16 minute read
Eddie Peacock
Eddie
Keep young and beautiful
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certainly not be deterred by the vagaries of our climate. Winter is now upon us, and this inevitably drives us indoors and onto that comfy settee in front of the TV. Whilst this is a pleasure it inevitably makes us less active. Our muscles become stiff, and it is just human nature to snuggle up indoors. I suggest that it is also time to pay attention to ourselves. We have a responsibility to look after our minds and bodies. There are plenty of seemingly humdrum tasks that we can attend to. There is a known progression in later years in which we gradually lose our capacity to look after ourselves. If we don`t pay attention, the road to needing care can be worryingly short. There are numerous activities which provide a clear measure of decline and the earlier these are addressed, the better for everyone. This extends eventually to include the highly stressed NHS workers. There are many ways to stay active and more subtle. It is not necessary to take up running marathons, roller skating or cycling up Ben Nevis (is that even possible?). Such efforts have their benefits, but for most of us they are both undesirable and impractical. Simple acts such as housework, hoovering and dusting keep the mind and body in Ijust saw Auntie Barbara. She is not actually my aunt but one of those special ladies who is so close to the family that they become part of it. Well, as I said, I just saw her in our front garden sorting the weeds from the flowers and generally tidying up. This might not sound much to you, but Auntie Barbara is one remarkable lady. She is an avid gardener which, on its own is admittedly not remarkable. It is extremely handy for us as neither my wife nor I are particularly keen. In my case, my lack of enthusiasm is matched only by my frightening level of ineptitude. When we moved here many years ago Barbara asked if we would mind if she “looked after” our front garden. It was frankly a disaster area as the previous owners had demonstrated a clear loathing of things horticultural. What makes Auntie Barbara so exceptional is that she is 91 years old. I can reveal that she not only tends to her own garden expertly, but she also keeps an eye on ours and her daughters. Her daughter lives 60 miles away and Barbara still !""#$%&'()$*(+$,"*'-./'0 I just saw Auntie Barbara. She is not actually my aunt but one of those special ladies who is so close to the family that they become part of it. Well, as I said, I just saw her in our front garden sorting the weeds from the flowers and generally tidying up. This might not sound much to you, but Auntie Barbara is one remarkable lady. She is an avid gardener which, on its own is admittedly not remarkable. It is extremely handy for us as neither my wife nor I are particularly keen. In my case, my lack of enthusiasm is matched only by my frightening level of ineptitude. When we moved here many years ago Barbara asked if we would mind if she “looked after” our front garden. It was frankly a disaster area as the previous owners had demonstrated a clear loathing of things horticultural. What makes Auntie Barbara so exceptional is that she is 91 years old. I can reveal that she not only tends to her own garden expertly, but she also keeps an eye on ours and 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 enjoys travelling there using her bus pass through at least 3 different counties. It takes all day, but she enjoys the views from upstairs and the people she meets. The point in sharing this anecdote is that Barbara is living testimony to longevity. It`s no accident that she is so impressively active. She has had her share of medical problems, but despite these and her age, she is a very active her daughters. Her daughter lives 60 miles away and Barbara still enjoys travelling there using her bus pass through at least 3 different counties. It takes all day, but she enjoys the views from upstairs and the people she meets. The point in sharing this anecdote is that Barbara is living testimony to longevity. It`s no accident that she is so impressively active. She has had her share of medical problems, but despite these and her age, she is a very active elderly lady. Gardening is just a reflection of her busy and engaging approach to life. She will certainly not be deterred by the vagaries of our climate. consultant he was invited to manage movingpeople.net, then Handicare Ltd, in elderly lady. Gardening is just a reflection of her busy and engaging approach to life. She will Winter is now upon us, and this inevitably drives us indoors and onto that comfy settee in front of the TV. Whilst this is a pleasure it inevitably makes us less active. Our muscles become stiff, and it is just human nature to snuggle up indoors. I suggest that it 24 is also time to pay attention to ourselves. Ability Needs Magazine We have a responsibility to look after our minds and bodies. There are plenty of
calcium to keep our bones strong. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs will do the trick. mucilca o tgnrosts enobr uopekeo,rtugoy,seeechk,liM.g Biscuits and chocolate are good for the soul but don`t overdo it. as tiscuBidoogreaetalcoochdna vo`tnodtublusoehtr of Eddie Peacock One common trend amongst us oldies is the ability to fall over. Falls contribute to broken bones and visits to hospitals and these lead to even further complications. Now is a good time to give ourselves a quick once over, a sort of MOT. How about having that eye test? If you are old enough, they are free and one well known optician will even come to your house! At the other end of your body, how are your feet? Can you cut your own toenails? This is an early measure of your flexibility and capacity to care for yourself. Without being mmcoenOos ustgnomadnretnomafotytilibaehts is eidlo personal, it could be useful have a visit to the chiropodist. I have personally always found feet useful for walking and taking a regular stroll is one simple way to build up strength and keep healthier. ck.ritehtodlliws ggedna .tiordev mmcoenO tetubritncos llaFr.evoll obnkerob Now is a good ahtgnivah conevelliw At htoeht yrlaenas i lanrsoep os ustgnomadnretnom ohots tsiivdnas en o t isp a good rseuoevigotemit oreauoyfI?steteyeta !seuohr uoyotemco oh,ydobr uoyfodner e bixelfr uoyforesuaemy evahlufseuebdlucoti
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better shape.
