PosAbility – Feb / March 2019 by 2A Publishing

MAGAZINE

Nothing is Impossible... February/March 2019

JONNIE PEACOCK

DREAM

ON INJURY, COMPETITION AND WHAT HE HOPES FOR THE SPORT

DESTINATIONS

An accessible world awaits you

THE CREATIVE SIDE OF

DOWN'S SYNDROME

Keeping your prescriptions simple l a n so r e p e ic v r e s r ou d an Michelle Healthcare Partner

Jenny Pharmacist

Najma Healthcare Supervisor

SECTION HEADER

WELCOME February/March 2019

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writers: Colette Carr, Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Marketing: Amie Reilly Sales: Val Speers

CONTRIBUTORS

Jane Hatton, Sam Renke, Mik Scarlet, Dan White, Rio Woolf As we bounce into February and make our way closer to spring and a time that does not involve snow or freezing temperatures, we start to think about sunnier climes Editor and tropical landscapes where we can unwind gazing at crystal blue waters or explore our adventurous side by taking a hot air balloon ride across foreign lands. However, something is always lurking at the back of your mind when thinking about journeying to far off lands – how accessible is it going to be?

Ros

We speak to Ali Parker who works with Travel Counsellors, a travel company dedicated to booking your bespoke dream destination. Ali has a wealth of experience in the accessible travel industry and on page 46 she reveals the amazing service that she can offer

in sourcing accessible accommodation, trips, transfers and travel. We are also celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day on 21 March and we will of course be donning our weird and wonderful array of socks to mark the occasion, we hope you will join us! In honour of this celebrated day we explore some of the creative and artistic talents of the Down’s syndrome community to showcase the amazing performances and work that is being produced. This issue saw us catch up with Britain’s star Paralympian Jonnie Peacock to find out more about how he is shaping up for the year ahead, read more on page 50. With Easter fast approaching and with that comes school holidays and the panic of organising activities, we bring you a guide on how to keep the kids entertained, at least for a little while.

DISCLAIMER

PosAbility Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in PosAbility Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2019 ©2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

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We hope you enjoy this latest issue, remember if you have any ideas for future issues please don’t hesitate to get in touch at ros@2apublishing.co.uk. MAGAZINE

Nothing is Impossible... February/March 2019

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JONNIE PEACOCK

DREAM

ON INJURY, COMPETITION AND WHAT HE HOPES FOR THE SPORT

DESTINATIONS

An accessible world awaits you

THE CREATIVE SIDE OF

DOWN'S SYNDROME

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019| ISSUE 47

CONTENTS 14

FEATURES

07 FYI

News, stories and updates from around the world

Meet the woman on a mission to transform ostomy bags

13 A CALL TO ARMS

43 COMPETITION

14 WORLD DOWN’S SYNDROME DAY

45 CALVERT TRUST EXMOOR

Mik Scarlet rallies a war cry for 2019

We celebrate the artistic talents in the Down’s syndrome community

21 UNAPOLOGETIC

Sam Renke says it as it is and tells us to stop apologising when people offer help

22 ADAPTING YOUR HOME We explore ways to keep you living independently in your home

40 THE BEAUTY OF THE BODY

27 READY, STEADY, COOK!

Find out about the video series that is teaching disabled people how to rustle up healthy, tasty meals

31 YOU AND SOMETHING NEW Get ready for the return of Disabled Access Day

33 HOT STUFF

Win an unforgettable holiday with Revitalise Learn what exciting adventures Calvert Trust holds

46 DREAM DESTINATIONS

Learn about bespoke travel service Travel Counsellors

50 HERE’S JONNIE

Jonnie Peacock lets PosAbility in on his comeback plans for 2019 and 2020

53 KIDS CORNER

Learn about wheelchair rollerblading in London, the app helping illiteracy in Deaf children, Easter activities and a Teddy Bear Hospital

73 STARS OF THE SILVER SCREEN

We explore the British Film Institution’s archive of disabled film

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

77 GET THAT DREAM JOB

37 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, LOVE, POSABILITY X

79 PUZZLES

Spice up your life this V Day

Jane Hatton helps you get your dream job

Keep your brain active with these mindbenders and teasers

WIN!

an unforgettable respite holiday with Revitalise!

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26 40

34 33

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FYI

News and stories from around the world

FYI

EXCITING TIMES FOR QEF

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

NAIDEX IS BACK WITH A BANG Naidex, Europe’s most established event dedicated to the future of disability and independent living, is back for its 45th anniversary on 26 and 27 March 2019, at Birmingham’s NEC. This year, Naidex will look to inspire, educate and empower over 15,000 visitors by promoting the themes of active living, accessibility, inclusion in the workplace, mental health and much more! Find 250 thrilling seminars from the likes of BBC, AirBnB, Microsoft and more! Discover 350 world-class exhibitors that will offer the solutions to enable you to live more independently. Try your hand at inclusive sport in the Live Sports Arena and uncover the perfect mobility equipment by trying it out on the Mobility Test Track and comparing it to other options. With all this lined up, Naidex will once again become the hub of the disability sector, offering all the innovations that are improving accessibility and inclusion, as well as empowering people with a disability. Register for your FREE ticket at naidex.co.uk.

Naidex is back for its 45th anniversary on 26 and 27 March 2019, at Birmingham’s NEC

Disabled holidaymakers can benefit from a new video guide to help settle any nerves or queries about flying with a disability, following the launch of new film Your Guide to Flying with a Disability by the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People. Focusing on travellers in powered wheelchairs, the film outlines every stage of the process, from the required preparation, check-in, security, boarding, in-flight and landing, as well as highlighting the assistance available. Created in conjunction with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the industry, it is hoped the video will help build confidence among disabled people when flying and is a direct response to reports concluding three million requests are made for assistance at UK airports – requests that are increasing at almost double the rate of general passenger growth. Equiptment Fair QEF are also running an Equipment Fair day on Thursday 14 March, a leisure and sport themed event where visitors can attend free demos and ask exhibitors questions. Find out more at qef.org.uk

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BRIDAL SHOP IN INCLUSION WIN

BENEFIT UNVEIL FIRST DISABLED AMBASSADOR Image: Twitter / Beth Wilson @doodlebeth

A bridal shop in Portishead has been praised for showcasing a mannequin in a wheelchair wearing a beautiful wedding dress. The window display was spotted by Beth Wilson, a wheelchair user herself, who tweeted the image with the message: “The new wedding shop in town has a wheelchair using mannequin and it shouldn’t be exciting but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen disability portrayed in a shop window.” The image went viral, gaining over 25,000 likes and over 5,400 retweets. The bridal shop, The White Collection, is owned by sister duo Laura Allen and Sarah Parker. Mrs Allen told the BBC: “It’s been great having such a positive response, but in a way it’s quite sad people have done a double take, it shows how rare it is to see a wheelchair in a shop window.”

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Northern Ireland’s Kate Grant has become a brand ambassador for international cosmetics firm Benefit, becoming one of the latest in their tribe of ‘Wing Women’. The 20-year-old with Down’s syndrome from county Tyrone, won the Teen Ultimate Beauty Of The World pageant which shot her into prominence as she carves her modelling career out in the beauty industry. With Benefit, who can be found on counters in over 2000 shops in more than 30 countries, saying they are, “so pleased to have her as one

of our Wing Women,” Kate’s mum has praised her daughter’s latest gig as a brilliant feat for inclusion and believes she can pave the way. Deirdre Grant told ITV: “She is paving the way for people coming behind her. “She is aware of that and wants to spread awareness about inclusion for people with disabilities and that is what she has done from the very start. She is aware that she is able to do that in a way some of her friends cannot. She is using her voice for them. “She has a great drive to be a supermodel. I love her optimism and as her mum I would always be there to support her in that optimism. She would say Down’s syndrome does not define me – I am Kate.”

EMMERDALE STAR WINS BEST NEWCOMER GONG An Emmerdale actor, who has cerebral palsy, dedicated his National Television Awards Best Newcomer award to those who voted for him and thanked Emmerdale for taking on a new character with a disability. James Moore, who plays Charity Dingle’s estranged son Ryan, who also has cerebral palsy, joined the

Yorkshire-set soap in May 2018 and was immediately embroiled in a dramatic historical abuse storyline. In his acceptance speech, he said: “A year ago, I never thought I’d be here, you know what I mean? And for Emmerdale to take on someone with a disability shows the progression that we need in this day and age.”

FYI

RDA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF OVERCOMING HURDLES In 2019 the RDA will celebrate its 50th anniversary, with the success of the Accessibility Mark scheme testament to the charity’s work in breaking down barriers and making riding a sport for all. The Riding for the Disabled Association in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation launched the revolutionary Accessibility Mark scheme to work with riding centres with the aim of opening up more opportunities for disabled people to participate in riding. The theme for RDA’s 50th anniversary year is ‘challenging stereotypes’, which is exactly what Accessibility Mark centres strive to achieve daily. To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit rda.org.uk.

SERVING UP PROFESSIONAL TRAINING A two-course dinner made from scratch was on the menu when students from a specialist college were invited on a professional catering skills workshop. Five hospitality students from Derwen College, a further education college for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, had the opportunity to train for the day at a Whitbread-owned industry training kitchen. Whitbread – owner of restaurant brands including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Thyme, Cookhouse & Pub and Bar + Block – asked students from the Oswestry-based college to attend a bespoke catering course at its North Learning and Skills Academy in Sale, near Manchester. The students and two members of staff jumped at the chance to learn new skills in a professional environment with top class teaching chefs.

Premier Inn Regional Operations Manager Tracey Bishop invited the students on the experience, having established a close professional relationship between Derwen and the UK’s biggest hotel company Premier Inn, which is also Whitbreadowned. The partnership, which sees students undertaking work experience and paid employment at Premier Inn hotels across the UK, has also seen the creation of a mini Premier Inn training hotel on the college grounds; here students gain valuable first-hand experience of the hospitality industry.

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FYI

AN INCLUSIVE BURNS SUPPER Disability charity PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) celebrated a very successful 8th Annual Burns Supper which took place on Saturday 26 January at the Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa in Dundee. Inclusion was at the heart of this Burns Supper, which was sponsored by Blackadders Solictors, with an Immortal Memory performed in the form of a dance by Debbie Killoh who has a learning disability. Debbie had recently won the PAMIS Come Dancing event which had been the culmination of funding from the Better Breaks funding which allowed PAMIS to run inclusive dance workshops. Guests at the event described the dance as “beautiful and emotional,” a fitting tribute for the evening. Another new addition to the running order was a multi-sensory story version of a Robert Burns classic called ‘The Legend of Tam O’Shanter’ performed by Mark Naismith, a young man with a learning disability and a trained multi-sensory storyteller. Jenny Miller chief executive of PAMIS commented: “We were delighted with our contemporary take on a Burns Supper. This gave PAMIS an opportunity to showcase the work we are doing to promote a more inclusive society for some of the most marginalized people in our communities. Encouraged by the success of our event we are already planning an exciting programme for next year which will include even more inclusive elements.” pamis.org.uk

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“ANOTHER NEW ADDITION TO THE RUNNING ORDER WAS A MULTI-SENSORY STORY VERSION OF A ROBERT BURNS CLASSIC CALLED ‘THE LEGEND OF TAM O’SHANTER’ PERFORMED BY MARK NAISMITH, A YOUNG MAN WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY AND A TRAINED MULTISENSORY STORYTELLER.”

“WE WERE DELIGHTED WITH OUR CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON A BURNS SUPPER. THIS GAVE PAMIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THE WORK WE ARE DOING TO PROMOTE A MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY”

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COLUMNIST Mik Scarlet

Follow Mik on Twitter

@MikScarlet

A CALL TO ARMS J

ust before Christmas my wife, my brother and I were off to see Adam Ant play the Roundhouse in Camden. Before we spent a night of singing at the top of our voices, dancing vigorously and purchasing tour t-shirts as any good Ant fan would, we thought we’d grab a bite to eat. So we popped into a local branch of a major restaurant chain and joined the short queue to be seated. Rather than eating and then scooting off to the gig, we found ourselves fighting to get the basic service any person would expect. I won’t go into too much detail, but it was your usual staff having no idea how to make sure disabled people were given the chance to experience a service like anyone else. My wife Diane and I are used to experiencing substandard service, but my brother was incensed. We don’t go out to eat often, and I’m sure it reminded him of when I first started using a wheelchair and was refused because other diners might be put off by seeing someone disabled in the restaurant. I could see how shocked he was that things hadn’t changed despite more than 30 years having passed. In the end, we left, went around the corner to a local pizza restaurant that served us with a smile. Anyone who knows me knows my Twitter addiction, so I tweeted about what happened and to be honest I thought that was that. Luckily, a local news outlet who follow me contacted me and asked if I would film an interview. I agreed, and last week a crew followed me around Camden, as I used the experience to explain that good customer service is as vital

as physical access. The manager of the restaurant came out as we filmed and apologised and promised he’d try to ensure it never happened again. If it had ended at that, everything would have been fine. However, the chain’s PR company kicked up a stink, claiming I was lying and threatened to sue the news company. Nothing has yet been shown, as the company’s legal team are fighting the restaurant over it. I obviously turned to Twitter to say what was happening and I found many people had also faced this type of reaction when complaining.

