PosAbility - April / May '18

MAGAZINE

Nothing is Impossible...

April/May 2018

THE DISABLED SUFFRAGETTE

Remembering one iconic woman

MONKEYING AROUND Celebrating Down's Syndrome Awareness Week

in style

Gold coast

2018

THE MOST INCLUSIVE COMMONWEALTH GAMES YET

MODEL BEHAVIOUR

Meet the stars of Zebedee Management

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WELCOME April/May 2018

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writers: Colette Carr Katie Campbell Designer: Abbie Bunton Marketing: Sophie Scott Sales: Val Speers, Julie Coleman

CONTRIBUTORS The snow has gone, the daffodils are finally in bloom, we have eaten too many Easter eggs and we can all class ourselves as survivors of the Beast from the East. It has been quite a month.

March saw us putting on our odd socks to celebrate Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day and repeatedly watching and sharing the beautiful video created by 50 mums and 50 kids who Makaton signed in a ‘carpool karaoke’ style version of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years. We spoke to one mum who was raising money for Down’s Syndrome Scotland through beautifully designed clothing.

Our cover star is Harry B, he is on the books at Zebedee Management, the modelling agency that is breaking the mould with its diverse models. You can meet some of the stars of Zebedee on page 80.

the world who need them. Read this fascinating story on page 22.

In addition to this we find out more about Foxes Academy and Hotel, the hotel that is training people with learning difficulties in the hospitality industry. We also bring you the results of the Winter Paralympics and look at what sporting events will be catching our attention at the Commonwealth Games.

If painting is your thing, take a look at page 35 to read our interview with Tom Yendell of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists and to find out more about the Unique Art Awards.

We hope you enjoy this packed issue and if you have any ideas for stories or features, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing ros@2apublishing.co.uk

To recognise the 100 year anniversary of women being granted the right to vote, we remember one disabled woman who fought fervently for women’s suffrage.

You can read Rosa May Billinghurst’s story on page 15.

Copyright 2018 ©2A Publishing Limited.

All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

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

Nothing is Impossible...

Ros

THE DISABLED SUFFRAGETTE

Remembering one iconic woman

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0141 465 2960 today!

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MONKEYING AROUND Celebrating Down's Syndrome Awareness Week

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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.

April/May 2018

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MAGAZINE

There is a global community of volunteers that are creating 3D printed prosthetic hands for people across

Like us on Facebook Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’

Janet Myers, Sam Renke, Mik Scarlet, Dan White & Rio Woolf

2018

THE MOST INCLUSIVE COMMONWEALTH GAMES YET

MODEL BEHAVIOUR

Meet the stars of Zebedee Management

ALSO FEATURED... Art | Travel | Products | Kids Section | Careers FC_POS_APRIL_MAY_FINAL.indd 1

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Cover image: © Aaron Cheeseman

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APRIL/MAY 2018| ISSUE 42

CONTENTS FEATURES

07 FYI

News, stories and updates from around the world

13 WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW Mik Scarlet extolls the virtues of accessibility in central London

15 THE CRIPPLE SUFFRAGETTE

35

We explore the life of disabled suffragette Rosa May Billinghurst

21 CRIP’TASTIC

Sam Renke applauds disabled creators and influencers

22 A HELPING HAND

Meet the selfless volunteers giving the world a hand

27 GOING FOR GOLD

Get Commonwealth ready with our guide to the Games

31 A NEW HOLLYWOOD SIGN

BSL gets international recognition ahead of Deaf Awareness Week

63

35 A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE We speak to foot and mouth painter Tom Yendell about the Unique Art Awards

41 HOT STUFF

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

47 MONKEYING AROUND

Meet the Glasgow Mum raising money for charity through beautiful t-shirts

Check out

P39

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52 THE OLDEST NATION IN THE WORLD We explore how Japan's treatment of dementia patients could improve our own

55 THE SCHOOL OF LIFE LESSONS

Meet the people behind Foxes Academy and Foxes Hotel

59 HOLLAND IN FULL BLOOM

Janet Myers tiptoes among the tulips on a beautiful spring getaway

63 PEAKING ON THE PISTE

All of ParalympicsGB’s highs and lows at the Winter Paralympics

67 KIDS’ CORNER

We talk mental health, Changing Places, finding nurseries and discover some great kids’ products

80 STRIKE A POSE

Get to know the stunning models at Zebedee Management

87 NEATEBOX

Button and Welcome might just be your two new favourite apps

88 MAKING THE CUT

Mitch Chalmers tells us how an incredible wheelchair helped him achieve his dreams

91 TIME TO THRIVE

Get acquainted with Scope’s newly funded venture, UnLtd

94 PUZZLES

Keeping the mind active

WIN! A SHORT BREAK AT REVITALISE

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27 26 68

31 47

80 52

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05/02/2018 09:53 15:51 30/03/2018

FYI

News and stories from around the world

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

FAREWELL STEPHEN HAWKING One of the brightest minds in the universe, world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking died aged 76 on 14 March 2018.

In a statement released by his family, they confirmed that Hawking had died in his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday morning: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world.

“He once said: ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever.”

Hawking’s published research and book A Brief History of Time cemented

him as one of the most important figures in the modern scientific community, with his contributions in the fields of cosmology, theoretical physics and mathematics changing the face of science many times over.

Hawking was an important role model in the disabled community, showing the world that no matter what your ability you can make a difference to the world.

“We are all different, there is no such thing as a standard or run-of-the-mill human being, but we share the same human spirit. What is important is that we have the ability to create. This creativity can take many forms, from physical achievement to theoretical physics.

However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”

FYI

APPLE PROPOSE NEW EMOJIS Tech giants Apple have submitted a proposal to the Unicode Consortium, the organisation which accepts proposals for new emojis, to include 13 emojis to represent disability.

Submitted “to better represent individuals with disabilities,” Apple acknowledges that emojis are an important aspect of modern conversation, and they hope that by including these new emojis, people will be better able to express themselves as individuals and as loved ones of disabled people.

The proposed emojis are: • A guide dog and a service dog • A person walking with a white cane • A person signing in ASL that they are deaf • An ear with a hearing aid • A person in a mechanical and manual wheelchair • A prosthetic arm/leg

As with all other emojis, if approved, they will be available in a variety of skin and hair colours. Apple are aware that the list is not comprehensive, however they feel it is a good first step for the inclusion of disabled people in emojis.

In the proposal, they said: “This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all possible depictions of disabilities, but to provide an initial starting point for greater representation for diversity within the emoji universe.”

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FYI

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Mindful Life Journeys has teamed up with national schools charity Achievement For All to offer primary school aged children a free feature of mindful meditation, in support of their 100 Million Minutes Reading campaign with the aim to help children visualise how words and pictures can come alive to open up new opportunities, stimulate imagination and learning, regardless of ability.

Achievement For All is holding a onemonth collective 100 Million Minutes Reading Challenge which began on World Book Day (1 March) following the success of last year’s 10 Million Minutes; schools, colleges, parents, carers, childminders, and many more helped to read a total of 15 million minutes.

The Mindful Meditation, accompanied by resources for schools is available for

free on 100millionminutes.org and is already in regular use by some schools.

Mindful Life Journeys’ wider programme of children’s meditations for primary schools seeks to increase resilience while teaching children ways to regulate emotion and promote mental states conducive to learning.

Mindful Meditation can help children learn that it’s possible to self-regulate their emotions and not be limited by emotional, hormonal, social, and environmental factors. This mindful meditation is straightforward and effective, only needing a calm and quiet environment for children to sit or lay while listening to the meditation.

To find out more visit mindfullifejourneys.com.

ROUTE ONE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

Google Maps is enabling a new

feature aimed at making travelling quicker and easier for wheelchair users.

Google Maps’ walk mode for those moving on foot hasn’t always proved wheelchair suitable with inaccessible paths but by selecting “wheelchair accessible” the app will show routes to the destination that will be safely and easily navigated.

The update will be piloted in London, Sydney, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston and New York before it is rolled out more widely to other cities allowing wheelchair users in transit to move around more safely and with more independence.

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FYI

NATIONAL STAR FESTIVAL The UK’s first national festival of specialist learning will be held on 2 June.

FestABLE will offer a broad range of key note speakers, discussions, workshops and activities for professionals working in the SEND sector, young people and parents.

The one-day festival will be a celebration of the best in the field, drawing together parents, young people, families and professionals to look for solutions to the issues faced by children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

It will be hosted by charity National Star at its fully-accessible campus outside Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.

“FestABLE has been designed with young people and their parents at its heart. It will be a day when parents and young people are face to face with professionals,” said David Ellis, chief executive of National Star.

Dame Christine Lenehan, author of the review These are Our Children, headlines a collection of speakers who are experts in a range of subjects from building a SEND workforce to the latest assistive technology.

The topics will range from reviewing the progress of the Children and Families Act and building a SEND workforce to the future of speech and language therapy and the latest technology available to assist people with disabilities.

MUSIC TO THEIR EARS

Young musicians with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the Bristol area are to enjoy a boost after the Bristol Music Trust were awarded more than £600,000 over four years.

The money, donated by the National Foundation for Youth Music will help break down barriers for talented young musicians who attend Bristol Plays Music who are in the process of setting up the UK’s first National Centre for Inclusive Excellence.

With only 4% of disabled employees in the major arts organisations, the creation of training routes and pathways to employment is hoped to up this.

ALL SMILES FOR SWINGS AND SMILES

Disabled children in Thatcham can welcome the warmer weather in style now with a specially designed play park thanks to years of fundraising by charity Swings and Smiles.

The park welcomed its first visitors who were greeted by special play equipment including a wheelchair accessible trampoline and safe swings.

The charity’s founder Sian Cooke said she wanted to provide children with a safe and fun space to play in that many children take for granted after seeing what her 21-year-old daughter Amy couldn’t enjoy.

Find out more about the park’s timetable at swingsandsmiles.co.uk.

Tickets start at £10. FestABLE is hosted by National Star and takes place on Saturday 2 June 2018. Find out more at festable.org and nationalstar.org.

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FYI

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD Morisons Solicitors has launched its annual Imaginarium art competition aimed at people of all abilities.

Based around ‘nature’, people are invited to capture the theme through any art media including drawings, collages, pottery, photography or computer aided design. There are a number of different categories and artwork can be submitted individually or through a group with a range of prizes on offer including the opportunity to spend a day’s workshop with a leading artist.

All the artwork submitted will feature in a public exhibition within the firm’s offices in Glasgow later in the year.

Gillian Brown, Head of Private Client, said: “We are hoping the competition will not only

encourage people to explore their creativity but also lead them to head outdoors especially at this time of year when we can all benefit from its positive affect on our wellbeing. Nature is such an individual but vast topic that we’re really looking forward to people’s interpretation of the theme.

“We’ve received great support from charities and families and the exhibition is always very well supported.”

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Deborah Fanning on 0141 332 5666 or Carys Hotson 0131 226 6541, deborah.fanning@ morisonsllp.com or forward their submission and details to 53 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6TS, by the closing date of Friday 29 June 2018. morisonsllp.com

WHEELS OF LIFE

Privileged to be invited as a guest speaker at Naidex (1.15 pm 25 April), Peter Lyne, founder of Mobility and Support Information Service (MASIS) and Individual Partner of the Collaborating Centre for Values-based Practice in Health and Social Care, St. Catherine’s College, Oxford will be addressing issues relating to self-esteem and the wellbeing of disabled people.

Peter’s presentation entitled ‘More Than the Treatment’ will consider how three interlocking wheels within our lifestyles, namely, if, what and how, will help disabled people and individuals with long-term health conditions lead more independent and fulfilling lifestyles.

MASIS will be exhibiting on both days of Naidex (Stand No. 12244, Hall 6) and will be welcoming visitors to the stand. They believe that effective collaboration is key to help address and improve existing levels of social inclusion and equality for disabled people and look forward to speaking to visitors and organisations alike. masis.org.uk

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30/03/2018 23/03/2018 09:54 14:04

Columnist Mik Scarlet

Follow Mik on Twitter

@MikScarlet

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?

B

elieve it or not, this is my second positive column for PosAbility in as many issues.

I have found 2018 to be filled with unexpected positive experiences. Let me tell you about one that really set me thinking.

accessible was actually just that, accessible.

Totally level entrance, met by a very friendly and helpful staff member we were shown to our table. Then I was shown the accessible toilet and it was accessible. So we sat, drank, ate and laughed. We paid and promised we would be back.

A few weekends ago, my wife and I met up with a group of mates at a local restaurant.

My wife had arranged it all, and had checked there was an accessible toilet and I could actually get into the building. We always check ahead now, as we live in Camden Town in central London, and we have had far too many nights ruined by poor or no access. In fact, we’re now so used to having our plans scuppered by a lack of an accessible toilet or a stepped entrance or the event we really wanted to attend being upstairs with no lift, that we have turned into real home bodies. I am constantly shocked at how my adopted home town has made so few moves towards becoming accessible in the 23 years since the Disability Discrimination Act came into being.

The world-famous market is cobbled throughout, so many of Camden Town’s pubs and clubs are closed to wheelchair users like me. Despite living in the heart of the action I rarely take advantage of all that Camden has to offer. But not this time. This time we had checked ahead and had been promised. So off we trotted, with hope in our hearts.

Once we left, we all laughed as we admitted we’d been overly polite and had under ordered. It was a posh place and a bit pricey.

Of course our politeness meant we were all still a little peckish. Our mates, who lived nearby, said they knew of a great fish and chip shop just around the corner. Nothing takes the edge of a post small meal hunger like chips! So two rounds of chips to share and coffees all round later, we sat chomping away.

Then one of our gang popped to the toilet

I must admit we were still filled with trepidation, as being told “yes we’re accessible” doesn’t always mean that. As soon as we arrived we knew our fears were unfounded. This obviously was not going to be another night where our checking ahead made no difference. The restaurant’s idea of

By now we were in need of a refreshing drink, to ease the shock in my case, so we walked along the canal tow path in search of beer.

To access the canal we took a ramp and wandered along the tow path, admiring the stunning canal at night. We reached Granary Square in Kings Cross and found another

“THE RESTAURANT’S IDEA OF ACCESSIBLE WAS ACTUALLY JUST THAT, ACCESSIBLE ” and came back aghast. “Check out the loo,” I was told. Off I wheeled, into what looked like the back of the chippy. There, in all its glory, was another accessible toilet. In a takeaway fish and chip shop. It even had an emergency cord!

ramp from the canal into the square. Where I live there are no access points to the canal so this was a revelation to me. We wandered into the pub, had a couple and again, I popped to another accessible toilet. We all said goodbye and Diane and I jumped on a bus. When we got home, we sat in shock. This is what it would feel like if the world was all accessible.

A few days later, we stayed in an AirBnB in Cardiff. The Workshop is a wheelchair accessible apartment that was specially created for disabled actors to use when working with the various theatrical companies in the area but is available to everyone, thespian or not. This wasn’t only for disabled guests, but if you did use a wheelchair you could book with the confidence that you’d be OK. Again, it was amazing to visit somewhere that is accessible, without it being a big deal.

What these experiences prove to me is that access isn’t that big a deal. If people think, it can be created and thus become normal. If a little fish and chip shop can put in an accessible toilet then everywhere can. It shouldn’t be a postcode lottery. It isn’t too hard or expensive or any other excuse. All of these businesses, by making themselves accessible, will be able to attract more custom.

It will have no impact on the non-disabled people who visit them, but for the disabled community it allows us to live like everyone else. It makes our money as good as everyone else’s. All £250 billion per year of it.

Now I’ve seen it, I know it can happen. It’s time to tell the world, if you build it we will come.

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We’re coming back to Naidex!

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30/03/2018 09:54

DISABLED SUFFRAGETTE

“THE CRIPPLE SUFFRAGETTE” Rosa May Billinghurst was a familiar face at protests for women’s suffrage in her ribboncovered wheelchair and would spend her life fighting and suffering for women’s right to vote.

Words by Katie Campbell

W

hen we think of the suffragettes, we think of Emmeline Pankhurst and her acerbic demand that “deeds not words” would be what brought the vote to women. Perhaps we consider Emily Davison, who dedicated her life to the cause of suffrage, and martyred herself for the cause by walking without fear or concern into the path of King George V’s horse, which resulted in her death.

