PosAbility – April / May 2020

Apr/MAy 2020

MAGAZINE MS WEEK

EMPOWERING

SELF-ISOLATION

The lowdown on the best MS blogs, accounts and online communities

Monique Dior Jarrett bares all in a celebration of womanhood

Getting through these uncertain times together

Welcome APR/MAY 20

Ros EDITOR

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oronavirus, self-isolation, hand sanitiser, lockdown – you are probably fed up of hearing all of these words by now. We know we are. However, it would be remiss of us to ignore the global pandemic completely, so we have included some great ideas for making it through self-isolation, and our columnists have also picked up on some positives that may come out of this situation.

Our cover this issue features Monique Dior Jarrett, a model, artist, and game-changer in the representation of disabled people. She took part in a stunning photoshoot with a group

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of strong disabled women to mark International Women’s Day in March.

It was a celebration of womanhood and showcased the beauty of different bodies. We spoke to Monique about the experience of baring all in the name of inclusion, you can read the interview on page 20.

MS Week takes place at the end of April. We have compiled a list of great blogs, Instagram accounts and online communities that inform, educate and make you laugh. We also explore the innovative beauty range Guide Beauty, a line that has created makeup applicators that will help everyone apply makeup more easily.

Euan’s Guide are back with some ideas for your summer holidays on page 48. They are wisely showcasing places in the UK, as who knows when we will next be allowed to leave the country.

We hope that PosAbility will continue to give you some light reading over this isolating time. Please stay safe, wash your hands, accept help and look after yourselves. If you are ever bored, drop us an email or get in touch on our social media platforms, we would love to hear from you.

Follow us on Twitter @ PosAbilityMag

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Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writers: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Sales: Val Speers, Cassie Thompson

CONTRIBUTORS

Sam Renke, Mik Scarlet, Dan White, Jane Hatton, Caroline Butterwick, Janet Myers, Meg Baker-Knight

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 2020 ©2A Publishing Limited.

All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

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

Apr/MAy 2020

MAGAZINE MS WEEK

EMPOWERING

SELF-ISOLATION

The lowdown on the best MS blogs, accounts and online communities

Monique Jarret bares all in a celebration of womanhood

Getting through these uncertain times together

Follow us on Instagram @ posabilitymagazine

To find out more about subscribing to PosAbility Magazine turn to p82

Photographer: Shelley Richmond @shelley_richmond_ www.shelleyrichmondphoto.co.uk Art Direction: Zoe Proctor - Director of Zebedee posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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APR/MAY 2020 | ISSUE 54 HT HER

12 TRIPPING THROUGH MS WEEK We highlight some of the best places on the internet to learn about living with MS

15 IT’S THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE Columnist Sam Renke gives us advice on how to get through the lockdown

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News, stories, and updates

38 HOT STUFF

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07 FYI

WRITE

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E,

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The latest must-have products

40 TOKYO, 1964 We look back at the very first Paralympic Games to have taken place in Japan

43 EXPLORING OFF-PISTE Intrepid explorer Janet Myers gives us the rundown on Geneva, Switzerland

17 THE PERFECT DAY Caroline Butterwick shares her experience of planning an accessible wedding

48 SUMMER HOLIDAYS When all of this is over, you’ll want to escape for a bit of rest and relaxation

20 AN EMPOWERING WOMAN We talk to Monique Dior Jarrett about baring all for International Women’s Day

24 A GUIDE TO GUIDE BEAUTY Everything you need to know about the new accessible makeup brand on the market

26 POUR (LESS) SUGAR ON ME

53 RIGHT HERE, WRITE NOW Publisher Penguin has started its search for under-represented writers

57 KIDS’ CORNER In this issue, we explore inclusive tech, charity DanceSyndrome, and one girl and her dog

Our guide on how to do Easter on a low-sugar diet

29 POTENTIAL POSITIVES Mik Scarlet looks on the bright side of us all starting to work from home

31 WIN A ROLLATOR Rollz Mobility are giving you the chance to win a rollator that transforms into a wheelchair

32 JOT THAT DOWN Essential stationary for journaling, writing and more

36 MAKING SICK ART We explore the growing scene of chronic illness and disability-related zines

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68 TIME TO LISTEN Dan White tells us about the new podcast he’s started with Variety, the Children’s Charity

72 WINNING AT SELF-ISOLATION A few ideas on what to do while we’re pushing through a global pandemic

77 DREAM JOB Jane Hatton looks at the realities of working from home

79 PUZZLES Keeping your mind active

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EXPERIENCE our range of products

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION News and stories from around the world

NEW DATES FOR NAIDEX

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ollowing the postponement of Naidex which was due to take place on 17-18 March this year, the organisers have announced new dates for the show. It will now take place on 9-10 November 2020.

The event will take place at the same venue, the NEC, Birmingham and all tickets remain valid.

This announcement applies to all events co-located with Naidex including, Smart Home for Assisted Living, Dementia, Care & Nursing Home, Home Care Expo, Care Tech Live, European Neuro Convention, Medical Imaging Convention, European Oncology Convention and AI&ML Convention.

The PosAbility team will be attending Naidex in November and hope to see you all there.

To find out more about Naidex visit naidex.co.uk.

INVICTUS GAMES RESCHEDULED

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he Invictus Games announced last month that it would postpone the Games in light of the current global pandemic, with the organisers aiming to hold the Games later next year, around May or June 2021.

Citing the safety and wellbeing of the athletes, the organisers felt that postponement was the best option, despite the disappointment that people may feel.

In a statement to the competitors, the Duke of Sussex said: “I know how disappointed you all must be. This is a focus that so many of you need. I would encourage you to maintain that focus as best you can. I’m sorry that we couldn’t provide this for you. Please look after yourself, look after your families, and please look after one another. Do what you do best, and we will do everything that we can to get you a date and a time to show up at next year.”

Mart de Kruif, chairman of the Invictus Games, said: “The Coronavirus and its effects are part of a global pandemic which will influence every public event in the foreseeable future.

Therefore, we find ourselves in a clear situation which left us no other choice than to reschedule the Invictus Games to the year 2021. By doing this, we also bring clarity to those vulnerable competitors and their loved ones, a clarity which is so desperately needed in their journey to recovery.”

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VANS LAUNCH SENSORY SHOES

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katewear icons Vans has launched a brand new range of sensory shoes for people living with autism in both its US and UK stores.

charity who encourage autistic children around the world to socialise through skateboarding.

In a statement, the company said: “Since 1966, Vans has stood as a champion of individuality and self-expression. The brand’s commitment continues with the release of sensory inclusive footwear designs as part of the Autism Awareness Collection.

The shoes are designed to look almost exactly like their signature shoe styles like the definitive Old Skool skate shoe, but feature fuzzy material, soft tops, and a more calming colour palette. They’re available in both kids and adult sizes, so nobody has to miss out.

“With this project, Vans celebrates the unique aspects of all people. Designed specifically with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mind, the ultra-comfortable footwear collection is offered with sensory-inclusive elements including a calming colour palette and design features that focus on the senses of touch, sight and sound.”

Vans have also announced that they’ll be donating a minimum of £86,000 to A.skate, a

The collection is available online now from: vans.co.uk.

PAW PATROL HITS THE STAGE

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arents will be all-too familiar with Paw Patrol, a group of lively rescue dogs who help save the day with the motto “no job is too big, no pup is too small”, who grace the small screen with their myriad adventures.

The Paw Patrol gang will be touring theatres around the UK and Ireland with their arena tour, Race to the Rescue, this July and August.

Thankfully for our younger readers who love the lively pups, accessibility was at the forefront of organisers’ minds, as they’ve ensured that shows at every location will offer accessibility for Deaf and visually impaired audience members.

Each location will have a BSL performance, and a pre-recorded audio description service so that noone misses out.

Marie Pascall, Director at Performance Interpreting Ltd, the company providing BSL support on the tour, said: “Historically, access to arena events has been very limited and sporadic. Those who are Deaf are often unable to find out in advance if resources are accessible at an event and so either decide not to buy a ticket or, they take a gamble and then find out they aren’t able to access it fully when they attend.

PAW Patrol Live! is the first arena tour that truly brings a whole family together, allowing everyone to simultaneously enjoy the live action on stage.”

“The tour goes beyond any I have worked with before. The promoter clearly recognises and understands the importance of inclusivity for all. Not only are there dedicated sessions that are clearly highlighted at point of ticket sales; PAW Patrol Live! is also working closely with the sign language team to create a seamless connection between the action on stage and the interpreter.”

To find out more, visit pawpatrollive.co.uk.

BENEFIT REVIEWS AND REASSESSMENTS SUSPENDED

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s part of the government’s lockdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the UK, temporary measures have been taken that have seen reviews and reassessments of benefits suspended for the time being.

As of Tuesday 24 March, the government have suspended these reviews for three months, including all face-to-face assessments, in order to protect people from the effects of the virus. This means that there will be no reviews or reassessments across all benefits for three months, including Universal Credit, ESA, PIP, and Disability Living Allowance.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey said: “As this country ramps up its efforts to support people through coronavirus, we will do whatever it takes to protect claimants and our staff.

“We are automatically extending all awards and reassessments for health and disability benefits to provide that reassurance to those in receipt of them.”

While these have been suspended, assessments which have already taken place for PIP, ESA, and Universal Credit claimants will continue to be processed.

For more information, visit gov.uk.

LATEST

TWEETS

Mik Scarlet @MikScarlet I do hope after the dust settles on all this we see a levelling of society. We now know how society needs the very people at the bottom of the ladder. Level out pay & the value placed on people. Let’s build fairness into the world.

Ditch the Label @DitchtheLabel If you’re feeling lonely, just remember, the whole world is in this together, and you definitely aren’t alone. We can and will get through this.

Andy Stevenson @AndyStevenson81 I have no doubt that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be even more special in 2021 than they were going to be in 2020.

Ollie Hynd MBE @olliehyndgb All it means is I get longer to prepare, and whenever the opportunity comes around I’ll be ready. And you can mark my words on that

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TOKYO 2020 PUSHED BACK TO 2021

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oth the Paralympic and Olympic Games have been pushed back to 2021 amid concerns for the health of all of those involved in the event, it was announced last month.

Despite the International Olympic Committee announcing it would give itself four weeks to make a decision, it took them only two days to announce the postponement of the Games, and in a joint statement from IOC and Tokyo 2020, they said that the Games would not go ahead this year, but would instead be rescheduled at a date “beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021”.

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International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons commended the decision, saying: “Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak is absolutely the right thing to do. The health and well-being of human life must always be our number one priority and staging a sport event of any kind during this pandemic is simply not possible.

“Sport is not the most important thing right now, preserving human life is. It is essential therefore that all steps are taken to try and limit the spread of this disease.

“By taking this decision now, everyone involved in the Paralympic Movement, including all Para athletes, can fully focus on their own health and well-being and staying safe during this unprecedented and difficult time.”

MS Week TRIPPING THROUGH

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

MS Awareness Week takes place on 20-26 April this year to help raise awareness of this condition and educate others on what it is like living with multiple sclerosis.

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his year, we thought the best way to join the conversation and help educate those who haven’t crossed paths with MS would be to highlight the best bloggers, websites and Instagram accounts out there who are sharing their experiences of living with MS, making you laugh, cry and scratch your head in thought.

This is by no means a definitive list, so if you know of a blog that you think people would benefit from having in their lives, please do get in touch with us on social media or email ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

S H I F T. M S This is an online community created by people living with MS for people living with MS. It is a social network specifically designed to support thousands of people living with MS by connecting them to fellow MSers. The site provides a platform for people to ask questions, seek advice, share experiences and gain support. They also produce films, by, for and about people living with MS, which tell compelling stories, share real-life experiences and feature world-leading experts.

Join the Shift.ms community at shift.ms.

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ONE MAN AND HIS CATHETER

IRELAND, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND ME

Mark Webb was diagnosed with MS in 2007 and has been writing his blog for the last few years. The opening statement on his website is, “I work (for now), I love, I live, I have fun. Just with wheelchairs and drugs and spasms and stuff...”, so you know you are onto something good from the outset.

His well-written, witty commentary touches on serious and sometimes nostalgic topics that will be relatable to many people living with MS, and his blogs are enjoyable and interesting to read.

This award-winning blog is written by Willeke Van Eeckhoutte, she has been living with MS for over 15 years and blogging about it since around 2011. Her website is full of information, facts and myth-busters, and great writings. Her honest and funny take on life makes for easy reading and it is no surprise that this is a very popular blog in the MS community.

Her handy A-Z of medical jargon is a great tool for helping you make sense of medical appointments too.

Follow Mark on Instagram @markwebb99 and check out his blog at onemanandhiscatheter.com.

Read Willeke’s blog at irelandms.com.

STUMBLING IN FLATS Barbara A Stensland started her blog in 2012 shortly after she was diagnosed with MS. Her blog has been so successful it was turned into a book and was shortlisted for The International Rubery Book Award in 2015. The blog is read in over 150 countries and her regular posts cover everything from MS to grief to daily ramblings that we can all appreciate. Her talent and passion for writing is clear and this makes for a great regular read.

Follow Barbara on Twitter @MS_stumbling and read her blog at stumblinginflats.com.

MY ODD SOCK Just as it sounds, odd, curious and a wonderfully quirky read. The author, aka My Odd Sock, introduces us to a cast of characters that appear throughout the blog. These include; Blockhead representing ridiculous actions, the Drain representing the author’s slightly obscure ramblings, Peanut in a Tin Can representing the author getting an idea, the Funny Meter for when things aren’t actually funny and the Hecklephant representing when something truly sucks. It sounds weird, and it is, but it’s also quite genius.

TRIPPING ON AIR Adra is a well-known Toronto-based blogger living with MS, she has also dabbled in acting and contributed to many magazines and news outlets too. Her sassy take on life is refreshing and comical, she approaches topics like eating habits, sex drive and the benefits of laughter. Adra is also a shining example of someone who is positively promoting the use of mobility aids, her trademark style and sass are often complemented by rollators or wheelchairs and her posts address the stigma around using mobility aids too.

Read Adra’s blog at trippingonair.com and follow her on Instagram @ms_trippingonair.

Check out myoddsock.com.

Just as it sounds, odd, curious and a wonderfully quirky read posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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DM Orthotics Ltd Supporting Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 20-26 April 2020 Did you know that DM Orthotics Ltd have a wide range of dynamic movement orthoses速 (DMO速) that have helped patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) manage the physical effects of their condition?