“It’s time to stand up and say I ain’t going to take this sitting down! (Yes I like the irony of that statement.)” Accusing disabled people of lying and threatening to sue them when they dare to highlight their experiences of what is discrimination, is a shocking way of responding to complaints. Yet it is plain this happens far too often. My tweets gained a response from the managing director of the restaurant chain, and he called me to discuss the incident. He was adamant that this will be a learning experience and promised that he would do his best to ensure it would never happen again. A super result. I realise that I may have received this response because I have quite a substantial online following, but it also shows that shouting loudly can pay off.

Sophie Morgan and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson have also recently highlighted poor service and access provision, and I expect they too will gain media interest leading to a reaction from the company’s in question. Again, it might be easy to imagine they get a response because of their celebrity, but I know from my years of working in the media that we can all get a reaction. To get action you need to tell the world how you’ve been treated and shout about how wrong it is. I know that local press and media are desperate for stories and they are catching onto the fact that disabled people are facing real discrimination. They want to hear from you. So use it. Tell them every time you face this rubbish. Tell the world. If nothing else it’s great to vent, and it may lead to things changing. Using social media means we all support each other too. We all raise our joined voices in saying “no more”. By doing so we become a major force for change. It might feel unfair to always have to act. Why can’t we just get equal treatment? Sadly, we’re just not there yet, and like so many oppressed groups before us it’s up to us to fight for change. I know I will die before society truly sees disabled people as equal, but I also know I will have played a part in helping to create a more inclusive society for future generations of disabled people. That’s enough for me. So it’s time to stop accepting things being unfair. It’s time to stand up and say I ain’t going to take this sitting down! (Yes I like the irony of that statement.)

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WORLD

DOWN’S SYNDROME DAY

Ahead of the worldwide celebration of people with Down’s syndrome and their abilities on 21 March, PosAbility is showcasing some of the best talent in the wide and wonderful world of the arts.

UPS AND DOWNS THEATRE GROUP

THE GREATEST DANCER ANDREW Image: BBC

Diversity on UK screens has been ever-increasing over the past few years, and January got off to a great start after a contestant with Down’s syndrome on new dance competition The Greatest Dancer wowed the arena audience and TV viewers alike. Freestyle dancer Andrew stole the show with his routine to Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling enough to win the audience support and the get the judges on their feet to see him progress to the next round. 21-year-old Andrew’s audition played out as the showstopping finale to the series’ debut show which sees dancers begin their audition in a studio in front of a mirrored wall, with the wall opening to reveal the stage once 75% of the studio audience have voted the act through, with Strictly professional Oti Mabuse, Glee and Broadway star Matthew Morrison and Cheryl Cole as captains. The Strictly Come Dancing

superfan found his feet after watching the BBC One show at 11 and began to imitate the dances in front of the TV alerting his mum to his talent, eventually entering the contest with a top prize of a cool £50,000 and the chance to perform on Strictly. After soaring through the initial audition, Andrew was greeted by floods of compliments from the judges, ending up starstruck by Matthew and Oti with his mum citing Strictly and Glee as his all-time favourite shows. “Andrew you are amazing!” Jonnie Peacock’s Strictly partner Oti told the self-taught dancer in front of the arena. “You’re the total showman and once the mirrors opened, you were a whole different person!” Following leaving to a rapturous applause, a speechless Andrew struggled to find the words, just managing to tell the camera, “I loved it! I loved it!” Image: Ups and Downs

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Hamilton-based theatre group Ups and Downs showcases the performance skills and showmanship of local young people with Down’s syndrome through their numerous musical performances. Started in 1995 by school teachers George Barclay, Elaine Kirkwood and Theresa McKinnon, the company now has over 75 performers involved. The triple threat of singing, dancing and acting allows the group to put on awe-inspiring performances and ahead of World Down’s Syndrome Day, the troupe are performing their Take 24 show over five dates in March at the Hamilton Town House with tickets still available. upsanddownstheatregroup.org

ARTS

“A platform – to create, educate, inspire, sell and most importantly change the sometimes wrong perception towards art created by those with a disability or a condition.”

HEART & SOLD Heart & Sold don’t only put the spotlight on artists with Down’s syndrome from all over the world – they sell their work too. Inspired by the birth of her son Max who has Down’s syndrome, director and founder Suzie Moffat said: “My reaction and instinct was to combine my interest and experience in the arts with meeting talented individuals with the condition. “I discovered there were artists all over the world with Down’s syndrome and was determined that their work should be more widely celebrated. “Plans began for a small ‘pilot’ exhibition at my local Arts Festival in Cheshire, England, which was really well received. Visitors commented on the quality of the art, the professional way in which it had been marketed, the overall high standard of the exhibition. This was thanks to Matt Maurer, Director at Mr.M and my husband and photographer, Paul Moffat.” The website continued with: “We want to give artists with Down’s syndrome, as well as their family and friends, an opportunity to use Heart & Sold as a platform – to create, educate, inspire, sell and most importantly change the sometimes wrong perception towards art created by those with a disability or a condition.” The website details testimonials for their artists, reports from previous exhibitions and a shop to snap up some of the phenomenal talent on sale. heartandsold.org.uk

DRAG SYNDROME Image: Richard Kaby

RuPaul’s Drag Race has exploded the concept of drag as an artform into the mainstream, with performers playing with gender and sexuality in their exploration of the artform. Drag Syndrome are a troupe of performers – both kings and queens – who all have Down’s syndrome. Drag has always existed outwith the mainstream, be it in the ball culture, where queens would perform in the dead of night to win awards for their art, and in its acceptance and exploration of the wider facets of the LGTBQ+ community, but has rarely included disability. Otto Baxter, better known as Horrora Shebang, spoke to PosAbility about what Drag Syndrome means to him. “My drag Persona is Horrora Shebang: she is sassy, sexy, has no shame, and she is in your face,” Baxter told us. “Drag allows me to explore myself as an artist and performer. It gives me

a platform to express myself without anyone telling me what to do, who to be or what’s right for me. It allows me to perform and play with gender, try new makeup and outrageous costumes. I just love it so much.” Baxter was invited to take part in a show by Culture Device, the collective behind Drag Syndrome. It offers him empowerment, and a place to perform without filters. With Drag Syndrome, Baxter has been given the opportunity to perform in clubs across the world, including a recent tour in Sweden. “Every performance is my favourite,” he said. “We have performed at great venues and stages. The highlights are performing at Alternative Miss World, on the stage of the Shakespeare’s Globe and also in Oslo.” To find out more about Drag Syndrome, visit Culture Device’s website: culturedevice.org

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MADE FOR PEACE OF MIND

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Official fuel consumption for the XC40 T3 Momentum Manual, in MPG (l/100km): WLTP Low 31.4 – 32.5 (9.0 – 8.7), WLTP Medium 38.2 – 42.2 (7.4 – 6.7), WLTP High 42.8 – 47.1 (6.6 – 6.0), WLTP Extra High 33.6 – 37.2 (8.4 – 7.6), WLTP Combined 36.7 – 39.8 (7.7 – 7.1). NEDC CO2 emissions 148 – 144g/km. Fuel consumption figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Advance Payment of £2,999 is for the new Volvo XC40 T3 Momentum Manual. Metallic Paint is included free of charge. 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 for 36 months’ duration. 60,000 mileage allowance over 3 years; excess mileage charges may apply. Offer available from 1/1/19 to 31/3/19 subject to availability at participating retailers. Offer not available with other promotions and may be subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit www.motability.co.uk. Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB.

ARTS

Image: RedCarpetReport – Wikimedia

“Adelaide is a complex character, but the most difficult part of playing Adelaide is learning how to portray someone who isn’t always viewed acceptable to her mother and society. This is a new challenge for me.”

JAMIE BREWER Best known for her role in the anthology TV series American Horror Story, Brewer is a highly respected model and actress who has Down’s syndrome. With a background in theatre, she was selected to play Adelaide Langdon, daughter of American Horror Story: Murder House’s antagonist Constance Langdon, in a role she considered challenging. She told Media Mikes: “Adelaide is a complex character, but the most difficult part of playing Adelaide is learning how to portray someone who isn’t always viewed acceptable to her mother and society. This is a new challenge for me.” The show was a breakaway hit, and Brewer would return in a supporting role in American Horror Story: Coven as the young witch Nan, a guest role in American Horror Story: Freak Show, and return to American Horror Story: Apocalypse in her role as Adelaide. Brewer would be the first woman with Down’s syndrome to walk the red carpet at New York Fashion Week, which she did in February 2015 for fashion designer Carrie Hammer. She told IMDB: “Young girls and even young women [see me] and say ‘hey, if she can do it so can I’. It’s a true inspiration being a role model for any young women to [encourage them] in being who they are and showing who they are.” She would go on to perform in the off-Broadway play Amy and the Orphans, which would win her the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her role.

CHRISTIAN ROYAL Christian has always had an affinity with clay. The young man from Charleston, South Carolina makes stunning, delicate traditional handmade pottery which is deeply influenced and inspired by nature. While he struggled in school, in a homeschooling programme, his talents for pottery were nurtured, and after a lesson with local potter Kris Neal of Fire and Earth Pottery, it became the focus of his life. From there, he was taken under the wing of John and Han Myers, who taught him pottery techniques, and moved him into their studio. After six months of their tutelage, he received an offer to sell his pottery at a local charity, which led to several other opportunities to have his pottery sold and reach a wider audience. His studio’s aim is to “create stoneware with the charm of things imperfect and simple, with a beauty and appeal that is prized by those who purchase it and esteemed by those to whom it is given.”

Christian’s pottery is influenced in design by nature: rolling and flowing edges conjure images of the sea, while the greens and leaf shapes used in a significant number of his designs are a more obvious harkening to the natural world. The studio’s adage of “stoneware with the charms of things imperfect and simple” accurately reflects the simple but beautiful and technically accurate nature of his design.

Images: Christian Royal Pottery – Facebook

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PERTII KURIKAN NIMIPÄIVÄT Pertii Kurikan Nimipäivät, or PKN for short, were formed in Konala, Finland at a workshop for adults with learning difficulties, and shot to international fame with both the award-winning 2012 documentary The Punk Syndrome and their appearance in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, where they represented their native Finland. Despite one reviewer for Eurovision purist blog Wiwibloggs calling their Eurovision entry Aina mun pitää (in English: I Always Have To) “noise with a good backstory,” their brand

Images: Ailura, CC BY-SA 3.0 AT; Cecil – Wikimedia

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of classic Stooges-style, safety-pin aesthetic punk speaks to the trials that they as disabled people face. “I need a little respect and dignity in my life,” one song says. Another, raging against discrimination, goes: “I must eat pig food in the nuthouse, I keep my mouth shut or they will stab me.” “We are rebelling against society in different ways, but we are not political,” bass player Sami Helle told the Guardian. “We are changing attitudes somewhat, a lot of people are coming to our gigs and we have a lot of fans. We don’t want people to vote for us to feel sorry for us, we are not that different from everybody else – just

normal guys with a mental handicap.” Finland got behind their Eurovision hopefuls in much like they got behind Lordi’s Hard Rock Hallelujah, with even the Finish post office Posti showing their support by issuing a special stamp for the band. A win wasn’t on the cards for PKN, with them going out in the competition’s semi-final, but their legacy was felt. When Pertii Kurikan, the band’s guitarist, turned 60 in 2016, PKN decided to call it a day, hanging up their instruments for something a little less punk rock. Their legacy, however, lives on.

£145 T H E E C O S P O R T S T- L I N E

A DVA N C E

PAY M E N T

Ford EcoSport ST-Line from only £145 * Advance Payment. To find out more, visit ford.co.uk /motability or call 0345 60 40 019.