Of course, there were thousands of suffragettes, the women who demanded to be heard in streets, churches and government buildings. Hundreds were arrested, force fed, demeaned and abused on both the streets and in prisons for their cause, and we have forgotten them. We have not forgotten what they have done, but their faces merge into one homogenous mass; they are simply the suffragettes. We forget the women who made them.

Rosa May Billinghurst stands out from her fellow suffragettes

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in photographs. Born on 31 May 1875 in Lewisham, London, she was the second of nine children born to Henry Francombe Billinghurst and Rosa Ann Billinghurst, nee Brimsmead. May, as she was known, became paralysed after a bout of illness. She would regain the use of her upper body, but for the rest of her life, May’s legs would be strapped in irons to stabilise them, and she would rely on the use of a primitive wheelchair, then known as an invalid tricycle, to move around.

May Billinghurst was the disabled suffragette. Likely there were many more like her, but she stood out from the crowd around her in her long white coats, large hats and massive tricycle covered in ribbons in the purples and greens of the suffrage movement. She, like the many around her, helped bring women’s suffrage to the political stage, and she suffered for it just as much as any of her sisters.

In a contemporary setting, May was one of the most well-known militants of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), where she was known as “the Cripple Suffragette.” She made the decision to join the WSPU in her early twenties, after she became involved with a charity called the Greenwich and Deptford Union Work House.

May was disgusted when she discovered the conditions that young women who had been abused by their husbands, raped, and left ill were forced to work in within factories.

She wrote: “My heart ached and I thought surely if women were consulted in the management of the state happier and better conditions must exist for hard-working sweated lives such as these... It was gradually unfolded to me that the unequal laws which made

“SHE STOOD OUT FROM THE CROWD AROUND HER IN HER LONG WHITE COATS, LARGE HATS AND MASSIVE TRICYCLE COVERED IN RIBBONS IN THE PURPLES AND GREENS OF THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT”

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DISABLED SUFFRAGETTE women appear inferior to men were the main cause of these evils. I found that the man-made laws of marriage, parentage and divorce placed women in every way in a condition of slavery - and were as harmful to men by giving them power to be tyrants.”

May began her political career by joining the Women’s Liberal Association, where she heard noted suffragettes Millicent Fawcett, Charlotte Despard and Emmeline Pankhurst speak on women’s liberation, but left in 1907 when a branch of the WSPU opened in her local Lewisham. She drew great inspiration from Christabel Pankhurst, Emmeline’s daughter and a firebrand within the movement. She wrote of her: “I wondered how the public could ever be made to think about it. In the midst of the hopelessness of it all Christabel Pankhurst sounded the war note of militancy and was imprisoned for her boldness, and the subject of votes for women was on every tongue.”

Throwing herself into the organisation, she helped to open their Greenwich branch, and was elected its honourary secretary.

In the midst of this, she left the Liberal Party over their divided stance on the issue of women’s suffrage: while some of the party supported the movement, others believed that politics was the sphere of men, and the WSPU’s lawbreaking tactics diluted their cause and proved them to be “untrustworthy” when it came to matters of such importance.

May became a familiar face at WSPU rallies, and on 18 November 1910, she participated in a protest against Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith, who had quashed the Conciliation Bill that would have extended the right to vote to 1 million wealthy, property owning women in Britain and Ireland. The WSPU sent 300 women to protest Asquith’s decision, and in an act of hideous brutality, the police assaulted around 200 of these women, leading to the day becoming known as Black Friday.

May was one of the women assaulted by the police, who repeatedly knocked her from her wheelchair. She summarised the event in her own words in the Manchester Guardian: “At first the police threw me out of the machine [wheelchair] on to the ground in a very brutal manner. Secondly when on the machine again they tried to push me along with my arms twisted behind me in a very

painful position. Thirdly they took me down a side road and left me in the middle of a hooligan crowd, first taking all the valves out of the wheels and pocketing them so that I could not move the machine.”

Another suffragette said of the same incident: “Her crutches were lodged on each side of her self-propelling invalid chair and when a meeting was being broken up or an arrest being made she would charge the aggressors at a rate of knots that carried all before her.

“When the police retaliated and tried to control this she ran the risk of being ejected on to the ground, where she was quite helpless. Of course she took the risk with her eyes open and when this happened, as it did on occasion, made full and unscrupulous use of her infirmities so as to obtain the maximum publicity for the cause.”

Her assault at the hands of the police only made her more determined to combat the injustice, and four days later, May was arrested for attempting to use her wheelchair as a battering ram to break up a group of police officers, but Holloway Prison has no evidence of her term on their records, meaning someone must have paid her fine to prevent her going to prison.

She would serve multiple prison terms for the cause, doing a month-long stint in Holloway for smashing a window in which she was sentenced to do hard labour in her wheelchair. Her final prison term began on 9 January 1913 after she destroyed the contents of a post box.

During her trial, she told the Old Bailey: “The government authorities may further maim my body by the torture of forcible feeding as they are torturing weak women in prison at the present time. They may even kill me in the process for I am not strong, but they cannot take away my freedom of spirit or my determination to fight this good fight to the end.”

Beginning her eight months in prison, again in Holloway, May immediately went on hunger strike. The prison attempted to force feed her multiple times, sometimes so violently that it resulted in damage to her teeth and her cheek being cut open.

She wrote: “I just laid on my back and endured it all - on Sunday I was very weak and on Sunday night I tried to get out to the bell because my head was swimming round

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DISABLED SUFFRAGETTE so I fell on the floor and fainted.

“My head was forced back and a tube jammed down my nose. It was the most awful torture. I groaned with pain and I coughed and gulped the tube up and would not let it pass down my throat. Then they tried the other nostril and they found that was smaller still and slightly deformed, l suppose from constant hay-fever. The new doctor said it was impossible to get the tube down that one so they jammed it down again through the other and I wondered if the pain was as bad as child-birth. I just had strength and will enough to vomit it up again and I could see tears in the wardresses’ eyes.”

MPs George Lansbury and Keir Hardie protested her treatment in the House of Commons, voicing the opinion of the prison doctor that continuing to force feed May would likely result in her having a heart attack. This lead to May being released from Holloway after ten days on the order of the Home Secretary. She would then begin campaigning to stop the force feeding of prisoners while continuing to fight for women’s suffrage.

Leaving Holloway, May returned to her mother’s house to recuperate. Her mother received an anonymous threat, which read: “Do not allow your daughter to go out in the neighbourhood of Blackheath alone or she will be a worse cripple than she now is - as

THE WAR EFFORT

she will be treated as a coward (which she is considered to be) for not taking her punishment. If you can leave the neighbourhood do so as sooner or later she will be attacked (and possibly yourself as you are much disliked for being the mother of a coward).”

This did nothing to May’s sense of determination, and on 21 May 1914, she took part in a demonstration outside of Buckingham Palace. The protest became unruly, with the suffragettes facing off against 1500 policemen, and saw May again using her wheelchair as a weapon to drive through police lines and into officers.

Once again, the police assaulted her.

Suffragette Charlotte Drake, who stood with May in the protest, said: “I was beside her. They threw us back, but we returned. Two policemen picked up the tricycle with Miss Billinghurst in it, turned it over and dropped her to the ground.

The excitement gave me strength - I picked her up bodily and lifted her back.

We straightened the machine as best we could, rested a little to rake breath and struggled on again.”

When the First World War began on 4 August 1914, the WSPU entered talks with the government, where the decision was made that the WSPU would end all militant activities and join the war effort, and the government would release all suffragettes from prison.

May moved from her beloved Lewisham at this time to live with her brother in Regent’s Park village but continued to contribute to women’s causes throughout her life. She donated to the Women’s Freedom League and Suffrage Fellowship.

She took part in several other demonstrations throughout the war, and supported Emmeline Pankhurst in her call to allow women to work in industries dominated by men. She also assisted Christabel Pankhurst in her attempt to represent the Women’s Party in parliament.

The Representation of the People Act 1918 finally, after years of tireless protesting, gave women the right to vote. It did not give all women the right to vote – only those over 30 who held £5 of property, while also extending the rights of all men over 21 to vote. It would not be until the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928’s passing that women would be on equal footing to men in terms of suffrage.

May died on 29 July 1953 of heart failure after pneumonia. She believed wholeheartedly in reincarnation and left her body to the London School of Medicine for Women. Her obituary in the Women’s Freedom League Bulletin said that she had “a strong sense of humour, even perhaps, a mischievous one … full of life and courage and not to mention jollity … [thinking] of this life as but one of many.”

“THE PROTEST BECAME UNRULY, WITH THE SUFFRAGETTES FACING OFF AGAINST 1500 POLICEMEN, AND SAW MAY AGAIN USING HER WHEELCHAIR AS A WEAPON”

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WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 13:16

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30/03/2018 16:41 09:55 25/01/2018

Columnist Sam Renke

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

CRIP’TASTIC 2018!

F

irstly, apologies for the crass and vulgar title. Under normal

circumstances I condemn the use of the ‘c’ word even when it’s used amongst our ‘D-Community’. However, my ego got the better of me and I was so chuffed at myself for coming up with this little play on words that I just had to keep it!

“I WAS DELIGHTED TO COME ACROSS MIA TUI BAGS (@MIATUI) AS SOME OF THEIR BAGS INCLUDING THE MINI JEN AND MATILDA MAE CAN BE CLIPPED ONTO THE BACK OF YOUR CHAIR”

You can follow Sam on @samrenke

So, what is Crip’tastic? I’ve written about the Purple Pound before which is basically the combined spending power of disabled people. It is an estimated £250 billion and is the largest untapped market out there. Yet the market still doesn’t celebrate disability nor accommodate it like it should.

Infuriating and darn rude if you ask me.

Therefore, I wanted to recognise and applaud those individuals who embrace their disability or simply recognise that products, technologies and fashion should be inclusive.

As we know, wheelchairs are expensive and replacing them every few years is a no no for most people. My chair gets a make-over with black nail varnish to hide the scratches and a wipe down with leather cleaner every so often but to be honest it’s seen better days and for someone who is a self-proclaimed fashionista I can be a little embarrassed by my scruffy wheelchair, so that’s why I adore Glamsticks (@sharonfm_glamsticks). Glamsticks’ vision is to share creator Sharon’s love of glamour and sparkle to everyone and empower other disabled people by encrusting their mobility aids with Swarovski crystals. Just stunning!

I often get messages from people asking how they can become disabled influencers and I always say social media is key. It’s free and for the most part can be done from the comfort of your own bed. So invest in growing your profile online. Follow other influencers, my favourites on Instagram include @scarrednotscared, @tiphanyadams, @saraczeb, @fromsarahlex, @itskellyknox, @mrcolitiscrohns, @mylifewithwheels, @scarboroughandrew, @furbesyla.

When you have additional needs you tend to carry more around with you and I did have a perfect bag for the back of my chair which I clung onto for years.

By the time I came to throw it away it looked like it had been chewed up by a dog. So I was delighted to come across Mia Tui bags (@miatui) as some of their bags including the Mini Jen and Matilda Mae can be clipped onto the back of your chair or mobility aid. They are just ideal and come with a number of internal compartments so you don’t need to rummage around for all your bits and bobs such as your she-wee or any medication.

I am also often asked about places to visit that are accessible in London. Going to a new town or city can raise one’s anxiety levels if you aren’t even sure if they have disabled loos, so I’m glad I have found Access Advisr (@AccessAdvisr) a site where anyone can leave a review specifically highlighting the accessibility of a venue, it’s easy to register and you can review your own experiences in minutes.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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A HELPING HAND A global movement that is changing people’s lives every day.

Words by Ros Tulloch

T

he e-NABLE Community is a truly altruistic group of volunteers who give up their time and talent to create prosthetic hands and upper limbs for people who need them most.

There are many people in the world who have either been born without upper limbs or have lost them due to war, accidents or natural disasters. Many of those people don’t have access to suitable solutions that could help make their everyday lives a little easier.

A 3D printed prosthetic hand could allow a child to throw a ball, help a mother to feed her baby or simply make everyday tasks like washing and dressing that little bit easier.

22

Whatever the reason and wherever you are in the world, you can contact the amazing people who are part of the e-NABLE Community to ask for their help and a valiant volunteer will come to your aid.

We spoke to Jen Owen, owner and founder of e-NABLE to find out how this amazing movement began.

“In 2011 Ivan Owen created a metal puppet hand for a cosplay costume and afterward uploaded a photo to YouTube to show how it worked. Not long after, a carpenter in South Africa who had lost four of his fingers in a woodworking accident saw the design and contacted Ivan to ask if he could help make a single finger for him. They

collaborated over the internet for almost a year and met in person in South Africa along with a family of a young boy named Liam who was born missing his fingers. Ivan took a small version of the metal hand with him to South Africa and they created the first prototype for Liam out of metal. It was wrist driven.

“They knew he would outgrow it so Ivan approached a 3D printing company and asked if they would donate a printer. They donated two - one for Ivan and one for the carpenter. Ivan taught himself how to 3D design and turned the metal hand into a 3D printable file and then shared it opensource online so that others could take it and improve it. A few months later, the e-NABLE

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3D PRINTING

Community formed with a few dozen volunteers who had 3D printers and wanted to help make hands too.”

In a very ‘pay it forward’ deed, Ivan decided not to patent his design, he saw its potential and he hoped that others would use it and improve on it, helping people across the world who could truly benefit from it.

“He chose to share it open source so that others could take the original design and improve it and hoped they would share their improvements back into the community.

He didn’t want to profit from his design. He created it because there was a need in the world for low cost prosthetics and he wanted to ensure that no one else could patent the design and keep the maker community from helping those who were in need.”

The community of volunteers started off with around 70 members, but as people shared their knowledge and innovative work stories, interest grew

and in just a few short years the community had attracted thousands of talented people willing to share their expertise, time and creativity, all to help people who needed it.

Jen went on to explain how the community has evolved: “It grew from about 70 volunteers to over 20,000 globally over about four years. In the beginning, recipients would contact the e-NABLE Volunteers and ask them to make the devices for them but now, there are more and more families and individuals who are making them by themselves and for themselves. Now it has gone from a group of 3D printing enthusiasts who found something exciting to use their printer for, to a global

movement of makers who are sharing their ideas and designs open source all over the world with the hopes that their contributions will change a life for the better.

“I have been amazed at how widespread this community has grown. There are volunteers in over 100 countries worldwide, many of them are school children who have teachers who are using e-NABLE as an example in their STEM based learning projects. A real-world example of how they can use their ideas and imaginations to make a difference to the lives of others.

“I am overwhelmed with joy every time I see another image of another child getting a hand from one of our volunteers, but especially when that hand or arm has been created by a classroom of other kids.

Knowing that for every one hand that a class delivers, there are 10-30 kids who are being inspired to think of ways they too can use technology to help others.”

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3D PRINTING

“HE DIDN’T WANT TO PROFIT FROM HIS DESIGN. HE CREATED IT BECAUSE THERE WAS A NEED IN THE WORLD FOR LOW COST PROSTHETICS AND HEWANTED TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE ELSE COULD PATENT THE DESIGN”

When asked about the incredible global reach that the e-NABLE Community has achieved Jen admits that she could see the potential but knew that a lot of hard work would be needed to let people know about it. This is why she created the website and has been tirelessly populating and sharing stories on it ever since.

“When Ivan released the first design and we sat back and watched the e-NABLE Community form around the idea, I knew it was going to find its way to where it needed to go. I also knew that without someone sharing the stories about it, it wouldn’t get very far. My work on the website and for the community over the past few years has been a result of knowing that a great idea is a great idea but if no one talks about it - no one is going to know about it. So I focused my first few years on writing the stories on the website and helping get them seen by other media and then working with that media to get the stories out where volunteers could read and get involved.

“Ivan and I knew that it would go far - we just didn’t expect to be able to watch it.”

24

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Few could imagine working for a cause that makes such a difference to people’s lives and for Jen, seeing the smile on a child’s face when they receive their prosthetic hand is something she could never tire of.

