PosAbility – October / November 2019

OCT/NOV

MAGAZINE HALLOWEEN

GRETA THUNBERG

PARALYMPICS

Everything you need to know to properly get your spook on

Get to know the powerful young activist

The new cycle has begun and the countdown to Tokyo is on

It’s not about the cards you’re dealt, it’s how you play them.

BP is proud to help advance the Paralympic Movement for over 10 years.

Tatyana McFadden Wheelchair racer United States

keep advancing

Welcome OCT/NOV 2019

Ros EDITOR

I was recently at a magazine conference that had some really interesting talks from some high profile magazine publishers and editors. A theme of inclusivity and diversity resonated and talks ensued about the importance of representing a true cross section of society throughout the media. However, as positive as these talks were, I couldn’t help but notice that disabled people were only mentioned by one wellknown magazine representative and they used the term “differently abled”.

This term naturally bothered the PosAbility team. Why shy away from using the word “disabled”? Are people scared of saying “disabled”?

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If even the magazine in question, which is forging its way through the mainstream as a beacon of diversity and inclusivity, doesn’t recognise that it is ok to use the word “disabled”, or that in fact the disabled community is a very proud one, then it is clear that we have much further to go.

This does sound like a very negative takeaway from what was generally a very positive conference, and on the plus side it was great to hear people acknowledging the importance of catering to the disabled community, even if they did use the term “differently abled”.

Moving on from my rant. I love winter. The crisp mornings, the hot chocolates, the anticipation of Halloween and watching moderately scary movies (I can’t handle horror) and eating anything shaped like a bat, pumpkin, witch or ghost. We have plenty of spooky articles to entertain you this issue.

Our cover star is the young but mighty Greta Thunberg. She is a driving force behind the climate change fight, making the rich and powerful sit up and take notice of the damage that they have done to our planet. Read more about this passionate and powerful young woman on page 12.

Follow us on Twitter @ PosAbilityMag

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Jane Hatton, Sam Renke, Mik Scarlet, Dan White, Janet Myers, Emily Child

DISCLAIMER

PosAbility Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited.

The views expressed in PosAbility Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2019 ©2A Publishing Limited.

All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

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Cover: Anders Hellberg OCT/NOV

MAGAZINE HALLOWEEN

GRETA THUNBERG

PARALYMPICS

Everything you need to know to properly get your spook on

Get to know the powerful young activist

The new cycle has begun and the countdown to Tokyo is on

Follow us on Instagram @ posabilitymagazine

To find out more about subscribing to PosAbility Magazine turn to p82 1 – Cover - 2.indd 1

posabilitymagazine.co.uk

27/09/2019 12:49

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News, stories and updates

12 OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE Get to know the environment’s powerful champion, Greta Thunberg

YERS VIS

37 WIN A SCOOTER TGA Mobility are giving away an amazing scooter

IA

07 FYI

M

S VALENC IT

JANET

OCT/NOV 2019 | ISSUE 51

38 HOT STUFF The latest must-have products

40 A BLOOMING GOOD IDEA 15 DITCH THE LABEL Columnist Sam Renke explains the importance of intersectionality

17 WHO CARES? Who’s caring for the UK’s 6.5 million carers?

20 HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Goth Christmas is here, dig out your witchy dresses

The sunflower lanyard scheme is a subtle but brilliant one for invisible disabilities

44 HOME SWEET HOME Interior design, but make it accessible

47 HELPING TO HELP YOURSELF Self-care gets a bad rap but it’s vital for taking care of yourself

50 GOING UP IN SMOKE Janet Myers takes us to Valencia for Las Fallas

23 PANTO TIME Get ready for panto season with our accessible guide

26 NUTRITIONAL FEASTS What do you eat when Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis flares up?

55 KIDS’ CORNER This issue we hear from Dan White and daughter Emily, and get ready for an accessible Halloween

69 ACCESSING VEGANISM Veganism is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, but how do you make it accessible?

29 REAL CHANGE Mik Scarlet tells us about his new job

74 EMPLOY ME How do you make yourself employable in the current job market?

31 LONDON CALLING The Paralympic cycle is off to a start, with swimming up first

34 POSABILITY’S PARALYMPIC PRIMER Not sure where to start with the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics? We’ve got you covered

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77 DREAM JOB Jane Hatton offers advice that’ll help you land that dream job

79 PUZZLES Keep the mind active

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION News and stories from around the world

IMPROVING TRAVEL FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY

A

rriva Rail London (ARL) has introduced deaf awareness training to hundreds of London Overground employees to improve journeys for Deaf people and those with hearing loss.

ARL, which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), has developed a comprehensive training programme alongside Signly, Deafax and DCAL, University College London’s Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre. The development of the programme has been funded by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and hopes to open up the world of travel for Deaf people and those with hearing loss in London, giving them the confidence and support they need

from staff to make safe journeys on the London Overground.

It is estimated there are 11 million people who are Deaf or have hearing loss in the UK, which equates to around one in six people; there are also 151,000 British Sign Language users in the UK – many of whom travel by rail and have difficulty hearing and understanding announcements in stations.

Tim Scannell, a frequent rail user, said: “As I am Deaf, I can’t hear station announcements over the tannoy. I get nervous about asking other passengers for journey advice, especially if there are changes to the service. Being able to communicate more easily with station staff would help to reduce my anxiety.”

IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE ARTS

T

he Arts Council England and Disability Arts Online have published a digital guide that provides specific advice for disabled people pursuing a career in the arts and cultural sector. The guide, which is available in a variety of different formats including easy read and audio-only, clarifies the Access to Work process and what this government-funded programme can offer in terms of financial support.

Recognising that there are many different types of work in the sector, and that artists and creatives often work in a freelance capacity, there are three sections to the guide: one for self-employed workers, one for employees (or prospective employees) and one for employers. A growing number of resources complement the guide, including information on how Access to Work relates to Arts Council Funding and case studies from disabled-led theatre company Graeae and a self-employed visual artist.

Each section of the guide has a video version, which includes British Sign Language and optional captions, presented by theatre-maker and comedian Jess Thom (best known for her alter ego Touretteshero) and Deaf theatre access consultant and BSL performer, Deepa Shastri.

Visit disabilityarts.online/atw to read the guide.

Image: Candoco Dance Company in the studio with Arlene Phillips © Camilla Greenwell. Thanks to Studio Wayne McGregor Freespace Programme.

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GATWICK LAUNCH ACCESSIBILITY PANEL

A

new independent panel made up of experts in the travel needs of disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility has been set up to help shape Gatwick’s accessibility strategy and improve services for disabled passengers.

stakeholders meet with local charities and support groups.

Ann Frye, an international specialist in the transport needs of disabled and older people, will chair the group and other members of the panel have been primarily drawn from the disability community - including those with hidden disabilities - and have been selected based on their expertise and experience both in disability and air travel.

The panel will then meet at least twice every year and the minutes from each meeting will be published on Gatwick’s website. The panel will also be consulted on other relevant issues on an ad hoc basis.

The Independent Gatwick Accessibility Panel (IGAP) will take a broad view of accessibility provision and services at the airport, including setting new service standards and reviewing the airport’s performance against them.

The panel will first meet on 19 December 2019 and will build upon the ongoing work and achievements of two existing groups; the Passenger Advisory PRM Group - which represents passengers – and the Accessibility Community Forum, which is where airport

NEW WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM ON THE SCENE

A

new wheelchair basketball team called the Windsor Monarchs has launched successfully in Berkshire’s royal town.

Backed by local businesses, volunteers and with the support of the area’s primary sports centre, the team of ten are off to a great start with their first game of the season – a 41-30 win against the Folkstone Arrows – successfully completed.

Home to the Monarchs is the Windsor Leisure Centre, run by Legacy Leisure and managed by Andrew Kennedy who sourced funding for eight sports wheelchairs for the team to use.

News of this brand new wheelchair basketball team has spread far and wide. Players from Berkshire, London, Essex, Surrey and Kent have joined the Monarchs’ regal ranks – a testament to the great set-up, spirit and support the team have created in such a short space of time.

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Heading up the coaching team is Pete Smorthit, a Level 2 coach and player who is looking forward to achieving great things with the Monarchs.

“When I heard a new team was starting up and looking for a coach I had to jump on board. They all have a lot of potential just waiting to be unleashed and I feel I’m the person who can do that.

“The goal for this season is to win games first and foremost by working with the team on pick and rolls, curls, crossing the court, communication in general, fitness and we will achieve that.”

WILL BAYLEY SHINES ON STRICTLY DEBUT

Image:BBC

R

LATEST

io 2016 hero Will Bayley won rapturous, rave reviews after he took to the Strictly tiles for the first time for his highly anticipated debut on the hit BBC One show.

TWEETS Jessie Hewitson @jessiehewitson My autistic son has just been voted by his classmates to be a school councillor. It’s a big moment for the kid who was largely invisible in school up until a few years ago. He’s totally delighted and I’m feeling proud, happy and a bit

The table tennis Parlympian, who was born with arthrogryposis which affects all four of his limbs, wowed the audience and judges with an energetic quickstep routine to Paolo Nutini’s Pencil Full of Lead in his Strictly Come Dancing bow with professional partner Janette Manrara. He becomes the third Paralympian to compete on the show following Jonnie Peacock in 2017 and Lauren Steadman last year.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One every Saturday and Sunday night.

CONTESTANT TO RAISE CROHN’S AWARENESS ON THE CIRCLE

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he Circle returned to Channel 4 for its second series and contestant Georgina Aurelia has been hailed for her frank and open way of discussing living with Crohn’s disease.

The show, where contestants never meet and have to suss out whether they are who they say they are by communicating through the Circle

app, was widely praised last year for shining a light on the dangers of online relationships.

One of the latest batch of contestants includes 21-year-old YouTuber Georgina, who says she wants to use the platform to raise awareness of the condition and had been praised for her honest accounts of living with it.

The Circle is on Channel 4 every night at 9pm.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH “We want to make it so that having a disabled co-worker is normal, that disabled people are always considered when a building is designed, that businesses seek to attract disabled customers with good service and accessible premises and that the disabled people yet to be born will grow up without knowing what it feels like to be excluded.”

manicpixiedreamgayle @fishdickz That Savage x Fenty lingerie fashion show made me want to cry. Plus-size models. Muscular models. POC models. Disabled models! So many different diverse bodies & to me it looked so empowering, like taking an invention of the male gaze & subverting it by making it your own. Waah Caoimhghin Brady @CaoimhGaga Anyone, adult or any age, thinking they are wiser than #gretathumberg or dismissing her for her age or disability, need to check their prejudice and accept they are WRONG. She is speaking better and more informed than any of our current world leaders.

Listen.

Melissa Blake @melissablake We live in a society with very strict definitions of what it means to be beautiful. I learned from a very young age that my disability would never be synonymous with pretty or sexy or even cute, and I internalized a lot of those harmful messages — some I’m still trying to unlearn

Mik Scarlet – p29

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Sassy Stickers LAUNCHED

B

lue Badge Co has created a new line of cheeky stickers for Blue Badge holders to adhere to the windows of their vehicles.

The company decided to create these stickers in response to the high number of issues that they see disabled people raise on social media around parking.

The new #SayItWithASticker campaign hopes to raise awareness of drivers with disabilities and inform other road users of disabled traveller’s wants and needs, with a simple, light hearted and effective approach.

These stickers communicate to other people, especially other drivers, the specific needs of the disabled traveller Some designs may seem a little controversial and may even offend a small number of people; however, after hearing customer’s feedback and speaking to official disability organisations, Blue Badge Co felt that if stickers can be produced for the non-disabled community, then why not a special range for our disabled community too? Blue Badge Co customers have a wicked sense of humour, so they included some

£4MILLION FUNDING FOR GOGA

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he ground-breaking Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme began in 2016, created to bring disabled and non-disabled people together to be active. It engages the least active communities in fun, inclusive ways.

The funding is comprised of £3million from Spirit of 2012 and a further £1million from Sport

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stickers which are tongue-in-cheek and intended to be understood as a joke.

Once a customer has bought one of the sassy stickers and displayed it proudly on their car window the Blue Badge Co are encouraging them to take a photo of it and share it through social media with the hashtag #SayItWithASticker and tag @bluebadgeco.

England. It comes following the significant impact in phase one, which ends in 2020. It has transformed the lives of many who have never considered regular activity before.

Over 8,000 disabled people are already taking part thanks to GOGA’s inclusive and accessible approach. In total over 20,000 people have been involved across 18 locations.

Participants and volunteers have shared life-changing GOGA experiences. Bill went from taking part in Nottingham’s Golden Gloves boxing sessions to training fellow pensioners. Peer mentor Morris and mentee Stephen have been on an incredible journey, supporting

each other to overcome personal challenges and become more active.

Activities through Disability Sport Fife influenced three generations of the same family to get active and fun fit programmes in Northern Ireland have better connected families into their community.

Get Out Get Active is more than being active. It strengthens community spirit, increases confidence and improves mental health. The new funding will enable partners to build on phase one’s success and share learning.