T O G E T H E R

W E

G O

F U R T H E R

Model shown is a Ford EcoSport ST-Line 1.0T EcoBoost 100PS Manual Petrol: Fuel Economy mpg (l/100km), Combined 43.4 (6.5), CO2 emissions 120g/km^. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. ^There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Data correct as of 1st November 2018. *£145 Advance Payment available only on Ford EcoSport ST-Line 1.0T EcoBoost 100PS Manual. This programme is subject to the standard conditions of the Motability Scheme hire agreement. Full written details and quotations available on request from a Ford Authorised participating Dealer of Motability Operations Limited. Motability Scheme vehicles are leased to customers by Motability Operations. Motability Operations Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 735390. To qualify you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) and applications must be made with participating dealers between 1st January and 31st March 2019. Prices are correct at time of print, are subject to availability and may change. For more information and most up-to-date data, please see the price list at www.ford.co.uk/motability

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP YOU ON THE MOVE

THERA-Trainer EXERCISE BIKES ACTIVE / PASSIVE

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CHOOSE THE RIGHT EXERCISE bike to suit both your need and budget from our range of THERA trainers.

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TIGO 510

SECTION HEADER

COLUMNIST Sam Renke

You can follow Sam on @samrenke

UNAPOLOGETIC! Our favourite teacher-turnedactress, Sam Renke, brings you her take on life and the colourful experiences it throws her way.

“If you haven’t given yourself a New Year’s resolution then why not challenge yourself to stop saying sorry, let people around you help you without feeling like a burden. Recognise that you aren’t the problem, society and our environment is.”

ith a new year comes a new way of thinking.

I recently shared a post on my social media platforms that went like this: “It’s taken me years to stop apologising for my disability! Saying sorry to my mum for giving up her career as a nurse to care for me, saying sorry to friends for changing their birthday plans so that we could be in an accessible venue, saying sorry to the stranger in the shop who helps you reach what you want. “You need to stop feeling like a burden or a nuisance to others. People do things because they care, respect and love you! If they didn’t they wouldn’t come to your aid, it’s that simple.”

it is, means my independence is totally taken away as the homes of my adoptive Mexican family have zero access. The first time I visited I was in shock, I felt like a complete burden and every task seemed to be so stressful and anxiety inducing. I had to be carried everywhere, into the shower and everytime I needed the toilet, on one occasion even being carried into the men’s loo at a museum. I found myself wincing at my own words “will you take me to the loo again” and watching how much I drank or ate. If I needed something from my suitcase upstairs I just didn’t ask my friend to get it for me and although I was dying to take a dip in the swimming pool I simply said “no, I’m fine here on the sun lounger”. I didn’t want to ‘ruin’ my friends holiday!

This post came about as I was nearing my Christmas and New Year holiday in sunny Mexico. My best friend is Mexican and this was to be the fourth visit and Christmas I would spend with his family. As you can imagine, Mexico is still very much a developing country in terms of accessibility and accommodating those with additional requirements. It’s not by any means the worst country I’ve visited with regard to access and attitudes, on the whole they are very welcoming and friendly, nevertheless, planning is a real must and my independence is compromised immensely! When we visit we stay with family as opposed to a hotel which, as lovely as

As the years went on and I was repeatedly invited back to Mexico and increasingly became part of their family, I came to the realisation that I’m not a burden but a blessing and it was actually me that saw myself as the burden, no one else. It’s the basic law of attraction, “like attracts like” if you say you are a burden or that you feel like a nuisance to others then that’s what you will become. If you haven’t given yourself a New Year’s resolution then why not challenge yourself to stop saying sorry, let people around you help you without feeling like a burden. Recognise that you aren’t the problem, society and our environment is.

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HOME

IMPROVEMENT We explore ways to keep you living independently in your home

“. . . today’s modern world brings with it a whole host of solutions to ensure you can remain in your own home living independently for as long as possible” Image: Freedom Kitchen by Symphony

Words by Rosalind Tulloch

person’s home is their own private sanctuary, a place to feel safe, comfortable and at ease. For many of you it is a place you have been for years, watched your children grow up, a place where pets have been at the heart of the home or simply your dream house that has been filled with happy memories. So when it comes to a time where your home is no longer suitable for your needs, whether that be through ill health, disability or age, the thought of leaving it can be extremely difficult. However, today’s modern world brings with it a whole host of solutions to ensure you can remain in your own home living independently for as long as possible.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 22 22 WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

OCCUPIED

The bathroom is probably the place that we most want to maintain our independence. Simple and effective products like frames or raised toilet seats offer support when you are lowering onto the toilet and getting up again and they could make all the difference. If you need assistance accessing the shower consider introducing grab rails and a shower seat to help with stability. Wet rooms, walk-in showers or walk-in baths can offer true independence for you and there are many stylish options available that can complement your current bathroom décor. Be sure to look into slip resistant trays and flooring to minimise the risk of falls.

HOME Other handy tricks for making your living room experience as comfortable as possible is linking up your lights to a simple remote to allow you to switch them on and off or if you have an Amazon Echo you can make use of the smart home features and invest in compatible plugs and switches to allow you to operate everything through Alexa.

HEART OF THE HOME

Image: Stiltz home lift

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Stairs pose the biggest challenge in a home for someone who has started to use a wheelchair or if you are just struggling with climbing the stairs. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resign yourself to the ground floor, there are more options than you might think to transport you upstairs. Stairlifts are a natural solution for those with decreased mobility but the increasingly popular home lifts are being installed more and more these days. Domestic home lifts can be installed in the corner of your living room and elevate through the ceiling into a bedroom or hallway upstairs safely and discreetly. They are more affordable and far simpler to install than you might think and can open up a world of independence to users.

LOUNGING AROUND

Comfort in the home is of the utmost importance. Ensuring you have a living room that is a welcoming, warm and homely space to relax in is vital and it has to be right for your needs and your health. Seating and posture can be a major problem for many and sitting for long periods of time in the wrong seat can exacerbate any issues you already have. Specialist seating options are available in abundance and range widely in price depending on your needs. Ask your occupational therapist to assess you for the correct seating or visit your local mobility store to test some out, they should be able to advise you on suitable options. Image: Motion Spot

The kitchen is the heart of the home for many, especially those who love to cook. The kitchen can be the hub of the house where family congregate, visitors make themselves at home and the kettle is always on. However if you have decreased mobility, are struggling with arthritis or limited dexterity in your hands or have a visual impairment then the kitchen can become a room that fills you with frustration and anxiety and can ultimately become quite dangerous when considering cooking. There are so many appliances and aids available nowadays to ensure you keep your independence and safely utilise your kitchen. From kettle tippers that allow you to safely make a cup of tea to kitchen workstation boards that have devices to hold vegetables in place for chopping and spaces to butter toast using just one hand. One of the most common complaints of wheelchair users is the lack of under unit space to allow you to get into the sink or stove. More inclusive kitchens are finally becoming more popular as designers realise that kitchens need to be accessible for everyone in the family, this is where rise and fall units and worktops can revolutionise the kitchen so everyone in the household can use it.

SWEET DREAMS

Your bedroom should be a haven of peace and tranquillity, a place to recharge your batteries and unwind after a long day. A good sleep has the power to restore you to your best self and if you do not have a bed that allows you to comfortably catch those all-important zzzs then it can cause more harm than you realise. Electric beds are great for finding your optimum sleep position, especially if you need to keep legs raised overnight or you like to keep your top half elevated during the night. These can also make it much easier to get in and out of bed, as can simple side rails or an over bed rail that can help you lift yourself up to a sitting position to swing your legs around. The Amazon Echo is again greatly suited for use in the bedroom if you utilise the smart home functions, allowing you to operate your lights, TV, set alarms, ask for the news and listen to your favourite music, all from the comfort of your bed. Remaining independent in your own home for as long as possible is of great importance to so many people. It can improve mental health, alleviate worries of moving and keep you close to friends and family. So if you are worried about your independence in the home, look into these ideas or ask a family member or friend to do a bit of research, the internet is full of wonderful solutions and products to help people overcome challenges and it could make all the difference to you.

www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

ADAPTING YOUR HOME IN

STYLE

N&C Phlexicare discuss the benefits of future proofing your home There is a challenge for homeowners moving into a world of home adaptations, which is a minefield of balancing budgets and getting your head around new concepts and innovative ideas for inclusive design and future proofing. Where do I start? How much do I need to fork out? How do I prevent my lovely home looking like an institution? Many people are quite rightly put off the idea of some types of specialist equipment and adaptations due to it potentially making their home look ‘institutional’ or ‘clinical’ like a care home or hospital. If this is a worry for you, you might want to consider adapting or customising your bathroom suite with the help of a specialist bathroom supplier. This will enable you to bring the right aesthetic as well as practical considerations into the overall scheme, and to have an adapted bathroom to suit all members of your household. Nicholls & Clarke (N&C) are a market leading company specialising in the field of bathrooms and kitchen

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adaptation, they have the expertise and experience to offer inspirational, attractive rooms that are practical and assist in safely manoeuvring around the home. N&C have been operating in this market for over 140 years. Under the brand name, N&C Phlexicare, they are established suppliers of over 6000 independent living products for the home and also work alongside housing groups, local authorities, commercial groups such as hotels and across many industries. Future Proofing Your Bathroom If you are not yet at a stage of needing any specialist kitchen or bathroom equipment, but are planning a revamp of your bathroom anyway, then adapting it in anticipation of future needs is an excellent way to prevent accidents and make life easier for yourself if your mobility does start to decline. Wet rooms are an incredibly stylish, sought after look that provides level access showering. By installing a wet room today, the changes you require should your mobility reduce in later life are minimal - such as a shower seat and grab rail. N&C are the UK’s leading specialist in manufacturing wet rooms, producing the complete wet room system with users in mind. They offer highly attractive options such as Freespace - a shower door system that is available in a half or full height screen with split screen functionality. This is the perfect multi-user shower screen for those requiring assistance with showering. Furthermore, Freespace folds right back to the walls to allow for wheelchair access or just more space in the bathroom area.

Multi-user Kitchens Adapted kitchens by N&C Phlexicare are tailored specifically with the user in mind, but designed inclusively so that all members of the family can comfortably use and access objects from the kitchen with ease. Exclusive to N&C, they offer a kitchen rise and fall unit where the kitchen cupboard above the worktop comes to you. Inclusive Design Investing in home adaptations early can result in significant cost savings. N&C Phlexicare recently took on a project where they were asked to come up with a solution of future proofing homes with a non-institutional look in a bathroom adaptation with a housing company called InCommunities. They achieved this by simply changing a few key items in the bathroom such as upgrading the wall tiles to achieve a modern look at no extra cost. Instead of using unattractive, plastic, half height doors, they used the awardwinning Freespace shower enclosure system, offering an attractive, modern and multi-user friendly option. They also installed chrome grab rails instead of white plastic rails and the result was a maintenance free, future proofed and stylish bathroom. N&C Phlexicare are a very well positioned company to offer the latest in design. As part of the N&C Group, they boast three manufacturing facilities where they manufacture their own shower decks and export them internationally, as well as have a sister company that are large tile distributors who successfully supply the latest in tile design for a very diverse customer base, from end users to high end hotels, house builders, local authorities and many more. For more information about N&C Phlexicare, please visit ncphlexicare.com, email info@nichollsandclarke.com or call 020 8586 4600.

Adapt your home in style... Accessible bathrooms Independent daily living aids Adapted, multi-user kitchens Light reflective tiles for the partially sighted Inclusive designs to suit you and your family Attractive products that complement your home

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Independent Living Solution Provider 0845 605 1345 | www.ncphlexicare.com | info@nichollsandclarke.com

MITSUBISHI MOTABILITY OUTLANDER PETROL JURO

MIRAGE 3

ADVANCE PAYMENT

£1,099

NIL

ECLIPSE CROSS 2

£199

ADVANCE PAYMENT

OUTLANDER PHEV JURO

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On demand 4WD

Auto Stop & Go

Touchpad controller

Plug-in hybrid

7 seats

Rear parking sensors

Reversing camera

Bluetooth1

Bluetooth

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Automatic

Air conditioning

Climate control air conditioning

Heated front seats

Automatic

Pop in and see us | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer.

MOTABILITY Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Mitsubishi Range (excluding Outlander PHEV) Mpg (l/100km) (combined): 32.5 – 55.4 (8.7 – 5.1) CO2 emissions: 171 - 107 g/km*

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Outlander PHEV Mpg (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0) Electric energy consumption (weighted combined): 3.86 miles/kWh CO2 emissions (weighted): 40 g/km* Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles

The Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations PLC (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of the Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment which will be taken in lieu of the four weekly rental. Models shown are the Outlander Petrol Juro CVT, Mirage 3 petrol manual, Eclipse Cross 2 petrol manual and Outlander PHEV Juro. Terms and Conditions apply. Please ask the dealer for full details. Rentals valid for applications placed between 1st January and 31st March 2019. 1. Please note that Mitsubishi cannot guarantee compatibility with all mobile phones and Bluetooth devices with the handsfree system fitted to this vehicle. Please check with the mobile phone manufacturer for further information on compatibility. Fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures shown are for comparability purposes. Outlander PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 figures shown were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. *There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.