“There are a lot of things I love about my job. But I think my favorite is when I get to see another photo shared of another child who has gotten a 3D printed hand in a country where there is little to no healthcare and where they literally have no other option for prosthetics.

“I love all of the stories and photos - but those ones really hit me with pride in knowing that I am part of this amazing community of people from all walks of life that are eager to help make a child they may never meet, feel like a superhero with something as simple as a brightly colored plastic hand.”

This fascinating and selfless work is just the tip of the iceberg as Jen reveals some plans for the future as they launch into summer camps and providing 3D printers for schools.

“There are so many chapters in so many different countries now who are all doing amazing things and who have incredible plans for summer camps, learning opportunities, design reworks, hand-a-thons and other events that will help the community continue to grow.

For me, I am working on helping a fellow e-NABLE Volunteer plan a summer camp for limb different children who want to create their own designs and help pair them up with an e-NABLE volunteer and a design engineer who can help them bring their ideas to life. I have plans to create an “Adopt a school” program for classrooms who do not have 3D printers and who are in underserved areas in the world where they have little access to any kind of technology but who want to participate in the e-NABLE Community as makers. I have some plans for some new design challenges coming up as well!”

GET INVOLVED THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH THIS GLOBAL MOVEMENT, FROM OFFERING YOUR SERVICES AS A CREATOR OR BY SIMPLY DONATING TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE TO ENSURE THIS VITAL WORK CAN CONTINUE AND GROW, SIMPLY VISIT ENABLINGTHEFUTURE.ORG TO FIND OUT MORE.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 17:54

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30/03/2018 09:55

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The Commonwealth Games are finally upon us and our nation’s athletes are down under battling it out for podium places.

I

t’s the return of the “friendly games” after an extremely successful outing at Glasgow 2014 just four short years ago and following the lead of the Scottish Games, this month brings the most inclusive Games ever.

300 para athletes and 38 medal events will take place across seven adapted sports an increase of 45% more athletes and 73% more medals compared to the para sport programme staged at Glasgow in 2014. Furthermore, there will be an equal number of both men’s and women’s events in the Australian city.

The Games will see para events in athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, powerlifting, track cycling, table tennis and triathlon across 4-15 April with the action live on the BBC. The Gold Coast will also see two new para events make their Commonwealth debut with the first ever wheelchair marathon (T54) and a paratriathlon following the success of its nondisabled counterpart’s first outing at Glasgow 2018.

The excitement is building as athletes continue to head down under and to ready you, we have put together our guide to the Gold Coast.

GLASGOW 2014 MEMORIES

Before looking forward, we need to look back. If Glasgow 2014 gave para sport anything, it is the confidence that para athletes can steal the show.

The then most inclusive Games’ home para athletes enjoyed great success that captured the media attention and viewers’ hearts. In front of a hot, sweaty and packed Tollcross International Swimming Centre capacity crowd, the youngest ever Team Scotland member, 13-year-old Erraid Davies from the Shetland Islands, sealed bronze in the SB8 100m breaststroke after training in a pool a quarter of the size. Her infectious smile from the pool as she read the result on the board was splashed over the front pages of all the major papers the next morning as she stole the attention from Olympic champions who swam before her.

With more awareness and admiration for our para athletes than ever before, be prepared for more show-stopping moments from para athletes.

HOME NATION ONES TO WATCH

After throwing all our support behind GB last month in South Korea, it’s time for things to get personal, as teammates become rivals, supporters become WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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These Games will have the largest para programme

Ali Jawad will compete despite recent illness

HAHN WILL COMPETE AT HER FIRST COMMONWEALTH GAMES

28

The Commonwealth Games can have that edge of Paralympic cycles, as we see GB split up into the four home nations and national pride become even greater. The close geographical proximity brings heated rivalry and an element of playing for pride and bragging rights.

For Team Scotland, PosAbility’s pick to watch is Sammi Kinghorn in her marathon debut, for Team Wales, we are putting our money on cyclist James Ball, our English hopes are on Ali Jawad in the powerlifting and for Northern Ireland, wheelchair sprinter Jack Agnew.

WHY THE GOLD COAST?

The heat may seem like an issue, with soaring temperatures averaging at 26 degrees forecasted for the intense week of competition.

But while finely tuned athletes must be conditioned to perform in any climate, the warm weather actually does bring an advantage for some para athletes. Athletes with muscular conditions like cerebral palsy find their muscles soak up the heat well, relaxing them and helping them compete with more ease. While Glasgow 2014 was considered baking heat for us and known locally as “taps aff” weather, strangely enough, Australia’s temperatures will be even better for these athletes.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN NUMBERS

haters and friends become enemies. They may be known as “the friendly games”, but the competition will be fierce.

6

number of times the Games have been held in the UK

45%

more athletes competing in para-sports

12 275 71 1930 38 174 days of competition

events across 19 sports in total

nations competing this year

first Commonwealth Games was held in Hamilton, Canada

medal events across 7 para-sports

number of medals England won in 2014 to top the medal table

2022

Birmingham is the next city to host the Games in four years

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 13:53

MARIA LYLE MAKES HER DEBUT FOR SCOTLAND

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The cycling will see Brits Fachie and Ball face off

Otherwise, the city itself is brilliantly accessible. With numerous Changing Places, accessible public travel options, accessible venues, and a new wave of assistive technology, it is fitting that the most inclusive Games yet will be held in such a welcoming city.

HEAD TO HEADS

There will be a few clashes of the titans on show at the Gold Coast with home nations athletes facing off, bringing back that national pride to the fore as teammates become competitors.

One head to head to watch out for is Wales’ James Ball and Scotland’s Neil Fachie in the visually impaired track cycling. With both heading to Oz straight from the Worlds in Rio, the competition will be fierce following the results there.

Fachie’s double Glasgow 2014

gold will be at stake as he looks to defend his titles against the double 2017 World Champion.

Sophie Hahn of England will also race against a familiar face as she takes to the track against relay teammate Maria Lyle. With strong preparation behind both despite the Games coming far earlier in the season, the pair will both be competing at their first Commonwealth, upping the ante to come out on top even more.

A favourite Glasgow 2014 memory of Ollie Hynd’s was the relays in the pool.

Praising both the noise of the crowd and competitiveness amongst the home nations, the swimming relays will provide rousing, action packed and exciting moments.

CATCH UP DOWN UNDER @SophieHahnT38

The sun sets over the @TeamEngland camp and it’s another day closer to the start of the @GC2018 #Commonwealth Games #7Daystogo #countdown

@Sam_Kinghorn

Nice to get some footage of my 15mile steady push from @team_scotland. Loving the Australian roads!

@SophieThornhill

Recovery post 40 hour travel ‘day’ #commies #tired #recovery #racing

@neilfachie

Great day today in Sydney. Some sunshine helping to get over the jet lag from the epic journey from Rio Follow all the action and read our preview interviews with Scotland’s Maria Lyle, England’s Sophie Hahn, Wales’ Julie Thomas and Northern Ireland’s Jack Agnew at posabilitymagazine.co.uk.

THIS WILL BE OZ’S FIFTH COMMONWEALTH GAMES

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30/03/2018 13:54

BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE & DEAF AWARENESS TRAINING

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30/03/2018 09:55

The Hollywood Hills are famed for the iconic Hollywood Sign towering over the city, but in March, there were some new show-stopping signs in Tinseltown.

W

hen exHollyoaks actor Rachel Shenton took to the stage at the glittering Academy Awards to lift her award for her short film The Silent Child and signed her speech so the film’s star could watch, she couldn’t have known the effect worldwide that the gesture would have.

The 30-year-old became only the second winner in the Oscar’s history to sign her speech, but it became just as captivating as her film, its production and its story.

Shenton plays Joanne, a social worker and BSL user who helps open the world

up to four-year-old Libby, played by Deaf actor Maisie Sly, by introducing her to sign language before she takes the huge leap into school life.

The short film directed by Shenton’s fiancé Chris Overton was awarded by the Academy for Best Live Action Short film, seeing the cast whisked off on a whirlwind trip Stateside where they shone the light on deaf awareness, miles away from its Kickstarter roots and Facebook campaigns to find a deaf child to play alongside its leading lady.

The film, which is available on BBC iPlayer, was written by the star who learned sign language after her father’s chemotherapy saw him lose his hearing, and with her status as National Deaf Children’s Society ambassador, Shenton’s

THE NEW

sign 31_Deaf_awareness_week.indd 31

DEAF AWARENESS

contribution to the community has been invaluable in the lead up to Deaf Awareness Week.

With awareness greater than ever thanks to BSL’s Hollywood appearance, we look into two businesses who both look to open up more of the world to Deaf people to celebrate this year’s Deaf Awareness Week.

SHENTON PLAYS JOANNE, A SOCIAL WORKER AND BSL USER WHO HELPS OPEN THE WORLD UP TO FOURYEAR-OLD LIBBY, PLAYED BY DEAF ACTOR MAISIE SLY, BY INTRODUCING HER TO SIGN LANGUAGE

Words by Colette Carr

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 18:45

DEAF AWARENESS

BSLCOURSES.CO.UK

One company looking to up BSL’s profile is BSLcourses.co.uk and “BSL IS AN AMAZING director Russell Fowler told SKILL TO HAVE. THERE PosAbility all about what ARE OVER 100,000 DEAF they have on offer.

PEOPLE WHO USE BSL AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE courses at How did the company - EVEN THE BASIC SKILLS any time, as come about?

WHEN YOU SUDDENLY opposed to the Rachael and I are the ENCOUNTER A DEAF academic year. company directors PERSON WOULD MEAN SO As our online of BSLcourses.co.uk Ltd MUCH TO BOTH assessments have but we are also husband and PARTIES” been approved by wife. I graduated with a degree BSL Awarding bodies, in Computer Science and did students can complete their some further studies in IT and Business assessments via a webcam and we offer Auditing. courses for qualifications from Level 1 I was born deaf and lost residual (beginner) to Level 6 (equivalent to a hearing at 17 so I started to learn degree).

British Sign Language within the Deaf Tutor-led BSL courses are generally communities. Rachael is also deaf from not cheap so we are proud to offer “BSL birth and learnt sign language from a Training” courses that skip assessments. young age and communicated in BSL to her other deaf friends at school.

Have you noticed a spike in interest Rachael has been a BSL teacher ever at any point? since she was 17 and is highly respected Throughout the year, there are events in the BSL education industry. such as Sign Language Week and BSL She’s an assessor, internal and external Day that usually result in spikes of verifier, marker, translator, and Deaf-blind enrolments, but the busiest times of the communicator amongst other roles. We year is when students are looking at the combined our skills to create an online start of the academic year. Any Deaf platform where BSL course material can related issues that hit the news such as be accessed anywhere and 1-to-1 tailored The Silent Child winning an Oscar also feedback was available. sees an influx in enrolments.

In classroom-based courses, 1-to-1 feedback and practice is difficult to achieve. Online courses mean anybody interested from all over the country and the world can learn, as opposed to Another company dedicated travelling. to supporting Deaf people and businesses with their BSL services is What kind of team is in place, I SignLive.

How valuable is having BSL as a skillset?

BSL is an amazing skill to have. There are over 100,000 Deaf people who use BSL as their first language - even the basic skills when you suddenly encounter a Deaf person would mean so much to both parties.

There is also a huge demand for BSL Interpreters and Communication Support Workers in all sorts of industries, it’s also fun if you want to say something across the room without bringing attention to yourself!

Are there any plans in the pipeline?

We firmly believe we have the tools and platform to be able to add courses for other sign languages across the world, such as Australia, America, Canada to start with.

I worked and travelled in Australia for a year and discovered just how lonely Deaf people can be - both socially and at work.

SIGNLIVE

believe you work with an interpreter daily for the likes of phone calls etc?

We have a team of deaf BSL teachers, assessors and internal verifiers who work from home and meet their students on webcam. In the office, I work with several Communication Support Workers and BSL Interpreters to make and answer telephone calls.

What is on offer for anyone wanting to learn and at what levels?

Online courses mean there are no ‘start dates’ and students can start their 32

SignLive is a deaf-owned organisation based in the UK. It is a first-class service provider of online video interpreting services through its Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). This allows Deaf people anywhere in the world to communicate with anyone, at any time, using an app which connects them to a qualified British Sign Language Interpreter.

The service, which is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices can be used at work or at home for business or just everyday tasks. signlive.co.uk

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 18:48

Safer bathing from the mobility experts

Slip-resistant surfaces

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Flowers by Tom Yendell

Celebrating the work of mouth and foot painting artists

Flower Explosion - Tom Yendell

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

ART

Winter Trees by Tom Yendell

T

he Unique Art Awards 2018, run by the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, have recently opened for entries to their national competition. The awards are now in their third year and have been growing in popularity year on year, attracting more young disabled artists from across the country to submit their creative work.

Designed to recognise and celebrate artistic excellence across different platforms, the awards are separated into the following five categories; painter, photographer, 3D sculptor, digital artist and musician. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘My World’ and invites entrants to interpret this within their own creative parameters.

We spoke to Tom Yendell, chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) Trust Fund, and himself an internationally renowned mouth and foot painting artist, to find out more about the Unique Art Awards launched by MFPA and about his own artistic talent.

Tom attended Treloars, a school in Alton for disabled children and it was here that he discovered a real love of art, encouraged by a “fantastic art teacher”. Tom is now a Patron of Treloars.

Painting was something that came naturally to Tom and from a young age he knew that was what he wanted to do with his life.

“I have always painted, ever since I was little, it’s just that I use my mouth and my feet where as other people use their hands, it’s no different really.”

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THE MFPA IS A PARTNERSHIP OF ARTISTS ACROSS THE WORLD WHO PAINT WITHOUT THE USE OF THEIR HANDS AND SUPPORTS THOSE ARTISTS

BY REPRODUCING THEIR WORK IN THE FORM OF PRODUCTS TO SELL

He took a foundation course at Hastings College of Art and Technology before moving on to do an Expressive Arts Degree at Brighton University.

He was aware of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists from a very young age and he joined them when he was a student.

“Interestingly, the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists in 1965 had a fundraising exhibition for thalidomide babies – of which I was one – and one of the artists Peter Spencer, who had lost his arms in a plane crash in the war, got to know my parents through a friend and he was always saying to my parents ‘get Tom painting, get him to join the Mouth and Foot Painters’ and so I have known about the Mouth and Foot Painters since I was tiny – so I think as an artist it became an obvious thing for me to join really.

“I started as a student when I was at university and then I became an associate member and then a full member and now I sit on the international board.”

The MFPA is a partnership of artists across the world who paint without the use of their hands and supports those artists by reproducing their work in the form of products to sell.

“We have 800 artists in 80 countries

36

around the world and we are a company that produces cards and calendars and wrapping paper and through the sales of those we are able to provide an income of various amounts to artists around the world.”

When asked about his painting style Tom explains that his style has changed over the years and more recently he has gone back to using his feet rather than his mouth.

“Most recently it has changed over the last couple of years because I have gone back to painting with my feet – which I hadn’t done for a long time really but I found that I could use a credit card to paint with which I am really enjoying.”

“My mouth is very precise, but we were down at an exhibition in Eastbourne and one of the other artists didn’t have a table, so I said ‘well use my table because I can always paint with my feet’. I mean I know that I can paint with my feet, that’s

how I originally started, but I hadn’t really painted seriously and one of my friends in Alton here – she uses a credit card to paint with so I thought I would have a go at that and I am just really enjoying it.”

The Unique Art Awards have encouraged a lot of talent to emerge in the UK and Tom would encourage anyone interested to get in touch with MFPA, no matter how experienced or artistic you are.

“I would say get in touch with us as soon as you can if you want to have a go – you might have not even considered it so we can help with things like advice on mouth pieces. We often get physiotherapists ringing up saying they work with someone who has MS or someone who has had an accident and broken their neck and they were artistic before or they weren’t artistic but they want to have a go – it’s a starting point really.

“When you have broken your neck it is quite a lonely place to be physically because you can’t really do anything and so having something that you can knock the top off your paints and paint, you can lose yourself in painting for hours and hours and hours and it really helps pass the time of day but also hopefully it will bring you an income as well.”

