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Eddie Invisible ELLO AGAIN and I must begin with a word of thanks. We received an email message from a lady making some kind comments about the last edition of Ability Needs. It is always gratifying to hear from someone who enjoys reading our magazine, but this lady reminded me of an important aspect of our work here at Ability Needs. Isn`t it strange how life itself can point you in a direction? How it can play little tricks. How coincidence can set in motion a train of thoughts or even events. I have experienced such a sequence just recently. Whilst enjoying the delights of our local Marks & Spencer with my dearly beloved, I noticed a simple sign on a door. As I am of a certain age, there are all too frequent occasions when “nature calls” and inevitably I headed off to the gent`s toilet. It was as I passed the door of the disabled toilet that I noticed the sign. The message was simple but seeing it so soon after reading that thoughtful email, a connection was established among the hazy thoughts which normally inhabit my brain. So, what was this interesting message? It was a simple statement but nonetheless profound; “not all disabilities are visible”. There are numerous clinical afflictions that are lifechanging, but which present no outward indication that this person has challenges. It is without doubt that in recent years the lot of wheelchair users has improved. So too have many dayto- day facilities for the less able. The number of disabled toilet facilities are themselves testimony to great progress. Deafness assistance in public places such as machines at stations etc and the sign language facility on our televisions are all testimony to improvements. There are numerous issues however, that are not evident to the naked eye. It is easier to make facilities better for wheelchairs and other walking aids but not so easy to cater for those with, for example, poor sight,
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dementia, or epilepsy. That nice message I mentioned earlier came from Sarah, who suffers from epilepsy. I found her story to be both emotional and stimulating. Despite the difficulties she encounters through her epilepsy she remains a positive determined character. Her young daughter, I think she is only 7 years old, has even had a book published which helps other children to cope with a parent who suffers from this complaint. This inspiring message had me scurrying to look for more information. More than half a million people in the UK have epilepsy, which equates to approximately 1 in 100 people. Epilepsy can affect anyone, of any age, race, or sex, at any time from any walk of life. It appears that some are born with epilepsy, which could indicate a genetic issue, whilst for others it can develop later in life. It can occur for various reasons. According to Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj, it is a “neurological disorder that causes seizures or unusual sensations and behaviours.” I will hazard a guess that you will not have been aware of some well-known people who, are or who have suffered from, epilepsy. Popular music stars Prince (the Purple Rain chap) and Neil Young, Vladimir Lenin, Caligula, actor Danny Glover and Elton John are all sufferers. On investigation, I also found that George Gershwin and possibly even Julius Caesar were similarly afflicted. Historically, ignorance of the complaint caused misunderstanding and fear. Even the Royal family felt the need to mask the problem when it affected the
Eddie Peacock has worked in the mobility industry for “rather a long time”. He enjoyed a challenging career having started by selling wheelchairs, scooters and stairlifts for Sunrise Medical, eventually working his way to the position of UK sales manager. After a period as a self-employed consultant he was invited to manage movingpeople.net, then Handicare Ltd, in
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