Our DMO速 Custom made-to-measure range and our DMO速 Essentials range work using a specifically designed compression fabric which together with our strategically placed reinforcements and biomechanical panelling, influence both muscle tone and the proprioceptive system. They position the body into improved postural alignment. This new biomechanical state, combined with enhanced proprioception, stimulates and adjusts the neuro-sensory system training muscles to work with improved tone, strength and performance.

To find out more about our products and how they can help patients with MS and other neurological, musculoskeletal or genetic conditions visit our website at www.dmorthotics.com today!

For more information email: admin@dmorthotics.com www.dmorthotics.com

called LifeDownLow’ED - check it out!

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Download Pinterest and get pinning. Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share, and discover new interests by posting (known as ‘pinning’ on Pinterest) images or videos to their own or others’ boards. Things like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. With billions of pins on Pinterest, you’ll always find ideas to spark inspiration. I’m obsessed with interior design and I’ve already created boards of what my new bedroom and living room will look like.

SAM RENKE COLUMNIST

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

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Sponsor a rescue pet. I’ve recently sponsored a cat from Cats Protection, I have my own login details and can watch the cat in his pen with other rescue cats via a webcam. Not only does it give me a feel-good factor knowing I’m supporting an abandoned animal, but actually watching the little fluff ball is super therapeutic.

IT’S THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE

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e are certainly living in a time of great uncertainty with austerity, benefit cuts and COVID-19 targeting the disabled community more than most.

As I write this column I’m self-isolating ‘ish’ at home. In all honesty having brittle bones means that I’ve already had good practice at being in my own company, spending weeks in hospital or missing out on holidays, class trips or friends’ birthday parties. This doesn’t however mean that in times of upheaval and uncertainty I don’t have an enormous spike in my anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed and forgotten about.

At times like this we need welcome distractions and little comforts and reminders that it will all be ok in the end. Here are my top tips to keep busy, minimise your anxiety for those times when you are feeling isolated, lonely or just bloody bored.

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Binge-worthy TV shows are a must!

Remember the days you used to have to wait a whole week for the next episode of Friends or Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well, those days are gone and you can binge until your heart’s content. If you haven’t

already got a subscription then why not try out a free trial of NowTV, Netflix, Amazon Prime or Apple TV? Simply put a reminder on your phone or calendar so you can cancel the subscription once your free trial is up and you won’t be charged.

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It’s important to use our time wisely, particularly when we are forced to rest or isolate so that we don’t harbour any resentment towards situations out of our control or imposed upon us. Personally I’m taking this isolation time to start to write my memoirs. I’ve always wanted to publish a book but I have always said I don’t have time. I’m not suggesting everyone writes a book, but starting a diary or gratitude journal can be a great way to get everything that’s going on and spinning around in your head out onto paper. Journaling can be a great way for you to be creative and remember this time in your life.

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Listen to a podcast. There are so many amazing free podcasts out there that you can listen to on your headphones or via your Alexa or speaker whilst pottering around the kitchen. I have my very own podcast with my pod husband Dan Edge

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I appreciate everything is on the internet nowadays but I love getting a magazine subscription, like PosAbility. Getting post is always a nice surprise. If you aren’t a magazine kinda person then there are many subscription boxes out there that are also designed to combat stress and anxiety, my favourites include: Lucky Socks and Happy Pins, Lucky Dip Club and Monthly Hug box from no more taboo. If you are partial to a good book and a cuppa then subscribe to bookandabrew.com

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Skype and FaceTime. Make sure you plan a Skype session with a friend daily, a reminder that you aren’t alone can really put things into perspective.

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Do you doodle? Download and print off free doodle pads, disney.com has some cool free doodle prints or for a more mature vibe visit justcolor.net.

It’s also really important in times like this to ask for help. Many of us may feel as though we are more of a burden right now, but you have to know that you are not. Don’t suffer in silence, reach out and ask for help, and remember the Samaritans are only a phone call away on 116 123.

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Perfect THE

DAY

BY CAROLINE BUTTERWICK

Caroline shares her experience of planning an inclusive wedding that was accessible for all

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rom choosing a venue and finding a dream dress through to little details like favours and cake toppers, organising a wedding can be a pretty big job. Throw disability into the mix and you could feel even more overwhelmed.

I’m partially sighted and have experienced mental ill health, including anxiety.

We also had several visually impaired guests, and one of my bridesmaids, Anahita, uses a wheelchair.

From the very start through to the day of my wedding in July 2019, I wanted to do all I could to make sure everyone had a wonderful time. Ensuring everything was accessible was a key part of my planning, as when you and your guests are disabled, access can’t be an afterthought.

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THE VENUE My fiancé, Gary, and I spent months looking online for potential venues, and ended up visiting two. The first was drab and dingy and left us feeling deflated.

The second – Drayton Manor Hotel, Staffordshire – we fell for instantly. I loved the large windows looking over greenery and the spacious feel, and could imagine myself getting married there. The fact it was next to a theme park and we’d be able to have wedding photos on the carousel also helped (Gary and I are slightly rollercoaster obsessed).

While viewing the venue is essential for knowing whether it suits your style, it’s also a chance to check its accessibility. I spoke to my bridesmaid, Anahita, beforehand so I knew what to look for from her perspective.

Photos: paulgoodephotography.co.uk

We checked the state of the lifts and accessible toilets, and as I walked down the stairs to the bar and outdoors area where we’d have the drinks reception, I thought about how easy it would be for me to manage these steps, especially in my dress.

We liked that the rooms we’d use were off in their own part of the hotel, meaning it would very much be a space for us and our guests, and that it had quiet places people could chill if they needed a break from the festivities.

It’s a big hotel and has several accessible bedrooms, so guests needing to stay overnight would have somewhere. If your venue doesn’t have accommodation, research where there is nearby, its suitability, and how easy it is to reach.

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WEDDING INVITES

There are lots of options for beautiful wedding stationery out there. But not only was that an additional expense, I knew keeping track of paper replies would be a challenge. We decided to set up a wedding website. We used the free creative wedding website withjoy.com, this allowed us to send invites to our guests electronically. It let us not only track RSVPs, but also gather information about dietary requirements and contact details in a way that was easy to manage.

Another advantage of a wedding website is you can add lots of information about the day, such as an itinerary and Q&A. A big part of my anxiety is that I like to know as much as possible about a place or event before going, and I knew there would be others who’d feel the same. So much of making a wedding accessible is around the idea of inclusive practice; what helps disabled people, helps everyone.

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EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Dietary requirements were one of the key areas we asked the wedding coordinator Katie, about at the initial viewing at Drayton Manor Hotel. We talked through possible menu options and were reassured they’d be able to cater for our guests who were vegan or had allergies, including my nut allergy. Our wedding website made it easy for us to gather this information from our guests.

We also liked that we would be able to have a sit down meal for the wedding breakfast, as table service is often an easier access option than navigating a busy buffet.

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PHOTOGRAPHY Having professional photos is a must for most couples. Along with the usual questions about style - posed photos or candid shots - at the meeting with our photographer Paul, we asked how he could accommodate me having light sensitivity. I automatically squint or close my eyes when flash is used – not what I’d want from my wedding photos! He assured us he could avoid using flash during the day, and for evening reception photos like the first dance, he knew not to photograph me with flash face on.

EMBRACING THE BUILD UP Browsing wedding themes on Pinterest, swooning over dresses in wedding magazines, choosing your playlist with your other half; there’s lots to enjoy about wedding planning, but it can still be overwhelming.

Supporting my mental health in the run up was my main priority, and being organised was a big part of this. I love a good spreadsheet, and boy did I have a few!

Consider delegating tasks to others you trust – they’ll likely be thrilled to be part of your big day.

When you’re getting swept up into the world of colour schemes and table plans, you can sometimes forget the real meaning behind the wedding: marrying someone you love. Gary and I made sure we had time in the run up that was just for the two of us, going on country walks or drinks at our favourite pub. It helped me stay calm.

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IN THE WEEKS BEFORE

In our final meeting with Katie six weeks before the big day, I brought up again how one of my bridesmaids is a wheelchair user. This slightly affected the layout of the ceremony room, meaning the staff knew to set up one less seat on the front row and that it would make sense for Anahita to be the first bridesmaid down the aisle, so she could get to her place more easily.

If I hadn’t mentioned this, it could have potentially made things tricky on the day.

We arrived the afternoon before the wedding which meant we could show the ceremony room to key members of the wedding party and talk through logistics, helping everyone – including an anxious me – feel more assured.

Arriving early also meant we weren’t going to be worrying about traffic and delays and could spend the evening before relaxing with our guests over a drink in the hotel grounds.

n as a w y t i l ssibi t of our e c c A l par a r g inte ning plan

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THE DAY ITSELF

I know it’s a total cliché, but my wedding was the happiest day of my life. From getting ready with my bridesmaids in the morning to walking down the aisle and seeing Gary waiting for me, to laughing through the speeches and singing cocktail fuelled karaoke into the night. It was perfect.

Accessibility was weaved into the day.

There were little things like keeping an eye out for trip hazards, and checking in on anyone we knew may be anxious. One of the things we loved about the venue was that there was lots of space where people could go for a bit of quiet time. Gary and I, and some of our guests, made the most of this when we wanted a moment or two to ourselves.

The staff knew that I was visually impaired, so as the room was being set up for the evening reception, they asked me to pop in and try different lighting options so they could find a setting that wouldn’t hurt my eyes. Thoughtful touches like that really made a difference.

Accessibility was an integral part of our planning, everything ran smoothly, and that made sure we all had a magical day.

Photos: paulgoodephotography.co.uk

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Woman AN

EMPOWERING

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

Monique Dior Jarrett is a model, a national and international Wheelchair Dance Champion and co-director of an arts-based company called TripleC. She has graced the cover of Grazia, worked with disabled children, fought for the rights of disabled people, and recently bared all in an inclusive photoshoot with Zebedee Management to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate womanhood in all its forms.

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peaking to Monique about her accomplishments, she is very selfeffacing. Her achievements are numerous and the work she is doing to increase representation of disabled people in the media is nothing to be smirked at.

While photoshoots are nothing new to Monique, her latest foray in front of the lens was a little more daring than usual.

She is signed to the specialist talent agency Zebedee Management and in March this year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, they planned a stunning photoshoot to showcase and celebrate women of all ages, shapes, sizes, colours and abilities.

The results were stunning.

Monique commented: “I am always nervous doing any kind of shoot, but especially because it was just full on in your birthday suit! I felt comfortable in front of the models I already knew, but there were a couple of new ones and we were literally just thrown in together. It was amazingly empowering though and I felt so comfortable so quickly.

“In any other situation, especially when you see [images] in magazines and on TV – anyone that is in their birthday suit doesn’t seem to have a difference, there is nobody like myself or any of the other models at the shoot.”

As women we have a terrible habit of criticising our own bodies, we are wracked with feelings of inadequacy because all we are exposed to is the media’s perception of perfection; tall, slim, white,

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blonde and non-disabled. These images monopolise the covers of our magazines, adverts, television programmes and films.

Zebedee’s photoshoots aim to tackle this misrepresentation by showcasing the beauty of all women, celebrating differences and representing society as a whole.

This is the main reason that Monique agreed to bare all for International Women’s Day. Growing up she never saw herself represented in any campaign, on any programme or in magazines. The driving force behind her work as a model is to ensure that young disabled people see themselves represented in the media, to give them confidence to be proud of who they are and to celebrate the differences and beauty of their body.

Monique described the experience of this particular shoot as “empowering” because the women involved were all different and all had their insecurities about their bodies, but as a group they spent their time complimenting each other and building their fellow women up to be proud of who they are and how they look.

“Even things like just going swimming and wearing a swimming costume, I hated doing that because I looked completely different and because of that I didn’t feel very comfortable. Doing something like this, I just felt comfortable and happy with myself, which doesn’t happen very often and I think the other models felt the same way, it was just an amazing day really to be able to do that and to give that message to others that don’t see any representation of different bodies, so they can feel comfortable as well.

“For myself I mainly wanted to do it because I have worked with kids with disabilities for years and I also worked in a school, and even something as simple as being on reception and working shocked kids with differences and disabilities because they have never been taught that you could just get a regular job. So, to even just show that extra level and say ‘yes you should be proud of yourself’ and ‘yes you are different but you should never be ashamed’.

“It was just empowering in a way that you knew other people would be empowered from it.”

From her images you would not guess that Monique had anything other than an

unbreakable confidence, however this successful woman admits that she has not been the most confident in the past, but says that modelling has helped her battle this, along with a year of saying yes to everything.

“I decided that year that I was going to have a ‘yes’ year, because a lot of things that people ask me to do – well, I have this thing where I don’t feel I can do it or I don’t think I have the skills to do it, even when people around me are saying ‘well you wouldn’t have been asked if they thought that’. So, I started saying yes! And saying yes to things, especially that I would think I would definitely not do.”

One of those things was modelling with Zebedee Management. Saying yes to a shoot in Manchester, which was incidentally a swimsuit shoot (nothing like being thrown in the deep end for your first photoshoot), has opened doors that Monique had not anticipated, like sharing the cover of Grazia magazine with four other strong disabled women as part of a feature exploring the discrimination of the fashion industry.

“I am still not 100% comfortable doing [shoots] for myself, but again I just have that message in my head – especially for my stature and how my body looks, from what I can see, there are not many people like me, my size or anything, so I am thinking if I don’t do it then people like myself are not going to see a representation. If I don’t do it then it’s not going to happen at all, so I am at the point of pushing myself so if I can do it for me then to definitely do it for others and that is what it’s all about for me at the minute.”

DIRECTING CHANGE TripleC is an inclusive collective focused on improving access to the arts for children, young people and adults with disabilities, and improving the representation of disabled artists and performers within the industry.

Monique is one of five directors at TripleC and their incredible work is actioning real change in the arts and media world. They run drama and theatre based workshops and host regular networking events that connect artists with industry guests from different areas.

“TripleC stands for ‘Creative Confidence Collective,’” said Monique. “We are a group of inclusive artists, we are using aspects of theatre and many other things now to bring confidence to other people with disabilities of all ages.

We do workshops in schools, we have done training, and we have an event called DANC – Disabled Artists Network Community – where we are literally trying to create that bridge between organisations like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, all the production companies, with disabled artists.