“Our founder Erich Stegmann, his most important saying was ‘art is in your heart and your head’ and its absolutely true, it doesn’t matter if you paint with your hands, your mouth, your foot or you stick a paintbrush in any other orifice you want to paint with, if you have got it inside you it will come out!”

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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ART

The artists celebrating at last years glittering award ceremony

THE UNIQUE ART AWARDS Theme: My World Categories: painter, photographer, 3D sculptor, digital artist and musician

Age groups: 7-15 and 16-21 There will be three finalists in each of the five age group categories. Each finalist will receive a certificate and a £50 Great Art voucher, or category related equivalent.

There are three overall awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and a special award for excellence recognises the teacher judged to have gone the ‘extra mile’ while teaching art, music or drama to young disabled people.

The overall winner will receive £600 in Great Art vouchers and £3,000 for their school or college art department. The art teacher of the year will receive £2,000 in Great Art vouchers.

In October, the finalists will receive their awards at a glittering ceremony to be held in central London.

Entries close on 20 June 2018. Further information about terms and conditions and details of how to enter visit www.uniqueartawards.uk or email entry @uniqueartawards.uk.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:52

TAKING CHARITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL At Platinum Stairlifts we pride ourselves in ensuring the freedom to enjoy life. Our mission is to show that a stairlift is only a sitdown escalator: after all, getting a stairlift is only the beginning of a new and exciting life.

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Whether you are into disco, motown, rock ‘n’ roll, the 80s, 90s, classic rock, country, comedy or cabaret, we have a specially themed break for you. Explore your creativity by trying something new, with our daytime activities which may include exercise classes, painting, dancing, boccia, karaoke, chocolate making, archery, baking and more.

Whether or not your companion comes along too, you can leave the care to us – we have over 50 years experience, catering for a huge range of support needs. Escape away to one of our fully accessible holiday centres in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton or Southport.

We know the perfect break lies in the little details. That friendly holiday care assistant who takes the time to get to know you and your support needs.

That moment your evening entertainers perform your favourite song. That spoonful of lip-smacking dessert and a sweet sip of your signature tipple, after a day spent out and about with new friends.

That laugh from the special someone you care for… that’s the Revitalise effect.

Terms & Conditions Prize includes a three or four night holiday at a Revitalise holiday centre of your choosing. Prize includes your required Care Support Package and any equipment you require during your stay. Prize excludes August, Christmas/New Year, Youth weeks and Alzheimer’s weeks. Prize must be taken by 26 Jan 2019. Closing date 31 May 2018. Non transferable, nor can any cash alternative be offered. Only one entry per person. Prize subject to availability. It is the resposibility of the winner to check that the accommodation is suitable for their needs.

If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning the fantastic prize, simply answer the following question: Where in Essex does Revitalise have a holiday centre?

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Email your answer and your contact details to posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com or visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk to enter online.

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

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WDSD

Monkeying AROUND Motherhood is a proud, empowering and beautiful time.

T

Words by Colette Carr

Tracey’s son Aaron modelling a Monkey Menagerie favourite

he Down’s syndrome community mirrors that proud and empowered nature of parenthood, bringing together a group of nurturing and supportive people raising up those they are surrounded by.

One Glasgow mother who has been celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day married her love of sewing and design with her support of the community.

Tracey Farquharson’s Monkey Menagerie sells beautiful designs celebrating the community with redesigns of the awareness ribbon, The Lucky Few, Omne Trium Perfectum and Love Doesn’t Count Chromosomes.

And to mark World Down’s Syndrome Day, through sales of her products

she raised £250 for Down’s Syndrome Scotland, and Tracey told PosAbility all about her venture.

“The Etsy shop was a natural progression for me after working through Facebook for a while,” the mum of two began.

“I created a t-shirt for Aaron and myself to wear because I loved the tattoo (the lucky few design) but wasn’t keen on getting one. I love what it symbolises. My shop has been going just over a month, and I’ve been working on Monkey Menagerie as a small business for a little longer.

“My business started as a hobby through my love of sewing and once I started designing more I realised that I wanted to move into making statement clothing. I wanted to do something for WDSD this year and thought that the t-shirts would be a great way of raising awareness while raising money for Down’s Syndrome Scotland.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Gorgeous Chloe was part of the awareness video that went viral

Aaron and little brother Scott proving love doesn’t count chromosomes

HIS EXTRA CHROMOSOME IS JUST A SMALL PART OF WHO HE IS AND HE’S MUCH MORE THAN THAT. HE IS A FUNNY, CHEEKY, STUBBORN AND INDEPENDENT LITTLE BOY WHO LOVES LIFE

48

“Aaron is just your average five-year-old boy,” Tracey said, who by her own admission on Facebook, wishes she could go back and reassure herself after Aaron was given his diagnosis after birth.

“His extra chromosome is just a small part of who he is and he’s much more than that. He is a funny, cheeky, stubborn and independent little boy who loves life and is just a part of our family. I have a three-yearold boy, Scott, and I haven’t found raising Aaron any more challenging than raising Scott.”

Tracey praised the togetherness of the community she has been part of since Aaron’s birth, having regularly helped fundraise for DS Scotland and Glasgow Children’s Charity Hospital making a number of great friends along the way.

“The Lucky Few design is inspired by a tattoo that has been popular throughout the community - I wanted Aaron

to be able to be a part of that and that’s where the t-shirt came from.

“The three arrows represent the triplication of the 21st chromosome and the thought that you have to be stretched to move forward,” she continued to explain.

“Omne Trium Perfectum is a Latin phrase that means, “everything that comes in threes is perfect” and it’s in reference to the third chromosome. The arrow design was created by Australian Alexis Schnitger, who said, “An arrow must be pulled back to shoot forward, the Roman numerals for 21 are included and the three dots at either end represent trisomy.”

“The rings in the centre represent connections made between families in our community, while the overlapping triangles represent strength and resilience.”

And after just one month of Etsy business, Tracey’s long-standing love and support of the community has been rewarded in abundance, but that success is just motivating her to give back more yet, with her appreciation spilling over.

“The response for the DS community has been overwhelming, I feel very blessed to be part of such a supportive and awesome group of people. I have a lot to be thankful for.

“I am going to continue to work hard and I have some new designs waiting to be released. I hope to continue to raise awareness for Down’s syndrome and other disabilities and I hope that my clothing can help to give people a positive voice.”

Check out Tracey’s online Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/MonkeyMenagerieUK for some stylish awareness-raising designs.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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WDSD

WOULDN’T CHANGE

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One of the best things to come out of the campaign in the build up to World Down’s Syndrome Day was the beautiful, viral video titled “Wouldn’t Change a Thing”.

The video, based on James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, saw 50 mums and 50 kids with Down’s syndrome, with a few siblings thrown in too for good measure, use Makaton to sign along to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years.

The tear-jerking video quickly became a global smash seeing hundreds of thousands of views across the world share their appreciation for the love and devotion on show.

The video drew praise from James Corden and Christina Perri themselves as it served to show that the only difference their children have is a little extra chromosome.

Some of the mums and kids took their newfound fame in their stride as they took to the famous This Morning couch with Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, stealing the hearts of the nation further yet where they performed it live with the presenting duo joining in.

Check out the beautiful video on PosAbility’s Facebook page

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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NAIDEX

2018 After an outstanding 2017 that saw Naidex grab the spotlight and reaffirm itself as Europe’s leading event for disability, rehabilitation and independent living, the show returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 25-26 April for a monumental 44th edition.

Over the past two years, this mighty event has been completely turned on its head by its new organisers who have cultivated it to new, unrecognisable heights. With a floor plan double the size of last year, the introduction of brand new interactive features, and even more unmissable seminars, product launches and live demos, there are more opportunities than ever for delegates to get involved and test the products that are shaping the future of disability.

MAKE YOUR HOME ACCESSIBLE The Home, Design & Build Summit is a brand new feature sure to be awash with activity as world-class speakers and exhibitors provide an exploration of accessibility in the built environment.

From home adaptations and functional interior design, to legislation, funding, and designing for care, the Summit will push the boundaries of accessibility in your home.

HOW EMPLOYABLE ARE YOU? For the very first time, Naidex will be hosting an Employability Panel Debate within the event in order to discuss the problems, best practice, and opportunities associated with employing disabled people.

The panel will be hosted by Disability Horizon’s CEO Martyn Sibley and will feature the CEOs of Disability Rights UK,

the Business Disability Forum, Change and Microlink PC.

TRY, TEST AND GET INVOLVED! Naidex provides the perfect platform to try the latest products, services and technologies, with thousands of live demos as well as the return of interactive features such as the Live Sports Arena, where you’ll be able to try your hand at a range of disability sports, and the Mobility Test Track which will provide visitors with a simulated course to test the latest mobility products that are currently available on the market the perfect chance to try before you buy!

AND THERE’S MORE...

This year will boast over 300 of the latest products and services that are currently shaping the disability, rehabilitation and independent living sectors, as well as engaging seminars giving an insight into the future of disability. Among this year’s 200 speakers you’ll find the Minister of State for Disabled People Work and Health, Accessibility Lead at the BBC, the Global Lead for Life Sciences and Healthcare at IBM, the CEO of Disability Horizon, the Chair of the National Autistic Society and many more!

The 44th edition of Naidex promises to be the best disability and independent

living event of the year combining exciting interactive features, incredible networking opportunities, captivating demonstrations and best of all, Naidex is completely free to attend!

Register for your free ticket now for your insight into the future of disability. naidex.co.uk WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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n o i t a N t s e d l O e h T

ON EARTH Japan is facing its so-called “dementia crisis” head on, redefining how it sees people with dementia. Can the Japanese model change the way we see dementia in the UK? Words by Katie Campbell

R

ecent estimates show that people aged 65 and over make up a quarter of the population in Japan. It’s one of the healthiest nations on Earth, and Japanese people have an incredibly high life expectancy. Japanese society is in the middle of a dramatic flux where people are having fewer children and older people are living longer, leading to the country experiencing a “super-aging” society. The trends show no sign of change, with further estimates showing that by 2050, one third of Japan’s population will be aged over 65.

In the words of the media, Japan is experiencing something of a “dementia pandemic,” which will be unlikely to disappear while its elderly population continues to explode. The culture of Japan places the highest levels of significance on the concept of the family, and of respecting the elderly, originating from the Confucian philosophy of filial piety that permeates the country to its very core.

Japan has faced its so-called crisis head on. It cannot change dementia, but it can change society. In 2004, Japan changed the term it used for dementia from chihō ( ), formed from the characters meaning stupid and senile, to the more respectful ninshishō ( ), which simply means cognitive disorder. It was a small

but important step in recategorising people with dementia not as stupid, slow old people, but as friends and relatives who simply happen to be living with the effects of a degenerative cognitive condition.

Where Japan triumphs is its treatment of dementia, something the UK could learn a lot from.

Professor Mayumi Hayashi, who studies the differences in the treatment of people with dementia in both the UK and Japan, notes that

while there is still stigma around dementia in both nations, the way they approach the disease is very different.

“In Japan, the Dementia Friends program started nearly a decade earlier than the UK, and we now have almost 10 million dementia friends. There are some areas which might be ahead compared with the UK, the kind of models available in Japan are a wider scale.

“For example, people with dementia want to live at home as long as possible, and they want to be included in the society like other people. In Japan, we have a kind of community-based dwelling which is halfway between home and an institution. In the UK, you mainly have a choice of living at home or going to the institution or care home, which is very much disliked

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DEMENTIA and people dread to go there.”

The kind of homes that Mayumi speaks of in Japan are residential care homes with a twist. There are no locked doors – residents can move freely as they please. Groups of six to nine people stay together in a house with caregivers much like a large family, and together they cook, clean and shop for the house.

It’s more of a community style care, which contrasts sharply with the residential care home system in the UK, where there are often so many people that the residents needs and dignity are ignored. The power dynamics are very different from a care home; residents are not under the control of the staff, they live and work with them. These kinds of homes are wide spread and publicly funded, so anyone who wishes to stay there can.

In 2005, the Nationwide Caravan to Train Ninchisho Supporters

programme was launched, with the aim to train volunteers to help people with dementia in the community as part of the Dementia Friends group. The goal of the group was to ensure that everyone, not just medical professionals and those personally touched by it, were aware of dementia, what it was, what its symptoms were, and how they could help someone with dementia.

It was so successful that it resulted in multiple spin-offs in Canada, Germany and the UK. In Europe, these kinds of activities would be regulated by the government, but in Japan, there’s a “try it and see” attitude which encourages communities to experiment with what works for them.

Japan has a reputation as a society which values hard work, which is not unfair. It’s something dementia care facility managers are conscious of. They don’t want to take away a person with dementia’s sense of humanity; they want to help and encourage them. In Machida City, west of Tokyo, a residential facility called DAYS BLG! operates.

You won’t find its residents inside the facility, however. They’re off at

PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ARE STILL PEOPLE; THEY HAVE HOPES, WANTS AND DESIRES, AND LOCKING THEM IN A CARE HOME DOES NOT HELP WITH THAT. PERHAPS WE SHOULD TAKE A PAGE FROM JAPAN’S BOOK

the local Honda retailer, washing cars for a few thousand Yen a day. The facility’s manager decided that he would ask the residents what they needed out of the care, and what they needed was a purpose. He went to Honda and asked them if they could have jobs, who agreed. The residents don’t just work for Honda, they staff sweet shops for local children and do many other things that give them a sense of purpose in spite of their cognitive disorder.

“In the UK, day centres think that the centre is providing a variety of services to residents,” said Mayumi, “but what the Japanese centres are doing is talking to the service users first, finding out what they want to do, then achieving that goal with them.”

Dementia friends are trained to look out for people with dementia, who have been known to go wandering thanks to the sense of freedom that is not removed from them in their diagnosis. In 2013, a 91-year-old man with dementia died when he stepped in front of a train in Nagoya, Tokyo.

Courts ruled that his family had to pay the train company damages as they weren’t looking after him enough to prevent him wandering.

The local authority responded by decreeing that if a person with dementia caused damage to property or was killed, the authority would pay the charges. The responsibility was transferred from personal to societal.

If something happens to a person with dementia, it’s the community’s problem, not a personal problem.

How then could the UK learn from Japan? Perhaps we too need to go back to the beginning, much as the Japanese did, and change our perception of dementia from an affliction to something we can all, collectively, contribute to the care of.

People with dementia are still people; they have hopes, wants and desires, and locking them in a care home does not help with that. Perhaps we should take a page from Japan’s book and redefine people with dementia as just that – people.

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SCHOOL OF LIFE LESSONS

EDUCATION

Foxes Academy and Hotel offers students with learning difficulties the opportunity to learn skills in the hospitality trade that will last them a lifetime.

Words by Katie Campbell

L

ocated in the sunny seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, Foxes Academy offers a unique educational experience to students with learning difficulties: the school’s ethos is set around the firm belief that young people with learning difficulties are valuable members of society, whose skills are perfect for the catering trade.

The school not only educates its students in conventional means, but also runs Foxes Hotel, staffed entirely by their learners, to provide them with real-world work experience in a hotel which is totally open to the public.

Reading the review on TripAdvisor of Foxes Hotel, you would be forgiven for thinking it was The Ritz: guests rave about the attentiveness and helpfulness of its staff, how clean it is, how good the food is, and how much they would love to come back.

The reviews are a testament to the staff, who are active in every aspect of the hotel, from greeting patrons at the front of house to assisting with food preparation in the kitchen. Best of all, their time at Foxes Hotel gives them the incredibly valuable life skills and employment skills the learners need to enter the workforce and achieve a sense of independence.

The students live and work in Minehead, staying in accommodation in the town and becoming integral parts of the community.

They have their own space to stay in,

READING THE REVIEW ON TRIPADVISOR OF FOXES HOTEL, YOU WOULD BE FORGIVEN FOR THINKING IT WAS THE RITZ

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Foxes Hotel has rave reviews on TripAdvisor

Learners staff every aspect of the hotel

a place of work and an education. Foxes Academy teaches them all they need to exist on their own.