COOKABILITY

READY,

STEADY,

CoOk! Words by Katie Campbell

Learning to cook is an absolutely vital skill, and charity United Response are aiming to get people with learning disabilities into the kitchen with their new CookABILITY series.

ooking is a vital skill that goes criminally underappreciated. Even knowing how to cook a basic but nutritional and filling meal gives you the skills to sustain yourself, promotes independence, and has the capacity to impress a potential significant other dependant on how badly you burn it! For people living with a learning disability, maintaining a healthy weight can be a difficult task. While difficulties with eating and swallowing might result in being underweight, living with Down’s syndrome or PraderWilli syndrome can mean a higher risk of obesity. Helping someone with a learning disability to make healthier food choices using the NHS’s Eatwell Guide or using the websites A Picture of Health and Easyhealth can make a huge difference, but giving someone with a learning disability the tools to make the choices and perform the actions themselves is

a much better decision when their independence is considered. Enter CookABILITY, a new project from charity United Response launched late last year which aims to encourage people living with learning disabilities to learn how to cook healthy meals for themselves through their series of simple-to-follow YouTube videos. CookABILITY is just one of the ways the charity, which provides personcentred support to adults and young people across the UK who have learning disabilities, mental health needs or physical impairments. At the moment, there are only a few videos, which teach viewers how to make healthy meals they will actually want to eat, like pizza and chicken korma, with a new video posted each week featuring disabled people making the food, subtitles and step-by-step instructions which explain every aspect of the video slowly and clearly without being condescending or patronising.

Alan Tilley, area manager for United Response ROC Wellbeing, said: “Obesity is a ticking time bomb which will hit people with learning disabilities particularly hard if we fail to take decisive intervention and don’t give people control over what they eat.

“Enter CookABILITY, a new project from charity United Response launched late last year which aims to encourage people living with learning disabilities to learn how to cook healthy meals for themselves” WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

COOKABILITY “In our experience, people with learning disabilities can struggle to eat a balanced diet. Often cooking a meal from scratch at home can seem daunting and so people end up instead eating ready meals or fast food high in fat, sugar and calories. “In order to tackle this major health problem, we have to be bold and show people – through our online videos – how to cook with confidence. It’s crucial we empower people to make informed choices.” A collative study by the University of Hertfordshire which examined the issue of obesity in people with learning disabilities showed that the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher in the learning disabled population. It noted that studies have shown that this can be contributed to the additional barriers faced by people with learning disabilities to

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access leisure facilities due to staffing shortages and limitations surrounding transport, all of which result in lower levels of physical activity. In fact, figures show that almost 80% of adults living with a learning disability don’t meet the minimal levels of physical activity recommended by medical professionals. Snacking is also a huge issue, with diets filled with sugary foods, meat, and dairy, but low in fruit, vegetables and fibre contributing to the prevalence of obesity. By creating their video series, United Response is combating this issue, providing simple but nutritionally rich recipes which include lots of vegetables, fresh produce and fibre, while still being delicious, flavourful and enjoyable meals. United Response creates the video series at their ROC Wellbeing service

in Devon, where people with learning disabilities are given the opportunity to learn new skills and gain accredited learning qualifications. Stephen Jenkins, from Paignton in Devon, is one of the stars of the series, and is loving being part of CookABILITY. He said: “The food tasted delicious and was very nice. “It wasn’t really that hard to make. It was actually easy. Eating was my favourite part though!”■

If you’d like to get involved with United Response and their CookABILITY series, visit their website at unitedresponse.org.uk, tweet them at @unitedresponse, or check out the videos on their YouTube channel: youtube.com/unitedresponse

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Motability Scheme has been life-changing; it has allowed me to care for my husband and also continue my voluntary work.â&#x20AC;? Angela

Making life easier With the Motability Scheme, disabled people can transfer their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. Parents and carers can drive on behalf of the customer. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s included on the Motability Scheme? Insurance Breakdown assistance Servicing and repairs Tyres and battery replacement

Today, over 600,000 disabled people and their families benefit from the freedom and independence provided through the Motability Scheme, people like Angela (pictured above), who was able to apply to Motability for a charitable grant which paid towards a Drive-from-Wheelchair vehicle that met her needs.

How Motability can help Motability is a national charity which oversees the Motability Scheme and may be able to provide charitable grants to disabled people towards their Scheme vehicle. We provide charitable grants for: Car adaptations which help make travelling as comfortable and safe as possible Vehicle Advance Payments for larger, more expensive vehicles

Driving lessons, to ensure disabled people have access to driving tuition in specially adapted cars Motability is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (No.299745) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference No. 736309). The Motability Scheme is operated by Motability Operations Limited under contract to Motability. Motability Operations Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference No.735390).

ACCESS

TRY

SOMETHING NEW Words by Colette Carr

The biannual event Disabled Access Day is back for 2019 and just in time for the better weather creeping back in

n Saturday 16 March, venues across the length and breadth of the country are opening their doors and asking visitors to review their attractions online. The “try something new and send a review” event is supported by highly popular access review site Euan’s Guide with the focus of Disabled Access Day 2019, “to try something new, and leave a review on Euan’s Guide, so that you can give other disabled people the confidence to try something similar.” On its official launch back in October, Disabled Access Day founder Paul Ralph said: “Disabled Access Day continues to encourage and excite disabled people and businesses with the opportunity to try something new in a spirit of cooperation, safety and fun. For 2019, I call out to people to try something new and send a review. Leave a legacy for folk who may want to visit after you. It’s knowing those baseline details

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Image: St Paul’s Cathedral

about access that are the deal breakers for so many people.” The importance of sharing access information online is undeniable. With information so easily and freely shared and accessed, businesses and landmarks are signing up to the scheme to invite disabled people along and in turn welcome more off the back. The day will offer a wide variety of events and venues, ranging from activities to culture, with venues already signed up including St Paul’s Cathedral in London and ranging to the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool. Beginning in 2015, the project has enjoyed three successful outings so far before it became biannual following the 2017 event. The first event was supported by over 200 museums, galleries, attractions and businesses in the UK and even received a motion in Westminster in support. Founder Paul was first inspired to create the event after attending an access information day for Lothian Buses. He said: “Prior to this, I had not

used the bus network in my hometown because I was unsure how the ramp operated, how ticketing worked and if my powerchair would fit. I attended a demonstration organised by the local bus company with the opportunity to explore a stationary bus. Extra staff were on hand to explain the process of getting on and off safely. There was ample time to become more familiar with the layout of the bus and with what you need to know as a wheelchair using passenger. I’m now a frequent bus user. “Chatting with friends, I thought how great it would be if there were similar initiatives, including some more informal events, happening across the country on one specific day. The idea of encouraging disabled people to also try something new that day appeared and out of it came the idea of Disabled Access Day.” Disabled Access Day 2019 is taking place across the country on Saturday 16 March. You can find out more on disabledaccessday. com and follow the hashtag #YouAndSomewhereNew.

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This stylish and modern mobility scooter not only looks great but delivers on performance, comfort and safety. The inclusive all-round suspension system and the cushioned seat combines to ensure the user experiences lasting comfort on all lengths of journey and the sliding mechanism on the seat further enhances the user’s independence.

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“Its ease of use has been a major factor in its success to date.”

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RCAM MYREADER 2 This wireless, wearable camera fits neatly onto the side of most wireframed glasses. The camera provides text-to-speech from printed material discreetly into your ear through an HD mini speaker. It is activated by simple gestures like pointing your finger or swiping on a touchpad and can even read text from street signs. 01775 711977 visionaid.co.uk

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WHEELCHAIR TROUSERS Able2 Wear is the UK’s leading supplier of awardwinning wheelchair and adaptive clothing. Our range of specialist wheelchair trousers are designed for seating with high backs, flat seams and are available in a variety of styles, colours and fabrics. Choose from drop front, elasticated waist and tailored wheelchair trousers. 0141 775 3738 www.able2wear.co.uk

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SHOWER SEAT

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This waterproof seat can be used anywhere in a bathroom or wet room and even outside due to the waterresistant cover. It is lightweight and comfortable and the base has a non-slip cover to keep the seat steady on any surface. The stretch net around it offers a handy place to store shampoo, shower gel and other accessories.

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waterproof seat can be used anywhere in a bathroom or wet room and even outside”

GLUGGLUG REUSABLE STRAWS These colourful reusable straws are made from high quality BPA free, food grade silicone. The pack of six comes with two cleaning brushes and two sleeves to allow you to safely and hygienically carry your straw with you. Available in two different widths, these straws can be used for hot and cold drinks and even thick smoothies. amazon.co.uk

“The pack of six comes with two cleaning brushes and two sleeves to allow you to safely and hygienically carry your straw with you.”

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10% uooffting when q

The holiday you deserve,

not just the care you need

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Accessible excursions Live entertainment Wide range of activities 24h on-call nurse-led care Fully accessible facilities Full-board included Financial support available† Enjoy the comfort of our three accessible holiday centres: Jubilee Lodge Chigwell, Essex Netley Waterside House Southampton Sandpipers Southport

Call 0303 303 0145 quoting PS186 Email bookings@revitalise.org.uk Visit revitalise.org.uk *Please contact our Bookings Team for full terms and conditions. †Subject to eligibility.

PLEASE SEND ME MY FREE REVITALISE HOLIDAY BROCHURE Please complete the form below with your details and return in an envelope to: Freepost REVITALISE HOLIDAYS (No stamp or any other address details are required)

NAME: ADDRESS: POSTCODE: Registered Charity No. 295072 PS186

TEL NO: We would like to continue sending you our latest brochures, let you know about offers you are eligible for, and ask for your feedback.

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HAPPY

VALENTINEʼS DAY

VALENTINEʼS, x Words by Colette Carr

By February, the January blues have passed and everyone is well and truly over the festive season and settled into the new year. But that doesn’t mean February breezes by in a chilly or boring lull, as a visit from Cupid has most of us feeling the love.

hether single or in a relationship, the feast day of St Valentine needn’t be viewed through the cynical eye nor does the commercialisation need to be completely bought into. It can be enjoyed as the silly excuse to spend time with a loved one in the relaxed and fun way it was intended. As with a lot of occasions, access may be a concern for a planning lovebird who has a disability. But Cupid has pointed his arrow far and wide and infected loads of his places with the love bug to ensure there are fun, accessible and exciting ways for you to enjoy the day! Here’s PosAbility’s guide to keeping V Day fun, fresh and fairly accessible.

TABLE FOR TWO A dinner date is probably the most common way to mark and celebrate the day, but it doesn’t need to be boring. Valentine’s is a time of excitement and fun, so why not treat yourselves and spice up your lives with something new. Trying a new or exotic cuisine that neither of you have had before can be a great bonding and sensory experience as well as an enjoyable night. Cities are littered with restaurants offering dishes from far flung lands for you to try. Go east and enjoy Wagamama’s

fusion of flavours. Contact your local branch first to check, but accessibility includes braille menus, induction loops, magnifying sheets and disabled access toilets. Taste the Caribbean and Latin America at one of Las Iguanas’ restaurants. The chain which cooks Mexican, Cuban, Brazilian, Peruvian and Argentinian provides great choice if one of you has intolerance concerns and some branches offer large print menus and accessible toilets. Check with your local restaurant before travelling as amenities vary from branch to branch. Other international inspiration for a romantic dinner for two could be Spanish tapas, meze at a cosy Greek taverna, classy Thai dining, indulgent French food, African cuisines or a middle eastern experience. Valentine’s day is the perfect excuse to explore your adventurous side!

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COSY UP AT THE CINEMA

A ROMANTIC OVERNIGHT You may well want to push the boat out and spoil your partner or treat yourselves to a special getaway this Valentine’s with a last minute overnight. Whisking your other half away is one of the more spontaneous and romantic gestures you could make, but if you or they have a disability, anxiety over access may take the fun out of it all. There are hotels, spas, lodges, cottages and B&Bs that are accessible and offer a wonderful night for two. You want to be at your most comfortable when in company, so ensure you get the most out of your break without worrying. Check out PosTravel on the PosAbility website for details on stunning accessible getaway locations you and your partner can escape to.

A clichéd favourite lifted straight from the first page of Dating for Dummies, a date night to the silver screen lives on despite the rise of the Netflix and chill culture. I could bore you with classic moves to make on your partner while in the theatre that are mirrored back on the screen on thousands of romcoms, but instead of looking at what goes on under the cover of darkness in the cushioned seats, we’ll look at access options cinemas across the country are offering. Your local cinema may not have a captioned or audio-described showing on the big day itself, but most screens have adapted viewings supporting customers with varied disabilities. Check with your local picture house and make a date with an old classic.

