean Special is a waterproof and cosy footmuff fitting all wheelchairs and special needs buggies. The colourful, patterned waterproof shell is backed in soft fleece for comfort and warmth. An elasticated hem ensures a snug fit and two pairs of elastic and Velcro™ straps make it quick and easy to fit in seconds whilst remaining in the wheelchair.

It comes in a neat stuff sack for compact storage when not in use.

Three beautiful colour options (grey elephants, red stars and teal penguins) are sure to cheer up the greyest of days.

Prices from

£34.99

0207 610 2690, mail@bundlebean.com www.bundlebean.com www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 63

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C&S

22 Theaklen Drive Ponswood Industrial Estate Hastings East Sussex TN38 9AZ

seating

01424 853331 info@cands-seating.co.uk www.cands-seating.co.uk

Products designed and developed to aid basic postural management.

T Rolls T Rolls are used to control position of the body in supine lying.

See our web site for our full range of postural control & support products.

Alternative Positioning Roll The APR is designed for use where more control of the abducted lower limbs is required.

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Bibbleplus+

12/11/2014 14:14

01947 605466

clothing protectors

info@queenieandcompany.co.uk

The functional and stylish solution for older children, teenagers and adults who have difficulties with drooling and dribbling.

Hand made in Nottingham, UK BibblePlus clothing protectors are available in 4 sizes and come in a range of colours and designs to suit every taste and enhance any outfit.

High quality organic adapted clothing, easy access and designed to accommodate feeding tubes, continence products and additional needs.

Our new range of practical feeding bibs are perfect for meal times and for those looking for something a little more avant-guard check out our super smart dining range

OFF 1ST ORDER USE CODE

POSA10

www.bibbleplus.co.uk

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Shop Online

www.queenieandcompany.co.uk

30/09/2015 17:45

Make your money go further

FINANCE

Five simple steps to keep the pennies in your pocket for longer.

T

imes are harder than ever and saving your money can be more of a challenge than it used to be. The strain can be felt in every aspect of life if your pockets are lighter than they were. However, saving and managing money doesn’t need to be as difficult as first thought. There are plenty of different ways and methods to help you make ends meet and still live a happy and healthy lifestyle, you just need to know where to start. Five easy steps could see your money, no matter how limited, last longer.

Making a Budget

The first step to take when you are managing your money is to take a look at what kind of income you get, for example, if you are on a fixed income. Budgets can be a big help in this case, you can see the exact ebb and flow of your weekly, fortnightly or monthly finances. Take note of how much you are getting and what are the necessities you need to spend it on, for example, rent, bills, dependents, medical expenses and travel expenses.

Once you have deducted that you can see how much you have left to spend on other things, eg, leisure, entertainment and other luxuries. There are online budget planners which can be found on the Money Advice Service - www.moneyadvice service.org.uk and www.moneysavingexpert.com. There are also budget calculators that help you concisely divide your money up so you can view your expenditure. Alternatively, you

can make up your own with a spreadsheet on your computer.

However, experts from www.ehow.com say that you should keep a close eye on your spending and amend your budget with every fluctuation, checking your budget regularly for changes.

Shopping Around When it comes to disability equipment and necessary accessories it can be difficult to find cheap alternatives, however instead of purchasing the first things you see, it can benefit to shop around and compare prices of the products you need on

Budgets can be a big help in this case, you can see the exact ebb and flow of your weekly, fortnightly or monthly finances sites, such as, www.dlf-data.org.uk. You can also ask the advice of your occupational therapist, physiotherapist or doctor. To tackle this properly, you will need to know your own needs and wants, so try writing down a few essential requirements and buy according to that list. Trying before you buy is also a good avenue to take when considering a product or aid, you can do this at Independent Living Centres, disability equipment exhibitions or even employ a short-term hire of disability aids to see if, whatever you are thinking on purchasing, really is the ďƒŽ www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 77

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FINANCE

Discounts and Coupons You would think that things to do in your spare time would be few and far between when you are working on a budget, but that’s not the case. There are plenty of ways to make your money go further when it comes to leisure, entertainment and activities. There are whole websites and forums dedicated to sourcing great deals and coupons for people living with disabilities and even carers. By visiting www.ceacard.co.uk you can obtain free cinema tickets for friends and carers. You can even purchase discounted theatre tickets and free theatre tickets for carers, with free or discounted entry to National Trusts, English Heritage sites and public libraries. There are hours of cheap or free fun to be had by you and your family and friends. If you are unsure about entitlements and discounts all you need to do is ask, there is nothing to lose.

appointments and help you save costs within prescriptions, dental costs and eye care costs if you live in England. This can be a major outgoing on your personal expenses, but with this help it will be easier to hang on to some of your income.

Another benefit that comes alongside this help is the offer of emotional support from your local council in England and Wales.

Companies and Charities There are companies and charities that offer financial aid to people living with a disability and help them manage their money and live life independently and within their means. Companies, such as, Compaid, Paypacket, Enham Trust, Turn2Us and Margaret’s Fund can give helpful, impartial advice, aid and grants to those who need it. For example, Paypacket offers a comprehensive payroll support service for people organising the

Hopefully these steps will help your money to stretch that bit further and make your money worries that little bit lighter.

££

£

£

£

Ensure you know exactly what you are entitled to from the Government.