“It was mainly actors and progressively it has incorporated artists, dancers, to try and get industry guests to come in from those respective arts as well. It started off to create that bridge for companies like ITV and BBC to stop saying ‘we don’t know where to find disabled actors that’s why we don’t use them in shows even though they are about disability’.

“We wanted to forge that bridge and so many things have happened on TV because of DANC, it has been pushed to happen. It has been brilliant, it is really making a change, so many companies are now wanting to come and learn and find out where to find people. We have a writers workshop now, so disabled writers are now able to physically write pieces – not necessarily about disability – but to be able to just get their foot in the door to write pieces and to advise anyone who doesn’t have a disability that is writing disabled characters, to say this is what you do and this is what you should put in and so on.

“For me it’s coming from both ends, working with people in the arts and then sort of making a change through modelling at the same time as well. It has been really good.

Just trying to change the world!”

TripleC has already worked with some of the top production companies in the UK and the future looks positive in affecting change for the representation of disabled people. Monique’s excitement was palpable when talking about TripleC, her passion for the arts and for increasing representation is clear. She is a woman on a mission and the waves can already be felt.

Find out more at tripleczone.org.

A Zebedee Management Shoot www.zebedeetalent.com Photographer: Shelley Richmond @shelley_richmond_ www.shelleyrichmondphoto.co.uk Art Direction: Zoe Proctor - Director of Zebedee HMUA: Jen Edwards & Kelly Richardson @jennedwardsmua All models represented by @Zebedee_management

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GUIDE T O GUIDE BEAUTY

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BY KATIE CAMPBELL

We take a look at the new luxury brand that’s making makeup accessible to everyone who wants to wear it

O

ne day, while working on a photoshoot, makeup artist Terri Bryant felt like something wasn’t quite right. It took her longer than usual to apply makeup on the model she was working with, and momentarily, it concerned her; she’d been working in the industry for over a decade, and applying makeup was something she did every single day. “I don’t know why,” she told Allure earlier this year, “but I kind of ignored it.”

In 2015, Terri was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Working with her hands and being diagnosed with a condition which causes tremors and a loss of balance, it would be entirely reasonable for Terri to worry about how she was going to continue in the profession she had dedicated her life to. Letting go wasn’t something she wanted to do, so Terri decided that she would dive headfirst into researching accessible beauty. Five years later, the fruits of her labour are here in the form of Guide Beauty.

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“Over the span of my career,” Terri said, “I have had the privilege to live both my loves: as an artist, working on-set with models and celebrities; and as an educator, teaching makeup artistry for brands like Dior and Stila, and leading education departments for Smashbox and Josie Maran. It’s exciting to see your art come to life in a photo or walking down the runway, but to teach and share my love of makeup has always been my greatest joy.

“I am often asked how I can truly relate to the average makeup user when I have the skills of a professional makeup artist. But it was a major life change that led to the epiphany that there must be an easier and better way for everyone to apply makeup.

A few years ago, I started to question why I too was struggling with certain makeup techniques. My doctor provided the answer when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

So now I am a professional makeup artist, beauty educator, and someone who knows what it feels like to struggle to get their eyeliner straight and their brows on point.”

What sets Guide Beauty apart from other accessible brands is that it provides the full package - accessible, easy to use, and easy to understand application tools, high quality makeup, and guides from Terri on how to use the products to get the effect that you desire. The products are luxurious, cruelty-free, vegan, and formulated without harsh ingredients, so they’re also safe and ethical.

The US-based brand launched this year with four staple products, the Lash Wrap mascara, Brow Moment brow gel, Guide Wand, and corresponding Guide Line eyeliner. Both the Lash Wrap and Brow Moment feature the brand’s patented Guide Ring, which is placed between the index and middle fingers to keep it steady while you apply. What’s more, the products are

really high quality. The mascara holds a curl, is smudge-proof, and can be worn all day, even on sensitive eyes. The Brow Moment comes in four shades, has a long-wearing formula, and allows the user to build up from a soft, natural brow, to a bold, framing brow.

The jewel in Guide Beauty’s crown is the Guide Wand and Guide Line combo, and it’s like nothing else we’ve ever seen before on the market for people who may struggle to get their eyeliner right. The Wand is ergonomically designed, and can be used to create a number of styles of eyeliner; you can tightline your eyes, or get a near-perfect wing with no real trouble. It looks a little like something out of a sci-fi film, but watching Terri demonstrate how to use it on the brand’s website shows just how simple and effective the little tool can be.

With Terri at the helm, guiding you gently through how to use each of her products, you feel a bit like you’re gaining secret beauty industry knowledge. She emphasises that the products aren’t just for people who live with Parkinson’s disease, but are for anyone who finds makeup difficult. The accessible product design emphasises inclusion, and the buildable nature of the products means that you can achieve any look you like, from soft and natural to total glam.

These products make makeup, which can be fiddly, tricky, and require real dexterity, so much easier, and open up what is an extremely fun creative output to everyone.

Expressing yourself through makeup is important for a lot of people, and brands like Guide Beauty are making sure that no-one is left out when it comes from being able to utilise the power of makeup to express how we’re feeling on the inside. Oh, and anything that makes a cat-eye or a wing a little easier to do is absolutely ideal in our books!

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Sugar POUR (LESS)

ON ME

BY KATIE CAMPBELL Easter can be a difficult time to live a low sugar lifestyle. Other than the religious sentiments, everyone seems to happily embrace April as a month for cramming as much sugary goodness down our gullets as humanly possible - which is fine, but it doesn’t really speak to the “everything in moderation” lives we should really be living, especially if we need to keep our sugar intake low.

Whether you’re looking to keep your sugar intake low, or you’re wanting to try something a little different this Easter, we have a few ideas that will keep you loaded on chocolate without having to worry about going a little too far.

GET THE SPECIALISTS IN We all love an Easter egg. Hunt them, smash them, fill them with ice cream; there is nothing bad about the glorious egg-shaped chocolate shells. That is, unless you’re keeping your eye on your sugar levels, in which case, they might cause a little concern. No one should ever have to miss out at Easter, and thankfully the world is full of chocolatiers who want to solve this lowsugar problem. Loads of places make special no added sugar eggs, bunnies, and other sweet Easter treats.

You could go down the “diabetic chocolate” route instead, but this has three very distinct drawbacks: if you eat too much of it, it has a laxative effect; it’s not actually that much better for you; and nine times out of ten, it tastes rotten. The benefit of getting a specialist egg from a chocolatier is that they’re experts on how to make chocolate taste good, so buying from Friars, Hotel Chocolat, or your personal favourite chocolatier means they have access to ingredients which improve the quality of flavour without compromising the sugar levels - or making you poo yourself in the middle of an egg hunt.

GET DARK White chocolate tends to contain the most sugar, and as much as we love milk chocolate, it’s actually not that much better. If you’re looking to avoid excess sugar but you’re still wanting a chocolatey Easter, it’s time to join the dark side. As a rule of thumb, the higher a chocolate’s cocoa percentage is, the less sugar that you’ll find in it. That does have the downside of you needing to like bitter chocolate. Dark chocolate is a hugely misunderstood beast; while it can be bitter, it can also be complex and flavourful. When it comes to a good dark chocolate, you just need a little bit of it and all of your sweet cravings will be satisfied. It’s a really versatile chocolate, too! Dark chocolate tastes beautiful paired alongside strong flavours, so if you’re not keen on it on its own, try dark chocolate that’s got chilli, mint, or ginger in it. You could also try some dark chocolate with sea salt, which sounds a little weird, but the tiny sprinkle of salt brings out the sweetness of the chocolate, and it’s just gorgeous. In case you can’t tell, we really like dark chocolate.

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DO IT YOURSELF Take that apron that has been gathering dust, find your whisk, and get in the kitchen. The easiest way to make sure something is low sugar is to make it yourself. Of course, it’s a little more high-effort than just buying something off of the internet, but the sense of self-satisfaction you’ll get will be great, so if you can, why not try? There are so many classic Easter cakes that you can make at home! Cornflake nests have never, and will never, go down badly at any social function - have you ever turned your nose up at a cornflake nest? No-one would be so bold. Hot cross buns can be made quite easily with limited amounts of sugar, but then again, so can most things. Subbing sugar out for stevia, coconut sugar, or other substitutes can dramatically lower the sugar content of a bake, while still keeping the sweetness of what you’ve made. Plus, you can get the whole family involved! That’s a nice Easter activity, isn’t it?

JUST EAT THE CHOCOLATE Remember earlier when we said “everything in moderation”? Sometimes, you just need to roll with that. If you want to eat a very reasonable number of Creme Eggs, go for it. If you want to work your way through an absolutely gourmet Easter egg? Go for it. Just maybe take it a little slow, ok? You can’t beat yourself up for wanting to eat a wee bit of chocolate.

Sometimes, you just want that one thing, and maybe that one thing is a chocolate bunny, or a lovely big egg. That’s ok! Don’t shame yourself for wanting these things, but know the effects they’ll have on your body and adjust appropriately. If you’re a type 1 diabetic, you may have to adjust your insulin. Enjoy yourself. That might mean having a low-sugar egg, but it might mean having a traditional egg. You do you, just make sure you do it in moderation.

Just make sure you have a good Easter, that’s the main thing.

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POTENTIAL POSITIVES

I

came up with the concept for this article just before the world was gripped by the coronavirus. After spending so many years working in the media I had spent six months working for Network Rail as an Access and Inclusion manager, working to make our rail network a more accessible and inclusive place as well as helping make working for Network Rail easier if you are disabled.

A key area I was focusing on was enabling managers to implement “reasonable adjustments” for disabled staff, such as home working, and as if by magic this became vital to the whole business and to our whole economy. Luckily Network Rail already had systems in place to allow staff to work from home, but too many of the UK’s businesses do not have anything set up to fulfil this legal requirement.

As I saw the fear around COVID-19 grow and steps taken to hopefully save our society from its effects, I saw what was once impossible become implemented with little effort.

Working from home went from being too difficult to do, to being a must for

“Excuses came thick and fast, which we now know were unfounded at best, and discriminatory at worst”

@MikScarlet

all workers who can. I must say I hope by the time you are reading this, you can look back and go “it was a bit of an overreaction, but better safe than sorry eh?”

Whatever happens tomorrow, or your yesterday (one of the joys of a long turn around when writing), this whole period has proven one thing. That the changes in working practices that disabled people have been asking for and finding few prepared to make, were easy to put in place once they benefited everyone. Especially the employers.

Home working and flexible working are two of the best ways an employer can create a working environment that allows disabled staff to fulfil their potential. Being given the choice to work at home, where hopefully your access and medical needs are met, where you are most comfortable and where you can work at a pace that suits your abilities, would open up the world of work to so many sick and disabled people. Yet for many, who have asked for these “reasonable adjustments,” they were told it was not possible. It’s taken a disaster like the coronavirus to show this isn’t exactly true.

Of course, there are many jobs that you cannot do from home, but I very much doubt disabled people were planning to apply for any inaccessible positions anyway. The jobs that it now seems obviously possible to do from home were equally closed to many of our community due to a lack of readiness to facilitate our needs and comply with the law. Excuses came thick and fast, which we now know were unfounded at best, and discriminatory at worst.

I saw from my time at Network Rail that the requirement to make reasonable adjustments to allow

disabled people to carry out employment doesn’t mean what is easy to put in place, but what is truly reasonable. Home working for most companies isn’t a big ask. A laptop, a VPN, existing software and some flexibility around timings and workload. That’s it. What they get in return is access to a new talent pool that are committed to their work and passionate to show what they can achieve. Once this change in mindset and working practice is put in place it can be a huge benefit to all staff and brings in many boons for the employer. It leads to smaller office spaces and all the savings that brings for one. Being an inclusive employer also means they can tap into such a huge wealth of talent and skill. If this crisis has shown us anything, it’s shown us just how many jobs currently considered impossible to do at home, are actually more than possible.

Let’s hope that’s a good thing to come out of all of this. While we are the community most impacted by the effects of coronavirus, whether through health fears or through a lack of care provision, we might also benefit from the societal impacts of the changes put in place to battle it.

With the fears around a lack of talent following Brexit, the time may be right for disabled people to finally be seen as a viable pool of talent. By embracing the changes in working practice put in place to manage this virus, our society may finally take steps towards becoming truly inclusive.

With that positive thought I shall return to a world of being stuck at home, socially isolating myself, while the TV tells me the world is about to end. Stay safe, stay well and here’s to a brighter tomorrow once the dust settles.

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29

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o celebrate the launch of Rollz Mobility UK the company is offering PosAbility readers the chance to win a state of the art Rollz Motion Performance rollator and wheelchair in one.

Available through a network of retailers across the UK, the Rollz Motion Performance builds on the global success of the award-winning Rollz Motion and is designed to tackle terrain unsuitable for most standard rollators. This is achieved thanks to the four pneumatic tyres which absorb the shocks received from uneven ground by providing a smoother and softer ride.

For people who may be unsure about whether to take a wheelchair or rollator with them on a day out or on holiday, the Rollz Motion Performance is ideal as it provides them with the option of having both. Other features include ergonomic handles, softer armrests, adjustable footrests, reflective parts and a new seat cushion all of which combine to provide the user with superb levels of comfort, stability and manoeuvrability when out and about.

With so many unique features, the Rollz Motion Performance really is the ultimate all terrain rollator.

Not only does the Rollz Motion Performance offer increased independence to the user but also peace of mind as should they become

tired during a walk with a friend or helper, they can continue their journey after changing the rollator to a wheelchair at the flick of the wrist.

Their friend or helper can then push them in the wheelchair while they rest. With a maximum user weight of 125kg/19st 9lb, seat dimensions of 42cm x 45cm x 55cm and a minimum and maximum user height of 5ft 3” - 6ft 3” respectively the Rollz Motion Performance is suitable for most users.

All these features combined with a modern design for which all Rollz products are synonymous make this a fantastic prize for one very lucky reader.

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Sturdy pneumatic tyres for comfortable rides on bumpy roads Transforms effortlessly from rollator to wheelchair Light steering and easy to manoeuvre indoors and out Ergonomically shaped soft handles for optimum grip Wedge-shaped cushion for enhanced sitting position Easily foldable to fit in most cars for transport Five year warranty on the frame and two year warranty on other parts with exception of normal wear and tear

For more information call 0333 207 2080 email info@rollzmobility.co.uk or visit www.rollz.com.