14 new locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be part of phase two. www.activityalliance.org.uk/GOGA

JOIN IN the conversation

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Durable, stylish and stable, and with an impressive 10-mile range, it’s perfect for exploring and enjoying life outdoors.

Both compact and versatile, the WHILL dismantles into three easy to lift components that will fit neatly into the boot of your car. It also benefits from a lightweight lithium battery which makes it ideal for air travel.

Plus you can also drive the WHILL remotely, lock and unlock it to keep it secure and choose a drive mode that is right for you, all through a dedicated and convenient smartphone app.

The Model C is life-changing indoors too. With intuitive, responsive controls and unique omni wheels you’ll be able

From outdoor adventures to indoor activities, the WHILL Model C will complement your every move. For more information or to organise a free no obligation home demo, contact TGA today.

To book your free no obligation home demo

FREEPHONE 0800 804 4344 For our full range visit tgamobility.co.uk QUOTE REFERENCE: POS041019

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Our House

IS ON FIRE

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

This year has been a year of environmental rebellion and resistance.

Organisations like Extinction Rebellion have made their stand, but above all else has risen a powerful figure in the fight: Greta Thunberg.

Image: Anders Hellberg

G

reta Thunberg worries old white men in suits. At sixteen, she is captivating the world with her no-nonsense approach to the environmental crisis and terrifying the executives who control both the fossil fuel lobby and the 100 corporations who contribute 71% of global emissions. In her speeches, she takes no prisoners: our house is on fire, she says.

She wants the generations that have come before her to take responsibility for their

actions. With fire in her heart and tears in her eyes, addressing the United Nations, she asks, how dare you adults look to her, a child, for hope? Problems created by adults should be solved by them, not left to her generation to try to pick up the corroded, polluted pieces. Many people have never heard someone so blunt attack the establishment to the establishment’s face: she is a ferocious breath of fresh air in a world saturated with polluted air.

It would be a lie to say that Greta comes from humble beginnings, but she has utilised her position of privilege as the child of two Swedish celebrities to affect change in the world. Born on 3 January 2003, she is the daughter of opera singer Malena Ernman, and author, actor and producer Svante Thunberg; Svante is himself the son of actor and director Olof Thunberg. She has a younger sister, Beata, who goes by Bea. When Greta was eight, she learned about climate change, and it changed her life for the worse. The young woman was paralysed with confusion; why was no-one doing anything to try and fix the effects of the horrors we’ve wrought upon this planet? At age 11, she fell into a deep depression. She stopped talking or eating. Within the space of two months, Greta had lost a stone and a half in weight. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD and selective mutism around this time. “That basically means I only speak when I think it’s necessary,” Greta told the audience at her 2018 TED Talk. For her, climate change is worth talking about. “The climate crisis has already been solved,” she says. “We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is wake up and change.”

Greta describes her Asperger syndrome as her “superpower” – she says it allows her to look at the world in a black and white way, which is beneficial for her. Her Asperger syndrome is credited as the reason behind her direct and blunt approach, which many find refreshing. She is not quiet about who is to blame for the climate crisis, and she does not shy away from looking them directly in the eye as she damns them.

After a 32-hour train journey to the World Economic Forum, where she gave an impromptu speech to some of the richest people in the world, who had arrived on their private jets, she said: “Some people say that the climate crisis is something that we all have created. But that is just another convenient lie. Because if everyone is guilty then no one is to blame.

And someone is to blame. Some people – some companies and

some decision-makers in particular – have known exactly what priceless values they are sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money.” The room was silent until Bono began clapping.

Despite what angry people on Twitter might balk, Greta is right. She’s done her homework on climate change. For those who can’t remember their high school science classes, the burning of fossil fuels creates gasses which destroy the ozone layer, which in turn causes the Earth to heat up. This slow but sure increase in heat has a knock-on effect to the wider environment: the ice caps melt, causing the water to rise, which destroys animal habitats and increases instances of flooding.

The systematic destruction of the Amazon Rainforest contributes massively to carbon dioxide emissions while removing one of the primary sources of oxygen production from across the globe. If left unchecked, it will destroy the planet. The problem, however, is that the fossil fuel industry is too profitable, too large to corral.

How do you convince a generation which made its millions in the fossil fuel industry – whose parents, grandparents and great-grandparents reaped the benefits of the fossil fuel industry – that they have done so at the cost of their children’s and grandchildren’s futures?

Greta understands that small changes can help – she has convinced her family to go vegan to reduce the carbon footprint that comes from animal agriculture, and to stop flying, despite this having a

detrimental effect on her mother’s career. Greta herself even crossed the Atlantic to attend climate conferences in a yacht to stay carbon neutral. It was her School Strike for Climate Change, Skolstrejk för klimatet, beginning in August 2018, where she decided that she would spend every Friday sitting outside the Riksdag every day until the 2018 Swedish general elections to demand that Sweden reduces its carbon emissions per the Paris Agreement.

Slowly, she was joined by more people. From there, more and more children across the globe joined in her strike, demanding the same of their countries. While small changes make all the difference, Greta’s stance is that the fossil fuel industry isn’t playing by the rules – because they have never had rules imposed upon them – so why should she?

Images top: Anders Hellberg, bottom: European Parliament

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Fuel consumption and CO2** figures for the MY20 Volvo XC40 T3 FWD R-Design Manual, in MPG (l/100km): WLTP Combined 37.2 (7.6) – 41.5 (6.8). NEDC CO2 emissions 146 – 142g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. **There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Preliminary data. Please contact your retailer for latest information. *Advance Payment of £999 is for the Volvo XC40 T3 FWD R-Design Manual. Metallic Paint is included free of charge. Offer available on the Motability Contract Hire Scheme. To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment, which will be taken in lieu of the four-weekly rental for 36 months’ duration. 60,000 mileage allowance over three years; excess mileage charges may apply.

Offer available from 01/10/2019 to 31/10/2019 subject to availability at participating retailers. Offer not available with other promotions and may be subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit www.motability.co.uk. Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB.

consuming and had ultimately led me to become a disability campaigner, so to then suggest that being a woman in a wheelchair meant I’d be treated differently to my male friends who were in a wheelchair blew my mind somewhat and I found myself revisiting those incidents where I’d been discriminated against.

SAM RENKE

In all honesty there was a time when I’d scoff at the ramblings of a ‘feminist’ and think what are you getting so irate about, at least you can use the bathroom whenever you want or don’t have to worry about whether the lift at work is out of service. To then come to the realisation that my gender could also have contributed to my dayto-day inequalities and that in fact I faced prejudice just like my fellow non-disabled women made me feel angered and ashamed that I didn’t show empathy towards other women.

COLUMNIST

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

DITCH THE LABEL

I

recently attended an event for leading anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label. They had invited me to be one of their guest panel speakers on the subject of gender stereotypes. The question posed to me “an actress and activist, do you think gender stereotypes have influenced your career, in good or bad ways?”

A similar question had been asked of me some weeks prior by another charity who had introduced me to the theory of intersectionality, also called intersectional feminism, which is a branch of feminism asserting how different aspects of social and political identity discrimination overlap. So for example how you may face discrimination or prejudice from your multiple identities, your race or gender or in my case my disabled identity with that of being a woman.

The notion that I may face discrimination from anything else other than being a wheelchair user and having an impairment had never occurred to me. My ‘disabled identity’ had always been all-

“The notion that I may face discrimination from anything else other than being a wheelchair user and having an impairment had never occurred to me”

After I had prepared my speech for Ditch The Label, it became clear that I had in fact experienced a number of gender stereotypes and had faced discrimination simply because I was a woman. I would however argue that these experiences had always been intertwined and accentuated with my disabled identity. For example, facing misogyny, I’ve had a number of men pat me on the head or high five me, completely disregarding the fact that I am a grown woman and not a child. I’ve also had men completely disregard me as they don’t see me as a sexual being, nor as someone who could bear children or cook for them, something many men I’ve found have on their check list for their ‘ideal mate’!

If anything, intersectionality highlights how prevalent prejudice and discrimination is no matter how you identify, and in fact it should be a tool to bring us all together.

For me, I’m not hung up on why I face discrimination, whether it’s because I have an impairment, I’m white, female or working class, because my success and determination has always derived from breaking those stereotypes and proving others wrong.

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WHOCARES?

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

There are currently 6.5million people in the UK in a caring role, but who is caring for the carers?

C

arers are the true heroes of our nation. They are the backbone of our society, giving their time to care for loved ones and family members, often juggling work, family life and caring responsibilities. The care they provide saves the economy £132 billion every year, yet carers so often feel forgotten in a system that does not recognise the contribution they make, not only to the lives of their loved ones but to the country as a whole.

Around 3 million carers have to juggle work and caring responsibilities but approximately 20% of carers are forced to give up work altogether due to the demands of their caring role. This can have a huge impact on a person as employment can offer purpose, financial stability, a social circle and much more to a person’s life – giving that up can be a difficult adjustment.

Charity Carers UK have reported that approximately 6,000 people become

Carers save the economy

£132

carers every day in our country, yet the Carers Allowance, the main benefit that carers are entitled to, is the lowest benefit available at £64.60 per week for a minimum of 35 hours. That is equivalent to £1.85 per hour, a startlingly low income for anyone to survive on.

CARERS RIGHTS Carers Rights Day takes place on 21 November this year and each year this day is all about raising awareness of the rights of carers, the support they are entitled to and to raise awareness of the needs of carers throughout the UK. Last year Carers UK’s State of Caring 2018 Survey reported that 72% of carers suffered mental ill health as a result of their caring responsibilities and 61% of carers experienced physical ill health due to a caring role.

Everyone needs a break from time to time and no matter how much you love the person you care for, respite opportunities are of vital importance for both sides of the caring relationship. A short break can be just the ticket to reviving your spirit and allowing you some time for yourself without feeling guilty or concerned about the care your family member or loved one is receiving in your absence.

Emily Holzhausen OBE, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, commented: “Every day 6,000 people begin caring for a loved one but the vast majority have no idea about their rights to support.

Carers UK can offer advice on respite options as well as offer information on financial support, health issues, practical support and much more.

Visit carersuk.org for more information or email advice@carersuk.org.

3 MILLION carers have to juggle work and caring responsibilities

BILLION 6,000 every year

“While rewarding, caring can also be demanding and take its toll on carers’ health, wellbeing and finances. That’s why getting help is so important – whether that’s practical support from local services, or applying for financial benefits such as Carer’s Allowance – to help make life that bit easier. On Carers Rights Day we’re encouraging carers across the country to seek support and find out about their rights.”

72%

people become carers every day in our country

of carers suffered mental ill health as a result of their caring responsibilities

61%

of carers experienced physical ill health due to a caring role

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A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR CARERS Gillie Childs has been a carer for her husband for over 10 years. She has written a humourous survival guide for carers to help you get through the tough moments without too much stress or strain.

01

Unless someone’s a medic no one else is an expert on your other half’s condition. Therefore, they are not worth listening to and their opinions or advice is worth diddly squat.

02

Dust and fluff are not nuclear waste. They will not cause a global crisis. They will be there long after you have stopped breathing, so don’t beat yourself up over microbes that don‘t matter. Do your housework when you have the time, energy and inclination or nothing else to do.

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Take time to nurture your dreams, hopes and ambitions. Like a rare bloom, it may not be their time to flower, but if you neglect them, they’ll never get the chance.

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Some days can be like being lost in the fog but above the clouds the sun is shining. Watch your steps, look after yourself and with care you won’t plummet over the cliff.

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This is but one journey. Keep in mind you still have a life and a future. If this journey changes or ends, you need to be fit to start the next one, so be prepared. It’s a big, scary world out there, you need to be strong, face your fears and remember that kindness is a passport to the best places.

03

If people feel it necessary to pass an ill informed judgement, comment or opinion, feel sorry for them. There is no cure for terminal stupidity. It’s their problem, don’t make it yours.

04

Find something to laugh at several times a day. It‘s a great antidote for the blues. Don‘t worry if no one else finds it funny. They don’t walk in your shoes and laughing to yourself deters unwanted attention.

05

Find an oasis of peace in a day to just be quiet without any input. There are many demands on your time, so refuel your sense of well being as often as you can.

Failing that, put your earphones in and lose yourself in your favourite tracks.

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Value the people who support you, no matter if they are real, virtual, near or far. The fact they understand your journey and take time to say “hi” is like early morning dew. It refreshes and revives your spirit. Although you may feel it often, you aren’t alone.

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Remember you are only human, prey to all the human emotions, negative and positive. Swearing under your breath does not make you a bad person. It’s just a release valve that stops negative emotions erupting into something far worse.

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Swearing can be therapeutic! They are only words, not bullets, and can make you laugh, relieve stress and give you the oomph to continue, when you want to give up.

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Sing at the top of your voice. It doesn’t matter if you’ve a voice like a bullfrog with laryngitis. Who cares? You’re not auditioning for X Factor and you haven’t time for a record contract anyway, so let rip. You’ll feel heaps better afterwards.

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Don’t fret if the words “thank you” are never heard.