GET ACTIVE If tradition isn’t your thing and you cringe at the thought of a classic date situation, why waste your time buying into something neither of you will enjoy? Why not use the time together to create memories learning a new skill, enjoying an old favourite or experiencing something weird and wonderful? Activity dates are on the rise and so too is access to these experiences. Why not find

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an accessible go karting circuit and get competitive, or find an arts and crafts or cooking lesson that supports participants with visual impairments? Valentine’s dates don’t have to have a loved-up couple staring deep into each other’s eyes, it could be thrashing your partner at pool or creating a beautiful, albeit maybe messy, keepsake that will make you laugh however many years down the line.

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“

t was actually my brother Adam who came up with the name. It is an amalgamation of ‘ostomy’ and ‘unique’, representing the innovative products we have designed,” said design engineer Stephanie Monty, who is on a mission to redefine an image and help destigmatise and alleviate the trauma facing those who have undergone a colectomy. Graduating from Brunel University with a first-class degree in Industrial Design in 2015, Stephanie has developed and produced a range of ostomy products inspired by the intricacies and delicate forms in tattoos and lacy lingerie and has just been awarded a grant to allow her to fund product research and development for the next 18 months. With two brothers with Crohn’s disease, the designer isn’t short in motivation. Hoping her innovative adhesive stoma cover patches will encourage people to love their bodies, the embossed designs are carefully designed to create a sense of femininity, softness and confidence. Taking into consideration the affects of wearing a typical stoma bag with a bathing suit, it offers a welcome and contemporary alternative to the clinical norm. “When I started my course, I had no intention of getting into medical design,” the Ostique director admitted. “But just before starting my final year, my brother, who has Crohn’s disease, faced a serious operation where he was told he may need a colectomy and have a stoma. I am ashamed to admit that I had never heard of a stoma.

BEAUTY

RECAPTURING THE

OF THE Words by Colette Carr

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BODY

OSTIQUE “As a family, we looked into what this meant, and I felt there was a real opportunity for a new approach to what was currently available. “This started as a university project but here I am three years later with a funded company!” And using her brothers’ “determination and strength through everything” as inspiration, it wasn’t long before Ostique was making waves off campus, with both her own design industry and the medical arena keen to see her creation. “It has been a rollercoaster! Graduating, I really had no idea where this would lead. After exhibiting at New Designers Exhibition in London, I was featured in Dezeen Magazine - the holy grail for designers and an absolute honour! “I then joined the Central Research Laboratory, Brunel’s affiliate business accelerator, where they gave me an understanding of how to run a business and helped me enter into a series of start-up competitions. I ended up winning the Brunel Venture Competition in 2016 and was a national finalist in the Santander Entrepreneur Competition the following year. It was here that my university project transformed into Ostique Ltd. I later joined BizzInn, another start-up accelerator but this time based in Birmingham, where I had access to my now partners, the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and the Medical Device Testing and Evaluation Centre (MD-TEC). Together we applied for the Innovate UK grant, which we won. I now have an office in central London and have just hired my first employee,” the tireless now-businesswomen regaled. But despite Ostique’s profile and stature growing at breakneck speeds, Stephanie has been dealt enough blows to allow her to keep her feet on the ground and become the kind of robust, savvy business owner she needs to be to go further. “It has not always been plain sailing. I have also lost competitions and been rejected by investors. I have sometimes found it hard to motivate myself to continue going or have felt overwhelmed by financial pressures and amount of work. “But I believe passionately in what we are doing and I know we can make the difference. Emails and messages from potential customers praising our work and explaining how much this would change their lives has also been a huge motivation and continued inspiration.” Now, together with Bowel and Cancer Research UK and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, the graduate has won an Innovate UK grant of £310,000. Coupled with additional investors, further research and development including prototype design and development, clinical and patient testing, materials testing and gaining necessary

regulations for commercialisation can be conducted. But away from the boardroom, it is her unique artistic designs that has helped her really create a winning formula. The stunning blueprint for her success lies in its distinctive key difference to other products on the market. The contrast against the usual drab competition is at the heart of its development and in turn the success. She said: “We hope that by stylising medical accessories, it will help people deal with the psychological trauma of stoma surgery. Many people are confident with their stoma and their bodies, however sadly this is not the case for everyone. Especially times where exposing a typical appliance could cause embarrassment, like swimming, going to the beach or especially intimate occasions. By having a functional medical product, which is also beautiful and can be personalised, we hope to give people back their confidence as well as reduce the negative social stigma surrounding this topic. “2019 promises to be a very exciting year! We have moved into our new offices in Central London and have hired a new member of staff, Toni Schneider, our new Chief Operating Officer. We have also made a start on the Innovate UK project, the first stage of which is prototype design and development. Throughout the next year or so, we will develop our products with crucial patient and clinical input, to ensure we are developing products not only for, but with our customers. Material testing together with clinical tests on robots and later patients will also ensure that our future application for CE marking will be accepted which is something we hope to achieve by mid 2020. “We have lots going on and it really is so exciting!” Follow Stephanie’s venture by visiting ostique.co.uk or following @Ostiqueltd on Twitter and Instagram.

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Revitalise is offering PosAbility Magazine readers the chance to win a fully accessible seven-night holiday at a Revitalise holiday centre of your choosing! Revitalise holidays are packed with everything you would expect from a holiday, alongside the reassurance of expert 24-hour nurse-led care.

ABOUT REVITALISE The team at Revitalise pride themselves on creating amazing holidays for disabled people and carers. All holidays are full board and include exciting excursions, a variety of activities and live evening entertainment, as well as nurse-led care from their expert team and an army of dedicated volunteers to get the party started and keep it going. Revitalise have three holiday

centres – Jubilee Lodge in Essex, Netley Waterside House in Southampton and Sandpipers in Southport. Don’t worry if you don’t win this competition and have not yet enjoyed a Revitalise holiday, remember that as a PosAbility reader, you are entitled to an introductory discount of 10% off your first holiday!

To be in with the chance of winning one of our fantastic holidays, simply answer the question below: How many holiday centres does Revitalise have?

ü PLEASE TICK ONE OF THE ABOVE

Email your selection and contact details to posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com, visit posabilitymagazine.co.uk to enter online or post to the address below: Revitalise Competition PosAbility Magazine Caledonia House Thornliebank Ind. Est. Glasgow, G46 8JT

Name: Address: Postcode: Tel: Email: Terms and conditions Prize includes a seven night holiday at one of the three Revitalise holiday centres in the UK. Prize includes your required care support package and any equipment required during your stay. Respite holiday must take place between 18 March – 29 April 2019 and is valid for the winner and a companion of their choosing. Transport to and from the centre is not included but can be arranged through Revitalise at an additional cost. Closing date for entries is 8 March. The prize is non transferable nor can any cash alternative be offered. Only one entry per person Prize subject to availability. It is the responsibility of the winner to check that the accommodation is suitable for their needs.

Revitalise would like to send you more information about their holidays. If you would like to receive this please tick the box. By ticking the box you are consenting to us providing your details to Revitalise.

Please tick box to accept the Terms & Conditions

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inding somewhere both exciting and accessible to go on holiday can be a real challenge. We all want a break that is fun, hasslefree and full of great memories. At Calvert Trust Exmoor, the only five-star activity accommodation in the country, it’s what you can do that counts. Specialist equipment and accessible facilities are all designed to enable anyone - regardless of age or ability - to enjoy a range of adventure sports like climbing, archery, horse riding and canoeing, alongside their friends, family or carers. Their specially trained Activities Instructors are multi-skilled so that they can take guests through all of their adventures and really help them make the most of their stay.

“Whatever your age or ability, a visit to Calvert Trust Exmoor can provide a life-changing experience; building confidence, developing skills, meeting like-minded people and simply having fun. Many guests are surprised by how much they can do here. The sense of achievement can provide a huge boost of confidence and self-esteem to people with disabilities and has a positive effect on their lives beyond their stay.” Set amongst rolling countryside on the edge of Exmoor National Park and only fifteen minutes from the North Devon coast, Calvert Trust Exmoor’s idyllic location offers you the best of both worlds. The converted Victorian farm buildings and facilities are centred around a peaceful courtyard garden, and enjoy spectacular views across Wistlandpound Reservoir, woods and moorland. Whether you are cycling around the reservoir or simply taking some time out in the Acland Room, the views will have you captivated. The accessible accommodation is National Accessible Scheme accredited, and consists of ensuite single, twin and triple bedrooms. They also offer hoists, shower chairs, electric beds, trembler pads, and other loan equipment to make your stay more comfortable regardless of your disability.

“Just got back from my third trip there and it really is an amazing activity centre. Lots of centres claim to be fully inclusive, but this one most definitely is,”said a regular guest Steve Fifield. Enjoy a three, four or seven night break at Calvert Trust Exmoor, inclusive of all meals, activities, entertainment and use of the facilities, from as little as £220 per person. You can find out more at calvertexmoor. org.uk, email exmoor@calvert-trust. org.uk or phone 01598 763221.

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DREAM DESTINATIONS Words by Rosalind Tulloch

Have you been dreaming of taking a trip to an exotic land but are worried about the accessibility in an unfamiliar country?

rranging holidays that are accessible to your needs can be a daunting process filled with worry, stress and uncertainty. So why not let someone else do all the work for you? Ali Parker is part of a bespoke travel service known as Travel Counsellors. She has a wealth of experience in the accessible travel industry and is now working as a Travel Counsellor to ensure disabled people can experience amazing, tailor-made holidays. Here Ali tells us what support she can offer to make your dream holiday happen. Can you give us a brief outline of your experience in the travel industry? With more than 20 years experience in making holidays and travel accessible and inclusive to all, my passion for travel started when I embarked on a round the world trip through more than 50 countries. I knew quickly this was the career for

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me, so drawing on my experience I worked for an Australasia specialist in London, tailor-making and designing inspiring holidays, then moved into the cruise industry, becoming a cruise specialist being very fortunate to test and sample many cruises. Then in 2002 I took my cruise knowledge and joined Accessible Travel, one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading accessible tour operators and launched accessible cruising and went on to become General Manager overseeing all areas of the travel business for the next 13 years. How did you get involved with Travel Counsellors?

I was actually invited to join. Due to Accessible Travel winding down after 21 successful years, I wanted to carry on using my unique insight and knowledge of creating barrierfree holidays and most importantly still service my valued clients, many who have become friends. Richard Thompson, an entrepreneur in accessible tourism, joined Travel Counsellors in 2007 and with his vision and ground-breaking initiatives he has transformed the travel opportunities for disabled people

TRAVEL across their seven international operations – in the UK, Australia, South Africa, Dubai, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands. So, when I received the invitation from Richard to join him on this exciting journey, I of course said yes! What sort of service can you offer through Travel Counsellors? A personal, bespoke and secure service built on years of experience that offers 100% financial protection and round the clock care and support from a multi-award winning international travel company. Can you organise holidays anywhere in the world and locally in the UK? Absolutely. In contrast to the limited offerings available from specialist tour operators, as a Travel Counsellor I have access to literally hundreds of thousands of flights, accessible accommodations, adapted transport and mobility equipment options at my fingertips. This means I am able to provide my clients with the expertise, confidence and support to realise their true travel dreams, however complex their requirements and wherever in the world they might wish to go. The world really is now everyone’s oyster!

What’s the most common challenge your customers are concerned about? Mainly flying. I fully understand their concerns, especially when travelling for the first time with a newly acquired physical, sensory or cognitive requirement. It can be scary. But with nearly two decades of experience in facilitating accessible travel by land, sea and air I am uniquely placed to reassure clients and ensure that they are fully informed and all assistance required is properly in place. Planning and preparation are everything. It’s what I do every day. Can you tell us about Travel Counsellors’ accessible brand ambassador and the work she does? Nadia Clarke has an acquired brain injury through birth and is also Deaf. As one of six children in an amazing family, Nadia was educated in mainstream schooling and now passionately advocates for the right of all disabled people across the globe to receive an education. Extensively travelled, Nadia’s most recent journeys (organised by Richard Thompson) have included trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Europe by rail and India. Her next experience as Travel Counsellors Brand Ambassador – ‘Nadia’s Amazing Arabian Adventure’ will take place in March 2019. A key objective from each trip is for Nadia to meet, motivate and inspire disabled children and their families to fight for the right to be educated and to showcase the value of travel and visiting places anew. And that however challenging that might be, it is always worth the effort. She is a powerful communicator. Why should people book a holiday with you? Being a Travel Counsellor allows me to draw on my 20 years of experience. Being completely independent and not being tied to any operator or supplier allows me to take the time to get to know my customers and tailor a holiday that is right for them. I’m in a unique network of more

than 1,800 caring travel professionals who take enormous pride in what they do. Every booking is 100% financially secure with 24-hour around the clock care. My service is personal, and I love talking about holidays and empowering people with the facts, so they have the confidence to travel. What holidays have you booked that really stand out? My most recent booking was to Dubai, for a lady who uses an electric wheelchair and needed to hire an electric bed, hoist and shower chair. She had not been away for seven years and was very nervous. She was travelling with her family and three carers and she needed rooms next door to each other, the equipment waiting in her room upon arrival, adapted transfers and assistance on the flight. I worked with a beautiful resort, on the Palm Dubai and with meticulous planning and using the relationship Travel Counsellors has with the resort, they built a ramp into one of their restaurants and into the pool. She had the most fantastic time and I am now planning her next trip away! Another stand out holiday was when I worked with a charitable organisaiton and I coordinated a group of 120 wheelchair users, their family and friends on a week’s holiday to Spain. They all wanted different things from their holiday and I enjoyed the task of bringing everything together. Their gratitude and praise upon their return meant so much and this is why I love my job. It certainly keeps me on my toes, but above all I find it so rewarding.