To be in with the chance of winning this amazing prize simply email your name, address, telephone and email address to posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com, visit posabilitymagazine.co.uk to enter online or fill in your details and post this form to the address below:

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T&Cs: The prize is a Rollz Motion Performance rollator, including delivery of the prize. The prize is not transferable nor can any cash alternative be offered. One entry per household. The prize is available to UK residents only and will only be delivered to a UK address. Closing date for entries is 31 May 2020.

posabilitymagazine.co.uk

31

Jot Down THAT

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

One of the best things you can do when you’re feeling that everything is getting a bit too much when it comes to your mental health is start writing things down. Keeping track of how you’re feeling is both a great way to get everything out, and a valuable resource for tracking the ups and downs of your mental health. If you live with epilepsy or other conditions that it’s important to track, having a solid journal on hand to keep note of all of this information is vital.

Take mental, physical, and emotional health journaling and make it pretty! Get yourself a beautiful notepad, some gorgeous pens, and some pretty things to decorate it, and make it all your own. Trust us - if anyone knows good stationery, it’s journalists; you wouldn’t believe the rate we go through pens and notepads.

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IKEA Drönjöns Organiser

When you buy a load of new stationery, you need somewhere to put that stationery. It’s time to buy a desk organiser and commence the rearrangement of your writing space. As much as we’d all like to buy an antique writing desk and imagine ourselves as modern day Mary Shelleys huddled up in Lord Byron’s villa writing our masterpiece, God knows we cannot afford it in this economy. At least we have IKEA! This little desk organiser has space for journals, notepads, pens and all sorts of other things. Plus, it’s metal, so you can stick magnets to it and make it really cute!

IKEA | £9

2

Fairy Tale Weekly Planner

Everything that Papier makes is so painfully aesthetic and you could lift anything from their website to put here, because it’s just beautiful. This stunning planner has a darkly gorgeous natural theme, and is adorned with flowers and beasties, making it perfect for noting down all of your witchy goings on that you presumably have lined up for the future - don’t we all? The planner is divided up inside with notes for each day of the month, calendars, and pages for you to write down your goals and important dates.

You can also customise it!

Papier | £21.99

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3

STABILO Pastel Highlighters

Highlighters? They’re awful. All they do is hurt your eyes.

You can’t read the text behind it for the neon horror that’s being projected into your poor, unassuming eyeballs.

What you really need is some pastel highlighters! Draw attention to that text without making you, your colleagues, or people clandestinely reading your notes want to claw their own eyeballs out! This pack of six pens has an assortment of cute colours, including pastel variants of the traditional highlighter colours of green, blue, yellow, and pink.

WH Smith | £6.99

4

Mood Tracker Notepad

If you live with depression, tracking your mood is a vitally important part of recovery. It’s something you might be asked to do as part of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), and it’s a really helpful way to keep track of not only how you’re feeling, but any triggers you might encounter during your day. This notepad is really cute, and makes keeping track of how you’re feeling during the day a little bit more fun and colourful. The notepad has 100 sheets, which can be easily torn out. It has space that lets you write down if you know why you feel the way you do, and encourages you to be good to yourself, too.

Angela Chick on Not On The High Street | £6

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Focus Slim Notebooks

For people who live with dyslexia, or even people who struggle with eye strain, looking at bright white paper for ages can really hurt. It’s pretty rare that you come across pretty notepads which have pastel paper inside that’s much easier to look at than standard white fare, but this pack of two skinny notepads bucks the trend. Inside the neon notebooks, there are 80 ruled pages, coloured pastel green and light coral in the neon green and neon orange pads, respectively. They’re nice and small, so you can pop them in your bag and take them out and about if you have time to do a little writing during the day.

Paperchase | £4

6

Midori MD A6 Notepad

Midori’s notepads are unbelievably pleasant to write on, primarily because they’re designed to be as comfortable as possible. The thread stitch binding means that the notepads open almost totally flat, so you don’t have to worry about creasing the spine or having to wrestle with your other hand to keep it open as you write. Loads of reviewers swear by the notepad, saying that they’ve never found a pen that bleeds on its paper, which is about as close as a stationery lover can get to reaching bliss.

The Journal Shop | £9.99

Washi tape is yet another really cute, cheap, and simple way to take a journal and make it all your own. It’s kind of like really fancy painter’s tape in its texture and tackiness, but it’s perfect for bullet journaling, writing labels, or making wrapped presents look really fancy. MT are the crowned kings of washi tape; if you can envisage a pattern, colour, finish or width, they’ve probably made it. Washi tape is a great way to label your journals - it’s really easy to write on, so you can label the front and spine of your journal with different Washi tapes to tell them apart.

Paper Tiger | £2.99

8

Diamine Shimmering Ink

People who are into pens usually either love or loathe fountain pens. We’re firmly in the “love” camp, just because you can add so many different types of glittery ink to one single pen, and that can never be a bad thing.

If you’re into glitter and pens (who isn’t), this ink is a holy grail. It’s absolutely stunning, and available in 40 different colours - most colours have a warm and cool sparkle variation, so black is available with both gold glitter and silver. It’s such a fun way to make your journal even prettier.

Cult Pens | £8.95

9

Field Notes Memo Books

The Field Notes National Parks series celebrates the stunning beauty of the 52 million acres of protected land that spans across America. These packs of three notepads feature absolutely stunning illustrations on the covers, and they’re so calming to look at that they’re perfect for use as journals. You’ll be itching to record your thoughts and feelings in these notepads, which feature illustrations representing the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and many more gorgeous locations.

The Journal Shop | £11.95

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Botanical Art Stamp

Stamps are a really easy way to add a personal touch to loads of crafts. You can add them to journals, pop them on snail mail, or even make your very own personalised wrapping paper by making patterns with stamps on plain brown Kraft paper! These absolutely stunning botanical stamps will complement a recycled journal perfectly, and add such a beautiful, natural touch. There are loads of different options to choose from, and all of these stamps are available in three different sizes.

EnglishStamp on Etsy | £4

posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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Sick Art MAKING

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

Zines - self-published magazines - give voices to people who feel excluded by the mainstream media. These brilliant chronic illness and disability zines are required reading

ACHE

Ache is about pain. It’s about illness, health, bodies, and the complex relationship that people have with pain.

Written from an intersectional feminist standpoint, Ache takes contributions from women, trans, and non-binary people as it explores the concept of pain in a world where our understanding of the experience is driven by cisgender white men. Contributors to Ache express themselves through poetry, art, essays, interviews, and much more.

The magazine is produced by a very small team, and operates on a not-for-profit basis, managing the production of the magazine, their own health, and their jobs while still creating a stunning, powerful magazine. Magazines like this are so important, as women, trans, and non-binary people are often denied authority over their own health, so to have a magazine which amplifies these experiences - especially for disabled and chronically ill people - is vitally important.

Issue three will be out soon, and can be pre-ordered from their online store: achemagazine.co.uk

DRAWN POORLY So far, there have been five issues of Drawn Poorly, and each looks cooler than the one that came before it. Far from just looking cool, Drawn Poorly explores a number of subjects related to disability and chronic illness, including identity, relationships, diagnosis, and barriers. They work with collaborators and contributors from all over the world to present these topics in interesting and powerful ways, combining art and text to form a powerfully honest dialogue about living with chronic illness, disability and mental health conditions. Last year, the zine was featured in an Edinburgh Fringe programme, where they ran workshops called Let’s Make Sick Art, which encouraged people who live with health conditions to explore it through art. You can purchase Drawn Poorly from the zine’s website: drawnpoorly.wordpress.com

SICK Sold in 18 shops in six countries, SICK is written for and by chronically ill and disabled people, and is committed to amplifying their words and experiences for all to hear.

Chronically ill and disabled people are constantly faced with negative stereotypes which damage them and misrepresent them, which SICK is combating by increasing representation of disabled and chronically ill people on their pages. The very first issue of the magazine was published under the careful eye of editor and founder Olivia Spring in August of last year, and featured ten contributors, with beautiful design from Kaiya Waerea. The first issue is available from SICK’s website, while the second is coming in spring of this year: sickmagazine.co.uk

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CRIP MAGAZINE This sporadically published zine is edited by Eva Egermann, and 80% of its contributors identify as disabled.

Crip is not only awesome from its subject matter alone, but because it’s published in both German and English, and acts as a kind of cultural exchange of disability culture, exploring it in both the German-speaking and Englishspeaking worlds. To say the zine is gloriously subversive is an understatement - the second issue is peppered with “adverts” which feature disabled people, critiquing the lacking presence of disabled people in our marketing media, while the third issue focuses on the understanding and identity of the body, taking an intimate look at sex, perception, and sexuality. Crip Magazine is free to read online at: cripmagazine.evaegermann.com

BE RADICAL: MAKE ART If you’re one of those people who was always better at English than you were at art in school - you’re amongst friends, don’t worry - zines are a brilliant form of artistic expression that you can make using words. They don’t have to be pretty or fancy, in fact, that’s kind of the point of zines. Making zines isn’t too hard, and you probably have everything you need to get started. Don’t be worried about what you’re doing or how you’re doing it. Remember, zines have always been alternative: they’re punk, they’re feminist, and they don’t need to be anything more than you want them to be.

You can really easily make a physical zine by just drawing out the pages, photocopying them, and binding them with staples. That’s it, that’s your zine!

The downside of this is it’s expensive, and it’s a little inaccessible - some people struggle with reading handwriting. But that shouldn’t take away from the fact that it’s extremely cool to see them in your hands.

In the year of our Lord 2020, thankfully, we have the power of digital publishing on our side. You don’t need a shady download of Adobe InDesign to make a zine, you can do it in Microsoft word or any other word processing application! There are loads of guides online, and if this piques your interest, you should look them up.

Don’t be afraid to use zines to speak your truth or your passion: that’s what the people who came before you have always been doing, whether it’s been about Star Trek, riot grrrl, or queer culture. Chronically ill and disabled people should be sharing their stories, creating their own content, and making damn good art. If you do make your own zine, or you know any really cool ones and want to share them, direct all emails to: katie@2apublishing.co.uk.

Don’t be afraid to use zines to speak your truth or your passion posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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

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A MINDFULNESS GUIDE FOR THE FRAZZLED As if being an actor and icon wasn’t enough, Ruby Wax is also a wellrecognised mental health advocate, and has a number of qualifications relating to her work in the subject. If everything’s getting a bit too much right now, the funny and always helpful work of Ruby Wax might help you see it all through. £8.99 waterstones.com

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Match your crutches to your personality with these bright, bold, and botanic crutches. These feature a removable arm cuff, a washable neoprene grip, and best of all, a brilliantly cool design. These can be purchased as a single crutch or a pair. Never sacrifice style for functionality when you can have both.

With warmer weather coming up, it’s essential to keep some medication cool and stored properly. This stylish bag is designed to hold medical supplies for people who live with diabetes. The internal section is split into two pockets, with space for peripherals and testing equipment, as well as a cold gel pad to maintain an even, cool temperature.

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ELASTICATED WHEELCHAIR SHORTS It’s time to get those pins out and show the world what you’ve got. These cool shorts are designed specifically for wheelchair users, and are available in two colours navy and stone - so they go with virtually everything. Available in sizes small to XXXL, these tailored but casual shorts will suit and fit everyone.

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A perfect activity for relaxing in the comfort of your own home, this bundle includes a sensory spray that invokes the scent of petrichor - the smell of rain on hot, dry earth - and a CD which plays the soothing sound of rainfall. It helps to reduce anxiety and depression, and requires you to do nothing more than lie there and enjoy. £15.98 active-minds.org

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#THROWBACKTHURSDAY:

TOKYO, 1964

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

We look back at the very first Paralympic Games in Japan, which was far more humble than the Games we know today!

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e now know that the Tokyo Paralympics have been postponed until 2021, but we thought you would still want to read about a little bit of Paralympic-based history.

Tokyo will be the first city outside of the UK to have hosted the Paralympics twice. When the International Stoke Mandeville Games were held in Tokyo in November 1964, they were the first to be called the Paralympic Games. The story goes that the event’s original name was confusing to explain in Japanese, so when speaking to reporters, it was referred to as the “paralysed Olympics,” which was shortened by a member of the media to Paralympics. The International Paralympic Committee would retroactively revise this definition, claiming it would be called the Paralympics because it ran parallel to the Olympics. The 1964 Tokyo Games would come to be known as the II Paralympic Summer Games, with the 1960 Rome Games being designated the first ever Paralympic Games.

21 countries took part in the nine sports which were competed at the event.

Controversially, these Games marked the first time that South Africa would compete, despite them having been banned from the Olympic Games due to its policy on apartheid; they would not be banned from the Paralympics until 1980. Tokyo would play host to 375 athletes in 1964 - next year, 4,400 Paralympians will compete in the city over 22 sports, showing just how much the Games have grown over the years.

Before there were Paralympic Games in Japan, however, there was the 1961 Ōita Games for the Physically Disabled.

These precursor games to the Paralympics arriving in Tokyo were created by doctor Yutaka Nakamura. Dr Nakamura studied

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under the supervision of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the doctor who established the Stoke Mandeville Games at the titular hospital. It took Nakamura by surprise that doctors were incorporating sport into the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries, and seeing first-hand the work at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, a passion for parasport was awakened within him. He would dedicate the rest of his life to helping improve the independence of disabled people in Japan, establishing organisations which would help them get into sport and employment until his death in 1984.

With the precedent established by Dr Nakamura, the Paralympics were held in Tokyo. Yoshisuke Kasai was appointed to oversee the tournament, having served in the Diet - the Japanese Parliament as an undersecretary for the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where he helped to establish the country’s welfare policies in the years following World War II. In his position within the Games, he helped to add the Paralympics to Japanese public welfare policy, and committed to establishing groundwork for disabled sport in the country. It was his opinion, much like Dr Nakamura’s, that using sport to help rehabilitate disabled people within Japanese society.

Photos: Australian Paralympic Committee / Italian Paralympic Committee

Japan was, at the time, a very different place for disabled people than it is now, and the Games were a large factor in helping shift public perspective of disabled people. Japanese athletes who competed in the Games were shocked to see how happy the foreign athletes were - in the athletes’ village, they would gather together, cook, teach their languages to other competitors, and play music. The Japanese athletes didn’t socialise with each other, let alone anyone else outside of the sports, because they were confined to hospital beds. Their competitors had been rehabilitated into society, where they had not. The Paralympics helped spark a cultural shift in the country which can be seen in all of the modern Paralympics which have happened since, especially the upcoming Tokyo Games.