Being selfish is easy. Compassion, empathy, love and gratitude take time and effort. You can freak relatives out by telling them it could be their turn to look after their family member one day, if anything happens to you!

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Sing at the top of your voice. It doesn’t matter if you’ve a voice like a bullfrog with laryngitis.

Who cares?

MITSUBISHI MOTABILITY SUV RANGE OUTLANDER DESIGN 4WD

£1,549 ADVANCE PAYMENT

Smartphone link Display Audio (SDA)

ASX DYNAMIC

ECLIPSE CROSS VERVE

OUTLANDER PHEV DESIGN 4WD

ADVANCE PAYMENT

ADVANCE PAYMENT

ADVANCE PAYMENT

£499

£299

£3,749

Air conditioning

Touchpad controller

Plug-in hybrid

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Reversing camera

Bluetooth1

Bluetooth

Auto rain & dusk sensors

Bluetooth1

Reversing camera

Automatic Transmission

Smartphone link Display Audio (SDA)

Climate control air conditioning

Smartphone link Display Audio (SDA)

7 seats 1

Automatic Transmission

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

Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi Range (excluding Outlander PHEV). Mpg (l/100km) (combined): 32.5 – 37.7 (8.7 – 7.5). CO₂ emissions: 169 - 154 g/km*.

Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Outlander PHEV. Mpg (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0). Electric energy consumption (weighted combined): 3.68 miles/ kWh. CO₂ emissions (weighted): 40 g/km*. Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles.

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

Halloween

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SPOOKTACULAR

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Goth Christmas. Get your white foundation and old bedsheets out, and get ready to dish out the treats to your local spooks and spectres.

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Pumpkin String Lights

Let the neighbours know you’re game for a creepy time with these adorable Halloween lights, featuring cute pumpkins and creepy spiders. Hang them in the living room to bring the spirit of the season (and hopefully a few other spirits) into your humble abode, or string them above the door so the neighbourhood knows you’re a willing and happy participant in seasonal festivities. hobbycraft.co.uk | £5

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Giant Box of Crafts

Get the scissors out, load up the glue gun and get yourself some orange and black glitter, because it’s time to get decorative.

With this massive box of crafty goodness, you can decorate your mobility scooter, crutches, wheelchair or anything else with some spooky arts and crafts. There truly is nothing that can’t be made from pipe cleaners and googly eyes. wayfair.co.uk | £12.99

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Ben Nye Professional Fake Blood

Yes you could make fake blood, but do you really want to do that when you could just as easily go with the makeup artist’s favourite, Ben Nye? Available in a zesty mint flavour so your mouth can feel clean as a whistle while haemorrhaging like it’s going out of fashion, Ben Nye’s fake blood comes in a variety of forms – arterial, aged, venous and so on – so you can not only be spooky but technically accurate. redcarpetfx.com | From £3.99

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4

NYX SFX Crème Colour

Make-up is the foundation of many amazing Halloween costumes, so if you’re dressing up as the Hulk, a vampire, Frankenstein, Tin Man or Donald Trump, you’re going to need to paint your face.

NYX’s crème body and face paint comes in 12 colours, meaning you can mix them together to suit your needs. Colours can be easily blended too – just remember to set it with powder to keep it fresh all night long! nyxcosmetics.co.uk | £11

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Spike Studs

Another one for the craftier amongst us, because we all know going as a punk for Halloween is some of the most fun you can have. Once you’ve gelled your hair up into spikes and sprayed the ends bright red, you can complete your “Mik Scarlet from 1984” costume with a few well-placed metal spikes on black clothes.

If you have any left over, put them on the handles of your wheelchair to stop strangers grabbing them. So useful! amazon.co.uk | £6.99

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Monsters’ Ball Bath Bomb

If your plan for Halloween is to stay in and chill, why not run a bath and fire this cheeky monster in? Returning for Lush’s 2019 Halloween range is Monsters’ Ball, a funny little bath bomb with a classic Lush scent that combines neroli and lime oil for a zesty but relaxing experience. Enjoy the sweet citrus scent and the colourful pink and blue hues in the water with this bomb product. uk.lush.com | £5.50

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Witches’ Brew Yankee Candle

When you imagine a witch’s cauldron, bubbling and frothing away in the darkness of her cave, how does it smell?

Spicy, sweet and alluring, or sickly and sharp? Yankee Candles’ classic Witches’ Brew candle burns beautifully, and its woody patchouli scent creates the perfect mood and atmosphere for a chill Halloween night. yankeecandle.co.uk | £15.99

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Halloween Cake Pop Kit

If you’re in the market for some messy fun on Halloween, look no further than this cake pop kit, which contains everything you need to make 12 adorable chocolate pumpkins. The kit is perfect for anyone who loves to bake, and the outcome is both cute and delicious. Trick or treaters will be lining up at the door for a cake pop, so be prepared to start a second batch!

By The Baking Tree on notonthehighstreet.com | £17.99

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“Hello I Have Autism” Bag

For kids who live with autism, trick or treating can be a struggle, and it can get tiresome trying to explain to neighbours and other guisers why they’re having a difficult time. This cute little tote explains everything straight away, and also makes for an amazing place to stash all the mini sweeties and monkey nuts that your little ghoul or goblin will get on their Halloween adventures.

By ThePerfectTouchGifts on etsty.com From £12.70

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Sugar-Free Chupa Chups

No trick or treaters want to be given a healthy snack, but some kids – especially those who have diabetes or food intolerances – struggle when it comes to guising at Halloween. No-one wants to feel left out, so why not include some fun alternatives in your cauldron of treats?

These Chupa Chups lollies are vegetarian, vegan and contain no added sugar, so they’re ideal for those of us who have dietary requirements. amazon.co.uk | £4.99

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TOURNEO ZETEC

CONNEC T

A DVA N C E

PAY M E N T

£NIL

Ford Tourneo Connect Zetec with Rear Parking Sensors from £Nil* Advance Payment.

To find out more, visit ford.co.uk /motability or call 0345 60 40 019.

T O G E T H E R

W E

G O

F U R T H E R

Available on selected Dealer stock only. Please contact a participating Ford Dealer for more information.

Model shown is a Ford Tourneo Connect Zetec 1.5L EcoBlue 120PS Manual Diesel with Rear Parking Sensors: Fuel Economy mpg (l/100km), Combined 51.4 (5.5 l/100km), CO 2 emissions 118g/km†.

Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO 2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. † There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO 2 figures. The CO 2 figures shown, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. *£Nil Advance Payment available only on Ford Tourneo Connect Zetec 1.5L EcoBlue 120PS Manual with Rear Parking Sensors. Rear Parking Sensors are offered on all Ford vehicles FOC if not standard, subject to availability. Limited stock available. Please contact a dealer for more details. This programme is subject to the standard conditions of the Motability Scheme hire agreement. Full written details and quotations available on request from a Ford Authorised participating Dealer of Motability Operations Limited. Motability Scheme vehicles are leased to customers by Motability Operations. Motability Operations Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 735390. To qualify you must be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) and applications must be made with participating dealers between 1st October and 31st December 2019. Prices are correct at time of print, are subject to availability and may change. For more information and most up-to-date data, please see the price list at www.ford.co.uk/motability

PANTOTime

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

There are many accessible panto performances taking place throughout the UK this year. “Oh no there isn’t!”, “Oh yes there is!”

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t may be a scary thought that Christmas is nearly here, but now is the time to start thinking about panto tickets! The tradition of panto is a wonderfully silly outing and often the first experience of live theatre for little ones, which is a special moment in itself. The very best pantomimes will have something for the kids and the adults – clever innuendoes are prevalent in these shows, which is always welcomed by the enthusiastic audience and they are designed to make you laugh, shout, sing, dance and enjoy yourself.

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TOUCH TOURS A great opportunity offered by some theatres that allows visually impaired patrons to access the set and familiarise themselves with the costumes, the props and the set itself.

However, if you have a family member or friend that has additional needs and you don’t want to risk the standard performance, why not look into whether the theatres in your area put on accessible performances? Here’s what to look out for…

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RELAXED PERFORMANCES These performances are adapted to cater for children and adults who may have autism, sensory processing difficulties, learning difficulties or dementia. Generally during these performances the lights are not fully turned down, any loud noises in the performance are toned down, audience members can come and go as they please and a louder level of noise is permitted in the theatre. There is also usually a quiet zone for audience members to utilise if they need to chill out in a calming space.

AUDIO-DESCRIBED For visually impaired theatre-goers, audio-described performances include live commentary interspersed with the actors dialogue to give a fuller description of the scene taking place on stage. This tends to be relayed via a headset and it will often include a short session prior to the performance starting to set the scene, describe the costumes and characters.

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BSL INTERPRETED For those who are Deaf or hearing impaired, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances are available.

These feature a BSL interpreter signing throughout the show to translate the performance.

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES Similar to TV subtitles, the dialogue from the show will be displayed on a screen for the audience to follow. There are two variations of captioned performances, open captioning is a large screen that can be seen by the whole audience and closed captioning is when the audience member has an individual device that only allows them to see the dialogue.

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TOP PANTO PICKS We have scoured the line-up of pantos and celeb appearances this year and picked out the ones that we think will be the funniest…

CINDERELLA – NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS – LONDON PALLADIUM

Featuring fashion icon Gok Wan as The Fairy Gokmother, this adaptation of the well-loved fairytale promises to have you and your family laughing from beginning to end.

Featuring special effects, plenty of singing and dancing and lots of opportunities for the inevitable boos and hisses.

Accessible performances available and these are outlined newtheatercardiff.co.uk. on the website – newtheatercardiff.co.uk

With an all-star cast including Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Matt Baker, this panto is sure to go down a storm. The comedic stylings of this array of actors, combined with amazing special effects, hair-raising stunts and circus acts will have you belly-laughing all the way to Christmas.

Signed and audio-described performances take place on 2,3 January 2020. Find out more at palladiumpantomime.com.

ALADDIN – FTH THEATRE, FALKIRK

PUSS IN BOOTS – BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY

Join Aladdin, Widow Twankey and Wishee Washee through the hilarious story beloved by all. Uplifting songs, raucous behaviour and plenty of slap stick comedy will make for an unforgettable show. Signed performances take place on 11, 18 December and a relaxed performance takes place on 18 December too. Book tickets at falkirkcommunitytrust.org falkirkcommunitytrust.org.

Get on board with this festive favourite and embark on a journey of crazy costumes, creative sets and seasonal silliness as Puss in Boots and the Pudding family find themselves on a magical adventure of mayhem, outsmarting the evil Ogre and delighting the audience.

Accessible performances taking place throughout December. Book tickets at belgrade.co.uk.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST This well-known tale is packed full of comedy, amazing dance routines, familiar faces and hilarious scenarios.

A romantic and magical adventure filled with comical characters, castles, evil enchantresses and side-splitting scenarios. Accessible performances taking place on various dates in December and January, see goh.co.uk for more information.

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Don’t forget to check out your local theatres and support your local community theatre companies, shows without all the bright lights and loud bangs of a big auditorium can be a great place to start with those who are unsure of attending. It can be a nice way to experience panto for the first time on a smaller scale.

Feasts N UTRIT ION AL

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

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When Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis flare-up, what makes for the ideal menu? We’ve got a few ideas to keep you going when these chronic conditions get you down.

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THE TRIGGERS

No case of Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis (UC) is the same, so it’s important to know that it’s completely ok to try things and move on when they don’t work. Changing your diet cannot cure either chronic illness, but knowing what your food triggers are and avoiding them during a flare-up can make your life significantly easier. If gin or spicy food results in inflammation or ulcers, then it’s not rocket science: avoid gin or spicy food! If you’re going to make big changes to your diet, talk to a GP, an IBS specialist, or a nutritionist, because they know best.

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FORTIFY YOUR MEALS Vitamin B12 is one we don’t often think a lot about, but if you’re very into organ meats (not a sentence we ever thought we’d write), you’re likely getting a lot of B12 without even knowing it. It’s a vital vitamin for your nervous system, and a deficit can cause lethargy and a lack of concentration. Fortified cereals, trout, salmon, eggs and dairy all contain B12, which is one of the vitamins you’re most likely to lose during a flare-up.

SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY The vitamin responsible for helping uptake calcium, magnesium and phosphates in the body is vitamin D, which you may know can be created through a nice bit of exposure to the sun. If you can’t afford an all-inclusive beach holiday in Spain, the easier alternative is to get it in your diet. You’ll be especially susceptible during the winter months when you struggle to make your own vitamin D, so stock up on supplements or get really into oily fish and fortified foods.

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People with Crohn’s and UC are at increased risk of developing anaemia due to the loss of iron that can occur during a flare-up. Much like vitamin B12, a lack of it can make you feel sluggish, lethargic and pale. Shellfish, spinach, red meat, legumes and beans are high in iron, as is tofu, meaning it’s easy for people with dietary restrictions to get iron too. If things aren’t looking too hot, you can also get your doctor to prescribe iron tablets or take supplements.

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BONE UP ON CALCIUM Everyone knows that calcium makes for healthy bones, but it’s really important to know that a flareup can result in your body failing to uptake calcium as it should. If you can’t have milk or dairy – the main sources of calcium in most diets – don’t worry, it comes from loads of other places too.