According to the Money Advice Service, in 2010, a group of charities estimated that more than £16 billion of benefits go unclaimed. The Government’s Personal Independence Payment is replacing the Disability Living Allowance and this is leading to some confusion as to what you are entitled to. Depending on your own personal circumstances, you may be entitled to housing benefits, working tax credits, child tax credits, a reduction in council tax, a cap on your water bill, income support, income-related employment and support allowance and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. Whichever category you fall into, you should make sure you are receiving the appropriate support, it is there to support you. If you have a family member caring for you make sure they look into the Carer’s Allowance. Certain benefits will let you claim for travel to hospital

££

Benefits and Grants

employment of a carer through a council or consultancy, personal assistants and carers working in people’s homes and local authorities, at a minimal cost. They have more than 50 years’ combined experience in payroll management and take responsibility for paying more than 1,000 people a week. Enham Trust also offer a whole host of services to help people including, care, work and skills development.

£

product for you. Another easy way to save an extra bit of cash is to buy products second-hand, many disability retailers, such as www.disabledgear.com recondition previously owned items and sometimes sell ex-demonstration models.

78 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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Are you raising a disabled child or young person?

Our grants may be able to help

Are you responsible for paying a carer?

Would you like someone to manage this for you?

I n 20

14/15

over

0 70a,m0i0 lies f received grarntts uppo and s

Paypacket’s comprehensive payroll and pensions support service includes: ●

Calculating wages

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Providing carers with detailed wage slips ● ●

Paying carers direct by BACs

Pension Auto Enrolment covered

To find out more, give us a call and we’ll take care of the rest.

www.familyfund.org.uk Private company limited by guarantee. Incorporated in England and Wales. Registration no. 3166627.

Registered charity number 1053866. Scottish charity number SC040810.

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Direct Payments made easy

0800 848 8998

Visit us at: www.paypacket.co.uk

30/09/2015 00:34

| MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | M MOTORING

VOLVO

catering for the disabled driver

What does Volvo offer to disabled drivers?

Sarah Symcox is the strategic partnerships manager for Volvo Cars UK, we spoke to her about the benefits a Volvo car can offer a driver with a disability.

Part of our vision is to make life less complicated, while strengthening our commitment to safety, quality and the environment. Designing our cars around people means that we can offer unrivalled levels of safety and comfort for disabled drivers. Our nationwide dealer network is committed to helping drivers choose the car that best suits their needs with the expert guidance of our dedicated specialists. Being part of the Motability Scheme doesn’t have to mean you compromise on anything – you can have a premium car to live your life.

What can your Motability specialists offer your customers and how are they trained in providing the best car for disabled customers?

Primarily, we aim to make our customers feel welcome. Choosing a car is an important decision, particularly when that car is a gateway to mobility. Over the last twelve months, we have improved the visibility of the Motability Scheme in our showrooms, so that customers can clearly see our participation when they arrive. And we support our dealers with marketing tools to ensure they can promote the latest offers in their local area.

Our Motability specialists take pride in their knowledge of how the scheme works so that they can support customers through the application process and indeed through the life of their contract with a Volvo car. Our dealers have an obligation to ensure that they participate in ongoing Motability training. They have access to both online guides and face-to-face workshops. We also carry out mystery shops to ensure that our dealers are upholding the highest level of service that we expect.

Why should a Motability customer choose Volvo? What gives Volvo cars the edge over others available in the Motability Scheme?

The Volvo models selected for the Motability Scheme are chosen for their ability to provide ease of access, comfort and storage for wheelchairs and adaptations.

Our current Motability range is the most comprehensive it has ever been. This includes the scheme’s favourite V40 Cross Country with its exclusive off-road inspired features such as the unique cross country lower front nose, grille and rear diffuser, glossy black door mirrors, roof rails and Copper Dawn interior trim. There is also the rugged and stylish XC60 SUV which has been newly introduced to the programme.

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| MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING MOTORING

VOLVO

catering for the disabled driver

Our nationwide dealer network is committed to helping drivers choose the car that best suits their needs

THE MOTABILITY SCHEME The Motability Scheme allows disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. Since it was set up in 1978 Motability has helped over 3 million people get a new vehicle.

Currently, over 630,000 people are enjoying the benefits of Motability, which not only allows you to lease a car, but comes with a whole host of benefits like;

What does Volvo offer to disabled drivers?

Sarah Symcox is the strategic partnerships manager for Volvo Cars UK, we spoke to her about the benefits a Volvo car can offer a driver with a disability.

Part of our vision is to make life less complicated, while strengthening our commitment to safety, quality and the environment. Designing our cars around people means that we can offer unrivalled levels of safety and comfort for disabled drivers. Our nationwide dealer network is committed to helping drivers choose the car that best suits their needs with the expert guidance of our dedicated specialists. Being part of the Motability Scheme doesn’t have to mean you compromise on anything – you can have a premium car to live your life.

What can your Motability specialists offer your customers and how are they trained in providing the best car for disabled customers?

Primarily, we aim to make our customers feel welcome. Choosing a car is an important decision, particularly when that car is a gateway to mobility. Over the last twelve months, we have improved the visibility of the Motability Scheme in our showrooms, so that customers can clearly see our participation when they arrive. And we support our dealers with marketing tools to ensure they can promote the latest offers in their local area.

80 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

Our Motability specialists take pride in their knowledge of how the scheme works so that they can support customers through the application process and indeed through the life of their contract with a Volvo car. Our dealers have an obligation to ensure that they participate in ongoing Motability training. They have access to both online guides and face-to-face workshops. We also carry out mystery shops to ensure that our dealers are upholding the highest level of service that we expect.

Why should a Motability customer choose Volvo? What gives Volvo cars the edge over others available in the Motability Scheme?

The Volvo models selected for the Motability Scheme are chosen for their ability to provide ease of access, comfort and storage for wheelchairs and adaptations.