If you are looking to book a holiday that is tailored to your requirements contact Ali Parker on 01452 290007, email ali.parker@travelcounsellors.com or visit travelcounsellors.co.uk/ali.parker. You can also search for Ali Parker Travel Counsellors on Facebook to get updates on great holiday destinations.

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Location, Location, Location Blackpool is one of the UKs most loved seaside resorts with something for people of all ages – whether you are taking in the attractions such as scaling the heights of The Blackpool Tower, visiting Madame Tussauds Waxworks to meet your favourite stars, strolling along the prom with an ice cream or travelling by tram to Fleetwood Market, you will find the whole resort accessible on all levels.

Your Dining Experience – Special diets catered for All of their breaks include dinner, bed and breakfast with an optional upgrade to an all-inclusive stay available. They know that traditional home-cooked food is an important part of your holiday so their chefs use only the finest locally sourced ingredients. Their chefs can also cater for all of your dietary requirements including texture, allergies and intolerances.

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Holidays With Care – Supporting your needs Working alongside The Bond Hotel their CQC regulated Holidays With Care team can provide tailored support from one hour up to full 24-hour packages

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Door to Door Transport – From anywhere in the UK If you would prefer your holiday to start that little bit sooner they can also provide door-to-door transport for your holiday, allowing your holiday to begin from your own front door.

The reservations team are always on hand if you would like more information, request a copy of their brochure by calling 01253 341218 or visit bondhotel.co.uk for details of their latest special offers and upcoming holidays.

“We have been twice so far this year and about to go again at the weekend. What a brilliant hotel. It has all the amenities that we need to care for our disabled sister yet still keeps a lovely hotel feel. I must say that ALL the staff are friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble for anyone. We can’t recommend the care staff enough. They do a great job and are very friendly and professional, it made a very enjoyable holiday for all of us knowing that we had such good support. Would highly recommend The Bond to anyone.” Diane (Facebook Review)

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HEREʼS JONNIE JONNIE Words by Colette Carr

he precarious nature of sport can mean injury is never far from knocking on your door, and Jonnie Peacock knows that old adage well now.

But despite a long road back to fitness, with another length ahead of him before Dubai’s World Championships this year and Tokyo 2020, the Paralympian doesn’t want an easy ride of it now he’s over the worst of his recovery. He doesn’t want to walk straight back into success, rather, he is hoping he and the world’s best can showcase the sport in a blinding showstopping event that will push himself and the Paralympics into the stratosphere and create history.

“Paralympic sport isn’t getting any easier,” the 25-year-old said. But there isn’t a hint of stress in his statement, more a steely determination and glint of excitement colouring it. He has known competition so far in his career where he has raced to two Paralympic golds, two World gold and two European Championships topping the podium, but thriving on that, he is hoping his main competition will be around to help catapult him further in his comeback season. “It gets tougher with more people coming out, this event is pretty stacked now,” he said. “Obviously Felix Streng had a great year last year, and Richard Browne could be back - nobody really knows whether he’ll be back so we’ll see how the season will play out and hopefully he will be there in Dubai as well so hopefully we can get everyone out. “It could be a great event when you think of myself, Jarryd Wallace, Felix, Richard and perhaps even Alan Oliveira could get back into good shape. Throw in another couple of the Americans and we could be having seven guys potentially going sub-11 which is what I’d love to see. “I’d love to see that race where we could really move it on and have everyone running faster than London 2012. I’d love to put on a good show for everyone, but for me it’s then about making sure we’re in front of it,” he laughed.

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But is to capitalise on that feel-good factor he is trying to cultivate around the event, he has had to use his time off the track effectively and now call on his vast experience to keep ahead of the pack. Having taken a gap year peppered with races here and there, Peacock returned to his fulltime programme raring to go. But no sooner than he had the chance to fully enjoy his comeback, a freak accident set him immediately back. “I was about to hop on a flight to Japan for a race but two days before in a warm up for my final session, I caught my blade, landed funny and twisted my knee. “The next day, my knee was completely swollen, and the doctor said there was no chance I would be running on it for at least a couple of weeks. At that point, I was sitting in the medical room thinking how it was great to be back and then this,” he confessed. “But that’s the risk you take when you push your body to the limit. So you always try and use these times as a positive. You focus on what you can do, so we did a lot strength training and hit other elements a lot harder so when you come back, you don’t come back worse off,” he said. Backed by a crack team of experts tasked with the job of getting the sprinter back to the top of his game, Peacock did let a dry laugh escape as he admitted he was at the mercy of the coaches in the gym, who cracked the whip relentlessly to identify underlying issues and rebuild his strength.

“I was about to hop on a flight to Japan for a race but two days before in a warm up for my final session, I caught my blade, landed funny and twisted my knee”

SPORT “It’s in these situations that everyone starts rubbing their hands together and they get a free reign with you. Normally you protect yourself for the running sessions, still hitting everything else hard, but in times like this you realise what’s weakened. “You know you’ll be in pain, it’s just a different kind of pain from what you’re used to,” he told. But with everything considered taking into account his time away from the track and his wishes for a more aggressive and cut-throat contest than ever before, Peacock’s level-

headedness remains unwavered. With his eyes on the prize, the business end of the Paralympic cycle looks promising for Peacock, who pledges to hit new heights in 2020. He said: “I won’t be coming back in a completely terrible way. Before Rio we only had 18 months on this programme and we showed what good shape I was in then, so with two years before Tokyo and we have Dubai in there as well, so for me it’s about getting that training done and focusing. “2019 is about getting back to where I was in 2017, and 2020 is showing what my body is capable of.”

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BLADES OF GLORY

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Words by Rosalind Tulloch

eekends in London’s Battersea Park are filled with families, dog walkers, cyclists and runners, all enjoying the fresh air and picturesque setting. However, there is another sight that you may be lucky enough to witness on a Saturday morning as a swarm of rollerbladers and skaters descend on the park to skate at speed, with a few wheelchair users getting involved to experience the exhilaration of this energetic, fun and inclusive sport. This group is known as Wheels and Wheelchairs and we spoke to Sam Carlisle, mum to Sonny, 12, and Elvi, 17, who has a rare form of dwarfism and learning disabilities. Elvi loves nothing more than her family outings with the skating swarm and her mum and brother love the

inclusivity and welcoming atmosphere that mean they can all get out and keep fit together. Sam explained how the group came about: “Wheels and Wheelchairs (W&W) is an indirect legacy of the 2012 Paralympic Games. The cities of London, Paris and Brussels have strong groups of street skaters who rollerblade through their respective streets and parks. In Paris the skaters had set up a group called Mobile en Ville over 20 years ago, in which rollerbladers pushed wheelchair users. “In 2012, Mobile en Ville decided to skate to London pushing wheelchair users to celebrate the Paralympic Games. They enrolled skaters from the UK and Belgium to help and researched bespoke chairs that would be safe, durable and fast! “Inspired by that trip the British skaters, led by palliative care consultant Muhayman Jamil and

other fellow passionate skaters, including Alastair Johnston, set up Wheels And Wheelchairs to enable wheelchair users to come out and skate around London.” The group meets every Saturday and Sunday and piggybacks existing rollerblading events. On Saturdays they join the Easy Saturday Skate Group in Battersea Park for a five-mile skate round the park and the Sunday Stroll sees the group starting at Hyde Park for an eightmile skate through the streets of London with the team behind London Friday Night Skate. The group have three bespoke wheelchairs to ensure taking part is safe for any wheelchair user looking to join in and they have experienced volunteer skaters who push the wheelchair users at speed around the route. Sam tells us that there is a “vibrant mix of people” involved

Image: Arthur Edwards

Image: Sam Carlisle

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in the skate, from grandparents and kids to lawyers and students. Friendships have been formed and everyone chats as they skate round the route, bringing a smile to everyone that they pass. They even pick up some non-skaters as cyclists and runners join the pack and follow them round. The Sunday street skates sound a little more dangerous, considering they commandeer the streets of London, but Sam insists they are safe and great fun to join in: “The street skates are more adventurous. They are strictly marshalled by experienced skaters because you have about 100 rollerbladers and wheelchair users racing around busy London roads and

through major road junctions. You move as a swarm through the streets, with music blaring so people can hear us coming. We are a sight to behold.” Rollerblading for some may conjure up images of skinned knees, broken limbs (in my case a broken ankle as a child) and a general fear of falling over. However, when Sam happened across Wheels and Wheelchairs one fateful Saturday morning in Battersea Park she knew it was something her family would love. “Elvi has a rare genetic disorder called RCDP, a severe form of dwarfism. She is the oldest surviving child of three in the UK with that condition that we know of. It means she has the cognitive ability of a two

Images: Arthur Edwards

“As soon as the skaters started pushing, Elvi bounced up and down with sheer delight in her chair, clapping and yelling with joy. I think every single person in the park smiled as she passed them. The only problem was she didn’t want to stop at the end of the session.”

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year old. She is pushed in a wheelchair. “We stumbled across Wheels and Wheelchairs completely by chance because we were meeting a Dutch family with a daughter with RCDP, coincidentally we met in Battersea Park on a Saturday morning and saw the group skating. “On Elvi’s first go she was welcomed so warmly by Janet Richards, Chairperson of Wheels and Wheelchairs who is herself a wheelchair user, she immediately felt at home. “As soon as the skaters started pushing, Elvi bounced up and down with sheer delight in her chair, clapping and yelling with joy. I think every single person in the park smiled as she passed them. The only problem was she didn’t want to stop at the end of the session.” Elvi’s brother Sonny commented on what he saw as the best thing about the group: “The warmth of all the people. The skaters are so welcoming and thoughtful. I love seeing my sister so happy, doing

ROLLERBLADING

something physical and outside because there’s not that much for her to do otherwise. She doesn’t stop smiling when she’s taking part. Sam continued: “We can all exercise while Elvi enjoys fresh air and a sense of community. She has become so much more confident. She really looks forward to her Saturday mornings. Elvi has limited speech but she can say “skating” really clearly. I love that the skates are not specifically “disabled” activities but are just inclusive. Elvi and the family even took part in a skate from London to Brussels. Skaters from the founding groups from Paris, London and Brussels set off from the London Eye

last year and spent five days on a high speed adventure across France to finish in Brussels. Sonny loved the experience: “It was great fun, Mum and I helped out the skaters by giving out drinks and snacks in the breaks and helping set up for meals. It was brilliant to see such a big group of skaters pushing my sister. The teamwork was amazing. They went up some really steep hills and my heart was in my mouth when I saw how quickly they came down the other side! Sam, although apprehensive about how much her daughter would manage of such a big trip, was delighted at how much Elvi enjoyed the once in a lifetime experience: “I was really nervous about Elvi taking part and thought we’d be back home by lunchtime on the first day because she’s not great with noise and crowds. But it was the most wonderful week of her life. She was so happy to take part. She made new friends from the French and Belgian crews. “When we returned to the Easy Saturday Skate after London to Brussels, the skaters who hadn’t taken part really noticed

a difference in her - she wanted to chat about her experience and give a handshake to anyone who asked her about her adventure.” If you know of any adventure seekers who would like to get involved, no matter what their ability, check out wheelsandwheelchairs.co.uk or join them on Facebook. It only costs £1 to become a member and every skate is free to take part in.

Image: Sam Carlisle

Image: Patrick Goldyn

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Challenging Disability through Outdoor Adventure The Calvert Trust has been delivering outdoor adventure breaks for adults and children with disabilities in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District National Park since 1976. Whether you are looking for new experiences and to meet new people, or just active holiday fun with friends and family, we have something amazing to offer you. To find out more, including dates and availability, call us on 017687 72255

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KIDS

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

CORNER S

pring is finally about to spring upon us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and we personally cannot wait for the milder weather. The springtime is brilliant for many reasons. Not only does the frosty weather begin to thaw and the nights stretch, but the lovely air of new life and fresh starts lifts spirits and signals the faint beginnings of summer.