Head teacher Tracey Clare-Gray explained the origins of the school to PosAbility: “It was all started at the same time by our two former directors, Sue Jenkins and Maureen Tyler-Moore. They had been in the care business, and they recognised that people with learning disabilities could do more than people were getting them to do.

“They started the hotel with one learner back in 1996, and it grew from there. They wanted to do it in the hospitality and catering trade because it’s an industry that lends itself very much to this, and also there’s a need for it.”

The hotel is open to the public for 38 weeks a year, falling in line with the college year. The hotel is something Clare-Gray believes is critical to the success of the academy: “Because it’s a working hotel, the learners are gaining work experience all the time, and we reflect the hospitality and catering trade.

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Our learners are on shift patterns – they don’t do work experience 9 to 5 or 2 to 5 on a Wednesday afternoon.

“For the first year, they rotate around each department, then they specialise. They get a real depth of understanding in the area they specialise in. Also in the first two years, they’re training in the hotel two days a week, which we up to three days during the final year.

“Plus we do other work experience, for example at community hospitals, at the school in Minehead, Holiday Inn, Sainsbury’s, Norton Manor Marine camp, and they get a wide range of experience and work ethic: the importance of turning up clean and early and on time, ready to work.”

The work that the educators and learners put in at Foxes Academy was recently recognised at the TES FE awards, which Clare-Gray called the “Oscars” of their industry – when they took the Overall Specialist Provider award, and the coveted FE Provider of the Year award. While the Overall Specialist Provider award was

special for them, the FE Provider of the Year award marks a real paradigm shift, as far as Clare-Gray is concerned, for how specialist education is viewed in a wider sense.

“We were up against places like Derwen College and National Star College which are specialist training colleges for people with disabilities, and we knew the competition was very great because of them, they’re triple outstanding on OFSTED. We were thrilled to win Overall Specialist Provider.

That was kind of within our category,” said Clare-Gray. “It’s like, we are the best in our class, and that’s brilliant because it’s a great acknowledgement of the amazing work we do here.

“To win the FE Provider of the Year was against all of the other winners in all the colleges, so whether it was mainstream or specialist or not. I think that for me is a real game-changer, because it puts learning disability on a par with mainstream education.

“I think it’s also recognition that just because young people have learning disabilities, doesn’t mean they can’t obtain the same as people without disability, and it also means that it takes us out of the shadow

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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EDUCATION

Students gain certifications essential to the hospitality trade

of education: that we’re out there doing amazing things with our young people, who gain lives, valued lives in communities, which is where they should be.”

More important than awards to Foxes Academy are their students. The college holds a phenomenal 100% pass rate in examinations, which they offer learners to ensure they have the educational skills to support their life skills.

Bertie, a student at Foxes Academy, has an ambition of pursuing a career in catering. She works in Castle Hotel in Taunton as a kitchen assistant, putting to excellent use all the skills she’s learned at Foxes Academy. Responsible for vegetable and salad preparation, she also keeps the kitchen clean, and hopes to soon learn how to make the Castle Hotel’s signature sticky toffee pudding. Bertie gets to the hotel independently, taking the bus on the 50 mile round trip to the hotel, and ensuring she turns up to work every day clean, ready and on time.

“My learning difficulties mean you can’t do everything but I think guests would think it’s good to see me in the kitchen. I don’t see myself as different. I like being part of the team here,” said Bertie.

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“Foxes has helped me with my communication skills as well as my hospitality skills. I speak politely, use good body language and have good posture.”

Her hope after leaving Foxes Academy is to gain employment in the hospitality industry, something that the school emphasises as one of the key tenants of its existence. That young disabled people are valued for their vocational contributions and paid the same as their non-disabled counterparts is something that Clare-Gray is passionate about.

“Young people with disability should be out in society, and they should be as valued – and that includes paid – as anyone else,” said Clare-Gray. “There’s an argument going around about paid or less paid, I vehemently disagree with that, I fundamentally disagree with that, because there is a value to what you do, and that is your recompense for doing what you do.

“If you’re employed to do a job, you should be paid as everyone else is. I think one of our things is that employment has always been one of our outcomes and one of our expectations of our

learners, and we’re now moving into paid employment, they do pretty well anyway, but we’re going to make it one of our vision goals, because again, it’s really important!

Employers need to know the worth of these young people!”

Find out more about Foxes Academy at foxesacademy.ac.uk, and Foxes Hotel at hotelfoxes.co.uk.

Learners undertake a number of specialist roles, including front of house

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30/03/2018 09:58

TRAVEL

Janet Myers visits the stunning gardens of Keukenhof

KEUKENHOF

HOLLAND IN FULL BLOOM BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHT AND BEWITCHING The wow factor went into overload as soon as we entered Keukenhof Gardens. Never had I seen so many tulips en mass in one giant flowerbed and judging from the reactions of those around I was not the only one. The colourful bulbs have become an iconic symbol for the Netherlands and it is therefore no coincidence that they take centre stage in the park. Visitors today admire them for their beauty and are overwhelmed by the number of varieties but the tulip has a story to tell which might surprise you. It is one of intrigue, instant fortunes and broken hearts.

PLAN YOUR DAY We explored the park at our own pace. The pathways meander through 32 hectares of parkland and are filled with countless beds filled with bulbs of every colour imaginable.

Some tulip varieties hardly resemble tulips at all. In order to showcase them to their full potential other flowers are often planted amongst them.

There are a number of pavilions with exhibitions which showcase some spectacular exhibits. One of these is an outstanding orchid collection. There are a number of restaurants catering for all tastes.

In one section fruit trees blossom and fountains play. In other open spaces you suddenly come upon bee skeps, sculptures, mirrors or bodies of water where the flowers reflect in the still water to add another dimension. Then there are interesting stations where Dutch crafts flourish. For instance, clogs. Down by the waterway an old windmill takes centre stage and should you be interested there is an organised walk around 2pm when you can learn more from a botanical expert.

WHISPER BOATS Down by the windmill we boarded an electric boat to wind our way through the bulb fields which surround the park.

Powered by electricity they make no noise and are perfect for the shallow water. It takes about 45 minutes and ribbons of colour extend along its full length. On the

• DATES: 22 March - 13 May 2018 • OPENING TIMES: from 08:00 – 19:30.

• COST: Adults – € 18 children under 3 free, children 4-11 €8.

Words by Carers go free.

• LOCKERS: Free atColette main entrance Carr • WHEELCHAIRS: Free of charge.

Mobility scooters cost €10 per day.

A €20 cash deposit is required for both. Reserve as soon as possible as demand is high keukenhof.nl/en • DISABILITY FACILITIES: The layout is almost all flat, smooth and step free. Each of the buildings have accessible toilet facilities. All the flower shows and restaurants are spacious with room to manoeuvre.

• BUSES: Bus 858 from Schiphol Airport to Keukenhof is wheelchair accessible. You can enter the bus at the middle entrance. The journey takes around 45 mins. Entry (plus return bus ticket) is approx. €29, 50 and can be purchased at the airport or online. The buses are frequent and there is little waiting time. At the park your combi ticket gives you fast track entry. Note: The ‘hop on, hop off’ bus has no wheelchair accessibility.

• WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXIS: These are more expensive but allow you to take advantage of the free carer ticket at the park.

• ARRIVING BY CAR: Program your sat nav with Stationsweg 166A, Lisse. There are disabled spaces but a €6 fee is still applicable.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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day we visited I believe the water level was low which meant we could not appreciate the full vista of the fields but we enjoyed it nevertheless.

THE FLOWER PARADE Each year the Bloemencorso Flower Parade takes place. This year it falls on 21 April. It leaves the seaside town of Noordwijk and rides through the different cities of Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse, Hillegom, Bennebroek, Heemstede to arrive in the city of Haarlem at night. A little before 4pm it arrives at Keukenhof. The flower floats are magnificent but so many people want to be present on this special day that it is impossible to move. We visited the following week when we thought the tulips would still be at their best having been made ready for the parade and we judged it perfectly. Tulip blooms have a limited life span and most varieties come into flower part way through the season but early visitors will be blown away by the daffodils, bluebells, some early flowering tulips and the hyacinths. The latter filling the air with their heavy perfume.

BRINGING BULBS HOME There were bulbs available in the park shop but I lost my heart to a beautiful orchid. Having purchased it my heart sank when I realised that I would have to get it back to the UK. I was sure plants would be a problem at customs and there was no way to hide my extravagant purchase. Imagine therefore my surprise when its Keukenhof label gave it a free pass. That was a close one but it goes to show that you can go ahead and indulge to your heart’s content.

MAKING IT HAPPEN Visiting the gardens is certainly a must for gardeners and photographers alike, but even those who prefer an urban landscape or sipping a cold drink on the beach cannot go unimpressed. Budget flights are available from regional airports from many UK cities while all the big airlines also offer deals at this time of year. We flew from Bristol and touched down in “VISITING THE GARDENS Amsterdam in little over an IS CERTAINLY A MUST FOR hour. A combi ticket for the GARDENERS AND bus and fast track entry to the PHOTOGRAPHERS ALIKE, gardens was available at the travel booth before we left BUT EVEN THOSE WHO the airport. Within a few PREFER AN URBAN metres of our exit a LANDSCAPE OR SIPPING continuous string of buses A COLD DRINK ON THE awaited us and within a further hour we were inside BEACH CANNOT GO the park. When we decided UNIMPRESSED” that it was time to leave we made our way back to the bus stop and boarded a bus. There was no need to book. At the airport we alighted and climbed aboard another bus to the nearby hotel zone as we wanted more time in Holland. However, it would have been easy to catch a flight back later that same day and been tucked up in bed at our normal bed time.

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30/03/2018 14:10

TRAVEL

A RICH HISTORY Although synonymous with the Dutch, tulips are thought to have originated in northern China and travelled to Turkey along trade routes where they conquered the hearts of the Ottoman Empire. In the 1700’s the Turks began what was probably the first of the Tulip Festivals which was held at night during a full moon. Hundreds of expensive vases were filled with awesome brightly coloured tulips and crystal lanterns were used to cast an enchanting light over the gardens. It was a very romantic occasion and probably a good reason why romance was chosen for this year’s theme at Keukenhof.

During the second half of the 16th century, news of the flower reached Europe and seeds were then sent to Clusius at the Royal Medicinal Gardens in Prague. When Clusius later fled to The Netherlands for religious sanctuary he became the curator of the Leiden botanical gardens and although primarily planted with herbs and plants for medicinal purposes he added his huge collection of tulips to the mix. He was unwilling to share his bulbs and they soon created intrigue.

As a result thieves resorted to sneaking into the gardens and stealing them and in no time at all they became the ‘must have flower’ for the rich and famous. Tulip bulb prices continued to rise and in 1634 a veritable ‘Tulip Fever’ erupted. Prices became so high that one bulb was equal in value to the cost of a merchant’s home on the canals of Amsterdam! Then in 1663 “Tulipomania” was over. Prices dropped dramatically and many merchants were declared bankrupt. Fortunes were wiped out and in 1667 the government took over and declared each and every one of the speculative contracts null and void.

Over the ensuing years interest in the tulip rose and fell but the Dutch maintained a commercial devotion and today cultivate billions of bulbs annually.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 09:58

WINTER PARALYMPICS It was an exhilarating week of both undeniable highs and heartbreak, but ultimately our PyeongChang Paralympians produced our best Winter Games yet.

Owen Pick hit the slopes hard but didn’t medal

PARALYMPICSGB SUCCEED IN THE SNOW ALPINE SKIING

The real British stars of the PyeongChang Games could be found on the alpine skiing slopes, with Menna Fitzpatrick and Jen Kehoe the golden girls taking home GB’s only gold of the Games on top of their double silver and bronze from earlier in the week.

Their final day gold in the slalom registered Britain’s second ever Winter Paralympic gold following Kelly Gallagher’s in Sochi 2014. Heading into the second run with an impressive time of 54:24 and in second place, the duo dug deep to produce an incredible overall of 1:51:80 to seal first place. Fitzpatrick and Kehoe’s feat becomes even more impressive with the presence of VI skiing legend Henrieta Farkasova. Farkasova and guide Natalia Subrtova had hoovered up four golds from all other events heading into the final day poised to take a clean sweep. But clocking in at an eyewatering 0.66 seconds in front of the six-time World Cup champion, lady luck was on Fitzpatrick and Kehoe’s side.

The pair had lifted bronze in their opening downhill despite an early crash with Fitzpatrick becoming the first Welsh medallist in Paralympic skiing before two silvers in the super combined and giant slalom, before

being given the honour of being GB’s closing ceremony flagbearers. Britain’s other skiing sensation Millie Knight and guide Brett Wild completed the GB medal target with their silvers in the downhill and Super G before adding a slalom bronze to their collection.

With a UK Sport target of between six and 12 medals, and seven the ambition, the two 19-year-olds bolstered Great Britain up to 13th on the table guaranteeing GB’s curlers fought hard but landed a 7th ParalympicsGB’s most place finish successful Winter Paralympics ever.

CURLING

It was not to be for the GB curlers as their Paralympic journey was cut short at 7th place.

The dreams of reaching the medal stages started off strong as the first three days saw Team Neilson win four out of the five matches, including a historic 8-1 win over reigning champs Canada, who incidentally had WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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WINTER PARALYMPICS won gold at every Paralympics since curling was introduced in 2006.

A couple of big defeats took their toll on the team’s standing in the round robin table and day six saw a painfully close match with South Korea, resulting in a win for the home nation. This left their fate up to the result of a match between Slovakia and Norway – a win for Norway would dash GB’s hopes of a chance at a medal.

As the nation turned into passionate Slovakia supporters (not least for their stylish tracksuits), for a time it felt like they were going to emerge victorious, but unfortunately a 6-6 draw resulted in an extra end decider that allowed Norway to snatch away Britain’s medal hopes.

Their final match against China resulted in defeat and Great Britain ended their journey in 7th place.

The semi-finals saw Norway triumph over South Korea in an 8-6 win and China beat Canada in a tense 4-3 defeat. The bronze medal match saw Canada hold the victory over the home nation but it was China who emerged victorious taking the first ever gold medal in wheelchair curling for their country and Norway securing the silver.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

The British contingency competing in this discipline was made up of just one bold skier, Scott Meenagh from Cumbernauld, Scotland. Scott was making his Paralympic debut as the first GB athlete to compete in Para Nordic skiing at the Paralympics in 20 years.

His first challenge was the Men’s 15km sitting event placing 17th with a time of 46:07.4 following a sprint finish against China’s Bitao Huang who sneaked ahead in 16th. The gold medal was taken by Ukraine’s Maksym Yarovyi, silver to Daniel Cnossen of USA and the home nation South Korea scooped bronze.

The Men’s 1.1km sprint saw a finish of 16th place for Meenagh after a solid performance which saw him finish just four places shy of the semi final – not bad for a debut performance. His final race of the Games saw him place 14th in the 7.5km sitting event with a time of 25:17.5 as South Korea’s Eui Hyun Sin raced to an impressive gold, followed by USA’s Daniel Cnossen in second and Ukraine’s Maksym Yarovyi in third.

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BIATHLON

While also competing in the cross-country skiing, Meenagh took on the seated biathlon programme, leading to a gruelling schedule covering 60km over eight days in baking conditions, becoming the third ever Paralympian to compete in six events in a single Games.

Meenagh’s Paralympic biathlon debut scored promise for the future with the Scot registering three top 20 finishes. His first ever Paralympic event came in the men’s 7.5km sitting biathlon, seeing the former paratrooper come in at 18th, leaving him “buzzing” ahead of his exhausting five more outings.

The longer distances proved more successful as he flirted with a top ten finish as he secured 14th in the 12.5km and 15km, km, but after dubbing the sport “nails”, the 28-year-old made his mark.

The bold Scott Meenagh battling it out in the cross-country skiing

Millie Knight earns her first silver medal

SNOWBOARDING

British hopefuls made history as they took to the slopes as Britain’s inaugural snowboarding team in hopes of medal glory.

Ben Moore, James Barnes Miller and Owen Pick made up the British para snowboarding team. Despite some solid performances our snowboarders couldn’t reach the podium, but this first taste of Paralympic competition has lit a fire in the team and they have their eyes firmly set on Beijing 2022.