Our current Motability range is the most comprehensive it has ever been. This includes the scheme’s favourite V40 Cross Country with its exclusive off-road inspired features such as the unique cross country lower front nose, grille and rear diffuser, glossy black door mirrors, roof rails and Copper Dawn interior trim. There is also the rugged and stylish XC60 SUV which has been newly introduced to the programme.

Our Motability range offers affordable advanced payments representing exceptional value for money. Customers can enjoy cutting-edge safety systems as standard, stylish ergonomic interiors, as well as a choice of dynamic fuel-efficient engines.

Eye-catching metallic paint is included free of charge.

The following testimonial actually highlights the benefits of choosing a Volvo car on the Motability Scheme. It comes from Team Volvo Sailor, Alexandra Rickham, a London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist. Her disability is tetraplegia after a shallow diving incident 20 years ago.

“Basically I love my Volvo! The car benefits me in multiple ways. Firstly I drive an XC70 because it has tonnes of room for carrying my wheelchair, other mobility aids, and my sailing kit including my adaptive seat.

Space is a big deal in all areas of my life.

The car is powerful and really safe to tow the SKUD18. The added features on the car also assist with my needs such as automatic windscreen wipers, lights, high beam and electric seats. It means I don’t require even more bespoke adaptations because they are already there.”

• A brand new car every three years • Fully comprehensive insurance policy • Regular servicing and maintenance • Full breakdown assistance from RAC, with specially trained staff to handle your calls 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year • Annual car tax • Replacement tyres (worn or damaged by normal use) at no extra cost from Kwik Fit • Window and windscreen replacement or repair should anything happen • 60,000 mileage allowance over three years • A range of adaptations available at no additional cost Only a few things aren’t included in the Motability package, fuel and consumables, insurance claims (£75 minimum excess dependent on age and experience of driver), some adaptations and optional extras (such as leather seats).

Motability Scheme: • Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (£56.75 per week) • Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (£56.75 per week) • War Pensioners Mobility Supplement (£63.40 per week) • Armed Forces Independent Payment (£56.75 per week) Can’t drive? Don’t worry, the Scheme allows you to nominate two drivers on your behalf for free, or a third at an additional cost. They can be anyone you like, family, friends or a carer, but normally they should live within a five mile radius of your home address.

A parent or guardian of a child aged three or above who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance is entitled to lease a car on their behalf. There is no upper age limit on the Scheme, however there can only be one driver under the age of 21 and anyone under 25 is restricted to cars with a power output of 115bhp to less and with an ABI Insurance Group of 16 or lower.

You can check if you, a family member or a friend is eligible on the Motability website at: www.motability.co.uk/understandingthe-scheme/eligibility/

Sound good? If you receive any of the following Government Mobility Allowances you can join the

For more information, visit www.volvocars.com/uk. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 81

Wheelchaircars.co.uk

FREE NO OBLIGATION HOME DEMONSTRATIONS USED VEHICLES FROM ÂŁ2995

Tel: 0161 793 5934 Full details on our website, www.wheelchaircars.co.uk

0333 331 3764 Calls to 0333 numbers are usually chargeable at a local rate from both UK landlines and mobile phones. These calls are usually included within network providers' "free minutes" packages. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm. Calls may be recorded and monitored for your protection.

Fish Insurance is a trading name of Fish Administration Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FULL_SERVICE_ADVERT_020715

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MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING | MOTORING |

SAVS

Specialist vehicle convertor GM Coachwork has developed a new vehicle for users of mobility scooters. The SAV (Scooter Adapted Vehicle) is an adapted vehicle that is designed specifically for users of mobility scooters.

GM Coachwork pioneers a new concept with the launch of Scooter Adapted Vehicles

U

ntil now scooter users would either have to use a hoist to put their scooter in their car boot or if they have a WAV they can put the scooter in the vehicle, but it wouldn’t be secured. GM’s new range of SAVs features GM’s new Scoot ‘n’ Stop locking device which means the scooter is secured safely while the vehicle is in transit. Without a locking device the scooter is untethered and potentially dangerous in the event of an accident.

At launch the range of SAVs comprised three vehicles ranging from the compact Citroen Berlingo, through to the mid-sized Peugeot Expert culminating in the large and spacious Peugeot Boxer.

The Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Expert both have lightweight ramps and a lowered floor while the Boxer features an inboard lift and a flat floor and all three are fitted with a Scoot ’n’ Stop. In the case of the Berlingo and Expert the scooter user would access the vehicle by riding, or guiding, their scooter into the vehicle via the lightweight fold out ramp. The tailgate can also be remote operated. Once parked

inside the vehicle the scooter user gets off, presses a switch for the arm of the Scoot ‘n’ Stop locking device to lower across the scooter thereby making it securely locked into place.

Nigel Collins, MD, commented: “The scooter adapted vehicle solves a real problem for scooter users. Currently anyone who uses a scooter needs a hoist to take it in and out of the boot. This new range of vehicles does away with a hoist and means the user can ride their scooter, or guide it, into the car and get off.

It’s much easier and requires far less physical effort. More importantly with a Scoot ‘n’ Stop fitted it means in the event of an accident the scooter will not move in the vehicle. We’ve crash tested it for scooters up to 200kg.”

GM engineers used the design of the best selling Blaze to form the basis of the smallest scooter adapted in the range. The low angle ramp and wide tailgate makes it easy to drive a scooter into the vehicle while the lowered floor provides 54 inches of headroom.

Details of the new range of SAVs can be found on the GM website www.gmcoachwork.co.uk For a home demonstration call GM on Freephone 0800 316 9327. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 83

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29/09/2015 21:50

Education. Health. Justice. Commercial. Human Resources. Defence. Transport.