Take a break from your spring cleaning and read all about the new app from Chinese tech giants Huawei which is helping tackle illiteracy in Deaf children, learn about the teddy bear hospital that challenges anxiety amongst children when visiting the doctors or hospital, find out how to keep the kids entertained over half term and catch up with columnists Rio and Dan!

PRODUCTS PAGE

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STORYSIGN The new app that is opening the world of books up to Deaf children Words by Rosalind Tulloch

earning to read as a child is something that most people take for granted. We turn five, attend school, start learning words and before we know it we are reading books all on our own. For a child who is born Deaf this will be a very different journey. When learning to read, hearing people use the language that they have already learned to make associations with the words on the page to link up what they hear and say to what they see. Deaf children do not have the ability to do that, so it can pose a challenge when learning to read. Deaf children can struggle to make the associations between the written word and the language that they use - sign language. The spoken language is the first barrier they come to when learning to read, which can be very frustrating for a young child trying to make sense of letters and words on a page. Dr Katherine Rowley, Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre, University College London says: “Many Deaf children have delayed language or very little language. Because they don’t have concepts and world knowledge, when they start learning to read in school they can’t link up

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words that they have read with the concepts of life experience because they don’t have them.” However, a new app called StorySign has become available to help Deaf children to learn to read. Created by Huawei, the Chinese magnate that has produced a great alternative smartphone to the usual iPhone or Samsung Galaxy options, this app is transforming the lives and early experiences of young Deaf children. Huawei is a multinational telecommunications equipment company with a particular interest in using artificial intelligence (AI) as an effective solution to challenges and barriers that we face in the world. They have recognised the need for this particular technology as there is nothing else like it currently in existence. Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Western Europe, Andrew Garrihy commented: “At Huawei we’re committed to using technology and mobile AI to try and extend what is currently humanly possible. And we have a real belief in Huawei that technology can address some of humanity’s biggest challenges. And so it’s for those reasons that we decided to create and bring to the world StorySign.

“We also partnered with the British Deaf Association and with the European Union of the Deaf and we consulted with them every step of the way to make sure we were really focusing on the right problems and that the solution would make a real difference.”

“This app is set to transform the lives of Deaf children across the globe.”

STORYSIGN

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The app is free to download from Google Play and Huawei’s AppGallery and work is currently going on to release it on other platforms too. It is also available in ten different sign languages. Once downloaded to your device you are introduced to Star, the character created to translate the words in books into sign language for the reader. Star is a friendly, fun character that has been designed to give the feeling of an older sibling teaching the young reader how to read. She was created by Aardman Animations – the geniuses behind lovable characters Wallace and Gromit. They are working with Penguin Random House to ensure many classic children’s books are included on the app, to offer something for every young child to engage with. You have to have a hard copy of one of the books on the app to engage with Star to sign the words as they are preprogrammed into the app. It can’t just be used over text on any book. Joe Marriott, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House commented

on their involvement: “We’re really excited about being a partner for StorySign. We feel that Deaf children should have access to stories in the same way that hearing children do and so we’re going to make sure that in every territory StorySign launches, there’s a classic book available on the app.” When you hold your device over the words on the page, Star starts using sign language and the words are highlighted on the screen to show which word she is signing, allowing the child to recognise

the words and associate them with the correct sign for them. With nothing like this currently in existence, this app is set to transform the lives of Deaf children across the globe by helping them to more easily access books, help them learn to read, allow them to enjoy reading with their families, to more fully experience bedtime stories and to ultimately fall in love with books and reading. A great grounding for young minds.

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DEMONSTRATIONS

24/01/2019 13:10

NHS

COLUMNIST Dan White

You can follow Dan on @DeptOfAbility

SAVING THE NHS

Dan White, creator of the amazing Department of Ability superheroes and dad to Emily, who is 12 years old and has spina bifida, is a regular face in PosAbility as he shares his experiences of life as a family with a disabled child.

“It smacks of surgical suicide that the very backbone of our healthcare is under threat through lack of numbers and toxic xenophobic attitudes from some.”

adore the NHS. Its concrete walls have protected our family and millions more over the years. This January will see Emily have her first operation in a while and I thought it timely to look back at everything that happened last year around our beloved health system, mainly the lumbering beast of Brexit, car parking and the whispers of privatisation. The discord Brexit has caused, was, to parents like us, avoidable. For instance, in 2018, the NHS was told to stockpile medicines to ensure adequate supply to all we need in event of a no deal. Emily, like thousands of children, rely on pharmaceuticals and trying to eek out any information about the flow of medicines has been met with media sensationalism and a lack of guidance. To subject us and our children to rumour and fear is nothing short of cruel. I hope when this issue is distributed all our worries have been banished and sense has rained over stupidity. The NHS runs on diversity and last year the voice of panic around immigration increased. It fills me with horror that through Brexit many wonderful staff have left the system. If reports are to be believed, there will be a massive shortfall of care workers and specialists by 2020 as tighter immigration rules bite. It smacks of surgical suicide that the very backbone of our healthcare is under threat through lack of numbers and toxic xenophobic attitudes from some. All the staff, regardless of colour or creed have been and continue to be exceptionally marvelous. Outside of the bubble of Brexit, the costs of hospital parking came around again. It seems every year there is a price hike, with some London car parks earning more per hour than someone on the minimum wage. I wouldn’t have

an issue with this if all the money went back into the system, however, some car parks are run by private firms, even charging staff to park. When our children have appointments, or are rushed in by us, the last thing on our minds should be the horrendous charges upon leaving. Another aspect of hospital parking is the lack in numbers of disabled bays. Is it just me or is a hospital the logical place you will see a huge number of disabled people? The spectre of privatisation was floating around again in 2018. I think our government should realise that not everything should be there to make a profit. Invest, and as a suggestion, take the NHS out of government hands and put in the care of a cross party group. This way there will be no snap changes every five years and thought, and more importantly, time can be put into finally making the NHS better and stronger. With a proposed investment to put a Changing Place in every hospital this year, let’s leave the NHS alone. Let it do its job without media and government intrusion. The NHS is deserving of care, just like our children.

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DISABLED MOTORING EVENT returns to Birmingham for 2019

ollowing last summer’s warm welcome and successful turn out The Big Event, the UK’s largest display of cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs for disabled people, will return to the NEC in Birmingham on 28-29 June 2019. While The Big Event at the NEC is the largest show of the year, all One Big Day events have a wide range of cars on display including Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), adaptations, scooters and powered wheelchairs. There will be helpful Motability Scheme advisors at every event to answer questions about the Scheme, as well as representatives from the Scheme partners, RAC, RSA and Kwik Fit. Information will also be available from Disabled Motoring UK.

THE 2019 MOTABILITY SCHEME EVENTS: Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June, The Big Event at the NEC, Birmingham Saturday 27 July, One Big Day at Westpoint, Exeter Saturday 10 August, One Big Day at Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate Saturday 7 September, One Big Day at East of England Arena, Peterborough Saturday 21 September, One Big Day at Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

All visitors receive a free tea, coffee or soft drink and the whole family is welcome to come along. Children can take selfies with the Scheme mascot, Billy the Bear, enjoy free face painting or visit the play area. Find out more about The Big Event and the regional One Big Days at motability.co.uk/thebigevent and for the latest announcements, pictures, and videos visit the Motability Scheme Facebook page (facebook.com/motability). For more information on leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk or call 0800 953 7000.

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EASTER

AN EGG-CELENT

t’s no mean feat to keep children occupied for two whole weeks over the Easter holidays, what with the excess of chocolate and sweet treats that will be hanging around the house – presumably not for long, if your house is anything like the PosAbility offices! We’ve got some cracking ideas for egg-cellent Easter break activities which will stop you going hopping mad at the kids! Words by Katie Campbell

EASTER BUNNY

PLANTS

If you take yourself onto Google Images and search “Easter Bunny” you won’t have to scroll far before you’re confronted with some truly terrifying images of the Easter Bunny, some with large gnashing teeth and others falling foul of the issue that a cheap, badly made suit can sometimes be the stuff of pure nightmares. Traditionally, the Easter Bunny’s job was to judge if children had been good enough to get Easter gifts, including eggs, which were given up for Lent. While that little bunny is very cute for some, for others, like children who may have issues like masklophobia – a fear of mascots, characters and costumes – it’s a particularly harrowing thing. If your local egg hunt features one such Easter Bunny, it might be a good idea to get your child used to the idea of it before you go, which can mean anything from a pre-arranged visit to watching YouTube videos and sitting down with your child to explain what the custom is all about.

Despite what some might say, science is extremely cool, especially the incredible science of nature. Easter is the perfect time to get in amongst the dirt and plant something beautiful – be it sweet smelling lavender or something a little more edible. Teaching kids about the science of nature is a brilliant, handson activity that requires attentiveness and patience, but can be incredibly rewarding: studies have shown that gardening can improve motor skills, enhance creativity, increase social skills and improve self-confidence, while also providing an outlet for stress and anxiety. Growing herbs is an incredibly easy thing to do, fun, and can be done indoors. Garden cress can be grown with great ease and if your fingers are particularly green, you can even get it to cultivate on a paper towel! Not only does it grow quite quickly, sprouting in about two days and being ready to harvest in around two weeks, it’s got a very interesting peppery taste and crunchy texture, meaning it can be a great sensory experience from start to finish.

EASTER FRO-YO Chocolate isn’t going to be the ideal snack for every child – some might be allergic, and for others it might not be on the nutrition plan – but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a sweet treat at Eastertime! The brilliant Grace Hall who blogs at Eats Amazing came up with an awesome alternative to chocolate eggs – Easter Egg popsicles. Made of only three ingredients – yoghurt, granola and fruit – these frozen yoghurt lollies are super customisable, so they can be changed depending on a child’s dietary requirements. Grace uses silicone egg-shaped moulds to make them extra Easter-y. The recipe, which can be found on the blog, is extremely child-friendly, so even making the treats counts as a fun sensory experience the whole family can enjoy. Visit Grace’s blog at eatsamazing.co.uk for more details.

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EGG DECORATING

Letting your child’s creative side loose on an Easter egg is a brilliant idea, and the activity is so easily adapted for children who have additional needs. Pinterest is an incredible resource when looking for ideas on how to adapt this traditional activity for your child: for example, there’s a few brilliant guides on how to turn egg decorating into a fun, tactile event for blind children using felt, neoprene, glitter, and sticky crystals. For those who might not take much joy out of a real egg, there are great guides on how to turn an egg hunt into a tactile game by filling plastic eggs with touchy-feely items, like slime or cotton wool. If breaking the eggs is something you’re worried about, never fear – you can buy decorating eggs which are made of recyclable materials, which can’t be broken.

EGG HUNTS Once your eggs are looking good and ready for the Easter Bunny to whisk them off and hide them, it’s time to get started on the traditional Easter egg hunt. For some kids, that’s going to be easier than others, but it doesn’t mean anyone has to sit out the fun. This is a great way to lay down some classic (but not too hard!) problem solving for children of all ages. If finding the eggs on their own might be too difficult, it might be fun to give children clues on where their eggs are hidden. These can be punny or visual clues – like a map with X marking the spot of the eggs. It’s important to remember the needs of all children involved, so make sure all of the eggs are accessible to all of the children, which means no hiding them in high places, unless an adult is there to give them a hand!

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EASTER

PETTING ZOOS

Of course, not all Easter activities need to involve the Easter Bunny – other animals are of course available. Petting zoos are a fun, sensory experience for kids, and with it being springtime, petting zoos will be filled with adorable baby animals. Baby bunnies, lambs, chicks and loads more will be on offer to feed and pet, which can both be an extremely exciting activity and extremely relaxing. Many petting zoos will offer an accessible experience which can be tailored to the needs of your child, so if you’re worried about accessibility at your local petting zoo, give them a call before heading out, or check online.

ACTIVE KIDS

Many councils across the UK put on activities over the Easter and summer breaks, which can be anything from skiing to bouncing around on massive pool inflatables. These activities are often reasonably priced, and allow parents an hour or two of respite while their children have fun. Many of the activities are accessible, and depending on a child’s needs, the brochure of activities can provide parents with an easy list to pick from that will keep the kids occupied – at least for a day! These brochures are often available through schools, in public places (like leisure centres), or online, so hunt one down and see if there’s anything inside to keep your kids occupied over the holidays. Be warned that many of the activities need to be booked in advance.