Seeds, legumes, dark leafy veg and tofu are all surprisingly full of calcium, and also really good for you in general.

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FRUIT AND FIBRE

Ignore this bit if you’re eating: both Crohn’s and UC can cause intense diarrhoea, which is how all these vitamins and minerals escape your body during a flare-up. Fibre is great because it’s like a bulking agent for poo, so it makes it easier to pass stools when your guts are generally not having it. Starchy foods like bread and pasta, fortified cereals, fruit, vegetables, and legumes are all full of fibre, so get carb loading.

MIK SCARLET COLUMNIST

Follow Mik on Twitter

REAL CHANGE

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’m writing this after unpacking from a holiday to, you guessed it, Barcelona. It’s our go to holiday destination because it’s a city where I can genuinely forget I am disabled. This time we stayed in an amazing accessible apartment, so we could feel like we lived there.

This is a goal for my wife and I, a dream for our retirement. However, back in the harsh reality of London I have to get used to battling to get around and finding that around half of the places I want to visit are not accessible all over again. Going to a tube system where 50 out of 270 stations are wheelchair accessible, from a city where only 14 out of 159 stations aren’t accessible takes a bit of getting used to. In Barcelona even their cable cars are accessible and so many places have accessible toilets you find yourself not worrying about where to pee.

We’ve been visiting Barcelona for over 20 years now and have watched it get more and more welcoming to disabled people. Each visit we find something new has happened around access too. I have to admit that in that time London has also become more accessible, but the progress has been slower and I’ve seen a lot of mistakes made along the way. In that time I have gone from media darling to trained expert in inclusive design and accessible practice. I’ve gone from appearing on TV to appearing in rooms of trainees, teaching them how to make what they do more inclusive, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I think about my inclusion work, I can see that I am helping to leave a legacy. It’s in bricks

@MikScarlet

and mortar, it’s in the world around us, it’s in the way younger disabled people don’t have to experience the rubbish us oldies went through. Sure, it’s improved but I can hear the cries of the younger disabled readers now – “it’s still pretty bad Mik!” With that in mind I have found myself in the lucky position to be able to play a greater role in making real change. By the time this goes to press, I will have become an access and inclusion manager for Network Rail, with my role revolving around making more train stations more accessible and improving the training of Network Rail staff, maybe even the staff of other train operating companies too. I will also be working to make Network Rail a dream place to work if you are disabled. Alongside my new role, I am hearing of many other disabled people who have found themselves being employed to do similar roles. From banking to government, from retail and fashion to architecture, disabled people are no longer on the outside shouting in about what needs improving to make the world more accessible.

No, they are being hired to lead the way from inside. This is huge! I’ve even heard the media are looking to employ disabled people to lead their drive to be more inclusive of disabled people - will wonders never cease!

Being paid to advise makes what we say more valid in the eyes of many non-disabled people, which is why it’s so big.

If disabled voices are finally seen as valid, and society understands how to be inclusive, then maybe the long list of ‘nearly but not quite’ that we’ve all seen when good-hearted people try to make things better for us without talking to us, will be become a thing of the past. I know from all the contacts I have made in

this field, we are going to support each other and reach out to people from all impairment groups. We don’t want our legacy to only work for a select few in our community. We want to make change for us all. We want to make it so that having a disabled co-worker is normal, that disabled people are always considered when a building is designed, that businesses seek to attract disabled customers with good service and accessible premises and that the disabled people yet to be born will grow up without knowing what it feels like to be excluded.

I know it’s a big ambition, but it’s possible. I know from my new bosses, and what I’ve heard from the other disabled people working towards that ambition, that it’s a goal that more people with the power to make changes want to achieve. A real legacy of real change.

Yes, right now I am feeling very positive about the future, because disabled people are finally getting involved in shaping it.

“By the time this goes to press, I will have become an Access and Inclusion Manager for Network Rail”

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READY FOR ANY ROAD YOU TAKE.

JEEP® COMPASS AND RENEGADE. BORN TO BE WILD. JEEP® RANGES AVAILABLE ON THE MOTABILITY SCHEME For more information or to book a test drive visit Jeep.co.uk/motability or visit your nearest Jeep dealer OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE JEEP® RENEGADE AND COMPASS RANGES MPG (L/100KM) COMBINED: 29.4 (9.6) TO 48.7 (5.8). CO₂ EMISSIONS: 190 –128 G/KM. Fuel consumption figures determined on the basis of the new WLTP test procedure as per Regulation (EU) 2017/1347. CO 2 figures are determined on the basis of the NEDC outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure. Models shown are Jeep Compass 1.4 MultiAir II 140hp Limited (MY19) and Jeep Renegade 1.0 120hp Limited 4x2. Standard Metallic paint is available as a no cost option on the Motability Scheme. Subject to orders being placed between 1st October and 31st December 2019. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Terms & Conditions apply. Subject to stock availability. Offers subject to change in the event of the imposition of any Brexit related tariffs. Jeep® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

BY COLETTE CARR

With Tokyo 2020 fast approaching and the Paralympics cycle hitting the business end of proceedings, competition is heating up and athletes across the globe are all eyes on Japan and how to get there.

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or the swimmers, it was London calling as they returned to the site of the 2012 Paralympics and to the London Aquatics Centre for the rescheduled World Para-Swimming Championships, where ParalympicsGB gathered a whopping 47 medals, finishing second on the medal table.

The event finally rolled round, months after it was initially scheduled for following the saga of Malaysia’s hosting rights. In April, London was announced as the rearranged host city for after Malaysia were stripped of the event. A key date in the Paralympic calendar ahead of Tokyo, the championships serve as a crucial point in qualification, and was already a record-breaker with more than 650 swimmers from 82 nations descending on the capital to help book their place in next year’s showpiece event. The change of venue came with a significant time delay, with the original event in Malaysia due to begin on 29 July.

It marked the first time a global Para-swimming competition has been held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Paralympics, only four years after Great Britain last hosted the World ParaSwimming Championships in Glasgow.

47 MEDALS

INCLUDING 19 GOLDS

ALICE TAI HEADED HOME WITH

SEVEN S

WORLD PARA-SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019

WON

GO LD

London CALLING

PARALYMPICSGB

MORE THAN

SWIMMERS

NATIONS Image: onEdition

“We’ve very much focused on two things.

One was the process of making sure we swam hard in the heats and moved those things on in finals and we’ve achieved the goals we set in that area.

“The other was very much ensuring we really rehearsed what we wanted to achieve and what we put in place for Tokyo in terms of the staffing model, how we’ve positioned ourselves and the culture we’ve had as a team. It is exactly what we’ve wanted to practice ahead of Tokyo.”

Despite the rocky road to London 2019, the meet proved successful for ParalympicsGB’s swimmers, as preparations ramped up with Tokyo now less than one year away.

GB team leader Chris Furber told British Swimming; “From a performance perspective, I’m absolutely delighted with the way the team has performed this week.

ParalympicsGB racked up an impressive 19 golds, but Alice Tai was the big winner in the British colours last month as she headed home with an emphatic seven golds, finishing as the contest’s most decorated competitor. The SB8 swimmer capped a brilliant personal championship with the 4x100m freestyle relay, the team’s second relay title, alongside Steph Millward, Toni Shaw and Brock Whiston.

Whiston herself broke two world records over the course, with the 22-year-old setting a new time for the SB8 100m breaststroke, and 24 hours later setting another world record.

Elsewhere, Reece Dunn enjoyed a fruitful championships, as he sealed three golds and three world records. In the 200m freestyle, he lead the GB charge, coming in first, with Tom Hamer taking silver, while Jordan Catchpole was third with a personal best. The 23-year-old S14 swimmer is now gunning for success in Tokyo, which would be his first Paralympic Games.

Tokyo 2020 takes place from 25 August to 6 September

Image: British Swimming

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Paralympic POSABILITY’S

BY COLETTE CARR

PRIMER

As the world prepares for the 2020 Paralympic Games as we begin to hurtle towards them at breakneck speeds, ParalympicsGB are also cranking up the heat, as they launched their Impossible to Ignore campaign to celebrate one year to go.

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f you were one of the very few who didn’t get wrapped up in the heroics or incredible scenes of London 2012 or Rio 2016, you would be indeed, one of the very few. But with any growing movement, it’s never too late to get on board and be a part of a true sporting and societal revolution, so here’s PosAbility’s Paralympic Primer to get you up to speed.

IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE The Impossible to Ignore campaign was launched to mark one year until the Games descend on Japan and our television screens are flooded with action-packed and thrilling images once again. In preparation for this, the governing body in Britain have produced and released another powerful film that pulls no punches, and once again demands your attention and respect.

The short snippet is as punchy and feisty as it is informative and thought-provoking. Set over snappy background music, it’s quick frame rate transports us back to iconic scenes from London seven years ago and Rio three, and speaks directly to the viewer through it’s well-timed and sharp captions.

It applauds the public for “sitting up and taking notice” when the Paralympics come round, before, without hesitation it displays the stark realities that still face disabled people today, saying: “Disabled people are still less likely to play sport and less likely to have a job.” It continues with: “84% of UK adults say ParalympicsGB athletes have a positive impact on society,” before laying down it’s mission statement of, “We work to turn the nation’s cheers into change, to turn medals into a movement.” It ends with a call to “make all disabled people impossible to ignore.”

ParalympicsGB write that, “the initiative has been developed after recent research showed Paralympic athletes are key to challenging perceptions of disability in the UK. Research from ComRes suggests that the success of these athletes may have a direct impact on breaking down barriers, shifting perceptions and increasing opportunities for all disabled people.

The research follows a poll carried out by Scope

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in 2018, which revealed nearly half of disabled people felt excluded from society.

Chair of the British Paralympic Association Nick Webborn said: “This research is the strongest proof yet of the direct link between the success of our talented Paralympic athletes and its wider social benefit.”

View the rallying video by searching “Impossible to Ignore” on YouTube.

THE PARALYMPIC PANTHEON The Paralympics have presented 15 showstopping editions and produced numerous greats over its legendary saga.

In terms of British interest, there are a few names, past and present, who should be on your radar. Past powerhouses include Tanni-Grey Thompson, who won 16 medals in wheelchair racing and Lee Pearson won a remarkable 12 medals in dressage.

David Weir is a modern great having being dubbed “The Weirwolf” as he cleaned up in London 2012 on the track. In terms of Britwatch for next summer, Jonnie Peacock is still one to watch. Bursting onto the scene and becoming one of the crowning stars of London 2012 alongside poster girl Hannah Cockroft, the two track stars are worth a watch, alongside Kare Adenegan, who is one of Cockroft’s tightest competitors.

Nationally, China are ones to watch. In Rio, the Chinese team topped the medal table for the fourth consecutive Summer Games, winning an unbelievable 107 gold medals across the 11 days of competition.

ParalympicsGB came second after a brilliant campaign, but were still a way off the China powerhouse, who finished with 239 medals, a fair distance ahead of Britain’s 147.

The United States top the all-time medal table. Their dominance stretches as far as having won a total of 2183 medals, a significant way off GB in second’s 1789.

THE FORMIDABLE FUTURE Like London 2012, Tokyo 2020 is just one piece of the larger puzzle as the top dogs and Paralympians continue to lay the foundations for the landscape to only grow more. The seismic shift in ideas and attitudes not only towards the Games, but globally with regards to disability issues, that London brought opened up conversations that aren’t quite finished.

Tokyo is the second in three instalments of back-to-back Asian Games, following the PyeongChang Winter Paralympics in 2018 and preceding the Beijing Winter Games in 2022. Its extended run in the continent, will look to make the same cultural impact in that corner of the world that Britain began to eight years ago.

Following Tokyo next year, the Paralympics will return to Europe in 2024 for the first time since London in 2012.

Images left: Jonnie Peacock, onEdition middle-top: Markus Rehm, Tokyo 2020 middle-bottom: Sarah Storey, onEdition top-right: Hannah Cockroft and Kare Adenegan, onEdition

While the United States boast the crown of the most decorated nation, it lags behind other parts of the world in other aspects.

Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Games, and it is hoped that the host country will improve not just its relatively small output of coverage, but also its overall national attitude towards disability visibility and access.

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WIN WIN A TGA MAXIMO

SCOOTER! We have teamed up with TGA Mobility who are very generously giving away a Maximo scooter to one lucky reader!

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he super convenient folding Maximo scooter offers an enhanced driving experience. With maximum space and comfort it provides all the transportability you need to go where you want, when you want.

Thanks to the fully adjustable tiller and quick release seat with adjustable swingaway armrests, you will always find a comfortable driving position with Maximo.

Plus, the pneumatic tyres, mono-shock rear suspension and rear anti-tip castors, will make your ride feel extra safe and secure.

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The lightweight lithium battery weighing just over 7lbs (3.3kg) provides a range of up to 12.5 miles (20km) for users up to 21 stone (133kg). When recharging is required, the battery pack can be easily removed and taken indoors, leaving Maximo packed in the boot of your car and ready for your next trip outdoors.