Climate change. International development. Foreign affairs. If the government has a policy on something, it is guaranteed that Fast Streamers are working at the heart of it, putting their brains and their skills at the disposal of the whole of society.

The Civil Service Fast Stream offers the kind of variety of roles and leadership training you simply can’t have anywhere else. Choose from an exciting range of generalist and specialist streams with a programme that’s ranked among the top five of The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.

Learn more: www.gov.uk/faststream

ad_pages_posability_oct_nov.indd 27

30/09/2015 00:34

Graduates

Graduate C Guidance

ongratulations! You’ve done it! Your university career has finally come to an end after what probably felt like countless sleepless nights pouring over textbooks, projects and essays.

The months following graduation can be daunting, especially for a graduate with a disability, when a search for employment is accompanied with additional concerns about managing your disability at work.

Organisations like EmployAbility specialise in helping graduates with disabilities to get into employment. They offer a variety of useful information on everything from how to write an effective CV, to interview techniques, This not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to assisting students and graduates with disabilities and long-term health conditions into employment.

The organisation provides support and guidance throughout the entire recruitment process, as well as working with a range of disability inclusive employers. ďƒŽ www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 85

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“We specifically work with talented disabled university students and graduates in their transition from education to employment.

We work with them on how to write better applications, how they can do well at assessment centres, at interviews and also look at how they can talk about their disability in a positive way for example.”

Disclosing your disability is always a tricky situation, and it can be difficult to talk to about your disability to get the adjustments you need during the recruitment process.

“We know that its something disabled students really worry about and often stops them applying to the sort of organisations that their peers are applying to, or they do apply and they fall through the process because adjustments aren’t made for them appropriately, or for example they don’t know how to ask for them.”

EmployAbility can help you through every stage of the recruitment process including helping you get the adjustments you need to apply, attend interviews and onwards and with big names like Google, Turner and Goldman and Sachs involved, they’re not shy about getting you out there.

Visit www.employ-ability.org.uk for more information and to register for free support.

Shaw Trust is a national charity which supports people with disabilities to prepare for work, find employment and manage their disability while working. Many graduate employers work with the Shaw Trust to help students with disabilities to apply for internships and graduate jobs.

For more information and to find your local centre visit www.shaw-trust.org.uk.

Evenbreak, founded by one of our columnists, Jane Hatton, is another not-for-profit enterprise that helps disabled jobseekers find work with employers who will value their skills. Although not exclusively for graduates, Evenbreak helps inclusive employers attract more talented disabled people. The website is a great resource which matches employers who value diversity with talented disabled candidates.

Disclosing your disability

There is, of course, no obligation for you to disclose any disability and although actively seeking a disability inclusive employer can prove extremely beneficial, there’s nothing to stop you applying for any role out there.

Thanks to the Equality Act 2010, if an

employer knows you are disabled they must make any ‘reasonable adjustment’ you might need in order to enable you to work for them.

You can turn to organisations like those mentioned for advice on how to disclose your disability to a prospective employer during the recruitment process, and also help you to make adjustments once you’ve landed that dream job.

With that in mind there are a number of websites that can help you bag that perfect role.

Prospects is the UK’s official graduate careers website. Not only can you search and apply for jobs, you can find advice on writing CV’s and covering letters, as well as interview tips. www.prospects.ac.uk Milkround allows you to search for vacancies by both industry and location.

This website also has an extensive advice section and some very helpful industry guides that can give you an insight into what a career in the industry may involve. www.milkround.com

Inclusive Employers

Increasingly, however, big companies are embracing the potential of disabled talent and actively seek to include them in their work force.

Many top employers also actively seek out new graduates to fulfil roles at their company through graduate schemes. These roles are specifically designed for graduates and can provide a great way to learn new skills and develop the ones you learned throughout university, whilst also playing an active role in the workplace.

There are lots of graduate schemes across the country and now is the best time to apply. Every year, The Times newspaper produces their guide to Britain’s Top 100 Graduate Employers.

Price Waterhouse Cooper came out top in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list in 2014 and are an inclusive employer.

“

“

graduates

big companies are embracing the potential of disabled talent and actively seek to include them in their work force

PwC Your career is just that; yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of a career with us. And we’re proud, based on the opportunity we offer, that students have voted us the number one Graduate Employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey for the last twelve years.

Where you could work

There are many areas of our business you can choose to join: Actuarial Assurance Consulting Deals PwC Legal Tax Technology Ways you can gain work experience No matter which year you’re in at University we have many ways you can learn, partly about us, but more importantly, about yourself. You can learn where your skills, interests and career goals would best fit by spending as little as one day with us on a career open day or if you’re looking to invest more time, you could apply to our summer internship programme or perhaps one of our work placements.

Join PwC. We’ll help you reach your full potential.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime. pwc.com/uk/careers facebook. com/PwCCareersUK @PwC_UK_Careers



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Arts degree English degree

History degree

Your degree is just the start

Our training & development programmes are designed to help you learn the most from an outstanding variety of work

Science degree

Geography degree

The experience stays with you Work in: Actuarial Assurance Consulting Deals PwC Legal Tax Technology

We welcome all degree subjects at PwC. In fact last year, almost half our graduate recruits had degrees in arts & humanities, science, law or social sciences. Surprised? Don’t be. We see your degree as just the start. The foundation to providing help to take your career in all sorts of directions – from accounting to consulting and tax to technology. You need to be passionate about business and we’ll provide an environment where you can learn, grow and excel in your career.

Join PwC – we’re focused on helping you reach your full potential.