A MINI BREAK If all else fails, there’s always the option to take yourselves away for a short break over the holidays, factors like holidays and funds permitting. Center Parcs is a great getaway for families, and many of their parks have great accessibility and loads of activities for kids. If that’s not feasible, what about a camping trip? PosAbility columnist Dan White wrote about his experiences of taking his daughter Emily, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, camping in last year’s October/November issue, and they had so much fun getting back into nature. Websites LoveCamping, UK Camping, and Camping.co.uk each have search filters which allow users to check for accessible campsites. Each of the websites display a list of the site’s features, including disabled access, disabled toilets or Changing Places, so it’s easy to find one that meets you or your child’s needs.

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TODAYʼS THE DAY THE

TEDDY BEARS HAVE THEIR CHECK UPS Words by Colette Carr

An Irish university celebrated opening their 14th annual Teddy Bear Hospital, conducting appointments for over 1200 sick teddies to help local primary school children feel comfortable in the hospital setting and calm around doctors. The National University of Ireland Galway’s health promotion society Sláinte Society ran the two-day event over 17-18 January with 200 medical, healthcare and science students diagnosing and treating the teddy bears under the watchful eyes of their 1200 minders – a group of excited children from 29 local primary schools. The society, which promotes physical and mental health, organised the day with the purpose of removing preconceptions of a cold, clinical environment and tackling anxiety in young children when visiting a medical centre or hospital. Students took care of the teddies, but also spent time with the children ranging from 3-8 years old in the fun and relaxed manner. Teddies were seen for any and all weird and wonderful ailments, with patients checking in with everything from sore tummies to hurting ears, and on arrival to the on-campus hospital the children and patients took part in a one-onone consultation with a doctor, before an examination

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Images: Aengus McMahon

determined what their ‘pawscription’ was, with a resulting referral to surgery or x-ray. The students of NUI manned the x-ray and MRI machines specially designed for the cuddly patients, giving a realistic but assuring picture of the process in the real world. Recuperating teddy bears then received the appropriate medical supplies from the fully stocked Teddy Bear Pharmacy, which also offered delicious fruit to promote healthy eating while they were at it.

NUI Galway third year Medical student Sinéad Burke with Cian.

TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL

Caoimhe from St James’s National School in Bushypark, Galway.

Once the children’s teddies were tended to, the kids celebrated a successful trip to the docs by letting their hair down and unwinding with exciting entertainment from NUI’s circus society and even a bouncy castle. Anna Lynam, a second year occupational therapy student and co-auditor of Sláinte Society, said ahead of the event: “We are so excited to welcome the 14th annual Teddy Bear Hospital this year. Despite the ever-growing demand from schools to attend the event, we strive to include as many schools as possible; conscious that each and every teddy bear in Galway deserves the best care. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first ‘patients’ and hope to present an atmosphere of fun, enthusiasm and encouragement for all.” Ríona Hughes, NUI Galway’s Societies Officer, said: “The Teddy Bear hospital is a magical opportunity for the society to invite the children and their teddies to campus and provide a valuable learning experience for all. It is one of the NUI Galway societies’ most colourful and endearing community outreach programme and we are thrilled with its success. Congratulations to Sláinte Society who engage such a large number of our students in this event for such a positive purpose and we look forward to a rewarding few days for all involved.”

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KIDS

Rio's

COLUMN Words by Rio Woolf

n November I went to the annual England Amputee Football Association Junior training session at Manchester City Academy and Louis Dunn from CBBC joined us! I’m a big fan so it was very exciting to meet him! We played against CP United and won 4-0! I also met Man City Amps player Jamie Tregaskiss who helped EAFA come sixth at the Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico last October. Then we had the EAFA Presentation Evening in Blackburn – I met Owen Coyle Senior and sold lots of raffle tickets – all the EAFA Juniors were given a medal and a certificate. I went to Hatchards book shop in Piccadilly to see royal photographer Chris Jackson – he took lots of photos of me and Prince Harry at the London 2014 and Orlando 2016 Invictus Games. He signed my copy of Modern Monarchy and it was great to catch up with him after Sydney 2018. I also met Dan Snow who signed my copy of On This Day in History and told me on my birthday in 1754 George Washington accidentally started a war! In December I did the Superhero Winter Wonderwheels Lakeside Dash 1km with my LimbPower Blade Buddy Ollie. It was great to see my favourite Paralympians and Invictus heroes again! It was so much fun doing the warm-up with Jo Blinman who very sadly passed away a few weeks afterwards – we will really miss her at the LimbPower Junior Games. I went to see Operation Ouch Live - it was so funny, and I learned lots of fascinating facts, like how germs spread through viruses. We bounced giant inflatable balls around the audience! After the show I met Dr Chris and Dr Xand – they signed

RIO HAVING A BALL AT THE ANNUAL EAFA TRAINING SESSION

RIO MEETING LOUIS DUNN FROM CBBC

OPERATION OUCH DOING THEIR BEST ‘OUCH FACES’

my Operation Ouch book and did their best ‘ouch faces’ for our photo! I really wanted to meet the Doctors as I’m an Ouch Patient in the new series of Operation Ouch on CBBC! They were looking for an amputee child to share their prosthetics story and they asked me to take part, so the film crew followed me for three months last spring - I had to keep it top-secret until the first episode aired! They came to my Dorset Orthopaedic limb-fitting appointments with my prosthetist Matt, to my physiotherapy session with my physiotherapist Amy, to Harrow Athletics Club Juniors Training with my coach Gary and to the LimbPower Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville. You can catch up with my story on BBC iPlayer in episodes 1, 5, 9 and 13. I hope non-disabled children will be more understanding and positive about children with disabilities, especially amputees, after they watch my Ouch Patient films. I also went to the Science Museum Wonderlab – I had fun with the Infinity Boxes (mirrors that multiplied my face!) and watched the Hubble 3D IMAX movie. I saw great demos about electricity and chemistry where I played with slime!

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FILM

STARS OF THE SILVER SCREEN Words by Katie Campbell

The rich history of British film is intrinsically linked to disability, which has showcased and supported the disabled community’s struggle for years.

ritain has a rich history of disabled people in the arts, and no artform is as accessible and all-encompassing as that of cinema. Celebrating the rich contributions of disabled people to film both in front of and behind the camera, the BFI have launched their Disabled Britain on Film collection, an archive of films from 1911 to the present day, with over 170 free disability-centric films available to watch for free on their website. Spanning from East End Cripples Enjoy a Happy Days Outing in Epping Forrest from 1911 to the most recent title, The Mask from 2017, the collection explores the representation of disabled people in the last hundred years, with unique insight into the lives and times of disabled people a century in our past, and a contemporary view of living through changing laws, attitudes and inclusion. The BFI’s collection could not have launched at a more important time. With Bryan Cranston’s role in the recent Hollywood film The Upside being both lambasted and defended for what many disabled people perceive as “cripping up” – that is, the act of a non-disabled person playing a disabled person – Disabled Britain on Film shows the wealth of talent disabled Brits have which is being erased by non-disabled talent assuming their roles. Many recognisable faces appear across the collection: pioneering campaigner Paul Hunt, singer Ian Dury, artist and activist Liz Crow, filmmakers David Lean, Anthony Asquith and Jack Cardiff, and a few Hollywood regulars, including Sean Connery, John Hurt, John Mills and Frank Sidebottom. Several films within the BFI’s collection are rare and hard to find outside it. 1963’s The Contact is one such contribution, starring John Hurt as a disabled teenager a full 17 years before he would star in David

Lynch’s Oscar-nominated The Elephant Man. In spite of its use of a non-disabled actor in the lead role, the BFI calls The Contact, which was made in association with The Spastic Society (now Scope) “a remarkably forward-looking attempt to show the need for inclusion of disabled young people in mainstream society.” Documentaries showcase both an insight into the life of disabled people trying to exist in a world which lacks inclusion and disabled people warring for what they deserve. A Day in the Life of Kevin Donnellon is just as the title of the 1972 movie describes, while 1978’s Blind Farmer tells how Staffordshire farmer Blake Brown perceivers in the job he loves. Speaking on the significance of the BFI’s new collection, David Proud, actor, writer, producer and author of The Art of Disability said: “From the fictional non-disabled depictions to archive footage, all have a place in the wonderful tapestry of disability history. We cannot truly understand where we are heading without being able to look at where we came from. Disability does not discriminate it can affect anyone anytime, it is so broad it is really hard to nail down what Disability Culture is. By curating these films together under this banner we can begin to explore what we mean by the term ‘disabled’.”

“Documentaries showcase

both an insight into the life of disabled people trying to exist in a world which lacks inclusion and disabled people warring for what they deserve.” WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

We’ve put together a list of some of the best films included in the BFI’s collection, many of which can be watched for free on their website.

EDUCATION OF THE DEAF (1946) A very early look in the Deaf community, this film examines the uses of hearing aids, teaching lip reading, and lessons in communicating verbally. Despite sign language being commonly used and passed between Deaf people in the 1940s, it wasn’t until the 1970s that schools began to recognise British Sign Language, and the UK government didn’t recognise it as a language until 2003.

THEATRE OF THE DEAF (1972) Bright and upbeat, this film showcases the (at the time) newly formed British Theatre of the Deaf and its setup, which was spearheaded by children’s TV star Pat Keysell, who would go on through the establishment of this group to be a driving force in the establishment of deaf theatre as a distinct artform.

PROBE: ALF MORRIS ANNOUNCES THE RECALLING OF THE INVACAR (1976) One to show the children, this archive footage shows Minister for the Disabled Alf Morris, a great ally for disabled people in the 80s and 90s, announce the recalling of the Invacar, which was a tiny single-seater car given to disabled people for free in a precursor to the Motability scheme.

“From the fictional nondisabled depictions to archive footage, all have a place in the wonderful tapestry of disabled history.” 74

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ON THE LEVEL (1985) A film created with sponsorship from the UK government, it aimed to increase awareness of inclusive design and how important it is for giving disabled people independence. Created ten years before the first legislation regarding disability discrimination came into place, it features campaigners who fought for years for an accessible environment.

ZERO HOUR (1928) This charity film shows how a veteran blinded by poisonous gas in World War I started his own egg-selling business after receiving training from St Dunstan’s Home for the Blind (now Vision UK). The charity was unusual for its time in its aim to train war veterans to run small businesses with what charity founder Arthur Pearson called their “second sight.”

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS (2014) Lead singer of Scottish 80s post-rock darlings Orange Juice and star in his own right Edwyn Collins suffered a major cerebral haemorrhage in 2005, with the aphasia he developed allowing him to repeat only four phrases: yes, no, his wife’s name and “the possibilities are endless.” This documentary examines his difficult recovery in innovative style.

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CAREERS

GET THAT

DREAM JOB TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Words by Jane Hatton

For many disabled people looking for work, sometimes our skills may not seem directly relevant for the job we are applying for.

ome of us may not have had paid work previously, and others may have developed an impairment or long-term health condition which means we need to look for a different career from previously. It is helpful to identify what our transferable skills are, firstly to identify which roles we would thrive in, and secondly to persuade prospective employers that we have the necessary skills. Both candidates and employers can mistakenly think that the only skills which are relevant are those gained in paid employment. But, of course, we bring our whole selves to work, with a wide range of skills developed in many different ways. Skills from workrelated experience Of course, if we have been in paid work previously, we will have developed skills there. The important point is to focus on the skills, rather than the job title. What skills are transferable to other roles? This could include skills around teamwork, project management, managing time, resources or people, time management, computer skills and many, many others â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of which are transferable. In addition, a disproportionately high number of disabled people

volunteer. Skills gained in voluntary roles are just as important and transferable as those gained in paid work. I was a volunteer for Samaritans for a number of years, which helped develop my skills in listening, communication and questioning, among others. If you have done, or are doing, voluntary work, think of the transferable skills you have developed there. Skills from outside the workplace We were born with a number of skills, and have developed further skills throughout our lives. We may have skills around music, sport, art, cooking, writing and many, many others. Those activities we consider to be hobbies can develop a whole range of skills relevant to the workplace. Skills from being disabled The social model of disability suggests that we are disabled by the barriers we face rather than by our impairments. This means that we have to develop skills in circumventing

barriers. For wheelchair-users, for example, going on a train journey requires careful planning - working out the timings, the route, which stations are accessible, whether any support will be required and arranging it. This necessity quickly develops superb project management skills. Working around barriers develops creative problem-solving skills. If we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t achieve something in the conventional way, we find other ways of doing it. And often we can be very persistent, because overcoming the barriers in our way leads to more freedom. All of these skills are valuable to employers and can easily be transferred into the workplace. We need to be aware of all the skills we have which can be transferred into the workplace in order to identify roles we would excel in, and also to persuade prospective employers that we are the right person for the job. For further tips, and jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak website, evenbreak.co.uk.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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