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

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FENGLAODA COMPRESSION SOCKS These compression socks are designed in fun patterns and bright colours and are ideal for those who need to wear compression socks to help with circulation.

They offer a more appealing alternative to the plain medical socks that are usually on offer, allowing wearers to enjoy a bit of personal style when wearing them.

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SWIVEL CUSHION This soft, comfortable circular cushion is designed to aid people with mobility issues when getting in and out of a car seat, bed or chair. The cushion itself spins round easily in both directions allowing users to get into a better position for standing up or transferring.

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FOLDING SCOOTER This lightweight folding scooter is designed to be easily transported in a car or stored in your house. It folds down in under 20 seconds and only weighs 21.5kg, it also has additional safety features including reduced speed when cornering, an auto-stop function and an antislip footwell carpet.

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REALFLEECE SIERRA GLOVES These toasty gloves will not only keep your digits nice and warm on a cold winter’s day but they also have touchscreen technology in the thumb and index finger so you can use your smartphone without having to remove your gloves. The silicone grip on the palm and other three fingers will help prevent anything slipping out of your hands too.

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HIDRATE SPARK 3.0 SMART WATER BOTTLE This water bottle syncs with an app on your phone via Bluetooth to track your water intake throughout the day. The bottle uses sensor technology that illuminates the bottle to remind users to take a drink to ensure they are staying hydrated, the app will also send reminder notifications throughout the day too.

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DOUBLE DRAUGHT EXCLUDER As the colder weather sets in and our homes get ever draughtier, we look for cost-effective ways to keep the heat in. This double draught excluder is a great option for sliding under doors throughout your house. Simple and easy to use it stops the cold air at both sides and allows your door to still open easily and smoothly.

Prices from £4.99 amazon.co.uk

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A

Blooming GOOD IDEA

BY COLETTE CARR

T

he visibility of invisible disabilities is one crusade that is only growing more and more as time goes on.

More and more businesses and venues are committing to ensuring better and more comfortable consumer experience for their shoppers or visitors, with small but significant changes being welcomed.

One means to support this bid is the introduction of sunflower lanyards.

Supported and backed by charities including RNIB, Alzheimer’s Society, The National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss, sunflower lanyards are one of the easiest ways companies can support those living with hidden disabilities. By offering customers or visitors sunflower lanyards on arrival, or allowing them to request them, you allow them to communicate to you that they have an invisible disability and may need different support or amendments made.

First introduced in 2016 by Gatwick Airport, a number of other airports and outlets have gotten on board, with Marks & Spencer the latest to sign up as they look to become the “most accessible retailer”. The idea behind the pilot airport scheme lanyard was to ensure users could receive more help with; getting more time to prepare at check-in and security, getting a more comprehensive briefing on what to expect as you travel through the airport and staff assisting with reading a departure board or sign. And ever since, the project has continued to bloom.

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SUPERMARKETS Retailer Marks & Spencer are the latest company to back the scheme as they go all in, in a bid to become the UK’s “most accessible retailer”. On announcing this, Sacha Berendiji, M&S’ retail, operations and property director said: “The sunflower lanyard initiative is one of several collaborative initiatives we’re proud to take part in and we hope to encourage more retailers and services on the high street to join up and help the scheme grow.”

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have also trialled the scheme in certain stores with feedback proving its success.

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AIRPORTS With its roots in airports, it’s no surprise other UK airports followed suit after Gatwick instigated the initiative three years ago. Nine other airports including Heathrow now have joined the project, and Manchester Airport have extended the sunflower lanyard scheme to The Sunflower Room in Terminal 1. The facility is designed to aid special assistance passengers who need to break away from the noise, bright lights and crowds of the main departure lounge to help them relax and feel calm in a quieter environment. British Airways easyJet and Virgin also offer support through this.

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RAIL TRAVEL Some rail companies and stations have also undertaken the project, and RNIB advise those looking to take advantage of it or learn more; “ask at any station or by contacting customer services for LNER. For c2c, ask at station booking offices or by contacting customer services.”

Are you a company that utilises the sunflower lanyard scheme? Get in touch with your stories, email ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

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Home INDEPENDENCE We all need a little help as we get older, but we know that remaining at home surrounded by our own home comforts, in our routine and in a safe environment is the most appealing plan. Nowadays there are so many devices and forms of assistive technology that can be embraced to keep you or a loved one at home living independently for as long as possible. We take a look at the things available to aid independence in the home.

ALEXA Amazon Echo’s voice activated technology aka Alexa, is a fantastic tool. She can be used for a huge range of things, you can ask her the time, ask her to give you the top news stories, set reminders to take medication or set timers when cooking.

She can also be linked to your amazon account to allow you to purchase items just by talking to her. Another great function is linking Alexa to home appliances like lights, microwaves, thermostats and plug sockets allowing you the ability to control your environment from one place.

HOMES WITH A DIFFERENCE WELCOME TO CROSS TREES PARK, SHRIVENHAM

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Cross Trees Park is a new development of high quality, traditional styled 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes situated in the village of Shrivenham.

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REMOTE CONTROLLED BLINDS

These doorbells are not only a convenient addition to your home, but they add another level of safety to your property.

The camera is normally streamed live via a wi-fi connection, allowing you to see who is at your door and allowing you to decide whether you want to answer it. If it is someone you know you can talk to them through the doorbell and ask them to come in, all from the comfort of your living room.

A functional luxury that can transform your independence. If you or a loved one is unwell or spends a lot of time in bed then remote controlled blinds or electric curtain tracks can allow the user to shut them at will. Want to take a nap during the day? Simply push a button and darkness will descend. It gives the user the control of when they want to go to bed, without worrying about asking someone to close the curtains for them.

ROBOTIC CLEANING Imagine never having to cut the grass, mop the floor or hoover the house again?

Well, now you can take advantage of the robotic devices that have been created using GPS technology to do just that. You simply set them on course to clean or cut a designated area and off they go. If you have guests coming round, no need to stress over the dust in the corners, these little robots will get it, leaving you to relax and get the scones out.

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*

Home sw

BY COLETTE CARR

Making an accessible house into a beautiful home

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our own four walls should be your safe haven, your space, and your own cocoon of comfort, warmth, love and security. There really is no place like home.

It should be an extension of yourself, a space solely for you and your family and the one place in the world that truly feels like yours.

But sometimes, if you are living in an accessible home or have to fill your home with necessary, but oft-times clinical looking, equipment, it can be difficult to make your house look like a home. Your humble abode may need to house some things to make your life easier, but your furnishings or design shouldn’t have to take too much of a hit.

From simply adding a few photographs to your mantlepiece or strategically placing them on the walls, to splashes of your personality shining through, through anything from a solitary slogan placard, to fluffy cushions, you can make small steps to enjoy home sweet home.

THE BATHROOM

For many disabled people, getting the bathroom spot on isn’t only a matter of accessibility, but also one of paramount safety importance. With any bathroom, there are numerous things to consider regardless of the level of accessibility and adaption required. An occupational therapist or other support worker may be able to advise with regards to flooring, bath or shower adaptation, lowered sinks and toileting equipment, but there are steps you can take to combat any worries about it becoming a bathroom reminiscent of a hospital ward.

Wall hung cupboards, sinks and ledges aren’t only accessible options you can take, but they can really help shape your look for the bathroom. These can be chosen in a range of shapes, textures, colours and sizes and can help you make your bathroom your own. Choosing a colour palette that complements your choice of texture will tie it all together nicely. Wall hung features don’t only look sleek and modern, but also are a clever way of creating and maximising your space, and removing further obstruction without appearing aesthetically accessible.

Like any other room, mirrors create further depth and the illusion of more space. Naturally, bathrooms house mirrors, so get creative with sizes, shapes and placement. Wire baskets come in a range of sizes and can be an easy way to spruce up your storage options while being easy to use and move when necessary.

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THE KITCHEN

Kitchen real estate is always at a premium regardless of your access requirements of adaptation needs.

Kitchens are often a hot hub busy, cluttered and full of work.

But this is a room of creativity. Cooking isn’t just a necessity, but can be a means of expressing your creativity through rustling up whatever takes your fancy. You can make this space inspiring by decorating it with bits and bobs that will whet your whistle. Lowered worktops, accessible ovens, and adapted sinks will all make a difference, but it’s the little touches that will make it, so get accessorising.

eet home THE BEDROOM

Your bedroom is your final refuge. It’s where you begin and finish your day, so ultimate comfort is key.

Your bed may have to have been adapted or make use of motorised aids or handles, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be beautiful. There are so many options to make it not only a beautiful spot to rest your head at night, but also comforting and sensory. Why not invest in a beautiful weighted blanket? The pressure from it may support any aches, pains or sensory requirements as you recharge your batteries and come in many stunning designs now. Bedside furniture can be clunky, and if space is at a minimum or you are trying to minimise obstructions, smaller shelves that can be reached may add ease of access and reduce clutter.

Sliding doors for your wardrobes also maximises space in that they don’t swing out into the room, while also being easy to open and looking sleek.

THE LIVING ROOM

Whether it is for relaxing in your own time, or inviting guests into your house, the lounge is for many the focal point of a home. It’s where you gather, chat and relax in whatever way you choose. No matter how much space you have, there are loads of ways to make your living room accessible and cosy.

If you have opted for two couches, throws and cushions add extra comfort and can support good posture.

Strategically placed coffee tables can help with space saving, but also can be decorated with bits and bobs that reflect your personality and your home. Mirrors also give the illusion of maximised space, so get reflective.

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A superb collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

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Notting Hill Genesis terms and conditions apply. London Help to Buy – Terms and conditions apply and is available on selected plots only. Please contact us for further details. More information can be found on www.helptobuy.gov.uk. Stamp duty incentives are available – see website for details. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Images used for illustrative purposes only. Travel times taken from Google Maps. Prices correct at time of publication September 2019.

HOME OWNERSHIP STARTS WITH US

Yourself HELPING TO HELP

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

S

elf-care has a bad reputation as a buzz-word that we use to excuse an opportunity to do a face mask and watch an entire season of RuPaul’s Drag Race in one sitting - but why is that a bad thing? The act of selfcare is about topping up and looking after your own mental health and well-being, and it’s a vitally important aspect of your daily life, especially as reports show that a quarter of UK workers are on the verge of a mental health crisis.

Here’s some of our tips for self-care that you can integrate into your days without hassle.

TOP-UP YOUR MENTAL ENERGY Try to ensure that you’re doing one thing every day that’s exclusively for you, and tops up your mental energy. It should be an activity you enjoy, or one that allows you to enjoy a state of mindfulness, and it doesn’t have to be for a long time! Five minutes of an app like Calm, half an hour of cooking dinner, or an hour of needlework at night can all count towards topping up your mental energy and giving you a mental escape from the stresses of your day.

ACCEPT HELP WHEN YOU CAN It’s not always easy for us to accept help, but letting others step in to alleviate the burden that’s on you so that you can concentrate on maintaining good mental health. You might hate asking for help, but it’s nothing to feel guilty about your mental health is just as important as whatever task it is you require help with. Don’t sink when there’s someone in front of you offering you a life preserver.

HAVE SOME COMPASSION Not every day is going to be easy, but we’re almost always our own worst enemy when it comes to our mental health.

Many of us torture ourselves, ruminate (fancy therapist word for overthinking) over the tiniest of details, and beat ourselves up over things we feel we could have done or said better. That’s not healthy. Try to find a way to let these things go; maybe write them down or talk about them with a friend or relative, and you’ll find that having a little compassion for yourself and being more gentle regarding your mistakes goes a long way to improving your mental health.

“…having a little compassion for yourself and being more gentle regarding your mistakes goes a long way to improving your mental health.” posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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EAT AND BE MERRY It goes without saying that eating is a vitally important part of anyone’s day. If your mental health has taken a dip, it might be a good time to get snacking. Eating will raise your blood sugar level, which will, in turn, contribute positively to your mood. That doesn’t mean you should just grab some chocolate and get on with your day - that’ll only help in the short run. Foods that release energy slowly, like cereals and pasta, are the way to go.

It’s also wise to, every so often, treat yourself to something. That could be a big bowl of ice cream or something that’s not necessarily the most healthy, but that feels like a really nice treat.

GET EXERCISING A classic “easier said than done” example of a moodlifter right here, but we can’t argue with the experts: exercise is really good for you and has a positive effect overall on your mental health and wellbeing. There’s no need to run a triathlon though, a brisk walk will do you the world of good if your mental health takes a dip. Sometimes it’s great just to get a change of scenery too, and if you’ve got a friend to go with, it’s a great opportunity for socialising. You can even walk somewhere - like to get a massive bowl of ice cream.

ME(DITATION) TIME Everyone’s always rattling on about meditation, but it really is a therapist approved, tried and tested self-care technique, and for a lot of people it works extremely well. Meditation gives you time to reflect, unwind and relax, focusing on both mind and body. It doesn’t have to be a whole “sit down cross-legged and chant” thing unless you want it to; apps like Calm make it possible to meditate even for five short minutes on the bus.