Millie high fives guide Brett Wild

Menna Fitzpatrick’s massive medal haul included her first gold

Menna and her guide Jennifer Kehoe, ski their way into the history books

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 23:18

MR T’S TWEETS

A rather unexpected fan of the Paralympic Games came in the form of the A Team’s Mr T and his tweets were thoroughly enjoyable...

Make no mistake about it fool! I’ll be watching, cheering, hollering, supporting, and showing much love for the Paralympics and I hope you will join me! #Paralympics #IPityTheFoolwhodontwatchthe Paralympics Let’s show our Paralympic athletes some much deserved love.

They Hustle, Struggle, Inspire, and they don’t Quit. Grrr! #Paralympics #IPityTheFoolwhodontwatchthe Paralympics Wheelchair curling! This is my first time ever watching wheelchairs curling! I said it before and I’ll say it again... curling is cool fool! But wheelchairs curling, more cooler! #Paralympics #ParalympicWinter Games #IPityTheFoolwhodont watchtheParalympics

Scott Meenagh shows the agony of competing every day at the Winter Paralympics

HIGHLIGHTS REEL 15-year-old Cristian Ribera, came sixth in the men’s cross-country long distance sitting, despite only seeing snow once a year!

STYLE ON THE SLOPES Slovakia wins the PosAbility award for ‘Best Dressed Athletes’ with their retro style winter tracksuits with matching scarves. We need to up our style stakes next time.

SHARK TALE Two sharks.

Three pints of blood. 150 stitches.

Sean Pollard is the Australian snow boarder who can actually say he lost his limbs in a shark attack. He had also never seen snow until 30 months ago.

CZECH OUT THE HAIR 53-year-old ice sledge hockey player, Miroslav Hrbek, was also the Czech Republic flag bearer and we couldn’t help but appreciate his inventive facial hair.

HISTORY MAKING Snowboarders Owen Pick, Ben Moore and James Barnes Miller made history as the first ever snowboard team to represent Great Britain.

AGAINST ALL ODDS Netherlands snowboarder Bibian Mentel-Spee, claimed two gold medals after undergoing major surgery and radiation treatment for cancer in December 2017.

“FITZPATRICK AND KEHOE’S FEAT BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE WITH THE PRESENCE OF VI SKIING LEGEND HENRIETA FARKASOVA”

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WELSH WIZARD Golden girl Menna Fitzpatrick got her week off to a record-breaking start with her super G bronze medal making her the first Welsh Winter Paralympic skiing medallist.

SAMBA ON THE SNOW The youngest competitor of the Games, Brazil’s

BLOOD BROTHERS Members of the US hockey team Nikko Landeros and Tyler Carron, who both lost legs in the same accident, won gold after beating Canada 2-1.

NORTH KOREA NIGHTS Despite frosty relations between North and South Korea, North Korea made their Winter Paralympic debut in their neighbouring country, in a historical move for both nations.

DREAM SMASHERS Henrieta Farkašová’s dreams of five golds at the Games wasn’t accomplished – GB’s Menna Fitzpatrick took gold in the visually impaired slalom, preventing her clean sweep.

WIZARD OF OZ Australia finally recorded an elusive gold with snowboarder Simon Patmore’s cross SB-UL win sealing their first in 16 years dating back to Salt Lake City 2002.

THE MCKEEVER STAMPEDE Canadian skier Brian McKeever extended his lead as Canada’s most decorated winter Paralympian, winning his 14th gold medal at the Games.

29/03/2018 23:19

MOTABILITY

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS

AT THE BIG EVENT THIS JULY For the very first time, the UK’s largest display of cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs for disabled people, The Big Event, will take place at the NEC in Birmingham. Free to attend, with free parking, the Motability Scheme’s flagship event provides a great way for disabled people and their families to find out everything they need to know about worryfree motoring with Motability. The exciting show will be at Birmingham’s NEC on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July 2018.

Here are five things you won’t want to miss at The Big Event.

• Test drives are available in a wide variety of cars, including a range of vehicles fitted with popular driving adaptations. You can book a test on the day, just remember to bring along your full driver’s licence.

• Our helpful team of advisors including representatives from the Scheme partners, RAC, RSA and Kwik Fit will be on hand throughout the event to assist and answer any questions you may have.

• This is a perfect opportunity to see a wide range of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and adaptations all under one roof and to get some specialist advice on your mobility options.

• You’ll receive a token on arrival which you can exchange for a free tea, coffee or soft drink.

There will also be a selection of food available to purchase.

• Billy the Bear will be on site to help entertain the children and take endless selfies. Younger visitors can also enjoy the free bouncy castle, face painting and balloon modelling.

Find out more about The Big Event online at motability.co.uk/thebigevent and for the latest announcements, pictures and videos, visit the ‘Motability Scheme’ Facebook page (facebook.com/motability).

For more information on leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk or call

0800 953 7000

t Join us a

The Big Event 2018 Experience the UK’s largest display of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme at the NEC, Birmingham.

Over 100 cars from many different manufacturers

Over 40 scooters and powered wheelchairs

NEC, Birmingham Over 35 adapted cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Over 45 cars available to test drive including 17 fitted with adaptations FREE entry, FREE parking and a FREE tea or coffee in a fully accessible indoor venue

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National Exhibition Centre, Hall 17, Birmingham B40 1NT

Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July 2018 9am to 4pm Find out more at motability.co.uk/thebigevent or call 0800 953 7000 Please quote MO713D * To test drive the cars you must bring your full UK driving licence and sign our test drive declaration on the day. Full Terms and Conditions can be found at motability.co.uk/thebigevent. The Big Event is organised and hosted by Motability Operations Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

29/03/2018 22:55

KIDS

PRODUCTS

PAGE

76

Created by V.ivash - Freepik.com

Kids’ CORNER

Children’s minds are like sponges, taking in new things every day, learning the way of the world and processing feelings, actions and experiences. A child’s mental health is of vital importance to ensure they feel comfortable in themselves and confident about navigating the world laid out before them, but often things can become overwhelming, just as they do for adults.

We have a focus this issue on the mental health of children, looking at areas like mindfulness and what organisations are available to support children who are feeling anxious or struggling with feelings they are trying to make sense of.

The hot topic on everyone’s lips is the lack of Changing Places in the world, but we have found a mobile Changing Places facility that can come to you so any event or occasion at a venue without suitable facilities can be transformed by Mobiloo.

We have our regular columns from Rio Woolf, the kid with the most action-packed schedule in the world who tells us about winning a Young Hero Award and meeting his hero David Walliams. And of course we hear from our beloved Dan White, this time he tackles the controversial topic of drugs.

You will also find a selection of innovative products on page 76, information on choosing a suitable nursery for your little ones and we showcase the stars of Zebedee Management on page 80.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:33

Words by Katie Campbell

Mental health affects everyone, not just adults. We’ve put

together some of the best resources for helping children with their mental health.

T

his year, one in four adults will have an experience with a mental illness, which could include anything from anxiety and depression to substance abuse or psychosis. As the years progress, we talk more openly about adult mental illness, and more adults open up and ask for help with their problems.

What about children? As children we really didn’t have the scope to understand that maybe the feelings we were having weren’t normal. Maybe a child has symptoms of an anxiety disorder – long lasting and incessant worry and catastrophising, impaired concentration, edginess and difficulty sleeping – but doesn’t have the capacity to explain what

these feelings are or understand that they are perhaps not normal.

According to statistics published by charity MQ Mental Health, three in four mental illnesses start in childhood before a person turns 18. Half of all mental health problems, excluding age-related progressive issues such as dementia – have started taking root in a person before they turn 15. In an average class of 30 school children, three will have a diagnosable mental health issue. Less than 30% of the research undertaken on mental health is focused on young people.

There are many resources online and in charities and hospitals which can help young children and their families when mental illness affects a younger member of the family. Here are some great places to try if you feel like you may need assistance with diagnosing or getting help with mental health in children.

TREASURED

MINDS

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CAMHS The Child Adolescent Mental Health Services are an NHS-run service that assess and treat young people who may have emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. These difficulties range from the treatment of depression and anxiety, to eating disorders and helping stop self-harm. CAMHS teams are located all over the UK, and are comprised of teams of nurses, therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and support and social workers, to name a few. To get help from CAMHS, a referral must be made by a teacher, parent or GP (or a child, if they’re old enough).

To contact CAMHS, talk to your doctor, care worker, or a trusted professional like a teacher.

29/03/2018 18:23

KIDS

YOUNG MINDS The UK’s leading charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of young people. They aim to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people, help promote good mental health in young people, and raise the voices of young people. Young Minds is a fantastic online resource which is easy to use by both parents and children and explains everything plainly and simply. Their website offers explanations of mental health as a concept, and provides assistance in how to explain and place what young people with mental health issues may be feeling, as well as giving support and resources for finding urgent care for children in crisis.

Youngminds.org.uk /youngmindsuk @YoungMindsUK

PLACE2BE Place2Be provides support in schools and expert training for pupils, families, teachers and school staff. Schools in the Place2Be scheme have a project manager, who can oversee services which can be provided in the school.

These services include individual and group counselling, therapeutic support staff, and training and advice for staff which allows them to support students with mental or emotional health concerns.

The charity also provides help to children whose parents are addicts, or who are affected by alcohol or drug misuse. All services are age appropriate and are carried out within schools, perhaps during lunchtime self-referral services or group work sessions. place2be.org.uk /theplace2befans @Place2be

THEY WISH TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF MENTALLY ILL YOUNG PEOPLE, AND CHANGE POLICY AT A GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE

CYPMHC

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, and is bringing the issue of young people’s mental health to the political stage. They believe that the implications of poor mental health are wide-reaching and aim to promote positive mental health and intervention within the NHS. They wish to amplify the voices of mentally ill young people, and change policy at a governmental level to improve the mental health of young people. They have an excellent website, which provides links to places where young people can get the advice on the specific kind of help they require for their mental health needs. cypmhc.org.uk

@CYPMentalHealth

SAMARITANS Samaritans provides something that many other charities do not: someone to talk to. When you call Samaritans, you are connected to a volunteer who can offer help, advice, or simply someone to talk to. You do not have to be suicidal to call Samaritans: their staff are trained to deal with many different situations, including people with mental health issues, and they will not tell the caller what to do, but will provide reasonable, level-headed and carefully thought out advice for anyone. Calls to Samaritans don’t appear on your phonebill so it can be completely anonymous, and can also be contacted through email if it’s too difficult or they feel too embarrassed to speak. The charity also offers support for deaf or hard of hearing people through their NGT and email services.

116 123 jo@samaritans.org Samaritans.org /samaritanscharity @samaritans

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 18:26

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30/03/2018 09:58

MOBILOO No Changing Place?

No problem. Meet Mobiloo, providers of mobile Changing Places, who are opening up a world of events to disabled people.

PORTA POTTY

T

here are around

a quarter of a million people in the UK who require the assistance of a hoist or a changing bench to use the toilet or be changed. The Changing Places campaign and Sarah Brisidon’s toilet selfie campaign have done wonders to bring attention to the fact that disabled people are frequently unable to attend events or visit leisure facilities simply due to the lack of a Changing Place.

The Changing Places campaign has managed to successfully have over 1000 fixed facilities installed across the UK, which is fantastic. But it doesn’t cover everything: there will still always be events that it is harder for disabled people to attend as Changing Places aren’t readily available at leisure or outdoor events.

That’s where Mobiloo comes in: it’s a Changing Place on wheels. The company will soon have a fleet of 15 vans, three trailers and two gazebos, which can be hired out to provide access to Changing Places at events.

The vans are safe, hygienic, clean, and have all the equipment needed for someone to use the toilet or a changing bench. They’re even kitted out with ramps for easy access, lifts, hot water, hand towels, gloves, and all the space needed to move about freely while inside. Mobiloo operates mostly out of England, but has a van in Scotland and a partner charity in Ireland which has three vans.

You would be surprised at the sheer scope of events Mobiloo are booked for. James Brown, co-founder and CEO of Mobiloo told us: “If you think about, not just your leisure time but also work time as well, for example if you want to go to a conference, you need to go to the toilet.

“Most of what we do is leisure activities. We do lots of sporting events: we’re at every match that Chelsea play at home and also, we’re at every Twickenham event, not just rugby but also NFL and concerts.

“With summer coming we’re starting to get bookings to do beach trips. Our new fleet of vehicles are being built big enough to accommodate beach wheelchairs and racing wheelchairs: we go to more and more sporting events as well.”

Last year, Mobiloo attended 234 events and supported around 2000 people. This year, they’re aiming for 10,000. Their success is likely in part due to the huge amount of care they put into the service: when you hire a Mobiloo van, you don’t just get the van – it comes with what James calls a “driver-

assistant,” who is there to not only drive the van, but ensure that everything inside is clean and hygienic, and are trained in all of the equipment.

“You know when you hire Mobiloo to your event, you don’t just get a vehicle with some equipment in it, you get a full service. The driver-attendant come along and they set it up, which takes literally two seconds – they just open the doors, switch things on and they’re ready to go.

“They’ll stay there and they’ll look after it for the entire duration of your event, so it first of all means that nobody is using it who shouldn’t be using it, and that’s a big problem for Changing Place facilities, and it means that you don’t have to worry about finding a key or knowing a code, or knowing how to get in. When you do get in there, you can be absolutely guaranteed that it’s going to be clean and tidy and hygienic, and that everything’s going to be working. You’re going to have hot water coming out the taps, you’re going to have the hoist charged up, you’re going to have soap and gloves and handtowels, it’s all going to be there and topped up.”

For more information visit mobiloo.org.uk WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:45

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30/03/2018 09:59

Columnist Dan White

You can follow Dan on @DeptOfAbility

WAR ON DRUGS Dan White, creator of the amazing Department of Ability superheroes and dad to Emily, who is 10-years-old and has spina bifida, is a regular face in PosAbility as he shares his experiences of life as a family with a disabled child.

“HOW CAN WE LIVE IN A SUPPOSED CARING COUNTRY WHEN POTENTIAL LIFESAVING MEDICINES ARE LOOKED UPON IN THE SAME WAY AS DRACULA EYES THE GARLIC”

W

e would do

anything for our children, anything. In a society where free healthcare is a luxury and should be ring-fenced with razor wire, we find that life-saving decisions based on laws and opinions that were put in place when Fred Flintstone went to preschool are still there.

The recent media buzz around the beautiful boy whose seizures were a constant cruelty and were effectively stopped by the use of cannabis oil is a point in fact.

As a parent of a disabled child, I knew the response from the echelons of power was always going to be one of utter panic at the thought of having to reassess and change the drug laws. How can we live in a supposed caring country when potential life-saving medicines are looked upon in the same way as Dracula eyes the garlic?

Most people, even those with no link to the disabled community were puzzled as to the way the treatment that could ease his life was refused on a law creakier and more antiquated than the audience of a Daniel O’Donnell gig.

Most of the world has moved on with the use of cannabis oil, seeing its benefits as a treatment to ease a body in pain. Look, we’re not saying plants under the counter

at Boots or shady pharmacists on street corners with a coat laced with meds, we are just looking for common sense, some humanity and some 21st century thought.

Lives are at stake, young beautiful important lives that easily outweigh any argument to the contrary.

I realise that sanctioning the use of this medicine and making sure the correct oil is used for the correct purpose is hard, yes, but not impossible. This is not advocating a relaxation of drug laws, just a group of parents who are looking to their elected authority to provide some ideas and think outside the box. The current law states that cannabis is a schedule one drug and in its raw form, not recognised as having any health benefits, well the few cases of rehabilitation that have surfaced have certainly proven that the oil extracted can be highly effective and therefore our government needs to investigate and test immediately.

Emily has no seizures, but has what are termed as “absences” when she daydreams. The battle of care is constant and feeling helpless because of countless laws, faded red tape and sometimes political ignorance doesn’t really make parents, carers and others feel that their children and indeed siblings are worthy of thought. Well Westminster, they are. It’s 2018 not 1818.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 14:14

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30/03/2018 09:59

Finding a

s r e r u y n Ensuring your child gets the best start possible

R

Words by Colette Carr

egardless of abilities or requirements, small children have the right to attend nurseries and experience milestones alongside other children, whether they reach them at the same time or not.