Take the opportunity of a lifetime pwc.com/uk/careers

/pwccareersuk @pwc_uk_careers © 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.

ad_pages_posability_oct_nov.indd 28 044407_PwC_A4_GENERIC ADVERT.indd 1

Create value through diversity.

Be yourself, be different.

30/09/2015 16:14 00:35 10/07/2015

graduates

NUCLEARGRADUATES

nucleargraduates is a comprehensive scheme to help new graduates enter the booming nuclear resurgence. Here David Oakley shares his experience: “As a nucleargraduate I spent my two years on the scheme working in a number of different secondment locations at companies all over the nuclear industry.

This has seen me spend time working on plant, in design offices or working as a project manager in Cumbria, Oxfordshire and Caithness. In amongst the normal day to day engineering work I do there are lots of opportunities for personal development through training and visits to a range of nuclear facilities as well as footprints and STEM events which are designed to challenge our perceptions of the world around us and give us news ways of thinking.

“The support they gave me was simply to allow me to get on with the work I wanted to do and achieve the things I wanted. If I ever needed more support then I know it would have been there for me.

Civil Service also featured in the top 10 employers of the 2014 Times list. Their Fast Stream programme is for graduates who have the potential to become future leaders of the Civil Service.

21-year-old BA Politics student Thines took part in a six-week internship at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as part of their Civil Service Summer Diversity Internship Programme.

The second year student at University College London has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which is a congenital bone disorder. During his time with the FCO, Thines received a wealth of support to help him fulfil his role.

“My line manager assisted me in acquiring equipment that I needed in order to start my role; such as a height adjustable desk and sorting out facilities within the disabled bathroom so I could carry out my work comfortably and effectively. Another fantastic quality of his is the ability to be very responsive to my needs and wants of my short time here at the Foreign Office.

His ambitions align with mine in regards

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to ensuring I get a full flavour of what the Office is like and the different cogs that make the wheels of the foreign office turning smoothly.

“My time spent at the FCO has been a very conducive one and has really sparked an interest in me to want to become a diplomat in the future working with the Foreign Office. Having met a range of individuals from a range of backgrounds and seniority across the Office it has increased my ambitions and confidence that I would be able to apply for the Fast Stream process and attempt to get a role within the Office.”

“

“

“Over the next few years I want to settle down and make a success of my permanent role without having to relocate anymore, it has been a wonderful experience undertaking all of my secondments and living in a variety of different places in the UK but it’ll be nice to stay put for a while. The training and experiences I have received over the two years on the nucleargraduates programme will all be very valuable when I apply for my engineering chartership through the IChemE and hopefully it will accelerate the process for me.”

The support they gave me was simply to allow me to get on with the work I wanted to do and achieve the things I wanted

30/09/2015 17:06

Support to succeed It is still rare to find an organisation that truly embraces the concept of inclusivity within its workforce, despite the legal protections in place.

“At EY it was so much more effortless,” says Heather. She joined four years ago, having previously struggled to gain the support her physical disability and dyslexia entitles her to. “Everything that I’ve needed has been provided without question.”

This goes beyond applying the letter of the law and looks instead at providing the tools to help ensure success at work. “I’ve got a lightweight laptop and I work from home one day per week.

It’s lovely to get that flexibility which I don’t think all employers will give.”

Barry’s story is a similar one. Following an operation to replace a faulty heart valve, Barry found the support he needed working at EY.

“The way the partners gathered around, and the ways in which my team worked around me, that was a real affirming experience,” he tells us. “We all overcame obstacles. Flexi-time working, having the technology to work online from home; it all worked a treat.”

Here at EY, we understand that every individual has equally individual requirements — and that as an employer, we’ll only tap into our people’s very best performance if we embrace and enable these differences. Internal networks are one of the key ways EY remain attuned to the needs of its people. Heather continues: “I’m part of the Disability Working Group whose main focus is on education — to help people be more aware of their colleagues and to know what support is available as well.”

“I’ve got a lightweight laptop and I work from home one day per week. It’s lovely to get that flexibility which I don’t think all employers will give.”

The firm’s desire to add value to everyone’s career has not gone unnoticed. We’re delighted to have won the 2014 Business Disability Forum’s Career Development award and Executive Champion.

A reflection of success, it’s also an incentive to continue to do more.

© 2015 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Assurance | Consulting | Tax | Transactions

Start today.

Change tomorrow.

Make a big impact on business and your own career.

Find out more and apply ukcareers.ey.com/graduates

ad_pages_posability_oct_nov.indd 29 20515596_EY_PosAbility_Magazine_A4.indd 1

30/09/2015 00:35 23/09/2015 10:13

Shape the future of London – become a TfL graduate We want to be as diverse as the city we represent and welcome applications from everyone regardless of disability, faith, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or gender.

Take a wider look at tfl.gov.uk/graduates

Three simple steps allow you to achieve expertise in one of the most talked about and least understood industries via nucleargraduates.com 1. Be selected by one of the nucleargraduates’ sponsors (including Rolls-Royce, Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and other leading industry organisations and bodies)

2. Experience a world class twenty four month long development programme 3. Join your sponsor for a career based on professional excellence and opportunity.

MAYOR OF LONDON

Transport for London

Kidz to Adultz up North Thursday 19th November 2015 EventCity, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, M17 8AS 9.30am – 4.30pm A FREE event for children & young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.

150+ exhibitors / FREE CPD seminar Information on mobility, seating, bathing, transport, housing, education, employment, vehicles, communication, funding, The Care Act, legal matters and much more ........ Children Welcome!