These Games weren’t just important for Japan, however - it marked the first time a nation’s Paralympic athletes were ever supported by their government. The Great British team were given grants, much in the same way that their Olympic athletes were, to support them in competing in the Games. It was also the very first Games which was broadcast in colour on TV, although only very small segments were.

The Games were held over five days, between 8 and 12 November, and directly followed the Olympics, much in the way they do now. The opening ceremony was held at Oda Field in Yoyogi Park, in the presence of Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, and the athletes paraded out to the sounds of drumming from the marching band of Japan’s defence force.

Japanese fencer Shigeo Aono swore the Paralympic oath, and as he did, 500 doves were released behind him.

Doves were important to the Games - a symbol of peace, the Games’ logo took the shape of a dove, with the six rings inside representing both the wheels of a wheelchair, and a letter “v”, representing victory.

The Games would finish with the United States top of the medal table, taking a grand total of 123 - including 50 gold medals - followed by Great Britain with

61, and Italy on 45. In the 1960 Games, there were events where athletes were guaranteed a medal as there were only three competitors, but not in the 1964 Games, where the athletes pushed hard for victory. Among the many victorious were Margret Harriman of Rhodesia (now present day Zimbabwe), who won three of her 17 Paralympic medals at the Games, taking home gold in two archery events, and in the mixed dartchery event. British Paralympian Dick Thompson earned six of his 15 medals at the event, taking gold in the club throw and javelin, silver in the shot-put and basketball, and bronze in the wheelchair dash and the pentathlon.

Looking back at these Paralympics, it’s impossible not to see how it helped to craft the legacy of the Games as a whole.

Without these Games, would we even be calling it the Paralympics? Who knows!

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Exploring OFF-PISTE

BY JANET MYERS

Geneva is Switzerland’s second largest city. It is slick and cosmopolitan.

Lying on the shore of Lake Geneva it is an ideal base from which to explore the country’s awe-inspiring scenery, whatever the time of year. In winter many of its visitors are skiers en route to its famous slopes but we discovered that the region has a wealth of historical sights and many alternative activities on offer.

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here was a flurry of snow in the air as the plane touched down on the tarmac of Geneva’s top-rated airport. In no time at all we had picked up our hire car, and being just 5km from the city, we were soon on our way. After a sleep in one of its many international hotels we were ready to explore. The city is a busy, commercial hub with elegant modern buildings, but it does have a quaint mini-train which took us through the city’s old cobbled streets to discover landmarks like St Pierre Cathedral and the Palace of Nations. One of the city’s enduring landmarks is the water jet which shoots a cascade of water 140m into the air. Like many visitors we were surprised to find that it started life as a safety valve for a hydroelectric plant and took its current distinctive format in the 1950s.

LAUSANNE

It took only three hours from Geneva to reach Lausanne with its impressive mountainous panorama and as the sun was shining we were anxious to see its famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. It did not disappoint. The bridge is the world’s oldest covered wooden bridge and dates back to 1332. The bridge was rebuilt true to the original after the fire of 1993 and leads to the actual landmark of Lucerne, the octagonal water tower. Like the over 500-year-old Musegg Wall with its turrets, the bridge and water tower were part of the city fortifications.

Decorated with frescoes, Lausanne also boasts other historic houses which are to be found in the town squares including Weinmarkt Square in the car-free old town. The skyline also boasts the first sacral baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche. The Lion Monument is another mustsee; it commemorates the heroic death of Swiss guards killed during an attack on the Tuileries in 1792. The giant circular paintings, such as the Bourbaki Panorama are also moving examples.

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A short distance from town is the pretty village of Corsiersur-Vevey where a few years ago the Charlie Chaplin museum was opened paying tribute to the London-born comedian who was one of Hollywood’s most loved icons.

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Chaplin was born in London in 1889 and died aged 88 on Christmas Day 1977. The museum is on the vast estate of Manoir de Ban, where Chaplin spent the final 25 years of his life with his wife Oona and their eight children.

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The following day in order to appreciate the scenery in full we took a 40-minute train journey to Engelberg, where Bollywood shoots its mountain scenes and the three-stage cable car goes up 3,200 metres. The scenery is magical and its peace and tranquillity so far removed from India’s saturated, hot and humid cities.

MONTREUX It takes less than an hour to journey on to Montreux.

We were surprised to see palm trees but discovered that it is made possible by the town’s micro-climate.

No trip here would be complete with a trip to the famous Château de Chillon, a striking 13th century castle and fortress on a rocky island in the lake.

The Château, has inspired writers and poets down through the ages and is open all year round. In the dungeon we saw the Byron graffiti and learned about Byron’s association with the chateau. The interior cannot accommodate wheelchairs but disabled visitors can watch films on its history in the restaurant. Even without entry the exterior will blow you away and is something you cannot miss.

GRUYERE Before we left we wanted to indulge in two of Switzerland’s foodie favourites; cheese and chocolate. Hence our visit to Gruyère. The Cailler chocolate factory tour started with a multimedia animation show which explained the history of chocolate and its refinement by the Swiss during the nineteenth century. We were then free to watch the fully automated chocolate production line and glance through windows into the main factory floor. Sampling was allowed at the end of the line which proved very popular!

The melodious clanging of cow bells can be heard all over Switzerland and in the Gruyère region their milk is delivered to the fromagerie twice a day. Here under the watchful eyes of master cheese-makers we watched the production of up to 48 wheels of Gruyère a day.

As this was our last port of call we added cheese to the chocolate we had bought earlier. Although we knew they would not remain uneaten for long we persuaded ourselves to buy far too much, telling ourselves that the longer they lasted the longer we would remember Switzerland.

An excuse really, for the country’s awesome landscape and cultural history will not easily be forgotten.

ACCESS INFO GENERAL Although many budget airlines will whisk you here cheaply, be aware that Switzerland is expensive and prices are higher than the UK.

CLIMATE The region is cold and temperate with a significant rainfall. The driest month is February. July is the wettest month.

LANGUAGE French is spoken in the region travelled but the country is multilingual. German is spoken by 75% and English is understood by most.

CURRENCY The Swiss franc (CHF) is the only official currency in Switzerland but in the region around Geneva a few places will accept euros.

TRANSPORT Car hire - Europcar (www.europcar.ch; 0848 80 80 99) rents vehicles equipped to transport wheelchair users as passengers.

With advance notice, large car rental companies like Hertz may be able to supply a handcontrolled vehicle.

TRAINS AND BUSES Most train stations have a mobile lift for boarding, city buses are equipped with ramps.

ACCOMMODATION The temptation to book into a traditional Swiss chalet may be very appealing but many do not have lifts and are unsuitable for disabled people. Choose wisely and if you have a hire car check for onsite parking.

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We all welcome a little extra assistance now and again, particularly when travelling alone. Thistle Assistance is an initiative to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

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Woodcombe LODGES

AND COTTAGES The perfect escape on Exmoor

We are a family business with six lodges and two cottages in a three-acre garden down a quiet country lane. We enjoy magnificent views over the slopes of the Exmoor National Park and down to the sea. We have also achieved Certificates of Excellence from Tripadvisor for the last five years.

ACCOMMODATION

Three Lodges have ramped access with adjacent car parking, wheelchair access and shower wet rooms (shower wheelchairs provided). Hoists and profile beds (except in Cherry Lodge) can be accommodated but are hired in by guests.

Holly Lodge sleeps up to ten in four bedrooms and has three bathrooms, two of which are accessible. Laburnum Lodge sleeps up to six in three bedrooms, two of which are accessible and has two bathrooms, one of which is accessible.

Cherry Lodge (no dogs) sleeps up to five in two bedrooms and has two bathrooms, one of which is accessible.

THINGS TO DO

If you can drag yourself away from your veranda with its fabulous views, peace, tranquillity and magic birdlife, there is plenty to explore.

Minehead’s shops, pubs, restaurants and the beach and seafront beyond is only a five minute drive away. Dunster Castle, the West Somerset Steam Railway, Porlock, Watchet Harbour, Lynton and Lynmouth, the North Devon coast are all close by.

There are wheelchair friendly walks along the seafront at Minehead, the beach at Dunster and to the tallest tree in England at Selworthy beacon and at Webbers’ post among others.

We outline a whole host of accessible activities on our website, so it is worth taking a look to help you plan your trip.

The remaining three single storey lodges sleep four in two bedrooms and have one or two steps onto their verandas with parking adjacent.

Rose Cottage has one bedroom and although on one level there is a small step into the living room and bathroom and parking is about 50m of level ground away.

There are children’s swings, a games room and a putting green on site, and numerous walks from our door. Free WiFi is available and up to two dogs are allowed in most of the lodges.

GET IN TOUCH To find out more and to book a luxury escape, call 01643 702 789 or visit woodcombelodges.co.uk.

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Summer HOLIDAYS W We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve had to delay or cancel your holiday plans with the news and spread of coronavirus. The impact it has already had on businesses in 2020 is clear to see, with a shortage of essential supplies and the cancellation of many major events.

What will it mean for summer 2020? Some people have been telling us that they still plan on taking holidays in the UK, but only time will tell.

...here are a selection of self-catering options that come highly rated on Euan’s Guide

BY EUAN’S GUIDE

e wanted to take this opportunity to talk about accessible accommodation options in the UK as we’re well aware of how challenging it can be to find accommodation options that actually deliver on accessibility, style and comfort.

We’ve selected some shining examples of places that are leading the way with their accessible accommodation that we thought you might like to know about.

Whether you are looking for somewhere to book this year, or if you simply want to see what’s out there, here is a selection of selfcatering options that come highly rated on Euan’s Guide, the disabled access review website.

FIFE: HOMELANDS At Homelands you’ll find four accessible self-catering cottages set amidst trees in the small village of Lundin Links in Fife.

Euan’s Guide reviewers have called them “just perfect” and said that the cottages are “so good I am reluctant to share!”

The beautiful cottages have great accessible features, like ceiling hoists and profiling beds, as well as lovely views of Lundin Golf Course and across the Firth of Forth. It is not surprising to discover that these cottages are a popular choice.

Also in the area: Another popular option in Fife is The Rings in Cupar. A recent review called it the “best ever holiday home” – high praise indeed! Find out more about The Rings by looking it up on EuansGuide.com.

Images courtesy of Alex Baker Photography

PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK: HOPE CROSS COTTAGE AT VICARAGE FARM For a rural accessible escape in the Peak District, Euan’s Guide reviewers recommend Hope Cross. The two-bed bungalow has a large stylish wet room with a self-propelling shower chair and non-slip flooring. One reviewer said: “There wasn’t a single thing that I thought ‘I wish I had brought that from home’ as it was all here.”

Alternatively: Hoe Grange Holidays is another Peak District option that comes highly recommended on Euan’s Guide.

Some of their luxury log cabins even come with their own hot tubs. One reviewer called it “a brilliant find” that “ticks all the boxes for us”.

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YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK: COTTAGE IN THE DALES

HEREFORDSHIRE: THATCH CLOSE COTTAGES These cottages are converted barns that date back to the 17th century. They are set within a secluded location not far from Gloucestershire and the Welsh Border. The most accessible of their three cottages is Valley View. Amongst other things, it features a height adjustable worktop in the kitchen, hand-basin in the bathroom and dressing table in the bedroom. A reviewer said: “Valley View is a perfect rural one bed holiday cottage for a wheelchair user with level access inside and to the patio with a spectacular view.”

Cottage in the Dales won the Euan’s Guide People’s Choice Award at the 2019 Blue Badge Access Awards. Of their three cottages, the most accessible option is The Dairy, a one-bed cottage that enables guests to have a stress-free stay in accommodation that is both accessible and luxurious. It has been described by guests as “perfection” and “out of this world”. It also benefits from its own private accessible patio, with views across the large garden and Bishopdale beyond.

NEXT STEPS Have any of these places caught your eye?

You’ll find loads more information on their accessibility and reviews from people who have already visited them on Euan’s Guide.

Don’t worry if we’ve not mentioned a location you’d like to visit, these are just a few of the accessible options out there. In total, we have over 1,000 accommodation options in the UK on Euan’s Guide, over a third of which are self-catering. Try searching on EuansGuide.com to take some of the time and stress out of planning your next trip away. We hope you have an enjoyable summer whatever you end up doing. Wherever you decide to visit, share your experiences with other people by leaving a disabled access review on Euan’s Guide.

HAMPSHIRE: OUR BENCH Here you will find three purpose-built wheelchair accessible cottages that are conveniently located for anyone wishing to explore the area, being close to both the New Forest National Park and the coast.

Each of the cottages benefits from having a ceiling hoist. Bench Cottage has a second hoist in the wet room and a changing table. Lots of reviewers have mentioned how the owner went the extra mile by providing homemade treats and personal recommendations of places to visit in the area.

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Life after traumatic injury can be challenging Blesma is here for all serving and ex-Service men and women who have experienced loss of limb, use of limbs, hearing, sight or speech, either during or after Service

Get in touch to find out how we can support you and your family Tel: 020 8548 7080 Email: membersupport@blesma.org Find out more: www.blesma.org

ACCESS ALL AREAS WITH SHARED OWNERSHIP AT

PECKHAM PLACE

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ccess to a quality newbuild home adapted to suit those with disabilities is often hard to find in London, especially one that is affordable.

Recognising the need to provide homes tailored to meet a purchaser’s specific needs, Notting Hill Genesis’ latest development, Peckham Place, offers buyers the opportunity to own a fully accessible and stylish Shared Ownership home, located in one of south London’s most popular places to live, Peckham SE15.

Enjoying a prominent and well-connected position on the Queen’s Road in central Peckham, Peckham Place comprises a contemporary collection of eight one, two and three-bedroom wheelchair adaptable apartments, available to buy via Notting Hill Genesis’ Shared Ownership scheme.

Shared Ownership offers buyers the opportunity to purchase a share of a home’s value, between 25% and 75%, while paying a subsidised rent on the remaining share. The lower deposit level required with the Shared Ownership scheme, means purchasers need only put down a deposit on the share they purchase and not the full market value of the property. Shared Ownership also means you can become a home owner with a lower level of savings than if you were to buy the same home outright. Buyers can also choose to buy additional shares on their property as and when they can afford to, right up to 100%.

All of the wheelchair adapted Shared Ownership homes at Peckham Place have been designed with wide doorways and easily accessible bathrooms. Each property offers well-planned, spacious open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas along with generously sized bedrooms. Each home also features wheelchair-friendly access to a private balcony with privacy glass screens, and some with views

overlooking the landscaped courtyard gardens.