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Going up IN SMOKE

BY JANET MYERS As bonfire night approaches and thoughts turn to fizzing fireworks, leaping flames and the story of Guy Fawkes I remember another spectacular night of burning fires and effigies a few months ago. These were in Valencia to mark the end of winter. The celebration is known as Las Fallas.

LAS FALLAS CELEBRATION

F

or almost a week the city of Valencia prepares for the climax of celebrations known as the great crema. On this night over 300 giant display pieces known as fallas are burnt in spectacular fashion.

Every district spends a whole year building them from paper, cardboard and styrofoam on a wooden frame and the end results take your breath away. Those in the centre of town are the biggest and the best, they tower above you and are made up of many elements.

I suppose you could liken them to floats in a parade.

We arrived on the day before the burning in order to see as many as we could. A special ticket gave us easy access to see them up close. With the population of the city swelling from one and a half million to three million it is a great idea. We also had a tourist board guide.

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN The origin of Las Fallas comes from the old carpenter’s tradition who, when celebrating the arrival of spring on 19 March, used to burn pieces of wood (parots) that were used to prop up their lights during the winter. To this bonfire they gradually started to add old belongings and rags, which gave the wooden structure a human-looking aspect, until they became the ninots (puppets or dolls) that we know today.

The Valencian sense of humour soon gave the irony shown in the ninots which is maintained at present.

The Fallas celebrations have evolved into temporary works of art which, in some cases, cost millions of Euros.

posabilitymagazine.co.uk

THE FINAL DAY DAWNS Throughout the day on 19 March firecrackers exploded and dressed in their national costumes the Valencians intermingled with visitors from around the world. A real party atmosphere prevailed and many vendors set up food stalls to feed the crowds.

Although the colourful thought-provoking fallas would be burnt later they were deemed never to be forgotten as thousands of cameras clicked and images were uploaded to the internet in their droves.

In the afternoon the sound of drums intensified and a parade of thousands in their national costumes brought flowers to be added to the giant fallas of the Virgin Mary. Later jostling crowds gave way to busy restaurants which spilled out onto the pavements filling every available space. Being devout Roman Catholics many visited the local churches.

THE GREAT CREMA The first fallas were lit soon after 10.30pm and fuelled by propellant they raged fiercely and were destroyed in moments. Each time the fire brigade stood ready to drench the dying embers before they progressed to the next. With 300 burning in various districts and each one preceded with a

firework display the sky was filled with leaping flames, brightly coloured fireworks and sometimes dense black smoke for several hours. It was a little after midnight that the giant Virgin Mary created from thousands of blooms met its fate. By now it had begun to rain heavily which was a bonus for the fire brigade! The final and biggest falla was lit as 2am approached. It was lit by an ear bursting string of firecrackers amongst a mixture of sadness and joy.

Having been amongst the crowds I could empathise with those who saw their year’s work burn, but on a more positive note it heralded the end of winter and as each falla was reduced to dying embers choirs of voices offered up their salutations to Christ.

THE FALLAS MUSEUM Every year some Ninots (elements from the giant fallas creations) are saved from the fire by popular vote. It is a practice which has been in place since 1934 and they are housed in the Fallas Museum.

The amount of work involved in their creation is mind boggling and it seems incredible that they are built to burn. They seemed to fall into three categories, rude, satirical, and family orientated.

The satirical often depict political figures, those that represent family have a very ‘chocolate box’ vibe and the rude tend to show children peeing or people in laughable risque poses.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Should you be one of those who love the smell of gunpowder and harbour secret pyrotechnic urges then you might wish to experience the vibrant smoky fiesta for yourself. If so it is not too early to start planning for 2020. When the drab dull days of winter are getting you down the warm sunshine of Spain is very inviting. The evenings are not cold even without the heat of the flaming bonfires and the city is alive with music, dancing and street food.

VALENCIA The port city of Valencia lies on Spain’s south eastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium, an animal encounter and an interactive museum. It has a long and interesting history with many art deco buildings. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails.

MAKE IT HAPPEN Make plans early as flights and accommodation are in heavy demand; Remember to ask for special assistance in the right category on flights as some new rules apply; It is also advisable to extend your stay as Valencia has far more than the crema to offer.

HELPFUL OBSERVATIONS Do not leave your viewing of the fallas till the last day as many of the roads are closed and even getting into the old town is difficult. Remember buying a ticket (just a few Euros) allows you to get up close to the creations and is well worthwhile.

Crowds in the city centre around the biggest and best fallas are difficult for those with mobility problems but if you choose a hotel in town you can watch the fires burning city wide from your balcony. The countless firework displays are also mesmerising.

The event is covered on TV so you will be able to see all the close-up action on screen.

Having been caught up in the action earlier you won’t feel deprived. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the smaller crema on the outskirts of the city.

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Menorca

HOLIDAY VILLA Discover a stylish wheelchair accessible villa on the beautiful island of Menorca.

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his large modern villa accommodates up to six guests (plus a toddler) and has been built with the needs of wheelchair users and those with limited mobility very much in mind.

microwave, dishwasher and fridge. You will find a full complement of utensils to use and the separate utility room houses a washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge freezer.

It is situated just 15 minutes from the airport in the quiet residential area of Cala Llonga and although the surrounding landscape is hilly, the villa’s ground floor and outside space is completely flat with no awkward steps or thresholds to negotiate.

There are three good sized bedrooms each with their own bathroom or wet room.

Two are situated on the ground floor, the double room has doors opening onto the patio and there is a twin room as well.

Upstairs you will find a double bedroom with access onto a spacious private balcony offering stunning sea views.

Air conditioning and heating are also available in the villa.

ALFRESCO LIVING The outdoor space offers a covered area with comfortable dining table and chairs with ambient lighting for the evening. The patio is smooth and level and includes loungers, sunbeds and a parasol around the pool area. If you fancy barbecuing you can take advantage of the built in gas barbecue and preparation area outside too.

LOCAL AREA

The villa also features a large swimming pool specially constructed to incorporate a full-length ramp and handrail to help with entry into the water. If you are staying in the cooler months you can also opt to have the pool heated.

INSIDE THE VILLA The spacious open-plan living and dining area offers a comfortable place to relax and unwind. There is a large flat screen TV, a DVD player and wi-fi is also included throughout.

The modern kitchen features all the usual appliances, including a built in oven,

There is a local supermarket that offers a delivery service and a hotel that has a great little bar and restaurant. The villa is only ten minutes by car from Mahon which has a great selection of restaurants, shops and hypermarkets, particularly those along the port. You are also conveniently located to explore this wonderful island and to visit nearby beaches that now provide wheelchair access.

GET IN TOUCH If you are looking to book a relaxing trip away in this stunning accessible villa please call 07977 057 406, email wheelchairvilla@outlook.com or visit wheelchairvillamenorca.com for more information.

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Kids’

PRODUCTS

CORNER T he spookiest time of year is upon us, witches and warlocks, ghost and ghouls, pumpkins and ghost stories fill the night and the ever more elaborate costume ideas are brought to life by hardworking parents tearing up bed sheets and fashioning heads from cereal boxes.

Sometimes though, the tricks and treats just might be too much for your little ghosts, or access may cause some issues. Here, we’ve listed some ways to have a comfortable but happy Halloween night in!

The October holidays are also nearly upon us. Coming up with activities and days out to keep the kids amused can be tricky, especially if you have siblings of varying ages, abilities and who have different interests. We have explored a few options that could keep the whole family happy during this break and hopefully take away the stress of wondering if there is a Changing Places facility, level access to a venue or suitable experiences for your kids to engage in.

We hear from Emily Child in our new regular feature Future Voices, Emily

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has been campaigning to change the inequalities in the education system and continues to fight to affect change. On page 59 you will find Dan White’s column, this issue covers the unavoidable topic of toilet talk.

Enjoy the beginnings of the dark wintery nights and embrace the cold weather and spooky atmosphere with a family night watching Hocus Pocus (the best Halloween film for all the family) and eating bat-shaped cookies under a blanket. Perhaps mum and dad could pour themselves a glass or two of ‘witches blood’ after all that costume making.

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01 GO-KARTING The Experience in Glasgow is a hub of activity, this centre offers accessible gokarting and laser tag, but they also have a dedicated multi-sensory room that can be accessed for free as well. They have a fleet of electric go-karts that can provide an exhilarating race experience for individuals with limited mobility or other additional support needs under the supervision of a dedicated track marshall.

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The sensory room onsite is designed to provide a fun, immersive sensory experience and stimulate the imagination through equipment and toys such as an interactive floor, fibre-optics, colour changing LED lights, wind and smoke machine, and aromatherapy. A great, calming and fun sensory experience for children.

Find out more and book your place at theexperience.org.uk.

Holiday HACKS

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

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It may feel like they just went back to school but suddenly it’s that time again. The schools are closed and the kids are out and it is up to you to find a new thing to entertain them every day. A mission in itself is finding something to please everyone that will also cater for all your children and their wide-ranging abilities. Fear not, PosAbility have done some groundwork for you and here we highlight some great options that may keep your little ones from repeating the dreaded phrase “I’m bored.”

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EUREKA! C H I L D R E N’S MUSEUM

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Designed to be fun and educational, this children’s museum is based in Yorkshire and has over 400 interactive exhibits. They have a sensory guide and a sensory code to help identify exhibits and they have detailed information on what to expect from your visit and a map of the museum too, so you can prepare your little ones for the trip.

One amazing free service they offer is called Extra Pair of Hands. This can be booked ahead of your visit, a staff member will contact you to ask about your child’s likes, dislikes and any triggers they may have and they will then tailor your visit to ensure you get the most out of your time.

On arrival you will be met by your allocated staff member who will accompany you for your visit and help out with your kids! Visit eureka.org.uk to find out more.

THE DEEP This outstanding aquarium will have kids and adults gazing in awe at the creatures of the deep as you journey through the waters of our world. Bask in the Lagoon of Light where you will find brightly coloured tropical fish and corals, before you dive deeper and discover the ocean’s vast array of sharks, rays, sawfish and turtles. Discover the obscure looking creatures lurking in the depths of colder waters and marvel at blooms of majestic jellyfish as they float before your eyes. The Kingdom of Ice is home to the gentoo penguins and you can watch them above and below the water as they waddle clumsily across the ice before sailing through the water effortlessly.

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The Deep has level access, ramps and lifts to ensure wheelchair users can access the exhibits. There is a Changing Places toilet facility, you can download a social story from the website prior to visiting and they also offer Sunflower lanyards to visitors who have hidden disabilities.

For more information visit thedeep.co.uk.

THE ZOO Who doesn’t like a trip to the zoo? A day at the zoo transcends ages, abilities and gets the kids outside in the fresh air too. There is plenty of choice when it comes to zoos and wildlife parks so you will no doubt

04 find one close to you.

If you are in the Pembrokeshire area you might want to take a trip to Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo. You will be treated to an animal extravaganza of giraffes, black rhinos, lions, zebras, penguins, ostriches, armadillos and much more. They also have a petting farm where children are able to get up close and personal with miniature ponies, donkeys, goats and ferrets. If that is not enough, there is also a vintage fairground with old-fashioned rides and the big wheel even has a wheelchair accessible carriage. The majority of the park is flat, paved pathways, but as it is a rural location you may be best to call ahead to confirm access queries, there is a Changing Places facility and several accessible toilets onsite too.

Any disabled visitors are entitled to a reduced entry price and if you book tickets online you will receive a 15% reduction on the overall cost. Visit folly-farm.co.uk to find out more.

SNOZONE Childhood memories of hitting the slopes and sledging down hills, snowball fights and frozen fingers have to be up there with the best. However, nowadays we rarely get enough snow in winter to get the sledge out, let alone hit the slopes on a pair of skis. We have discovered Snozone, a wonderful indoor snowsports centre with real snow created for its slopes.

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Snozone Disability Snowsports are based at the Milton Keynes and Castleford locations and they can provide adapted lessons for anyone who has a sensory, cognitive or physical impairment. They have sit skis that can be used independently or with assistance, stand up riggers which are used to aid amputees or those with poor body coordination and mobility, and the coaches are highly experienced in teaching lessons in different ways to ensure the learner gets the most out of their snowsports experience.

Get your kids into the winter wonderland mindset with this great day out, visit snozoneuk.com to find out more.

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DAN WHITE

as ever-watching guardians we need to be able to spot or smell infections or blockages that take place as it could be pivotal in discovering a contagion. We are a resource for each other, we share experiences. We smell pull ups, change bags, even note colour changes whilst happily devouring a biccy with one hand and juggling a cuppa in the other.

There is no reason why we shouldn’t openly discuss this in the high street as staying in the home environment perpetuates isolation, mental health and more. As a community often marginalised, we feed off contact and information, it could save a life.

COLUMNIST

Follow Dan on Twitter @DeptOfAbility Dan White, creator of the amazing Department of Ability superheroes and dad to Emily, who is 13 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.

The conversations we have are not restricted to us adults either.