Along with all the usual paediatric elements of our events, and to mirror the recent changes in legislation with the implementation of the Children & Families Act 2014, the Kidz exhibitions have expanded their remit to support adults up to the age of 25 years. This will include exhibitors from housing, higher education, employment fields together with domiciliary care services, personal budget brokers, accessible vehicles, holiday and travel options and so much more......

For Visitors FREE entry tickets contact Disabled Living:-

info@disabledliving.co.uk

www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk

0161 607 8200

Main Sponsor

Dates For Your Diary •Kidz to Adultz in the Middle 10th March 2016 Ricoh Arena, Coventry •Kidz to Adultz South 9th June 2016 - Rivermead Leisure Complex, Reading New event •Kidz to Adultz Wales 7th July 2016 - National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff •Kidz Scotland 15th September 2016 Royal Highland Exhibition Centre, Edinburgh

Established in 1897, Disabled Living is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Registered Charity number 224742

ad_pages_posability_oct_nov.indd 30

30/09/2015 17:50

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In the last edition of PosAbility we talked about the importance of maintaining a positive and professional online presence.

This time we’re going to specifically look at how you can use LinkedIn (www.linkedin. com) to help recruiters to find you and to be attractive candidates to them when they do.

Why LinkedIn? Well, of all the online platforms available, this is currently the one most used by recruiters and employers who are looking for candidates.

It is free for you to use (there is a premium version, but you can do all you need with the free version). Also there are many features which help you to showcase your knowledge and skills. Here are some tips for maximising the benefits to be gained by LinkedIn when you are looking for work: Your Profile Make sure you sell yourself well in your profile. This will be the first thing a recruiter looks at if they find you. It’s a good idea to put a photo up (LinkedIn is about making relationships and that’s much easier to do if you can see the person). You can complete all of the appropriate sections (e.g. work history, qualifications, articles, education etc) and also write about yourself in the profile. Mention your best strengths, the work achievements you are most proud of and areas you excel in. Make sure you list your skills in the relevant section, as this is how recruiters will find you.

Recommendations This is a great facility. You can ask people you know to write a recommendations for you which will be seen on your profile.

Connect with people you have worked with previously – managers, colleagues, people you have managed, customers, suppliers, partner organisations and so on, and write recommendations for them and then ask them to write a recommendation for you.

Imagine how powerful it is for a recruiter to see loads of recommendations from different people saying what a great person you are to work with. Don’t forget people you may have worked with in a voluntary capacity, or teachers/tutors etc.

Make New Connections LinkedIn will make suggestions for people you might like to connect with and you can also look at the connections of people you already know. If there are some that you would like to connect with, ask your connection to introduce you. You can quickly build a large number of connections with people it could be useful to know.

Showcase Your Knowledge There are three main ways to do this: Groups – you can join up to 50 groups with a free membership, so it’s a good idea to join groups in your field of work and be active in answering people’s questions, referring them to useful resources and

generally showing that you are knowledgeable in your subject area. If there isn’t a group relevant to your field, you can start one and invite people to join.

Pulse – you can write short articles (blogs) and publish them on LinkedIn in the area called Pulse. Again, if you write about your field of work, you will be seen as an expert in that field.

Status – you can link to articles you have written elsewhere, or just highlight interesting articles in your field of work for other people to read.

Think Like a Recruiter What qualities do you think a recruiter would be looking for in the ideal candidate for the role you would like? Does the information in your profile and content (group contributions, Pulse articles and statuses) match these qualities? If not, how can you make sure that your presence on LinkedIn makes you look an attractive candidate to any recruiter or employer who finds you there?

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.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 91

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Brain Teasers

PUZZLES

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 £25. Good luck!

Copyright © 2011 Peter G Sharp

1. Unable to see (5) 3. Draws into mouth (5) 6. Thrust with a knife (4) 7. Swiss city (6) 9. Banish (5) 10. Fail or misplace (4) 11. Open mesh fabric (3) 13. Small island (4) 15. Speed (5) 18. Bigger (6) 19. Breathe hard (4) 20. Incident (5) 21. Slumbered (5)

1. Woven container (6) 2. Inhabitant of Iraq (5) 3. Furtive (8) 4. Ships’ companies (5) 5. Stately aquatic bird (4) 8. Apartment (8) 12. Group of six (6) 14. Rush (5) 16. Frighten (5) 17. Sky colour (4) 1

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Finca Supported Holidays Ltd provide holidays all year round for adults who have learning disabilities. Our Spanish Villa is situated in the small village of Perleta, near Elche Alicante on the beautiful Costa Blanca. Please see our website for further accessible holiday destinations.

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CLASSIFIEDS Tel: 01257 422667

Manaros

Portugal

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Luz do Sol 4 bedroom villa with pool for disabled people and their families with fantastic sea views over the Algarve coast.

Sleeps 7 adults plus 2 babies.

Finca Supported Holidays are proud to provide fully supported holidays all year round individuals who have learning Finca for Supported Holidays Ltd provide disabilities, disabled people, theirwho families, holidays all year round for adults have friends, groups and organisations.

Withis learning disabilities. Our Spanish Villa destinations over thevillage world of and 24 hour situated inall the small Perleta, support provided, your every need be near Elche Alicante on the beautifulwill Costa cateredPlease for on asee Finca Blanca. ourSupported website forHoliday. further

Battery operated pool lift, sturdy ramps where needed. Level access shower room, grab rails, shower/commode chair, shower trolley and hoist - anything not kept at the villa can be hired locally. Airport transfers and hire of a ramped Kangoo available. Villa is spacious and light with beautiful covered terraces.