For convenient day to day essentials, there is a Sainsburys Local and Tesco Express a short distance from Peckham Place. For those that are seeking some outdoor time, Green Flag award-winning Peckham Rye Park and Common is just over a mile from the development, where residents can explore 113 acres of open green space, woodlands, lake and park trails.

For those who require easy access to public transport, Queens Road railway station is around five minutes away and also offers step-free access. Residents can reach central London in less than 15 minutes, further adding to Peckham’s appeal to homebuyers.

Prices start from £112,500 for a 25% share of £450,000.

Buyers interested in finding out more should call our sales team on 020 3813 7388 or visit nhgsales.com where you can also arrange a virtual tour and discover what this fantastic development has to offer.

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WriteNow

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

Publishing giant Penguin have started their search for underrepresented writers across the UK

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epresentation matters, and seeing yourself reflected in the media you consume is vitally important to feeling like you belong within society. That’s why campaigns like WriteNow are so important.

On 12 March, Penguin, the publishing company behind WriteNow, began taking applications from under-represented communities on the nation’s bookshelves, including writers from the BAME and LGBTQ communities, and people who live with disabilities. A final shortlist of 150 writers will be invited to one of four free workshops - held in London, Belfast, Glasgow, and Cardiff in the summer where they’ll receive one-on-one feedback from an editor and learn how to get their book published.

From there, ten of these writers will be invited to join the WriteNow programme, and will be able to work directly with an editor from Penguin, who will spend a year helping them develop their manuscript.

‘The word author can sometimes conjure up a certain image,” said Siena Parker, Penguin’s Head of Creative Responsibility, “but we want to show that stories and writing can come from anywhere. There should be no one single definition of an author – everyone should be able to define what it means to them, and every talented writer should have the opportunity to get their voice heard.”

by Penguin, with four more to be published this year, while a further 12 have signed with literary agents or been published by other publishers.

Puffin author and WriteNow alumnus Rashmi Sirdeshpande said: “I grew up thinking people like me didn’t belong in books or on the bookshelves. The WriteNow programme was the invitation I needed to feel like I do belong. It said that voices like mine matter and it gave me the confidence to feel at home here in publishing. That confidence is everything.”

Emmett de Monterey, WriteNow alumnus working on a memoir about growing up gay and with a disability in London, said: ‘It’s no exaggeration to say that the [Write Now] event changed my life. I met some brilliant people; editors, other writers, and got a much better understanding of how publishing works. Perhaps most importantly, I left that day knowing that, whatever else happened, I could call myself a writer.”

I grew up thinking people like me didn’t belong in books or on the bookshelves

For a chance to get involved with WriteNow, send in an application at the website: penguin.co.uk/writenow.

Applications will close on Sunday 26 April 2020.

‘We know that the journey to getting published can be complex and that our industry remains a bit shrouded in mystery – and that unfortunately some writers face more barriers in the journey to getting published than others. WriteNow aims to break down those barriers and, most importantly, discover talented new writers who we want to publish one day.”

To date, there have been six WriteNow alumni who have seen their work published

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Sometimes, using public transport can be a bit frightening, especially if you need assistance or extra support. Buses, trains, trams and the like can be overwhelming, and it might even put people off using them.

That’s where Thistle Assistance comes in. This initiative is helping people in Scotland feel safer and more confident when getting on public transport, giving them the means to subtly but effectively ask for a little bit of extra support where they need it.

Thistle has recently overhauled their whole brand, launching a new-look assistance card, app, and website, all of which are designed to give people who need a bit of extra support on public transport the means to get it as easily as possible.

People can request a free Thistle Assistance card, and will receive an information leaflet with the card, and icon stickers to place upon it which lets people know what kind of assistance they require when they’re travelling. The app does the same, following the same format as the physical card, but is ideal for people who prefer to carry their information digitally. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store and Google Play Store, and is easily found by searching “Thistle Assistance Card”.

Thistle Assistance wants to improve the journey experience on public transport for people who require a little extra assistance when travelling around Scotland. Charity Anxiety UK found that, when travelling on public transport, the main things that caused people to feel anxious were: the behaviours and attitudes of other travellers, difficulties finding your way around, and the fear of being or getting lost. The Thistle Assistance Card helps to alleviate a lot of this anxiety by ensuring people can get the assistance they

need, when they need it.

Heather, a Thistle Assistance Card user from Dundee, says that having the physical card in her purse calms her anxiety when she travels.

“My diabetes is increasingly affecting my vision,” she said, “but I aim to stay as active and independent as I can for as long as possible.

“My daughters live down south and I want to continue to visit them regularly. I encounter lots of challenges as I travel about. Gaps between trains and platforms are dangerously wide or steep. Departure screens at bus and train stations are either hard or impossible for me to read.

“I find the Thistle Assistance card is an easy way to ask for help whenever I need it without making a song and dance about it. It just discreetly informs a member of transport staff what I need, whether that’s assistance getting off the train or letting me know when it’s my stop. The card’s always in my wallet now so it gives me peace of mind when I travel.”

Andrew, who travels around Edinburgh, agrees. He said: “I lost my sight when I was a kid, but am now in my twenties so I like to be as independent as possible, like travelling at weekends to meet my friends at a club.

“The Thistle Assistance app is a great way to tell bus drivers and other staff what kind of help I need without sharing it with the entire bus!”

The Thistle Assistance Card can be used on services across Scotland, including Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, First Buses, Lothian Buses, and across Scotland’s railways.

For more information, visit Thistle Assistance’s brand new website: thistleassistance.com

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he job of being a parent is hard, as is the job of being a teacher. We can’t imagine how many of you feel being thrown into the role of teacher/ parent combo without so much of a moment’s notice. How do you explain the difference between “there, their, and they’re” without having a very small panic attack and trying to ensure your little one doesn’t see you get on Google and look it up? What does Pythagorean theory even really do?

It’s something to do with triangles, we can tell you that much. There are letters involved. Letters? In maths? Oh no. Now this is all a bit too much.

Let’s try and distract you, then. We’ve got the usual brilliant column from Dan White, exploring the powerful bond between one girl and her loving dog, as well as a run down on inclusive tech in schools and a great feature on DanceSyndrome, a charity that supports people living with learning disabilities through dance.

You’ll also find some great products for your little ones in our Kids’ Products section.

As ever, if there’s something you’d like to feature in our Kids’ Section, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can email products, feature ideas, or anything similar to ros@2apublishing.co.uk. In the meantime, stay safe, stay home, and wash your hands!

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

Harnessing the power of assistive technology in education

A

pril 2020 was supposed to see 100 schools welcome a trial that will allow pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to use assistive technology in the classroom. However, in this current strange and unusual climate we find ourselves in where none of the schools are actually open, we can safely assume that this has been postponed to begin at a later date.

Let’s hope not too much later.

This trial is a first of its kind in the world and it aims to level the playing field in school for pupils with SEND. This welcome news will hopefully pave the way for more inclusivity in schools, allowing more pupils to attend mainstream schools and be able to participate fully and get the most out of their education.

Assistive technology is moving at a fast pace, with new devices and tools being developed all the time to assist people to live more independent lives. Where better to invest and utilise these devices than in our own schools, supporting the next generation of bright young minds and allowing them to access everything they need to learn?

The innovations expected to be introduced to schools include text-to-speech technology which will transform the lives of some pupils by allowing them to communicate more freely, ask questions, take part in discussions and improve the quality of their learning.

Speech recognition software will also be used and it has been recognised that this could help pupils with dyslexia improve their reading and proof-reading.

Eye-gaze technology has also been mentioned to assist pupils with severe

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This trial is a first of its kind in the world and it aims to level the playing field in school for pupils with SEND

motor impairments to communicate, this pioneering technology will not only improve pupil’s education but it will benefit them emotionally too. Feeling included, involved and valued at school changes the experiences of pupils who have severe motor impairments, this technology can open up a new world to them on a daily basis.

THE TRIAL The trial was announced by Chris Skidmore, the UK’s Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Minister, at the Bett 2020 exhibition in London in February. He commented: “Harnessing the power of modern technology can help us change lives and unlock the potential of every child.

“With technological advances happening at increasingly breakneck speed, it is only right that we ride the wave so pupils in our classrooms with special educational needs are given all the support they need.”

The trial will begin with an initial funding injection of £300,000, as part of a wider £10million investment through the Department of Education’s EdTech Strategy which aims to transform the use of technology in education to support innovation and raise the bar in schools, colleges and universities across England.

The trial will be used to test out varying devices and technologies and measure the impact they have on SEND pupils. They will also be using these trials to develop best practice methods for the tools that have most helped pupils in the classroom.

National Association for Special Educational Needs (Nasen) chief executive Adam Boddison said: “Assistive technology is increasingly being used by schools to ensure that pupils with SEND have full access to the curriculum offer.

“This programme will play an important role in providing a reliable evidence base for schools so they can be as effective as possible in their use of assistive technology.”

THE EDTECH STRATEGY The Education Technology Strategy was set in motion in 2019, with key objectives of transforming the education system by utilising the innovations and technologies out there. The aim is to improve performance in schools for teachers, pupils

and leaders in the education system, to tackle common challenges and relieve teacher’s workloads in relation to marking and homework assignments.

The areas being addressed, not only cover the education of SEND pupils and using technology to help them reach their potential and fully participate in the curriculum, but also to open up training opportunities for teachers online, using anti-cheating software to regulate university work, and to understand how technology can further assist students with their learning.

We are in the throes of a digital revolution, technology is moving at a staggering pace and our education system is working towards utilising these advances for the benefit of all. Let’s hope these trials show the true benefits of this form of assistive technology and pave the way for making schools more inclusive and the learning experiences more positive.

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BARBIE DOLL WITH WHEELCHAIR AND RAMP Representation matters, so giving children toys that look like them is important for fostering feelings of belonging within society. With that in mind, Mattel, the makers of the world’s most famous doll, created a line of Barbie dolls who use wheelchairs and have prosthetic limbs.

This Barbie uses a wheelchair, and comes with her own ramp. very.co.uk

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Aside from being really cool to look at, this rocking chair is a great sensory toy for children who live with sensory processing disorders or autism. Inside the clear PVC chair, there are colourful balls that swish and spin around, as well as brightly coloured plastic. Handles make it safe for children to rock to their heart’s content. specialneedstoys.com/uk

RAINBOW WOODEN KEYRING KIT Crafting is a fun way to keep everyone busy for a few hours, and this kit gives you everything you need to make pretty rainbow keyrings and bag danglers. The act of crafting can be really therapeutic, helping children concentrate and relax, so in a time where anxieties are running high, it might be a nice, calming activity. bakerross.co.uk

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BRAIN BUILDER BOARD GAMES This set includes six different board games, so there’s no chance of the family getting bored of it. While they’re all lots of fun, they also help children develop spacial logic, visual tracking, strategic sequencing, and pattern matching, so you can play it and probably get away with pretending it’s school work of some variety. Win win! sensorydirect.com

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SENSORY TUMBLE TOYS Featuring cute little faces adorned on their strong wooden bodies, these tiny little balls of fun provide a complete sensory experience for children. Colour coded, the tumble toys will give children three different sensory experiences: auditory, visual, and textural. Well made and fun, they’re a great way to pass the time. bebemoda.co.uk

£23

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not years of darkness. I was embraced and made so welcome by the children, parents and volunteers. It was in that moment I had an overwhelming sense that I had found my tribe and I discovered a new purpose. All trepidation concerning my disability being a barrier to volunteering, immediately melted away. It was the first time that my disability was not seen as an issue, I was supported without having to fight for it. My difference was actually being welcomed!

FUTURE VOICES Each issue we will be shining a light on a young disabled person who is blazing their own trail. Whether that be campaigning for access, giving up their time to help their community, achieving success in the sporting or arts arena, or educating their peers on disability.

MEG BAKER-KNIGHT

I

am a former frontline police officer in the Metropolitan Police Service. An injury on duty in 2015 resulted in my physical disability and PTSD. I am a volunteer with Girlguiding and use my experiences to encourage young women to break down barriers and embrace their differences.

I have always been very positive and frequently likened to the baby sun in the Teletubbies, but adjusting to life as a disabled person was very difficult. I went through a grieving process, I struggled, and I beat myself up about it. That period of my life just didn’t fit with my personality or outlook. I realise now that it was very little to do with grieving over the loss of physical mobility and independence, but more about grieving for what I thought was my purpose in life. My frontline policing career meant everything to me, it was something I had dreamed of from a young age and was inspired by a local female police officer. I felt completely lost without it.

The two years I have been volunteering have been full of adventure, laughter and my most treasured memories! My passion for encouraging young women not to view their disability as a barrier that will prevent them from achieving amazing things and have incredible experiences has only grown stronger.

I personally support several young women with disabilities in my unit, and indirectly support many more as the Diversity and Inclusion adviser for our county.

I want to show all members that regardless of their differences or disabilities, there is a world of possibilities and opportunities, to encourage them not to abandon their aspirations. Despite requiring a little extra help, additional accommodations or adjustments, you can still achieve amazing things and your difference can be a powerful force for good.

Being a member with organisations such as Girlguiding can be unbelievably empowering, not just for those you are helping but also the volunteers themselves. I want to encourage anyone who may otherwise think their differences would act as a barrier, to think otherwise.

I was confined to my bed most days and occasionally bumped down the stairs on my bum, to venture to my sofa. It was during one of these moments that I thought to myself enough is enough, this isn’t your life, this isn’t your future. Later that day whilst scrolling through social media, one post in a local group seemed to spring off the page. It was a call to action. A local Girlguiding group was threatened with closure unless they could recruit more volunteers. I don’t know what exactly drew me to this particular post, some sort of cosmic alignment perhaps?

Whatever it was I will forever be grateful.

I registered my interest, had a chat with my local Girlguiding Commissioner, popped along to a unit meeting and I was hooked! I felt lifted from the months, if

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Show us

YOUR MOVES D

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

Dancing is a great form of exercise; it is fun, lively and gets your heart pumping.

Gyms and leisure centres up and down the country boast busy programmes of dance classes, from Zumba to hip hop, street dance to ballet, yet inclusive dance classes are few and far between.

We recently came across a great dance charity that has been supporting people with learning disabilities through dance for over ten years.

anceSyndrome is an awardwinning, inclusive dance charity based in Preston. Founded in 2009 by dancer Jen Blackwell, who herself lives with Down’s syndrome, the charity offers dance classes and workshops to people of all abilities.