Our children, regardless of any communication issue often join in the chat. Our daughter constantly laughs at the sometimes uselessness of the catheters and she compares the taste of Movicol to sour grit in liquid or watery dust. Emily finds orange Calpol the devils work and offer her liquid antibiotics and she will clip your ankles.

TALKING SH*T

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he chocolate cake looked sumptuous in the catching rays of the afternoon sun. I slid the knife through the dark surface and the liquid chocolate began to pool around the base of the succulent treat. I took a slice and we all sat picking up again the conversation of the Bristol stool chart.

I’m talking about the unusual conversations between parent-carers.

We all have them. Nothing too toxic or natural is off the menu. In fact most of the topics look like items on the menu. Children with complex needs are obviously more prone to bladder and bowel conditions, so we all often culminate in a get together where anything goes and rightly so.

“As a community often marginalised, we feed off contact and information, it could save a life”

Recently we visited friends and over lunch, in a prominent high street cafe, compared stories of urine infections and constipation. My daughter and her friend both discussing operational procedures like seasoned surgeons.

All this as the customers around us paused at the thought of another muffin. Like mothers groups we meet anywhere to talk frankly and so we should, there is no shying away from sh*t talk - ask any politician. To be able to be so honest and personal is cathartic, a release and a testament to our community’s strength.

So, greater society, while you eavesdrop enjoy your muffin and have a mocha, educate yourselves on how complex, rewarding and comical our world is... now, should that deposit look that green?

When your child is born nappies are a constant, but for parents of disabled children like us, the issue of toileting may not stop after a few years. In fact, for some, it becomes so constant that we roll our eyes when some parents endlessly complain about potty training. Not all disabled children require a lifetime of catheterisation or suppositories, but for many of us it becomes such a day-to-day part of life you wonder at what point did we lose our gag reflex.

Why do we talk about it openly? Well,

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Kids’

SPLASHY BIG BATH SEAT Splashy Big is a portable bath seat that can be used in the shower or taken outdoors to give younger clients access to new environments. It can improve postural support at the beach, allowing a child to feel the waves on their feet or dig their toes into the sand.

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Designed to help children with sensory processing difficulties become more aware of their own body and centre of gravity to aid balance. When they move the mini top will move too, helping them to understand movement and balance, and have fun at the same time.

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8-IN-1 ACTIVITY LEARNING CART Your little ones will not be bored with this entertaining wooden cart. A range of brightly coloured activities can be discovered on every side of the cart to help kids learn shapes and colours, encourage problem solving and counting and they can also push the cart from room to room. studio.co.uk

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VISUAL COMMUNICATION BOARD This visual board comes with a whole range of pictures of activities to be used when planning the day with your child.

Many children benefit from the visual planning that the board allows and it helps to reduce anxiety and stress. The corners are all rounded and the pictures all come with Velcro on the back to allow them to be easily stuck on and removed. amazon.co.uk

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POP-UP SENSORY SPACE Designed to be a calm and quiet space for children to relax, unwind and enjoy their own space. Great for using glow in the dark toys, lights and illuminated toys. It can be used anywhere and pops up in just seconds, the entrance is easily accessible for wheelchair users and there are hooks inside to hang objects from.

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and yet I was in a place with all kinds of different people with very different issues to my own.

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

FAILED BY THE SYSTEM

BY EMILY CHILD

Hello, my name is Emily Child, I am 20 years old and have Asperger syndrome and various mental health conditions. Last year I started the 2018 Scope for Change programme, and I decided my campaign would be about the education system and how it fails so many vulnerable people.

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chose this topic because I have had first-hand experience of being failed by the system. At age nine my mum brought up autism with CAMHS but it wasn’t until my mental health took a drastic turn for the worse that CAMHS diagnosed me with Asperger syndrome. I was 13. My mental health had deteriorated badly and it had got to a point where I didn’t want to live anymore.

I made my campaign because I feel the system needs to change in so many ways.

I decided to focus the campaign on the discrimination and inequality to disabled people and those with mental health issues within the education system. I knew that I could not make the change alone and I wanted people to know the reality that is many young disabled people’s lives the education system is failing.

I think a lot about the “what ifs”; what if things had been different for me? What if my school had the correct funding? What if there had been a more suitable place?

What if I had a diagnosis earlier, could that have changed the way I am now?

But now I use these to my strengths because these questions are the ones that need answers and solutions.

My campaign evolved quickly. First of all I asked people who felt they had been failed to take photos of themselves with a piece of paper saying #failedbythesystem.

I then created a Facebook page called “failed by the system” and I made a change.org petition to help get signatures to show that this was an issue worth fighting for.

I believe I achieved a lot. I raised awareness and I would like to think my campaign has helped other people going through the system to know they aren’t alone. I did an interview with BBC Radio York, I met with my local MP Nigel Adams and I think the highlight of my campaign was being invited to Westminster to have a meeting with Nick Gibbs and Nigel Adams to talk about my campaign. I also recently wrote a speech which was read out as part of a recent Judicial Review into SEND cuts.

I will continue to use my voice wherever I can and my hope is that future generations will not have to go through the same system I did.

At the age of 14 I was put into a PRU (pupil referral unit) as it was the only option due to not having an EHCP. PRUs are very difficult places to be in. I am a very vulnerable young adult and back then I was even more so,

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Halloween Night In F

BY COLETTE CARR

or whatever reason, it may feel like Halloween horrors, tricks, treats and laughs were designed to leave your child out. A wonderful celebration of all things spooky and silly, it’s a brilliant time for children to express themselves through costume, acting and thrills. It’s excitement to hold onto as the nights get longer and the weather gets nippier.

If for whatever reason, your child can’t take part in trick or treating, or enter a haunted house, there are plenty of ways for them to get into the spirits (pardon the pun). Like the ghosts who haunt our favourite Halloween fables, all it takes is getting crafty.

FRIGHTFUL FILMS Curling up with a film is an enjoyable activity at any time of year. But at Halloween, it can be all the more exciting. Choosing a film that your child enjoys and is the appropriate level of spooky or scary can help them feel all the more comfortable. So draw the curtains, pop the popcorn, and enjoy one of these classics.

Capser Hocus Pocus Monster House Halloween Town Twitches Scared Shrekless The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone

TINGLING TREATS No party is complete without your munchies. Staying in can mean you can feed your child what they need, or what you know they definitely like that won’t cause distress, but here are some ideas to get into the Halloween mood.

Dip strawberries into melted white chocolate and place small chocolate buttons on them to create a ghostly snack, fill a plastic glove with popcorn or monkey nuts, create bat shaped treats by splitting an Oreo and placing them strategically on a chocolate coin, or go for the timely classic, of breaking up hotodgs and dipping them in tomato ketchup.

GHOULISH GAMES There are plenty of fun games that you can do from the comfort of your front room and having that relaxed environment can help your child enjoy the silliness all the more, and allow you to make due adjustments. Games can be played with as many or as few children as you like, so here are our recommendations.

Mummy Mayhem: Mummies are a staple of Halloween costume ideas, but the Egyptian legends have also inspired a fun and easy game – all you need is excitable children, and a tonne of toilet roll. There are many ways you can play this game, but our favourite is similar to musical statues. If you have four players, you can turn it into a fun race. With one child wrapping their partner in toilet roll like a mummy, play and pause music with the premise that you stop once the music does, and whoever has wrapped their partner up the most wins that round.

Twister: You can put a haunted twist on the classic, and change up colours for spooky figures. A great game that lets children explore their bodies and space around them, it’s an old favourite that can provide laughs at any party.

Slime: Slime is a huge favourite of kids now, and it’s never more appropriate than at Halloween. There are many recipes online for slime that won’t exacerbate any intolerances or sensory issues your child may have, so get checking which recipe suits your little horror’s needs and get decorating them with spooky googly eyes, some red food colouring blood, or cut out some witches’ hats to get the slime party ready.

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National Helpline 0800 917 7650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Alcoholics Anonymous has over 4,440 groups throughout Great Britain dedicated to helping those with a serious alcohol problem learn how to stay sober. Groups are made up of people from all walks of life and all age groups. Through friendship and mutual support, members assist each other in coping which is made easier by meeting others with the same problem. There are no dues or fees for membership and anonymity is carefully preserved.

Anyone who believes they have a drink problem can contact Alcoholics Anonymous by using the helpline number above or email; help@aamail.org Further information may be obtained from the web-site above or from the General Service Office at the address below.

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GIVING KIDS A

BY KATIE CAMPBELL Charity Get Well Gamers are bringing some much-needed escapism to children and teens in hospitals across the UK through the power of video games.

“…sending consoles and games out to hospitals and wards for children and teenagers, groups for disabled children, or anywhere else they feel that children and teens could benefit from the power of play”

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eing in hospital is pretty terrible.

Only being able to receive visitors at pre-decided times, hospital food, and the general horrors of being ill or receiving treatment is unpleasant at best and awful at worst. For children and teenagers, it can be even worse, as their illness or treatment removes them from their friend groups and hobbies – which frequently includes relaxing and playing video games.

Get Well Gamers UK, the UK arm of the North America-based charity Get Well Gamers, aims to bring a little joy and happiness to children and teens in hospital through the power of video games. The Glasgow-based charity donates video games and consoles to hospitals, as well as raising money using video games to facilitate the purchase of brand-new equipment to donate.

The charity is run by a small, but tight-knit team of passionate volunteers who support the charity both at their Glasgow-based vault and at events held to raise money and the charity’s profile. Moving forward, they’re hoping to expand their reach, so if you think you have the means to help or fundraise for Get Well Gamers, what’s to stop you getting sponsored for that marathon gaming sesh you were going to have anyway?

To learn more about Get Well Gamers, including how to donate games and equipment, visit getwellgamers.org. uk, follow them on Twitter at @gwguk, or check out their Facebook page: GetWellGamersUK.

After a thorough clean and some testing, the consoles are laid to wait in the charity’s vault. It’s then that Get Well Gamers begin sending consoles and games out to hospitals and wards for children and teenagers, groups for disabled children, or anywhere else they feel that children and teens could benefit from the power of play.

Get Well Gamers also consult regularly with play specialists at hospitals, and liaise with staff to ensure every venue is getting gaming equipment that suits their needs and requirements. The charity even accepts donations of 18-rated games which are sent out to carefully vetted wards and hospitals so that gamers in their late teens can still enjoy games suitable for their age group while being confined to the hospital.

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&

THE WELSHPOOL LLANFAIR

LRIGHT

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The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is delighted to announce enhanced disability access

to our charming historic steam trains in beautiful Mid Wales The combination of modified carriages and lifts from platform to train, together with helpful and experienced staff, allows seamless and stressless travel for more visitors.

See our online access statement wllr.org.uk/access-statement 8 MILES of SCENIC TRACK. FREE PARKING, TEAROOM & SHOPS, Llanfair Caerienion SY21 0SF & Welshpool SY21 7LT

DISCOUNTS FOR ONLINE BOOKING www.wllr.org.uk

If possible,please call in advance if you are a wheelchair user so that there will be staff ready with the platform lifts. 01938 810441

VEGANISM IS NOT A CURE

Accessing VEGANISM

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

V

eganism is a hot topic right now (see page 12 for one of the biggest reasons for and proponents behind ditching animal products), but for some members of the disabled community, it’s not the most intersectional movement on the planet, despite it being very for the planet. Just how accessible is veganism, and what can you do instead to help the planet if your needs and requirements aren’t met through veganism’s tenants?

As silly as it is that we need to point it out, it nonetheless needs to be stated in black and white: it’s absolutely absurd to suggest that veganism can cure your disability. It can’t; there are some diseases and conditions that veganism can be beneficial in helping to manage, such as type 2 diabetes, but your leg will not grow back because you’ve ditched beef. One of the biggest hurdles disabled people feel prevents them from going vegan is the sanctimonious belief pedalled by some that veganism is a cure.

“IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN” Amazingly, this approach, often made by non-disabled people, is not helpful to everyone. The “well I’ve cut out [animal product], so why can’t you” approach is not a blanket one that everyone can just crawl under. Some medication, especially those which come in gelatine capsules, aren’t vegan, but if you need it, well that’s a stumbling block, isn’t it? In fact, many vegans operate from the ethical standpoint that veganism should be accessible to all, and if that means you have to take part in practices that involve animal products because you require it to sustain yourself – like taking medication or being on a keto diet for epilepsy – you absolutely should.

In this case, if veganism is an approach you’d like to take, you can certainly make other choices which will benefit the wider world, like cutting out red meat or ethically sourcing your toiletries.

SUBSTITUTES ARE COMMON ALLERGIES A lot of vegan products, recipes and foodstuffs rely on substituting products out for non-animal derived ones, which is great but comes with its own subset of issues for people who have dietary restrictions or allergies. If you have a soy allergy, you might struggle with dairy substitutes, and an allergy to peanuts is going to cause you significant hardship given the massive presence of peanuts and peanut butter in vegan recipes. Again, if you’re looking to go vegan (or even just cut down on animal products), you can make other changes that benefit both your diet and the wider world.