Large enclosed private garden with a large lit pool. Built in BBQ. Meet and greet at Faro airport. Call 00 351 919032377 email info@algarve-vacations.com or visit www.algarve-vacations.com.

accessible holiday destinations.

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PosAbility

Access Award

Norfolk Disabled Friendly Cottages

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

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01505 842062 / 07748 432648 www.albahighlandcottages.co.uk

30/09/2015 08:59

ds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | ds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | ds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Cornwall. Near Truro

• • • •

Two specially converted detached cottages on a small sheep farm in mid Cornwall.

Ensuite wetrooms Electric profiling beds Air/pressure mattress Hoists

• • • •

Shower chairs Riser/recline chairs Local care available Adapted kitchens

01726 883240 / 07762 173860 www.treworgans.co.uk

Atholl Centre Pitlochry

Las Piedras Hotel Disabled Holidays in Spain

Stay in Beautiful Rural Andalucia Stylish Accessible Accommodation Heated Swimming Pool with Hoist Mobility Aids, Accessible Transport & Excursions

www.disabledholidaysinspain.com Tel 029 212 54321 Contact Us Email info@disabledholidaysinspain.com

classifieds_oct_nov_15.indd 2

Easy access accommodation.

Disabled friendly chalet (sleeps 8) plus disabled en-suite bedrooms for B&B and group accommodation.

Special diets. Fantastic outdoor activities. Beautiful mountain scenery. Direct by rail, bus or car.

Quote POS for 10% discount www.athollcentre.org.uk

Contact Iain 01796 473044 Registered charity SCO15113

30/09/2015 09:00

Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Clas Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Clas Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Clas Hunstanton Cottages

Free meal for two with Nov/Dec bookings

Stay somewhere special..

SUNNY is a luxury fully equipped two bedded wheelchair friendly cottage in Hunstanton Norfolk. It has been completed to a very high standard including ceiling hoist, wet room, profiling bed and lots more. All facilities are on the ground floor with level access throughout. The adjoining cottage is: HUNNY it is a luxury holiday home that has been designed to sleep 6 people with two upstairs bedrooms and a ground floor sofa bed. The ground floor is wheelchair accessible, allowing residents of SUNNY full access to the ground floor of HUNNY.

Award winning, self-catering log cabins with stunning views of the Derbyshire countryside • M2 & M3a - stress free, easy level access for wheelchairs

• No extras - mobile hoist, profile beds and equipment included • Explore local trails - hire the Boma 7 off-road buggy • Additional care support tailored to your needs • Relax and unwind on our working farm • We welcome children and pets • Help at hand from friendly on site owners

Call: 01733 841170 or 07740055063 martin.bennett@hunstantoncottages.com

Contact David and Felicity on 01629 540262 www.hoegrangeholidays.co.uk

www.hunstantoncottages.com

Holiday on the beautiful Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the West Coast of Scotland. Two houses open year round.

One 4 bedroomed, one 2 bedroomed.

Each has a bedroom on the ground floor with an en-suite, disabled access wet room, designed by a disabled person.

Details on our website.

www.bluebellcroft.co.uk or call us 01967 402226 chris@bluebellcroft.co.uk

| Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds | ClasPromote business assifieds | Classifieds | Classifiedsyour | Classifieds | Classifieds infront |of 150,000 readers s | Classifieds | Classifieds Classifieds | Classifieds | Clasassifieds | Classifiedswww.posabiitymagazine.co.uk | Classifieds | Classifieds | Classifieds VISIT SCOTLAND 5 STAR - GREEN TOURISM GOLD AWARD

Founded in 1991.

We offer a personalised service for all our clients.

Tel: 01942 888844 office@access-travel.co.uk www.access-travel.co.uk

classifieds_oct_nov_15.indd 3

Let Us Plan Your Next Holiday!

Lanzarote, Algarve, Majorca, Spain, Gran Canaria, France, Tenerife, Jersey, Fuerteventura, Crete, Cyprus & Florida Guaranteed wheelchair accessible accommodation.

30/09/2015 09:00

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. 8 accessible luxury lakeside lodges in Devon . 5 Caravan Club CL pitches with electric . Well stocked 1.5 acre coarse fishing lake . Heated indoor pool (April - October) . Licensed bar and games room . Orchard and woodland walk . Dogs welcome . Free Wifi

01409 211140 info@blagdonfarm.co.uk www.blagdonfarm.co.uk

Parkside Guest House

“Do you have a disability?

Would you like to go on a cruise holiday? Do you think cruise ships are totally inaccessible?

Ever wanted to do a Safari?

Or travel to South Africa, Botswana or Namibia?

I, Doug Smith, the author of ‘The disABILITY To Cruise?’, am a full-time wheelchair user, having had Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus since birth.

Didn’t think it would be possible for a disabled traveller?

In my book, I use my vast experience of the cruise industry and of disability to take you on a journey from initially choosing and booking your cruise right through to the final disembarkation process, so that you should have no issues when you finally get back home. By the time you have read my book, you will have all of the information you require to decide whether or not a cruise holiday is right for you. I think it is... in fact, I KNOW it is!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your copy of ‘The disABILITY To Cruise’ today! Contact Doug Smith at the details below:

Relax in our recently refurbished, accessible, five bedroom guest house, close to the city centre.

Contact: Becky & Paul Hill Tel: 01202 630075 Email: becky@endeavour-uk.co.uk

Home Tel No: 01779 470839 Mobile Tel No: 07584 953805 Email: dougiesmith64456@aol.com

• • • • • •

Edinburgh getaway for disabled people

Let us show you how it can be done.