But for parents of these children, finding and registering their child in a nursery that they are comfortable and confident with can be a challenging and emotional time.

Some parents find it difficult to entrust their child into the care of others if they have a precise routine or requirements, but finding a suitable nursery can help your child grow and thrive in a stimulating environment and develop new skills, behaviours and communications.

The Equality Act applies to childcare providers, meaning nurseries cannot discriminate. State nurseries do have

compliance laws to keep in line with to ensure they can offer and maintain SEN and access policies to the best of their abilities and make reasonable adjustments, as you would see made for a disabled employee, but most parents prefer to do a bit of digging around before making their decision.

A first port of call for some is to contact their local authority for their advice. Children are entitled to local authority nursery places and your council can support you in registering your child in the nursery you feel most comfortable with.

If your child has special educational needs, contacting a nursery’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) and setting up a meeting with them can be your next step. SENCOs legally must follow the SEND code of practice and are responsible for guaranteeing intervention and identifying stages in your child’s development. Beyond that they advise and support colleagues, make sure parents are closely involved in and contribute to decisions made, contact agencies outwith the nursery who have an interest in the child’s care and providing an easy and smooth pathway into school.

Meeting with and establishing strong and trusting relationships with SENCOs while looking for somewhere to place

KIDS

your child can help ease any worries as they will openly and honestly answer all questions you have.

Setting up a number of visits to the nursery to see what adjustments would be required, who the staff are and how your child would respond to the environment can also go a way to putting your mind at ease.

Slowly introducing your child to the nursery before gradually inducting them into the new setting can help the transition go as smoothly as possible for yourself, the staff and child.

“SOME PARENTS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO ENTRUST THEIR CHILD INTO THE CARE OF OTHERS IF THEY HAVE A PRECISE ROUTINE OR REQUIREMENTS” If you have exhausted all local authority avenues or have had plans to send your child to a private nursery from the get go, there are some nurseries offering specialist and focused care for disabled children for a fee, that may well be the route you wish to go down. The question to then ask yourself is whether or not you want your child receiving care at a dedicated SEN service, or if you want your child to attend a mainstream nursery to socialise and grow with non-disabled children.

While there are a number of support systems out there advising and signposting you, it’s vital to bear in mind that these people aren’t there to tell you what’s best, rather help you determine that for yourself knowing all possibilities.

You can visit familyandcaretrust.org for useful information and advice.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 14:16

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MENTAL BLOX JR. This fun toy helps with developing hand-eye coordination thanks to its block stacking play, while encouraging children to learn about size, shapes, proportion, and point of view through play. The colourful shapes each have cute faces and are large and easy to pick up and place down into the tray.

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RODY HORSE Rody Horse is available in multiple colours and is ideal for encouraging children to gallop around and get moving. He can be inflated or deflated to suit the size and weight of the child as they grow up. Made of vinyl, it’s strong enough to endure the most vigorous active play.

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Smelly and squishy, these sensory balls are brightly coloured and have a pleasant sparkle that catches the eye. Each ball has a little bell inside it, which produces a lively jingle when thrown or shaken. Made from fused plastic pellets, the balls also have an enjoyable texture.

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29/03/2018 22:34

KIDS SENSORY BALL HOUSE This fun fold-away ball house is perfect for some fun sensory or light therapy. Easy to pack away, the tent can be folded up and moved around with great ease, and it’s light and easy to carry, also coming with a carry bag. The tent pops up, making it simple to set up.

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£55.99 BUBBLE WALLS A bright and relaxing addition to sensory play, this bubble wall panel can cycle through a number of colours, and its bubbles are lit by low heat, energy saving LED lights. Easily programmed by remote control, the set includes 15 fish and pebbles for decoration to create a calm at-home seascape.

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MOTOMED GRACILE12 The MOTOmed Gracile12 is the only motorised movement therapy device that is specifically designed for kids.

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30/03/2018 14:20

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05/02/2018 19:31

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30/03/2018 09:59

KIDS

A NIGHT OF HEROES Words by Rio Woolf

I THREE WINNERS WITH DAVID WALLIAMS, STACEY SOLOMON AND DERMOT O'LEARY

HAVING FUN ON THE BASKETBALL COURT

t's been the most exciting few months, starting off with a great England Amputee Football Association (EAFA) junior training session at Brighton with Albion in the Community - I scored two goals!

Back in December I was shortlisted from hundreds for the Young Hero Award at The Night of Heroes hosted by The Jewish News. To celebrate, a short film was made to tell my story and the director Louis Portnoi arranged an amazing surprise for me! My hero Jonnie Peacock joined me when we filmed at HiPAC - the High Performance Athletes Centre at Loughborough University where Olympians and Paralympians train!

I had another fantastic surprise when my parents took me to the Wembley Strictly Live Show! Team Glitterblade were brilliant - I loved watching Jonnie jiving on his blade but Craig should have given them a 10!

I was selected to play in my first school football match and the final score was 5-5! The next day I went to Stoke Mandeville for the WheelPower Primary Sports Camp.

I did Tetrabrazil training with ex-Watford FC players Richard Lee and Lloyd Doyley who I met when I won Watford's Local Hero in November 2014. I'm going back at Easter to do a Tetrabrazil Camp.

Finally, my big night arrived - on 19 February we went to The Night of Heroes at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London. I was a bit nervous but mostly excited! We took lots of photos and had a delicious dinner - there were 500 people there! It was really inspiring to hear all the incredible stories of the nominees.

My favourite writer David Walliams hosted and he was so funny! Stacey Solomon announced the Young Hero Nominees and I was so excited to see my film with Jonnie for the first time! The Inspired Films team did a great job by including my mum's old home movies of me as a baby being fitted with my first prosthetic leg and my first races with Jonnie. You can see it on YouTube!

Stacey surprised us by announcing that all three finalists had won! We all went up on stage for Stacey to present us with our Young Hero Awards and make a speech, so I just congratulated the others! Then when Mummy was taking a selfie with Stacey, David carried my big bag of toys back to our table and signed my favourite book of his - World's Worst Children. It was the best night ever!

I got to sleep at 1am and had to get up at 6am to fly to Lisbon! I went to film an advert for a disability charity - they had seen my Ottobock videos and wanted an amputee boy in their commercial. It was great to go sightseeing around the city.

I've been selected for the EAFA Junior Squad to go to the 2018 European Amputee Football Federation Junior Training Camp in Rome this July! I had so much fun at the EAFF Camps in Dublin and Warsaw - I can't wait!

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:36

STRIKE A

Pose

Zebedee Management is continuing its fight to increase the visibility of disabled people in mainstream media. In February this year, as awards season got underway, they orchestrated a glittering ‘red carpet ready’ photo shoot.

Words by Ros Tulloch

80

T

his shoot showcased many of the models they have on their books in glamorous evening gowns and formal attire. The aim was to inspire casting directors and filmmakers to envisage a time when the industry fully and truly represents a more diverse set of individuals.

The shoot which features stunning suits and red carpet ready dresses was a collaborative piece with Veromia, specialists in bridal and occasion wear. Vivien Felstien, CEO of Veromia Bridal said: “At Veromia we were very excited and delighted to work with Zebedee on this Red Carpet Shoot by providing the dresses. This wonderful company are truly groundbreaking in what they are doing so we are thrilled to be associated with them.”

Zebedee Management is the brainchild of Zoe Proctor and Laura Johnson, it started in 2017 and since then they have placed talent with some major brands and shows including River Island, Disney, Matalan, Superdrug, The Early Learning Centre, Cbeebies, BBC, Toyota, McCains, LLoyds, and they have had models working at London Fashion Week too.

They also run a number of community and social projects, including body confidence and awareness campaigns, holding ‘introduction to the industry’ and skills development sessions, and organising social events.

This incredible work has led to a nomination for a National Diversity Award this year, and you can vote for Zebedee Management at nominate.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 14:19

MODELLING

Image © Chris Waud

Image © Aaron Cheeseman

Image © Aaron Cheeseman

Here are just some of the stars on Zebedee’s books…

Clara H

Harry B

Bethany E

Clara is beautiful inside and out. She loves fashion and runs a fashion and lifestyle blog. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is a full time wheelchair user.

Harry loves dancing, especially street dancing and he is part of a special needs dance group in Sheffield. Harry also enjoys sports and swimming and he has Down’s syndrome.

Bethany is a fantastic petite alternative model. She has several drama qualifications, enjoys horse riding and has a passion for fashion.

Age: 36 Height: 175cm Hair Colour: Brown Eye Colour: Brown

Age: 16 Height: 5’2 Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown

Age: 21 Height: 4’8” Hair: Blonde (dyed) Eyes: Blue

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 23:23

Jack B

Jack keeps really active, he loves horse riding and loves his trampoline lessons.

Jack also loves listening to music and he has Down’s syndrome.

Age: 16 Height: 5’2 Eyes: Blue Hair: Light Brown

82

Georgina W Georgina has always been interested in performance however has been diagnosed with ME/CFS, meaning that she now needs to use a wheelchair.

Age: 18 Height: 168cm Hair: Light Brown Eyes: Green/Blue

Image © Aaron Cheeseman

Image © Chris Waud

“THE AIM WAS TO INSPIRE CASTING DIRECTORS AND FILMMAKERS TO ENVISAGE A TIME WHEN THE INDUSTRY FULLY AND TRULY REPRESENTS A MORE DIVERSE SET OF INDIVIDUALS

Image © Chris Waud

MODELLING

Rafi S Rafi is an amazingly positive and fun loving person. He is quite active and enjoys rock climbing and racerunning (representing England!). He had a brain haemorrhage when he was nearly 13 and has been left with balance and coordination problems, sometimes using a wheelchair and walker.

Age: 17 Height: 177cm Hair: Dark Brown Eyes: Green

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 23:25

After visiting Naidex is this how you’d like to spend time on your accessible holiday?

You can. If you book an accessible holiday at

MAISON DES LANDES HOTEL in sunny Jersey

Open from May to September Maison des Landes Hotel caters exclusively for guests with disabilities and their families or carers.

RATES per person per day include full board accommodation, daily excursions and tours plus transfers from airport or port and return.

Ask about our ’themed’ holidays - to get the most from your visit!

CONTACT US NOW FOR DETAILS

St Ouen, Jersey JE3 2AA Tel: 01534 481683 Email: contact@maisondeslandes.co.uk Website: www.maisondeslandes.co.uk

Wheelchaircars.co.uk

• 8 accessible luxury lakeside lodges in Devon • 5 Caravan Club CL 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

FREE NO OBLIGATION HOME DEMONSTRATIONS USED VEHICLES FROM £2995

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

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 83

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

30/03/2018 09:59

& 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.

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 84

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

30/03/2018 10:57

DANCE

Strictly CYMRU

The finals of the Welsh dance competition will be held on Saturday 7 April, promising for an exciting afternoon of inclusive dance and performance.

Words by Katie Campbell

S

aturday 7 April at the Cardiff Masonic Hall, hosted by Step Change Studios in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability, the grand final of Strictly Cymru will take place – the first ever inclusive dance competition in Wales. The opportunity is a unique opportunity for disabled people to perform and dance in a competitive environment. Open to disabled dancers between the ages of 16 to 65, the

“IT WAS VERY FUN TO BE INVOLVED, I LOVED DANCING TANGO WITH MY HUSBAND EDDIE”

five regional heats have separated the great from the exceptional, and the almost 100 people who registered have been whittled down to the best ten, who will dance in a number of styles, including paso doble, cha cha, waltz and Charleston, and be judged by Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns.

Lauren O’Neil will dance with her partner and husband Edward Hickman, and had a tremendous amount of fun in the regional heats, managing to dance her way into the final ten.

“It was very fun to be involved, I loved dancing tango with my husband Eddie and it was nice to be able to dedicate my performance to my uncle who passed away recently. He was a ballroom dancer

and used to be my dance partner before I met Eddie.”

The competition is supported by Step Change Studios, a studio committed to making dance accessible, with opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to dance together in classes, dance schools, health and social care settings, with projects tailored towards the individual’s needs and requirements.

Rashmi Becker, Founder of Step Change Studios said: “One in five people in Wales has a disability and 57% do no physical activity compared to 24% of the non-disabled population. I set up Step Change Studios as a response to the lack of opportunities for disabled people to participate in dance.

“We are delighted to be supporting Leonard Cheshire to inspire more disabled to be active through this innovative competition. It was fantastic to see such a wide range of people with disabilities participate in the regional heats - 100% said they would like to keep dancing in their feedback.

“This highlights the importance of providing more creative, inclusive opportunities to be active. I am passionate about the positive power of dance.

Having worked in social care and being guardian to my disabled brother, I have seen the positive impact dance can have on confidence, communication, creativity, connecting people and on mental health and wellbeing.”

Don’t miss what is sure to be an exciting final. Tickets for the event, which starts at 2pm, can be found on Eventbrite.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 14:29

Are you raising a disabled child or young person?

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Registered charity number 1053866. Scottish charity number SC040810.

Park House Hotel Sandringham

In need of a holiday or respite break?

We can provide expert and discreet care support so that you can fully relax and recharge.

Park House Hotel is an impressive Victorian country house set in the beautiful surroundings of the Sandringham Estate in West Norfolk.

For 30 years we have been providing award winning breaks to disabled guests and their companions who return year after year.

With all the features you expect from a first class hotel, and an exceptional level of disabled access and support, we make sure your holiday is totally revitalising.

The hotel boasts an enviable location with easy access to the historic market town of King’s Lynn and the picturesque Norfolk coast.

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS

www.neuroconvention.com For exhibiting opportunities please contact Nick.Woore@prysmgroup.co.uk or call 0117 929 6083

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

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

3 Ploughman’s Corner, Wharf Road, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0EJ Sy12 0EJ Tel: 01691 624222

To make a booking or receive a brochure pack please contact the Reception Team on 01485 543000 quoting PosAbility. You can also visit our website www.parkhousehotel.org.uk to find out more.

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 86

Sequal aims to provide speech aids to those people who cannot afford to purchase such very vital equipment, to allow them to lead more independent lives and especially when statutory bodies are unable to help.

30/03/2018 11:35

NEATEBOX

TRAVEL

Download the Welcome and Button apps from Google Play or the App store Follow Neatebox on Twiiter @neatebox

A

fter a stint in the RAF as a dog handler, Gavin Neate began working with Guide Dogs as a guide dog mobility instructor.

While following his clients along on their daily journeys as their dog trainer, he noticed some of the problems that people with visual impairments face on a daily basis, and how they have turned to technology to assist them: everyone these days has a smartphone, on which they can download thousands of apps to help with their day-to-day living. Gavin wondered, “what can I do to develop technology to assist with the problems I’ve noticed as a guide dog mobility instructor?” From there, he founded Neatebox, and began developing apps to do just that.

BUTTON The first app released by Neatebox was Button, a pedestrian crossing app. Button allows users to activate the pedestrian crossing box without having to use the button, using their smartphone and Bluetooth technology installed in the box.

Once the user gets close to the box, their smartphone activates the crossing, and then it’s just a matter of waiting on the box’s audible signal to let the user know it’s safe to cross.

up to a massive 9.1 out of ten, showing just how Button can improve ease of movement around pedestrian areas. Reflecting this, Button has recently been nominated for a Scottish Transport Award.

Button works on a user request system: within the app, users can request crossings they would like the Bluetooth technology installed in, and Neatebox take this information to the local council to petition to have the technology installed. It’s a purely user-based experience.

WELCOME Welcome is Neatebox’s latest app and is a customer service app that allows disabled people to communicate their needs to an organisation through technology in advance of their visit, ensuring they get the best service possible that’s tailored to their needs.

Users fill out a profile which details their

needs and requirements, as well as why they’re visiting the venue – it can be anything from telling a shop you’d like help to buy a winter quote or entering a booking number to help a venue assist you in picking up tickets for a concert. The profile includes a photograph to ensure employees can easily spot the person in need of assistance.

Welcome encourages a more user-focused experience: instead of staff not fully understanding how to help or approach an individual with additional needs, on their end they get tips from a number of charities on how to appropriately conduct their interactions and are able to focus more on the person.