Jen started DanceSyndrome following years of searching for inclusive dance opportunities. She had a dream of becoming a community dance worker but came up against barriers to achieving this when she left school and discovered there were no suitable dance training programmes for someone living with a learning disability.

She had a dream of becoming a community dance worker but came up against barriers to achieving this

With the help and support of her parents, they started DanceSyndrome in 2009 and it was registered as a charity in 2013.

Their mission is clear and simple: “To be a sustainable leading community role model that provides high quality inclusive dance leadership, participation, performance and training opportunities for both learning disabled and non-disabled individuals and our company of dancers.”

At DanceSyndrome everyone is welcome: they believe that dance opportunities should be open to all and all dance activity is informed and led by people living with learning disabilities. They run workshops that can be attended regularly, or people can just attend a one-off session so there is no pressure on committing to something every week. This flexible and inclusive approach allows everyone who wants to get involved the opportunity to try it out.

Classes span a whole host of different genres, from jazz, to street dance, and their Everybody Dance classes are designed to allow everybody to join in, improve their health and confidence, and most importantly to have fun.

They also offer training for people living with and without learning disabilities to become a Dance Leader. The Dance By Example training programme is a unique course that empowers students and provides them with the knowledge, skills and ability to codeliver inclusive dance lessons.

Last year saw a DanceSyndrome duo, Jessica Reid and David Corr perform a beautiful and moving piece that secured them a place at the national U.Dance Festival. Jessica, one of the youngest members of the dance collective spoke about her experience of being part of DanceSyndrome: “It has helped me a lot with confidence… People should come here because you can make new friends, learn new dance moves and just enjoy it. It’s not always about doing it right… just be yourself and just enjoy it!”

SHOW US YOUR MOVES The charity has recently launched a fundraising campaign to raise vital funds to continue their work across the North West region. The Show Us Your Moves campaign kicked off last month with a video asking viewers to video their own moves and share them on social media with DanceSyndrome.

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The fun-filled campaign is encouraging everyone to show off their moves, to donate to the charity and spread the word about the amazing work DanceSyndrome does to support people with learning disabilities.

Dawn Vickers, managing director at DanceSyndrome, commented: “Dancing has been shown to have a positive impact on mental as well as physical wellbeing and through our work we have helped thousands of people not only to keep active but to make friends and achieve a greater sense of belonging. At DanceSyndrome we co-create projects and opportunities to help connect people, working closely with those who have learning disabilities to help them achieve their own potential, challenging accepted beliefs about what people with learning disabilities are able to do. The support we have had so far has been fantastic and we want to continue to grow the charity to help more people benefit from all that dance can offer.

“It’s so simple to get involved in this campaign and we hope people have a lot of fun with it as well as appreciate the challenges faced by some of the 1.2million people living in England with a learning disability.”

At DanceSyndrome we co-create projects and opportunities to help connect people

Jen Blackwell, founder of DanceSyndrome commented: “I hope that people enjoy seeing our videos and feel inspired to have a go themselves, dancing is so much fun and it has changed my life, I hadn’t discovered friendship before DanceSyndrome but now I have friends in my life - people who value me for who I am - it’s the most amazing experience ever and I just want to share it with as many people as possible.”

DanceSyndrome relies on donations and volunteers to continue to inspire hundreds of people to focus on ability, rather than disability and to believe that their dreams can come true. The charity hopes to raise £10k through the Show Us Your Moves campaign to support the funding received from the National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England.

Get involved with the campaign using the hashtags #ShowUsYourMoves #RightToDance. You can find DanceSyndrome on the following platforms: Facebook: @dancerleddisabilityinspired Twitter: @dancesyndrome Instagram: @dancesyndromegallery

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DAN WHITE

refusals repeated again and again like a surgical Möbius strip. However, just lately, the power of the paw and the feel of fur has interceded and the operational landscape has shifted.

At home, we have a small cockapoo that snuffs out anxiety with every lick and wag. Scooby, Emily’s dog, cannot come to hospital, but now that is not an issue. The last operation was no longer a battle of wills as Leo and friends, therapy dogs, have arrived to administer distraction and hugs to not only Emily but hundreds of other children who find their lives ruled by the operating theatre. Dogs again proving their complete inestimable companionship.

COLUMNIST

Follow Dan on Twitter @DeptOfAbility 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.

Thanks to Cruft- winning Leo and Quinn (his partner in fur) Emily’s pre-op and journey into anesthesia was a remarkable turnaround from before. From just sitting with her to being stroked and patted, the dogs and Emily created a symbiosis of calm that just made the daunting day manageable and left stress levels kicking about in the corridor.

TOP DOGS

I

t would have been so easy to write this column on the coronavirus. In the midst of this maelstrom of anxiety however, I thought I would try to give us all a happy distraction.

I was thumbing through a book by a fellow SEN parent the other day.

Jenni Williams, a good friend and advocate, has poured her love of dogs into a memoir called Rescued. It was while I was absorbed in this that I was reminded of the calming and distracting aura of our furry friends on our children and many disabled people.

Dogs and disabled people form an unbreakable bond. From guide dogs, to dogs trained to help adults and children who live with learning disabilities, physical impairments, dementia, and autism; dogs are the pet of choice when it comes to our disabled children. They are silent communicators, translators, and comfort blankets. Unconditional acceptance sometimes can be unparalleled in our children’s lives.

A dog with any disabled child or adult also creates a talking point,

an introduction; a dog is a bond between strangers, some often wary of finding it difficult to approach disabled people. A dog is an icebreaker; a conversation starter.

Dogs are community builders; they are indefatigable; they are the best inclusion experts. Dogs are also lifesavers - in more ways than one.

Dogs have been evolving alongside humans for thousands of years, and clearly demonstrate the ability to recognise and respond to human emotions. Scientists know that they use extraordinary dog senses to do this. Dogs of all breeds are proven to be sensitive to human emotions and this is proven in hospitals, especially with children apprehensive about the spectre of surgery.

If anyone doubts the power of pets again, let them wander around our community. Let them see the relationships that know only one emotion: joy. Let them see the dogs happy in their work because they are old and wise, spiritual even. A dog is not just for Christmas, a dog improves a person’s social, cognitive and emotional functioning. A dog is an essential partner in the disabled world, be it for service, companionship or work. Whatever role you see a dog fulfilling in this community, it is easy to see the love between human and hound, and surely, in these uncertain times, that is enough.

As readers will know my daughter Emily has various disabilities and no doubt like many of your children, has an intolerable fear of the operating theatre. Our previous hospital stays, counting down the minutes to when the nurse nudges you to say “it’s time,” have been an emotional onslaught for Emily and ourselves. The screams and the

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TIME TO

BY DAN WHITE Dan White tells us all about the podcast he hosts for children’s charity Variety

F

or the past few months, I have been lucky enough to have been working at Variety, the Children’s Charity. Since their inception 70 years ago, Variety has supported over a million disabled and disadvantaged children across the country, changing lives with Sunshine Coaches, Great Days Out and funding disability equipment ranging from the obvious to the surprising. Now adding to this legacy of giving and helping is a unique series of podcasts called Pod-Ability, designed by Variety for all families with a disabled child.

“Time is our best friend and our worst enemy,” said author Cameron Logan, and one must wonder whether he was a member of our glorious parent carer community, because he is right. Our days are spent on our children’s care, constantly busy and often isolated, eager to hear from families in similar circumstances, to listen to advice and information, to brood over a coffee while hearing voices that live similar lives. We live in times where many of us don’t know where to turn in times of support crisis. With all the complexities of modern life weighing upon us, along with essential care for our children, Pod-Ability gives you, the parent, the interested, somewhere to turn to.

POD-ABILITY Each 45-minute episode covers a subject matter relevant to families. The first four (available now on iTunes) discuss the following topics; mental health, accessible shopping, SEN and mainstream schools, and invisible and visible disabilities. With me as the host, Variety has used their nationwide profile to attract relevant celebrity guests. Names from the disabled community like Adam Pearson and Sam Renke (my fellow PosAbility columnist and friend), and authors Natasha Devon MBE and Yvonne Newbold have all joined Variety and myself to thrash out these

topics with essential advice, vibrant chat, and a sprinkle of much-needed humour.

Hosting these podcasts as a broadcaster and parent to a disabled child is a privilege. Podcasts are nothing new, but one dedicated to every family of every differing disability is a stand out amongst the mass audio onslaught. Since we launched a few weeks ago the community has responded with positive feedback.

We’ve had comments such as: “For people who don’t have children with disabilities, it helped them understand better how everyday life is for us parents,” and “the best podcasts are the ones where you feel like you could join in with the conversation because it’s so relatable and I feel like that’s what you’ve done here.” Comments like this only confirm that this series of podcasts is not only beneficial to people but absolutely game-changing and very essential.

As the reputation of Pod-Ability grows and more families find help and community through it, the upcoming episodes will cover a wider variety of topics. Next in the pipeline are how to make toileting accessible (and dignified) for your disabled child, and how to develop self-advocacy for your disabled child. With plans to record and release episodes monthly, Pod-Ability will become essential listening, accessible as part of any busy lifestyle.

Variety in its mission to reach, engage with and help more families will create a new corresponding Facebook group for families everywhere to comment and unite through the simple task of listening.

Pod-Ability can be found on iTunes and through the link, variety.org.uk/ pod-ability. Variety also provides grants for specialist equipment, including wheelchairs, to individual children and notfor-profit organisations working with under 19s. For more information on how Variety might be able to help you, visit variety.org.uk or call 0207 428 8100.

PODCAST CHOICES The world of podcasts is full of an eclectic mix of musings and chatter. From funny to informative, strange to serious, there is something for everyone. Perhaps you are into true crime, or love to hear the science behind the latest technology, or maybe you just enjoy funny people talking about life? Whatever you are into, you are sure to find something that suits your style. Below are some suggestions of podcasts that may catch your ear…

01

OUCH: DISABILITY TALK

This podcast is a spin off from the BBC’s Ouch website. The regular podcast is hosted by Kate Monaghan, Simon Minty and the Ouch team. Each podcast is a fun and frank discussion covering everything from the latest news and innovative life hacks to interviews and controversial topics. You can download the weekly instalments on your preferred podcast platform.

02

SERIAL

This multi award-winning true crime podcast put this genre on the map. Journalist Sarah Koenig investigates true crime stories and tells these true stories to the listener through each episode. The first season covered the murder of Hae Min Lee in Baltimore in 1999, while the second covered the crimes of a US soldier returning from Afghanistan. The third series exposes the criminal justice system by following ordinary cases taking place in a Cleveland courtroom.

03

99% INVISIBLE

A design and engineering podcast that focuses on the things that you have stopped noticing. Each episode undresses the story, controversy or unanswered questions behind iconic buildings and architecture. It will open you up to a world that you didn’t even know you were interested in. From structural disasters to the lack of shade in Los Angeles, there will definitely be an episode that will grab your interest.

04

MY DAD WROTE A PORNO

A personal favourite, this podcast should not be listened to in the presence of children or work colleagues. A few years ago Jamie Morton discovered that his dad had written some “erotic literature” - this term is used very loosely. Alongside his friends James Cooper and Alice Levine, he reads a chapter every episode and they hilariously dissect the writing, storyline and terminology, all the while reminding Jamie Morton that his dad wrote a porno. Side-splittingly funny and a little smutty.

05

DECODER RING

Hosted by Willa Paskin, each show takes a cultural mystery, obscure wondering, everyday habit or object, and examines the history behind it to discover why it came into existence. Dispel the odd wonderings you have always had around bath time favourtie the rubber duckie, discover why there is such a pull around reality TV, or find out the origins of Murphy’s Law. This podcast will give you fountains of knowledge to impress your friends with on the most obscure of topics.

06

THE WEEK UNWRAPPED

The Week is a weekly digest that provides a round-up of the main headlines and stories that have featured across 200 titles that week.

It essentially brings you the most important headlines and interesting stories in one compact magazine. The magazine’s podcast is hosted by Olly Mann and he is joined

by Holden Frith, Hollie Clemence and Joe Evans. They pick some of the more unusual, smaller headlines and delve into discussions about the topics, bringing different thought processes and opinions to provide a humorous and interesting conversation.

Let us know any of the podcasts you would recommend by sharing them with us on Twitter @PosAbilityMag.

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Permobil ANNOUNCES NATHALIE MCGLOIN AS AMBASSADOR

I

n 2015 Nathalie McGloin became the first woman with a spinal cord injury to be granted a racing license in the UK. One of her many insightful reflections on life is that “anything is possible”. Her story inspires us at Permobil, and we are proud to announce that Nathalie, a TiLite user for many years, will be our ambassador for the manual wheelchair brand.

Nathalie trains and competes at the highest level – this means that her main competitors are non-disabled men. Apart from pursuing a successful career as a racing driver, Nathalie started Spinal Track, a charity dedicated to giving free Track Days and Rally Experiences to disabled drivers, with adapted cars developed by racers who understand the wants and needs of disabled car enthusiasts. Her passion for the sport and involvement in helping disabled drivers has led to her appointment as President of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission.

“At Permobil we are passionate about the needs of each individual user and we are always looking at how we can make sure people living with disabilities have access to the best technology available. As a longtime user of TiLite wheelchairs, Nathalie knows what a difference the right product can make to a person’s quality of life, so we are very excited that Nathalie can help us bring that message to a wider audience,” says Gordon Cunningham, general manager Permobil UK & Ireland.

Nathalie was excited to get involved with the Permobil brand, she commented: “When I was asked to become a Permobil ambassador, I was so excited at the opportunity and said yes straight away.

I’ve been injured for 20 years as a result of a car crash and for the majority of my life as a wheelchair user, I’ve used a TiLite.

I am a converted TiLite user, having had my first one whilst I was at university, but once I’d had a TiLite, I’ve never been

back to another brand. Living with a spinal cord injury isn’t always easy so having a wheelchair that is reliable and maximises your independence is so important. I’ve always been passionate about TiLite as a brand and therefore my endorsement of Permobil products is genuine and organic.

Having recently been introduced to the European Permobil family, I’m very proud to have become part of a great team and I can’t wait to start working with the company who creates products that allow me to live my life to the fullest.”

For more information about Permobil, please email Gordon.Cunningham@ permobil.com or call 07919 407336.

I can’t wait to start working with the company who creates products that allow me to live my life to the fullest

Winning SELF-ISOLATION

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

Let’s smash this lockdown together!