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TEXTURE AND SENSORY ISSUES People who live with autism and other sensory processing disorders which affect the way that you interact with food, veganism might be tricky for you. This is an absolutely valid reason not to want to change your diet, and you shouldn’t feel forced into changing your diet because someone else doesn’t think it’s a good enough reason. Red meat is, overall, not great for the environment, so if you feel like you could cut out your red meat consumption or swap it for something of a very similar texture, you could make a terrifically large impact on the environment around you.

VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES There are a lot of vitamins your body doesn’t produce naturally, and if you live with conditions related to IBS, anaemia, or any number of other health concerns, veganism might exacerbate your deficiencies. That’s not to say at all that you can’t be vegan, you just need to consult with a doctor or nutritionist before you do it. It’s important to remember that vegans need to supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals that plants do not give them (or do not give them in abundance) like B12 and iron, so you need to be able to factor in the extra expenditure of vitamins or nutritional yeasts.

VEGANISM CAN BE EXPENSIVE Veganism absolutely has the capacity to be expensive, and it can also result in an increased expenditure of emotional and physical labour to prepare because let’s face it, vegan food is very rarely fast food.

Many a vegan will argue that the diet isn’t expensive so long as you survive on rice and beans, but that is not sustainable, and “health food” comes at an increased cost. For people who are on a reduced income or using foodbanks, it might not be feasible. Of course, like everything, there are workarounds: if you have the spoons you can get really into meal prep and learn how to make some amazing vegan meals, or as with all of the above, just make choices that are better for the environment, like reducing your red meat intake and opting for local produce.

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Your career starts here.

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Melfort PIER AND HARBOUR

They are all dog-friendly and well stocked with everything you could need for your stay. The kitchen is well-equipped with microwave, dishwasher, hob, oven and a large fridge freezer. Living areas include flatscreen TVs and DVD players and there is wi-fi throughout. The beds are all made up for your arrival and towels are also provided.

Explore the west coast of Scotland from these fully accessible lodges

S

tunning views, a warm welcome and Scottish wildlife are awaiting you if you choose a holiday at Melfort Pier and Harbour. Situated on the beautiful Loch Melfort and just 16 miles from Oban – the ‘gateway’ to the Scottish islands of Mull, Barra, Tiree and many more – you are in the perfect location to discover Scotland’s breathtaking scenery and all that the Highlands and Islands have to offer.

Home to ten Scandinavian designed self-catering lodges that are scattered along the shore of Loch Melfort, here you will also find two private beaches, a small harbour and the ancient pier.

Seven of the lodges are accessible to wheelchair users and offer a range of accommodation to suit couples, families and groups. They recommend that you call ahead to discuss your requirements and they can recommend which lodge will suit your needs best.

The bedrooms are comfortable and many include en suite wet rooms and level access is provided throughout.

Plenty of parking is available during your stay and the outdoor areas are plentiful, ensuring you can make the most of the wonderful views over the peaceful loch. The areas surrounding the lodges are all tarmacked and smooth making it easy and enjoyable to get around.

Melfort Pier have also compiled a list of accessible activities that you can do in the surrounding areas and they are happy to help in the organisation of any trips and excursions. The pier is a great place to do a spot of fishing and guests are welcome to take advantage of this.

For more information or to book your stay please call 01852 200 333, email info@mellowmelfort.com or visit mellowmelfort.com.

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Employ Me You are guaranteed a job if you have a degree, right? you, take the time to make sure it is a good one. Tailor your CV to reflect the job you are applying for, study the outline of the job role and answer all of those questions within your CV. Use a covering letter to highlight your attributes and establish what you can bring to the role. Make sure it is not too long though, keep it short and succinct and try to keep your CV to one page. Employers have limited time on their hands to go through CVs and you need to make sure you stand out with the first sentence so get to the point quickly to make sure you land in the right pile.

2

No. ~

o, you have finally graduated, you have your degree scroll in your hand proudly informing the world that your years of studying have paid off and you are ready to enter the big bad world of work.

You diligently apply for graduate jobs in your chosen field and wait for the interview requests to flood your inbox, giving you the opportunity to pick the best job for you and start your next chapter in employment.

You wait. And wait some more. Surely having a degree practically guarantees you getting a job, right? Sadly, this is not the case. It can take a few months or even a few years to land a job in your chosen field, but don’t let this dishearten you. Keep hold of that newly graduated spirit and forge ahead on your quest to find a job, and take a look at our top tips for finding a job after student life.

1

No. ~

CV IS KEY

Your CV or application form is the first impression an employer will have of

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APPLY FOR THE RIGHT JOB

You have spent years at university studying something you ultimately want a career in, so make sure you are applying for the right position. Seek out companies that offer graduate opportunities – these are not just on offer with the big blue chip companies so spread your search as widely as possible. If you are concerned about your disability having an impact on your ability to secure a job (because you may come up against narrow-minded recruiters who need enlightened to the value of employing disabled people), then take a look at specialist job boards like evenbreak.co.uk who work solely with employers looking to recruit disabled graduates. Keep your eyes peeled for companies who actively advertise that they welcome disabled applicants too.

3

No. ~

DON’T GET DISHEARTENED

It is easy to get down when you leave uni and have not landed your perfect job to start climbing that career ladder, but try not to let this impact on your morale. It can take a while to find a job in your area and this will depend on what you have studied, some fields are more competitive than others. If you find yourself in that limbo of searching, why not use that time to try and organise work experience or volunteer somewhere? You could even take a free

online qualification related to your area of expertise. This could be a great addition to your CV and may help you stand out from the crowd. Sign up to job alerts and keep looking for the right role, you never know what is round the corner, it could be a job worth waiting for.

4

KEEP WORKING

5

USE SOCIAL MEDIA WISELY

No. ~

We all need to work to earn some money and put food on our table, so find a job that will tide you over until you find something more directly related to your degree. This could be in retail, in an office, in a call centre, in hospitality, in a zoo – whatever it is, even though it is not your number one choice, don’t give anything less than 100% when you are working there, use the experience to develop a strong work ethic and work on different skills like customer service. This employer may be called for a reference so you want to make a good impression to avoid jeopardising any future opportunities.

No. ~

“…take a look at our top tips for finding a job after student life”

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn can all come under scrutiny by potential employers, in this day and age the way you conduct yourself online can hugely impact on your employability. Controversial rants on Twitter, drunken photos on Facebook and inappropriate photos on Instagram can all influence a potential employer’s opinion of you. Try to remain as professional as possible online, don’t post anything you don’t want an employer to judge you on and maybe look at throwing in a few workrelated comments and shares to relevant articles? Don’t forget to use LinkedIn to connect and network with people who could help you in your search for employment.

USEFUL ORGANISATIONS EmployAbility – employ-abilityuk.org.uk Evenbreak – evenbreak.co.uk Disability Jobsite – disabilityjobsite.co.uk

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75

DISCOVER R YOUR

POWERFUL WERFUL MIND D

We believe something pretty simple: there’s power in difference. Every mind has its own way of working, looking at problems and finding solutions. That’s its power. Offering the perfect blend of intensive training and live project experience, we’re always on the lookout for powerful minds like yours, ready to help us find bigger, better, bolder solutions than before.

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Dream JOB GET THAT

what we intended to write and may not spot mistakes. A fresh pair of eyes can sometimes notice errors. Secondly, they may suggest adding or subtracting some content, or re-phrasing it. You may have missed out relevant skills or experiences which someone else can remind you about.

BY JANE HATTON

INTERVIEWS

Feedback from other people can be useful throughout the application process. Not all advice has to be acted on, but the opinions of others can help you to objectively improve your chances of success.

When preparing for an interview, anticipating the questions which may be asked and planning powerful responses is key. Again, this is something where feedback can be helpful. Talking over possible questions and how to answer them can result in great suggestions on how to improve the answers (specifically by thinking of real-life examples you can use to prove you have relevant qualities).

ASK FOR FEEDBACK

IDENTIFYING STRENGTHS It is almost impossible to see ourselves as others see us. We can take many of our good qualities for granted. Right at the beginning of the job search process you need to identify what you have to offer an employer in terms of skills, experience, knowledge and personality traits. It can be helpful to ask people you know and trust to share what they think your strengths are. They may well point out strengths you might not have considered, such as dependability, kindness, honesty, creative thinking or others. Consider their feedback and think about how this might help you both in deciding what jobs you could do, and in selling yourself to employers.

A common trait for disabled candidates is to focus on the things we find difficult, and ignore the positive qualities we have.

People who know us well (friends, family members, colleagues and so on) are likely to have a more holistic view and will be more objective about what we have to offer.

WRITING CVS AND COVER LETTERS It is a good idea to have someone you trust to look over your CV and cover letter before sending them off. Firstly, it is easier to spot mistakes, spelling errors or typos in other people’s writing. When we proofread our own work, we know

POST INTERVIEW

Most employers or recruiters will not give feedback on CVs, but if you reach interview stage it is not unreasonable to ask for feedback. This can be incredibly useful in improving future performance at interviews.

It may be that you failed to mention something that would have helped your chances. This can be a powerful reminder not to forget it next time!

EVALUATING FEEDBACK Whilst it is important to listen to feedback and consider it carefully, it needs to be taken in context. Sometimes it can be really useful, and at other times less so. Negative feedback is not always easy to hear, but may help if it produces better performance next time.

So, seek and value feedback from a range of sources, remembering that it is your decision which to take on board.

For further tips, and jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak job board: evenbreak.co.uk.

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Accessible Holidays

in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside

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

Eight individually designed holiday cottages sleeping 3-10 people Roll-in wet rooms in each property Wheelchair accessible with level access throughout Family and pet friendly Profiling beds, hoists and specialist equipment available All cottages have access to free WiFi

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

Finding somewhere for all the family to holiday has always proved difficult…

Until we found out about

MAISON ON DDE DES ES LAANDES NDDDEES HOTEL TEEL in sunny Jersey

Maison des Landes is a hotel catering exclusively for guests with disabilities of all ages and their families and carers.

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

Open from May to early October The tariff includes full board accommodation, transfers to and from airport or port, daily Island tours and nightly in-hotel entertainment. Self catering and b/b available.

Find out all about us on our website CONTACT US NOW FOR DETAILS

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

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

Brain TEASERS

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

SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

EASY

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

9 2 4 7 1 2

1 6 4 7 2 9 4 2 1 3 9 4 2 6 8 3 2 6 4 8 2 6 3

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HALLOWEEN

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SWIMMING VEGAN

CARERS CROHNS

SELFCARE

DID YOU KNOW...

VEGANISM Tel Aviv has over 400 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants

Puzzle by websudoku.com HARD

EASY 3 5 4 7 1 8 9 6 2

1 5

Puzzle by websudoku.com

HARD

9 5

6 3

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Puzzle by websudoku.com

4 9 1 5 7 3 6 2 8

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£25 PRIZE!

1 5 9 6 4 2 8 3 7

6 8 2 3 1 7 9 4 5

7 3 5 1 9 4 2 8 6

8 2 6 7 3 5 4 1 9

9 1 4 2 8 6 7 5 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Being vegan reduces your carbon footprint by up to 73%

Veganism is protected as a human right in Europe.

Complete both sudoku puzzles 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 30 Nov 2019. posabilitymagazine.co.uk

79

CLASSIFIED Ever wanted to do a safari?

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

TREBETHERICK, POLZEATH, CORNWALL

We offer bespoke safaris and tours in South Africa and Botswana

BREATHTAKING LOCATION

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

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

A seriously good

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Call us on 0131 556 5864 or visit www.cadenhead.scot

Treworgans

Luz do Sol

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY COTTAGES

IN CORNWALL

Two specially converted wheelchair accessible detached cottages.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY VILLA Luz do Sol wheelchair accessible holiday villa enjoys panoramic sea views over the Algarve coast, a peaceful location is ideally suited for wheelchair users and their families. Sleeps 7 Algarve, Portugal.

Complimentary accessible adapted car Wheelchair accessible airport transfers Battery operated pool lift PAL Mobile hoist battery operated AKS FOLDY Shower/commode chairs Free WI-FI Profiling beds, pressure mattress on request website: www.algarve-vacations.com e-mail: info@algarve-vacations.com telephone: 00 351 919032377

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

Self-catering

Lodges & Cottages

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The cottages...

Located on the stunning Exmoor Coast

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

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in Pembrokeshire

We are only 15 mins from Truro and 30 mins from the Eden Project, making Treworgans the ideal place to explore this beautiful county.

EE

family holidays

● Shower chairs ● Air or pressure mattresses ● Local care available ● Adapted kitchens

FR

Luxury sustainable

● Ensuite wetrooms ● Electric profiling beds ● Hoists ● Riser/recliner chairs

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

About

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Visit eco-barns.co.uk Call 01348 831781

The Classified section is a great way to advertise your business to over 156,000 people within the disabled marketplace

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

GET IN TOUCH NOW TO ADVERTISE WITH US

0141 456 2960

MAGAZINE TRAVEL REVIEWS

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

PRODUCTS

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

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

PERSONAL STORIES

Inspiring tales from our readers.

COMPETITIONS

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

HEALTH AND FITNESS

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

8!*

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