Like Button, Welcome works on a user request system. It’s currently only installed in around 20 venues, but more users will mean this number expands. Users can not only request venues but support other user’s requests. More support gives Neatebox more clout when going to the venue and telling them that lots of people want the system installed in the venue.

Button and Welcome are available to download on Google Play and the App Store. Follow Neatebox on Twitter at @neatebox, or visit neatebox.com for more information.

Neatebox tested the app with around 30 users last year in Largs, Scotland, where ten crossings have been installed with the Bluetooth technology along the main street of the seaside town. Users were asked to rate the ease of crossing before and after using the app: using conventional means, users rated crossing 4.5 out of ten, with ten being “extremely simple” and one being “extremely difficult.” Using the app, this rating shot WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 23:00

THE

T

M

CU

G N I AK

“I Four years ago, Mitch Chalmers from Midsomer Norton near Bath, was employed as a plasterer and spent most his spare time and weekends taking part in motocross events throughout Europe.

Following an accident on the track Mitch was paralysed from the chest down and had to re-evaluate his life and plan for the future.

88

loved plastering as no two days were the same in terms of location and projects and accepting I would also probably never ride a motocross bike again was a huge blow, because I had been riding bikes from the age of eight. But I was determined that just because I was paralysed I would still have a career which I enjoyed.”

Mitch admits that after being discharged from hospital he shut himself away for a while as he came to terms with the life-changing effects of his accident. However, after a while and with the help of family and friends he started thinking about his next career.

“I had always had an interest in hairdressing and thought this might be a good career, but there was one issue – how would I be able to cut hair from my wheelchair?”

Determined to find a solution, after enrolling in a hairdressing course at nearby Bath College and arranging a placement at nearby Jo Jo’s hair salon, Mitch got in touch with the team at Gerald Simonds to see if they had any suggestions and was delighted when he was told about the LEVO activeeasy which is a wheelchair which converts from a sitting to standing position.

“As soon as I tried one out for myself I knew I had found the answer and that I could forge a career in hairdressing, so set about raising the money to buy one”. Mitch

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:16

HAIRDRESSING

“THE LEVO ALLOWS ME TO COOK, MAKE DRINKS AND JUST TALK TO PEOPLE FACE TO FACE AND ENABLES ME TO FEEL ‘NORMAL’ AND REMAIN INDEPENDENT”

The LEVO has not only enabled Mitch to pursue his career but has also had a profound effect on his physical health

created a local fundraising page and with the help of friends and family arranged various fundraising events. Bath College, where Mitch is studying hairdressing also helped with events and within four months Mitch was contacting Gerald Simonds to order the wheelchair which he knew would change his life.

The LEVO has been designed to smoothly elevate the user from a sitting to standing position of up to 85 degrees with the minimum amount of effort, to enable users such as Mitch to interact with people from a standing position.

Prior to receiving his LEVO, Mitch had been using a standing frame as he was required to stand for a certain amount of time each day as part of his ongoing physiotherapy programme but often found this uncomfortable. “When I was using a frame, I could only stand for about 10 minutes at a time, but since using my LEVO I can now stand for up to two hours, which is not only great for my hairdressing training, but also my daily physiotherapy, as it means I can literally kill two birds with one stone,” continued Mitch.

Not only has the LEVO enabled Mitch to start training to be a hairdresser, it has also had a profound effect on him physically as he further explains: “As anybody with a similar spinal cord injury will know, managing the bladder can be a major issue. However, since I started using my LEVO wheelchair and standing for longer periods of time my bladder has started to act in a completely different way. I can now hold much more urine which is great and being stood for longer has also meant I never have any leaks, which can be another common occurrence for people with my injury”.

Mitch was recently due to undergo another series of botox injections in hospital to help stop his bladder wall from spasming, which can cause leaks, but his regular and continued use of the LEVO to allow him to stand for longer periods resulted in them cancelling the procedure.

Mitch couldn’t be happier at the independence he now has and is enjoying the ability to pursue a career he loves: “The LEVO is just fantastic and has literally changed my life! It is extremely easy to use and manoeuvre when in the sitting position,

and transferring to the standing position is quick and effortless and literally takes seconds. In addition to my hairdressing, the LEVO allows me to cook, make drinks and just talk to people face to face and enables me to feel ‘normal’ and remain independent which is all anyone in a wheelchair wants. It is also incredibly comfortable in comparison to my previous chairs. The seating position is substantially higher than most wheelchairs and I no longer have to endure the back ache which I had to previously. I also love the fact that the LEVO is so lightweight and stylish, and would not hesitate in recommending one to anybody who is looking for a wheelchair in which they can also stand”.

For more information on the full range of solutions available from Gerald Simonds or to book a no-obligation demonstration call 0800 220975 or visit www.gerald-simonds.co.uk.

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 22:24

Are you looking for work?

Support to Work is Scope’s digital employment service. It can help you with:

• Personalised support by email, telephone or Skype • Employability skills • Support with writing CVs • Interview preparation.

Find out if we can support you and apply:

scope.org.uk/ supporttowork4 This service is proudly funded by Virgin Media 12473

Scope is a registered charity, number 208231. Copyright Scope March 2018

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 90

30/03/2018 10:56

The government has pledged to get 1 million disabled people into work over the next 10 years. A welcome commitment when you consider that figures from Scope show that just a 10% rise in the employment rate amongst disabled people would increase GDP by £45 billion by 2030.

THRIVE

TIME TO

In

a bid to tackle the disability employment gap, charity Scope is funding a new start-up accelerator scheme for social enterprises which provide employment opportunities for disabled people.

UnLtd is the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs, it funds and supports passionate and committed social entrepreneurs who are tackling key issues facing society. It has launched Thrive, a scheme

EMPLOYMENT

to support and fund social ventures aimed at people who are too often shut out of the workplace.

Scope is one of three cofunders supporting the exciting new initiative, which will offer six months of intensive support and the option to apply for funding through the Thrive Investment Fund.

The unique combination of in-depth, bespoke support and access to affordable finance will give social ventures the chance to rapidly grow their business,

creating new jobs and training opportunities for disabled people.

Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive of Scope, said: “Finding new innovative ways to get things done is at the heart of Scope’s radical new strategy.

“The fact that there are still 1 million disabled people in Britain who can and want to work but who are being shut out of the workplace because of barriers in the workplace and negative attitudes shows that old approaches to employment just aren’t working.

“That’s why we’re delighted to support new approaches to tackle the issue and ensure that disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

“Traditionally, charities are the ones who receive funding to run services. But Scope is turning tradition on its head by investing in a scheme which will provide support directly to ambitious disabled entrepreneurs and social enterprises which will transform disabled people’s lives.”

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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30/03/2018 14:22

EMPLOYMENT

UnLtd aims to create 3,000 jobs and training opportunities across all its programmes over the next three years.

Thrive will unlock the potential of 20 social ventures per year with funding from three expert partners who will each help develop a cohort of social ventures: • Scope is funding eight ventures to improve employment opportunities for disabled people • Building on the impact of Hackney Connect, UBS, the global financial services firm, are funding four social ventures hoping to improve access to employment in East London as part of East End Connect • A further eight ventures are being funded by a private family foundation.

All three partners share UnLtd’s belief that social ventures can offer effective solutions to improving employment opportunities for those with complex lives or additional support needs.

Each social venture on Thrive will be connected to support that is best suited to its purpose, business model, needs and ambitions for social impact.

This might include business planning, financial modelling, governance and access to board members, mentoring and leadership support, peer-to-peer support, building routes to market, and raising investment.

Thrive is built on the success and learning from UnLtd’s Big Venture Challenge programme, which supported 120 social ventures to help more than 1.24 million people, grow revenue by 166% over a twoyear period and raise over £13m in debt and equity capital.

Previous social ventures supported by UnLtd have delivered outstanding results in creating employment opportunities for people distant from the labour market.

92

Applications to Thrive are now open. More detailed information on the support available and upcoming deadlines can be found on www.unltd.org.uk

£570 18%

the amount disabled people spend per month on costs related to their impairment or condition

of working age adults are disabled

On average disabled people apply for

60% more jobs

3.4

Over

MILLION

UNLTD OPPORTUNITIES

Mark Norbury, UnLtd CEO, said: “Access to meaningful employment is a vital part of our society becoming fairer and more dynamic. Social ventures have shown that they are ideally placed to offer innovative and effective employment solutions. Thrive’s distinctive blend of tailored expertise and affordable finance will help these ventures maximise their potential social impact. We will combine this impact with our partners’ expertise and influence, research, policy work and campaigns to bring about systemic change.”

disabled people are in employment

WWW.POSABILITYMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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29/03/2018 23:11

Specialist Seating For Posture and Pressure Care Management

Kidz to Adultz Middle Thursday 15th March 2018 9.30am—4.30pm Ricoh Arena, Coventry, CV6 6GE One of the largest FREE UK events supporting children & young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.

FREE Entry FREE Parking 100+ Exhibitors FREE CPD Seminars Equipment

Products

In association with

Services Funding

Visitors are also welcome to register at the event. www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk Organised by Disabled Living: Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk or Tel: 0161 607 8200

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 93

30/03/2018 11:35

BRAIN TEASERS

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

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH

Copyright © 2011 Peter G Sharp

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

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Sound of a bell (4) 4 Most precipitous (8) 8 Not manufactured by machine (8) 9 Sailors (4) 10 Parched (4) 11 Nightclothes (7) 13 Showing unusual talent (4) 15 Tavern (3) 16 At what time (4) 17 Try (7) 19 Junkie (4) 22 Engineering qualification (1,3) 23 Event (8) 24 Not defeated (8) 25 Christmas (4)

2 D-Day beach (5) 3 Opponent of new technologies (7) 4 Fly (4) 5 All of us (8) 6 Middle Eastern bread (5) 7 Superficial area (7) 12 Typo (8) 14 Among (7) 16 Laundry time (7) 18 Two under par (5) 20 Pertaining to the kidneys (5) 21 Scrutinize (4)

£25 PRIZE! Complete the crossword correctly and send to PosAbility Magazine, Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind Est, Glasgow, G46 8JT to be in with a chance of winning £25. Closing date for entries is 31 May 2018.

Solutions to February/March crossword

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The Gold Coast has an average of 287 days of sunshine The region welcomes more than 12 million visitors annually

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94_Puzzles.indd 94

30/03/2018 13:01

CLASSIFIED

SCUBA DIVING

Discover the you that can do...

Believe in the possibilities!

TREBETHERICK, POLZEATH, CORNWALL

BREATHTAKING LOCATION

CORNWALL COASTAL GETAWAYS

WITH DISABILITIES

 Fully accessible suites and rooms  Self-catering villas and apartments  Indoor pool with hoist  On-site restaurants

Divecor believes anybody can be a scuba diver, regardless of their abilities (with just a few exceptions). We can deliver scuba diving and scuba therapy to adults and children with disabilities.

We can give someone a life changing experience from just one pool session.

GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE...

Visit: divecor.co.uk Call: 07880543589

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

Tyddyn Môn Holidays

Luxury sustainable

Holidays on the Isle of Anglesey

family holidays

15, 8 or 7 bedroom property

In Pembrokeshire

Fully accessible bedroom with en-suite wetroom 10 minutes away from an award winning beach Book or find out more: facebook.com/tyddynmon holidays holidays@tyddynmon.co.uk 01248 410580

Accessible self-catering cottages Royal Deeside

Renew yourself and the planet at these delightful 5-star cottages.

Enjoy Pembrokeshire at its best, only 3 miles from Newgale!

In the heart of the Cairngorms National Park

Beautifully designed and equipped with a wide range of mobility equipment available: overhead hoists, mobile hoist/stand-aid, shower chairs, riser beds, pressure mattress & lots more........

No charge for use of mobility aids.

The cottages are accesssible and wheelchair friendly with ground floor bedrooms and wetrooms.

tyddynmonholidays.co.uk

Crathie Opportunity Holidays 013397 42100 info@crathieholidays.org.uk www.crathieholidays.org.uk

vi s i t w w w .ec o -b arns.co.uk or call us on 01348 831781

Scottish Charity No: SC027590

pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 95

30/03/2018 11:36

CLASSIFIED

SELF CATERING APARTMENT

Visit the Moray Firth Dolphins

Clober Farm, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 7HW

On the RIB, for a fast, adrenaline fuelled trip along the Moray coast or on the fully accessible Cruiser, for a calmer, family friendly experience.

Near to Loch Lomond Sleeps up to 6 people Ensuite wetroom with shower chairs provided

Sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Hoist and profiling bed with airflow mattress Accessible landscaped garden

07544 800620 dolphinspirit.co.uk Dolphin Spirit, Inverness Marina, Stadium Road, Inverness IV1 1FF

Self Service Cafe Take a picnic on board the cruiser

Pets welcome Open all year

To book your stay call

Wi-Fi

0141 427 7686

or email info@sisonline.org

FILL THIS SPACE pos_ads_apr-may18.indd 96

30/03/2018 10:39

CLASSIFIED Treworgans

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY COTTAGES

IN CORNWALL

Norfolk Disabled Friendly Cottages

Two specially converted wheelchair accessible detached cottages.

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

We are a family run business providing 8 self catering cottages designed to suit both disabled and able-bodied guests.

Situated on a converted farmyard on the outskirts of the quiet village of Bircham, about 5 miles from the Royal Estate at Sandringham and 7 miles from the North Norfolk Coast. There are many nearby attractions, pubs and family activities to ensure there is something for everyone.

For more information or to book call 01485 578 354 or email lavinia@nd-fc.co.uk.

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

www.nd-fc.co.uk

George Barn

George Barn

Las Piedras Hotel & El Pleamar Apartments Accessible Andalucia Stylish Accessible Accommodation Swimming Pool with Hoist, Mobility Aids, Accessible Transport & Excursions

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

www.disabledholidaysinspain.com www.cotswoldcharm.com Call Michael on:

Tel 029 212 5432101386 840164/0788 964 9812 Email info@disabledholidaysinspain.com

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0141 465 2960 30/03/2018 10:40

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30/03/2018 10:29

The Ultimate Driving Machine

SMART, SPACIOUS OR SPORTY? FIND A BMW THAT FITS YOUR LIFE. THE NEW BMW 2 SERIES GRAN TOURER AND ACTIVE TOURER.

THE BMW RANGE. AVAILABLE FROM £249 ADVANCE PAYMENT.* • The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is available from £249 Advance Payment and the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer from £399 Advance Payment.

• Range also includes the BMW 1 Series Sports Hatch (3-door and 5-door), BMW 2 Series Coupe, BMW 2 Series Convertible, BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring and BMW X1.

• Selected models are accessible to drivers under 25 years old.

• Choose from manual or automatic transmission.

• BMW Navigation and BMW Emergency Call come as standard, with metallic paint at no extra cost.

• Get a brand new BMW every three years with insurance, service and maintenance all covered.

Let’s find the right BMW for you. Contact a Motability Scheme Specialist at your local BMW Centre.

Alternatively, call 0800 325 600 or visit www.bmw.co.uk/motability.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range available on the Motability Car Scheme: Urban 30.7-57.6mpg (9.2-4.9 l/100km).

Extra Urban 49.6-70.6mpg (5.7-4 l/100km). Combined 40.4-65.7 (7.0-4.3 l/100km). CO2 emissions 164-114g/km.

Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieved under usual driving conditions.

*The BMW range available on the Motability Scheme starts from £249 Advance Payment for the BMW 218i SE Active Tourer. Models shown are the BMW 218i SE Active Tourer from £249 Advance Payment, the BMW 218i SE Gran Tourer from £399 Advance Payment, the BMW 118i SE from £299 Advance Payment, the BMW 320i Sport Saloon from £1,999 and the BMW X1 sDrive 18i SE from £899 Advance Payment.

All models on the Motability Scheme offer optional metallic paint at no extra cost. Models featured may include options at an additional cost. Motability Scheme vehicles are leased to customers by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) and applications must be made with participating Retailers between 1 April- 30 June 2018. Prices are correct at time of publication and subject to availability and may change.

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30/03/2018 27/03/2018 10:00 13:52