W

e are currently living in horribly uncertain times. We are isolated from friends and family, unable to socialise, nip to the shops or even go to work. The announcement of the recommended 12 week isolation period for those with underlying health conditions or those over 70, came as a terrifying blow for most.

Society as a whole has never been in a position like this. It is new territory for many of us, but the main objective is to make it through this scary time with as little loss of life as possible, and protecting the most vulnerable in our society is what we have to do.

No one wants to stay in their home isolated from their social circle for one week, never mind 12, but now is the time to try and make the best of it. PosAbility will be here every step of the way, bringing you distractions, ideas and a friendly voice that will hopefully help dispel those inevitable feelings of anxiety, loneliness and boredom.

We will get through this together and we will emerge stronger at the other side.

We have put together a list of ideas that will hopefully help you from succumbing to boredom.

SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is going to become a bit of a lifeline over the coming weeks, so if you don’t already have accounts, consider setting up a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account to keep in touch with the outside world. We are already seeing communities coming together on platforms like Facebook to arrange local shopping deliveries for those who are isolated, and phone lines being set up for people to call for a chat.

It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends, family and your local community.

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READING TIME You remember that book you always wanted to read? Well, now is that time.

Look it out, dust off the cover and settle in to get lost in your chosen literary delight.

Or if magazines are more your thing, we know a good one you can subscribe to right here: posabilitymagazine.co.uk/ subscribe! Aside from our blatant selfpromotion, there are so many magazines out there for every interest and hobby so it could be a great way to encourage you to learn about something new.

JIGSAW PUZZLES

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

You may not think that jigsaw puzzles are your bag, but they are a great way to pass the time. Choose your level of puzzling prowess from 300 pieces to 1000 pieces, depending on how much of a challenge you are looking for, and set to work. Always start with the edges and work your way through the picture, you will be amazed at how much time you can lose searching for one particular piece, but the sense of achievement you feel when you find it and when you complete your puzzle, is bizarrely euphoric. Check out the range of puzzles on offer at jigsawpuzzlesdirect.co.uk.

It’s time to rely on the old blower to keep in touch with friends and family. Set up regular times to have a check in with friends and family each day or two, and why not take the time to catch-up with an old friend that you have been meaning to catch-up with but simply never found the time? Everyone will be struggling with isolation, feelings of loneliness and anxiety, hearing an unexpected voice could be just the lift that someone needs.

ADULT COLOURING Similar to jigsaw puzzles, adult colouring books provide a very cathartic pastime. The process of colouring intricate patterns and pictures has been shown to improve mental wellbeing, to calm the mind and soothe the soul. The ideal distraction from what is going on in the outside world right now.

All you need are some colouring pencils, a sharpener and a colouring book of your choice. Johanna Basford colouring books are a favourite of ours, check out the range at johannabasford.com.

BAKING At last check we still spotted some flour, sugar and eggs on the shelves, so what better time to take up baking? Whether you just fancy making some fairy cakes and decorating them with some delicious butter icing, or trying your hand at an adventurous tiered monstrosity, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. The best part is obviously getting to eat the fruits of your labour over the next few days – or in one sitting if you are really honest with yourself. Check out bakingmad.com or bbcgoodfood.com for some cakey inspiration.

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CLEAR OUT

PAMPERING

You know that wardrobe which is crammed with items that you probably don’t wear? It’s time to tackle it. If you have not worn an item for more than a year, it is destined for the charity bag. If you have forgotten about it for more than a year then you probably won’t miss it, and someone else can benefit from it.

Not only will you have a magically spacious wardrobe, but you will have done a good thing by donating these items to charity.

Now is the perfect time to plan a proper pamper session for yourself. Have a bath, soak your feet and look out a facemask, it’s time to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Maybe even eat the aforementioned cake while you are in the bath? Look out some nail polishes and get those nails and toes looking neat and tidy. Whatever makes you feel good and relaxes you, do it.

B I N G E- W A T C H I N G We are not necessarily promoting the act of binge-watching, but in times like this there may be no better option on some days.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and many more subscription channels could be a great investment for the next few months, and if you don’t already have a subscription to one, most do a free trial that you can utilise. There is nothing better than curling up on the sofa sometimes and watching six episodes back to back of your favourite show. If you would rather go old school, look out your DVDs and hit play on some nostalgic offerings from the back of the cupboard.

...while the postal service is still functioning, why not set about writing to friends and relatives?

WRITING The lost art of writing letters or keeping a diary should be revived - not just because of coronavirus, but because it is a lovely thing to do. In times of anxiety and uncertainty, writing your feelings down on paper can be a very therapeutic exercise. Everyone loves receiving letters and while the postal service is still functioning, why not set about writing to friends and relatives? Keeping a journal or diary of this time will also be a very interesting read in years to come and could be really interesting to show the next generation what happened to you personally and to share the experiences with them.

Whatever makes you feel good and relaxes you, do it

If you have any advice or ideas to share that will help others make it through isolation please let us know on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. We will be working away to keep you informed and amused over the coming weeks (most likely from the comfort of our homes) so please get in touch on our social feeds, even if it is just for a chat! Stay safe everyone.

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& CE Y VI ER ER IV S EL N D IO K T U LEC L CO

Adapted vehicles you can rent About us

Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd is a daily rental company specifically servicing the specialist requirements of disabled drivers and passengers throughout the United Kingdom and are established suppliers of specifically adapted vehicles to cater for the needs of disabled drivers and passengers. Vehicles can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, and they also provide a door-to-door delivery and collection service. The company has a large portfolio of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and adapted cars which are sure to exceed your expectations.

New Showroom

The accessible vehicle specialists saw the opening of their bespoke new premises in Birmingham, located close to junction 7 of the M6, opened by Simon Weston CBE, who was voted one of the Nation’s Favourite Heroes and honoured as one of the top 100 Welsh Heroes, stemming from his charitable work. The new premises are wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking, and features a stunning new demonstration room for customers to view and try any of the vehicles Mobility Vehicle Hire has in the showroom. Simon was joined by the Mayor of Walsall, Marco Longhi, and Graham Footer, chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK. Vehicles on offer sport many adaptations, including infra-red controls, left foot accelerator, boot mounted scooter hoists, push pull hand controls, drive from and ride upfront vehicles, extended pedals and much more. In addition, Mobility Vehicle Hire can provide all sizes of WAVs, with either a rear ramp or an electric tail lift on larger vehicles. All Mobility Vehicle Hire rental vehicles are provided with a full 24-hour breakdown assistance service in the UK. The company will endeavour to beat any other quote you may receive and provide a high level of service throughout your hire.

Try Before You Buy

Mobility Vehicle Hire also provides PIP transition support: if you have been unsuccessful with your transition from DLA to PIP, the company can offer you a vehicle of your choice, included in a bespoke package tailored for your requirements. They can supply you with a short-term rental whilst you may want to go through your appeal process or alternatively, a long-term solution with a vehicle of your choice. The company also offers a Try Before You Buy scheme, which allows customers to hire a vehicle for three days, and, if it meets their needs, take out a long-term lease on it. The customer’s three-day lease will then be refunded from the on-going cost, providing a no obligation opportunity to ensure the vehicle is right for the customer.

Call 0845 293 2799 or email customersupport@specialistvehiclerental.co.uk to arrange a visit.

Visit Mobility Vehicle Hire’s brand new premises at Kudhail House, 238 Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 7AH

Wheelchaircars.co.uk

FREE NO OBLIGATION HOME DEMONSTRATIONS USED VEHICLES FROM £2995

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

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Call 020 3862 3927 taylorwimpey.co.uk #taylorwimpey

We build the places you’re proud to call home

Normal Taylor Wimpey terms and conditions apply. Images used for illustrative purposes only. Prices correct at time of going to press. Please speak to our sales executives regarding the tenure of our new homes. February 2020.

0300 100 0309 shared.ownership@myclarionhousing.com

Dream JOB GET THAT

WORDS BY JANE HATTON

COULD YOU WORK FROM HOME? This issue Jane Hatton looks at the realities of working from home

A

t the time of writing, a much greater number of people than usual are working from home due to the coronavirus. Whilst there is no doubting that this horrific pandemic has been a catastrophe, one potential silver lining is that when it’s over, working from home may become more widespread.

Disabled people have been requesting the opportunity to work from home for some or all of their work for a long time, and up until recently, most employers have shied away from this. The social enterprise I run only employs disabled people, and we all work flexible hours from home. It can be done!

Working from home can be a great option for many people. Those for whom public transport is inaccessible, for example. Or who prefer to work in isolation such as some people on the autistic spectrum, or with social anxiety. For others, their home is set up with the equipment they need. It’s worth considering whether this might open up some opportunities for you.

My hope is that we will soon see a large increase in the number of roles where home-working for all or part of the week is available. It makes sense for other reasons too. It’s cheaper for employers in having to provide less office accommodation, and

it’s better for the environment, with fewer people commuting. But most of all, it means employers have access to a wider pool of talent.

Even if a job advert doesn’t specifically mention the option of working from home, if it’s a role you know you could effectively carry out from home, it’s well worth asking the employer if this would be considered.

Some things are worth thinking about before committing to working from home.

Whilst some people love it, others really enjoy the social aspect of work. Being at home alone every day, even with technology like Teams or Zoom, can feel isolating for some. And contrary to the fear of many managers, most people who work from home end up working for more hours than they are contracted to.

Working from home requires you to structure your day. For example, to remember to take regular breaks, to eat properly, and to stay hydrated. And to be able to communicate in different ways – holding meetings over video conferencing, for instance. Technology is becoming increasingly accessible, with some offering automatic captioning.

Clearly, there are roles which can’t be carried out remotely – hospitality, retail, nursing, teaching and so on. But with a bit of creativity, many can. One of our team, for example, produces videos from home.

She calls for auditions remotely, holding them over Zoom or Skype. She writes the story board and the script at home. She even remotely directs the camera operator from home, and of course all the editing and subtitling can be done remotely.

Occasionally she will travel to events or locations out of choice, but it isn’t vital to her work to do so.

It’s worth considering if the type of work you are looking for could be done from home, and how it can be done effectively, so you can create a business case to present to a potential employer.

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.

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77

quality top-quality accessible in Devon • Eight 8 accessible luxury lakesideholiday lodges lodges in Devon • Touring caravan & tent pitches with electric hook up • Well stocked 1.5 acre coarse fishing lake • Heated indoor pool (Seasonal) • Games Room and Free WiFi • Orchard and woodland walk • Dogs welcome

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

ESCAPE | RELAX | CELEBRATE

Accessible Holidays

in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside

We provide a ‘home from home’ experience for those with limited mobility to enjoy a holiday with their friends and family.

Eight individually designed holiday cottages sleeping 3-10 people Roll-in wet rooms in each property Wheelchair accessible with level access throughout Family and pet friendly

Plan your Portavadie, Loch Fyne adventure now

Profiling beds, hoists and specialist equipment available All cottages have access to free WiFi

01700 811075 | portavadie.com | info@portavadie.com

Tel: 01485 578354 www.church-farm-barns.co.uk

Brain TEASERS

Puzzles are a great way to pass the time and keep your mind sharp. Why not take a break, make a cup of tea and give these puzzles a go?

SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

EASY

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

1

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Puzzle by websudoku.com

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SOLUTIONS 7 9 1 2 5 4 3 8 6

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WEDDING

MAKEUP

WRITER

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DID YOU KNOW...

EASTER When people eat an Easter bunny, 76% of them go for the ears first. 5% go for the feet and 4% for the tail.

The most popular egg-shaped chocolate in the world is the noble Cadbury’s Creme Egg.

HARD 8 7 3 5 1 2 4 6 9

9 2 6 4 8 3 1 7 5

1 5 4 9 6 7 2 3 8

6 1 9 7 4 5 8 2 3

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Decorating eggs is an ancient tradition, with highly decorated ostrich eggs being found in Africa which are over 60,000 years old.

Puzzle by websudoku.com

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79

CLASSIFIED

Hill Lodge, Dorset

Exceptional fully accessible purpose built 4 star self catering holiday accommodation in beautiful rural Dorset.

Accessible self-catering holiday let, 10mins from Poole Harbour 3 ensuite double bedrooms, with downstairs bedroom & wetroom Shower-chair & profiling bed provided Other equipment upon request Accessible kitchen and level access to outdoors Dogs allowed. Free wi-fi

Superbly equipped comfortable and tastefully furnished cottages, heated indoor splash pool(seasonal), recreation room and stunning views from the guest garden.

Free Wifi. Wet rooms. Electric profiling beds, Zip & Link beds Mobile hoist, Shower chairs and other specialist equipment

For more details please call:

01258 818196 / 07751 062165

Contact details: www.endeavour-uk.co.uk becky@endeavour-uk.co.uk, 01202 630075

Website: www.ellwoodcottages.co.uk Email: admin@ellwoodcottages.co.uk

Located on the stunning Exmoor Coast

EE

FR I

I-F

Lodges & Cottages

W

Self-catering

Set in 3 acre gardens on a quiet country lane on the edge of the Exmoor National Park yet within 1 mile of shops, pubs and the beach.

About

Single storey disabled access lodges, three with wet rooms, shower wheelchairs, ramped access and adjacent parking.

For booking and info visit www.woodcombelodges.co.uk call 01643 702789 or email woodcombelodges@outlook.com

FILL THIS SPACE

TREBETHERICK, POLZEATH, CORNWALL

BREATHTAKING LOCATION

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TO BOOK YOUR STAY CALL 01208 862242 OR VISIT WWW.STMORITZHOTEL.CO.UK

Two wheelchair accessible cottages with wheel in wetrooms and free use of a wide range of mobility aids. Ideally located for touring the whole county.

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

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Renew yourself and the planet at these delightful 5-star cottages. Enjoy Pembrokeshire at its best, only 3 miles from Newgale!

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0141 465 2960

MAGAZINE TRAVEL REVIEWS

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

PRODUCTS

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

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

PERSONAL STORIES

Inspiring tales from our readers.

COMPETITIONS

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

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

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

Follow us on Twitter @ PosAbilityMag

DAYS OUT

Great ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

I WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO POSABILITY MAGAZINE: MAGAZINE MS WEEK best MS blogs, The lowdown on the communities accounts and online

EMPOWERING all in a Monique Jarret bares ood celebration of womanh

SELF-ISOLATIO Getting through these r uncertain times togethe

N

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