• • • •

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peaceful residential area BeckyHill.indd nearby attractions local accessible transport two fully accessible ensuite rooms one family ensuite room accessible dining room, lounge and garden room service specialist care staff onsite night concierge respite stays available

Quote ‘PosAbility2015’ for a 10% discount parksidebooking@leonardcheshire.org 0131 346 9044 leonardcheshire.org

1

17/03/2015 13:14:56

George Barn

George Barn

Call Michael on: 01386 840164 / 0788 964 9812 www.cotswoldcharm.com

www.cotswoldcharm.com Call Michael on: 01386 840164/0788 964 9812

For sale £425,000

Granary

Granary

» Beautiful Georgian town house arranged over 4 floors » Professionally adapted to incorporate a 5 man lift accessing all floors » Situated in the heart of the thriving town centre of Deal and overlooking the conservation area. » Currently trading as a Bakery on the ground floor, the upper floors being residential. » Could easily be reverted to a residential property, or why not run your own business and live under the same roof.

Find out more on the estate agents website www.jenkinsonestates.co.uk

classifieds_oct_nov_15.indd 4

30/09/2015 09:00

magazine

Nothing is Impossible...

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Jubilee Jubilee Sailing Sailing Trust Trust 12 Hazel 12 Hazel Road Road Woolston Woolston Southampton Southampton SO19 SO19 7GA7GA

Tel:Tel: 023023 8044 8044 9108 9108 Email: Email: info@jst.org.uk info@jst.org.uk

Every issue is packed with information designed to help you Travel Reviews live life to the full, from products Expert travel reviews to help you Competitions and sports to holiday ideas and make the best choice when booking DearDear Member, Member, Exclusive competitions that give employment advice, so make sure your holiday. you the chance to win dream you don’t miss out on any future We have We have teamed teamed up with up with brand brand newnew magazine, magazine, PosAbility, PosAbility, to send to send youyou a complimentary a complimentary copycopy of the of the firstfirst issue. issue.

TheThe holidays, amazing products and issues and subscribe today! magazine magazine is filled is filled withwith useful useful articles, articles, enjoyable enjoyable stories stories andand lots lots of competitions, of competitions, including, including, the the chance chance to win to win a a

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PosAbility PosAbility is allisabout all about living living independently independently andand actively, actively, something something youyou will will readread a lotaabout lot about in PosAbility. in PosAbility.

ThisThis Like us on Facebook support in everyday living. issue issue looks looks intointo theyou the Paralympic Paralympic hopefuls hopefuls for 2012 for 2012 andand gives gives some some tipstips to those to those whowho are keen are keen to take to take a sport a sport up on up on Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’ a serious a serious level. level.

There There is also is also an article an article on Extreme on Extreme Sports Sports for the for more more adventurous reader, a look a look at the at the Wheelchair Wheelchair Wethe look atadventurous sportsreader, and activities Challenge Challenge taking taking place place nextnext month month andand an overview an overview of the of the Mobility Mobility Roadshow.

Roadshow. available for you to get involved in

Health and Fitness

Employment and Education

helpat you lead healthy Regular columns and features on We hope We hope youyou enjoy enjoy reading reading PosAbility, PosAbility, if you if you would would like like to subscribe toto subscribe only at only £10 £10 fora1for year 1 year or £18 orlifestyle. £18 for 2for years, 2 years, please please use use the the form form below below to post todream post backback with with your your payment payment or call or call 0141 0141 582582 1475 1475 andand quote quote ‘Jubilee’ ‘Jubilee’ . . getting your job.

Providing

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advice on CV’s, interview tips and much more.

Many Many Thanks Thanks

JohnJohn Patten Patten Jubilee Jubilee Sailing Sailing Trust Trust

Personal Stories

Days Out

Great ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

Inspiring tales from our readers.

ability Oct/Nov 2015

magazine

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Nothing is Impossib

I WOULD I WOULD LIKE LIKE TOTO SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TOTO POSABILITY POSABILITY MAGAZINE: MAGAZINE: £12 Please Please tick the tickappropriate the appropriate box:box:1 year 1 year (6 issues) (6 issues) - £10- £10

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subsription_oct_nov.indd 1

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Contact Contact Details Details Address: PosAbility Magazine, Caledonia Address: Address: PosAbility PosAbility Magazine, Magazine, Woodside Woodside House, House, House, Evanton Drive, 20-2320-23 Woodside Woodside Place, Place, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, Glasgow, G3 7QF G3 Glasgow, G467QF 8JT Tel: 0141 Tel: 0141 582 1475 582 270 1475 8085

Fax: 0141 0141 582 582 1476 Fax:Fax: 0141 2701476 8086

Code:Code: JST 1 JST 1

Oct/Nov 2015

30/09/2015 18:04

MCELMEEL_ACCESS 27/05/2015 15:45 Page 3

Affordable for All New Vehicles • Nearly New Vehicles • Used Vehicles • Hire

OUR ACCESSIBLE & TRENDY MODEL

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30/09/2015 17:24

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OPTIONAL AUTO OPTIONAL 4WD

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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. Model shown is an ASX ZC 1.6 petrol manual. Terms and Conditions apply. Please ask the dealer for full details. Rentals valid for applications placed between 1st October and 31st December 2015. Fuel figures shown are official EU test figures, to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

ASX range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 38.2 – 54.3 (7.4 – 5.2), Extra Urban 56.5 – 67.3 (5.0 – 4.2), Combined 47.9 – 61.4 (5.9 – 4.6), CO2 emissions 152 - 119 g/km.

ad_pages_posability_oct_nov.indd 33 M37929 Q4 2015 ASX Motability PosAbility Mag 297x210.indd 1

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