Consider This

“THE GAME IS FAST AND FURIOUS AND ONCE YOU SEE IT YOU’RE HOOKED.”

CONSIDER THIS! Roller Derby

Have you ever heard of Roller Derby? We spoke to Bev Gormley to learn more about this surprisingly inclusive sport.

I’M Bev Gormley and I was born missing my left arm below the elbow, but I’ve never let that hold me back! I’m a Programme Manager for a Charity called the Heritage Trust Network and work with community groups and organisations who are rescuing and restoring historic buildings. I am also a roller derby player and coach.

What is Roller Derby and how did you get started?

My journey into roller derby started back in the 1980s when I used to spend more time on skates than in shoes! It was the heyday of the roller disco and I was very lucky that my school held one every Saturday. We could even skate instead of doing PE sometimes! After a 25-ish year break I rediscovered my love of skating when my daughter started to go to a roller disco that had just started nearby. That’s where I bumped into the first roller derby player I’d ever seen. She looked the epitome of cool and told me all about the Lincolnshire Bombers roller derby team. Two weeks later I’d bought a pair of roller derby skates and attended my first training session!

Roller derby is a full-contact sport played on quad roller skates, by two teams of players skating around an elliptical track. It consists of a series of two-minute countdown jams and lasts for 60 minutes. The skaters do their utmost to stop the opposing Jammer (the point scorer) passing them and scoring points by using shoulder/hip checks, shoving them out of the way or knocking them to the ground. The game is fast and furious and once you see it you’re hooked.

How does Roller Derby work with your impairment?

During my time with the Lincolnshire Bombers and now Grimsby Grim Reavers, my limb difference has never been an issue. In fact, as a grassroots sport ‘for the players by the players’, roller derby prides itself on being inclusive and diverse. When I’m on the track I feel invincible, like a superhero! I can do things with my body, and move at speeds that wouldn’t be possible off-skates and that gives me a huge sense of freedom. I then became involved in coaching juniors and helping to form Team GB Junior Roller Derby.

You recently received your Hero Arm, can you tell us more about this and how it might impact you in roller derby?

My Hero Arm has completely changed my life, and has brought a little bit of the superhero into everyday activities. I no longer try to hide my prosthetic arm and love it when people ask me about it. Once we’re allowed to start playing roller derby again I’ll be wearing my hero arm while coaching and every minute up until the point where the full contact starts. It will increase my confidence so much that I’ll be standing 7 feet tall and people won’t be able to ignore the fact that having a disability doesn’t have to stop you getting involved in team sport.

Why should disabled people to give roller derby a go?

Over the last 9 years I’ve coached and have played alongside numerous people with visible and hidden disabilities. Teams across the UK regularly hold free taster sessions where you can borrow skates and kit. Roller derby not only needs players, it needs referees, non-skating officials, game-day organisers and fundraisers, so if skating’s not for you there are lots of ways to be part of the team!

Twitter: @BionicBeverley Facebook: facebook.com/Bion-

icBeverley

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bever-

leygormley/

REVIEW SPOT Emma Hardie’s Skincare Essentials for Summer

Let’s check out 4 of Emma Hardie’s must have skincare products for summer…

WITH warmer days upon us and lockdown restrictions eased, many of us are getting out and enjoying the sunshine, parks and beaches. To get yourself summer ready, DRM has tried out some of skincare specialist, Emma Hardie’s products. A leading pioneer in skincare and rejuvenation, Emma Hardie is the most accomplished Holistic facialist in the UK today. Emma’s award-winning skincare system includes simple, but effective products that are must-have daily essentials. Emma’s products are designed to suit all skin types. Working with the skin’s natural functions to moisturise, firm and brighten, this skincare system is light, fresh, and perfect to keep you cool in the summer heat.

Skin protection is key, and hydration a must, so here are our top recommendations for beautiful summer skin in 2021:

The Moringa Light

Cleansing Gel is a lightly foaming cleanser with a gentle, citrusy fragrance, perfect for washing your face first thing in the morning. It comes in an easy to use, pump action bottle, that doesn’t clog or slip from your fingers, making it ideal for those with limited dexterity. It contains Moringa and Sweet Almond Oil to nourish the skin, Grapeseed Oil and essential fatty acids to moisturise and soften, and Sea Fennel Extract to improve the barrier function of the skin and restore balance. It leaves you feeling fresh and clean.

The Moisture Boost Vit+C Cream is a luscious, enriched cream, perfect for use after the Moringa Light Cleansing Gel. In a solid round jar, that is easily opened, making it a great product to have as your every day moisturiser if you have limited dexterity. The vitamin c enriched cream helps to reduce pigmentation and age spots, whilst also increasing cellular renewal, giving skin a lovely youthful glow. This moisture boosting cream sinks quickly into your skin, with no feelings of dryness or greasiness left behind.

The Protect and Prime SPF

30 cream is perfect for everyday use and protection in the hot summer sun. Protecting your skin from premature ageing, sun damage and environmental exposure, this cream fits perfectly in your handbag, so you can reapply when necessary. Like the Moringa Light Cleansing Gel, the SPF comes in an easy to use, pump-action bottle making it ideal for those with limited dexterity. Lightweight and hydrating, the cream provides UVA and UVB SPF 30 protection. Specially formulated with Mongongo Oil, Oat Extract and Vitamin E, the cream is lightweight and non-greasy and is a great primer for applying makeup.

The Plump and Glow Hydrating Facial Mist

is the key must have for traveling and days out. Suitable for sensitive skin, this mist protects your face and neck from pollution and environmental damage, evens out your complexion and creates a luminous glow. It comes in an easy to use, lightweight pumpaction bottle that is easy to hold. Formulated with Aloe Vera, Velvet Flower and Wild Watermint, this mist tones and moisturises dehydrated skin. Perfect if you get a touch too much sun.

Formulated with powerful ingredients, all the products avoid any of the “nasties”— parabens, SLS, synthetic colours, synthetic fragrances, petrolatum, and mineral oil, amongst others. This makes Emma Hardie skincare a great option for those with sensitive skin, scent or chemical sensitivities. All their products are vegetarian, cruelty free and power-packed with only the best high-grade, skin-friendly ingredients.

website: emmahardie.com Twitter: @EmmaHardieUK Instagram: @emmahardieskincare Facebook: @emmahardieskincare