We should make sure that we eat properly. My mum always made sure we ate plenty of vegetables. Mums are always right, although I still can`t stand brussel sprouts. We need calcium to keep our bones strong. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs will do the trick. Biscuits and chocolate are good for the soul but don`t overdo it.
At the other end of your body, how are your feet? Can you cut your own toenails? This is an early measure of your flexibility and capacity to care for yourself. Without being personal, it could be useful have a visit to the chiropodist. I have personally always found feet useful for walking and taking a regular stroll is one simple way to build up strength and keep healthier.
overcome dreadful disadvantages through determined efforts to keep as mobile as they possibly can. Their physical efforts have fed their mental approach leading to an amazingly positive outlook. Thinking of this led me to the internet and the discovery of a piece of research called “The Life This subject is close to my heart as I have spent years working in the mobility industry and have met countless folk with all sorts of physical challenges. There are some gruesome diseases out there and I have regularly seen people overcome dreadful disadvantages through determined efforts to keep as mobile as they possibly can. Their ejbsus ihT evahdna emsoerug Curve”. This is a concept introduced by a physical efforts have fed their mental approach leading to an amazingly positive outlook. Professor Peter Gore and it makes for very interesting study. If you have access to the internet just pop “The Life Curve” into Google and watch his 10-minute video. If you do not have access, ask someone who does, or take a walk to the library and use their computer. Don`t be shy, they will help you if your IT skills are not quite up to speed! The thrust of this video and this article is very straight forward. As we get older, we become less mobile or, put another way, more sedentary. That`s obvious, but rather than just accept this as fact, Professor Gore has presented us all with a clear vision of how we can slow down this progression and the importance of staying active longer. the UK. In recent years he held the post of We owe it to ourselves and to everyone else to Marketing Manager for Mobility which also keep as healthy as possible. If you have any involved supporting and working with the doubts about this, you should ask Auntie Barbara! BHTA. She is just going for a 20 mile hike…. Only joking,
He has now retired and is looking but she is walking into town…
forward to finding the time to perform
useful tasks in the industry, playing drums To contact Eddie send an email to in a blues band, travelling and most abilityneeds@btinternet.com. or write to him important, being silly with his grandchildren. at Ability Needs, 7 Montgomerie Terrace, Ayr, KA7 1JL
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Reversing the trend in employment of people with sight loss
BUSINESS, education, and charity sector
professionals came together at Belfast City Hall recently for the launch of a key piece of research, entitled ‘Eye Work With You Too’.
Only one in four blind or partially sighted people are in paid employment. A statistic that has not changed in a generation. Alarmingly, blind and partially sighted people with a degree, or higher, still only have the same chance of getting a job as a sighted person with no qualifications. This is despite a noticeable sector-wide push on improving diversity and inclusion practices in recent years, and major developments in technology that enable employees with a visual impairment to work effectively alongside their peers.
The ‘Eye Work With You Too’ research, carried out for RNIB by Dr Rachel Hewett of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research at the University of Birmingham, received funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund, to address why this is happening. Dr Hewett interviewed blind and partially sighted people both in work, and not in work, as well as employers, parents and education specialists across Northern Ireland.
The new research revealed that attitudes towards employing someone with sight loss is the biggest barrier people with sight loss here face – due largely to misconceptions of ability, leading to inaccessibility of recruitment practices and inadequate employee support.
RNIB, the UK’s leading sight loss charity, is urging organisations to ‘see the employee, not the sight loss’ to ensure those with disabilities, particularly those employees or applicants with sight loss, are included in their efforts to ensure a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. 18-year-old ambitious grammar school student Georgia from Belfast has been registered blind since birth due to a condition called oculocutaneous albinism. Georgia was keen to share her experiences: “A barrier I have faced throughout my life has been the assumption that I cannot do things without being given a chance to try. I am a lot more capable than many would assume.
“I think employers, teachers and careers advisors alike should take time to improve their understanding. People with sight loss are a lot more than a diagnosis on paper would suggest. We work hard to overcome barriers every day.
“We need to ensure as a society that we are encouraging young people, whether born with a visual impairment or who experience sight loss later in life, that they will be welcome in workplaces, and their varied experiences and skills will be valued alongside their fully sighted peers. You are the people raising, guiding, and employing the next generation of doctors, accountants, politicians and more, so it’s important to remember that your words and actions hold a lot of power to pave the way for future generations.
“I can only hope that universities, careers advisors and employers can see my potential past my challenges and I’m hopeful that my involvement in this research can help educate in the ability beyond disability.”
Robert Shilliday, Director of RNIB Northern Ireland said: “We are an ageing population that stays in work longer, so the prevalence of sight loss is set to rise among working age people. By our estimates, we believe that by 2050 there will be twice as many blind and partially sighted people in the UK than there are at present.
“Employers need to be prepared to support employees who may develop a condition affecting their sight in the future, and to ensure their recruitment practices are fair and accessible. There is the need and opportunity for change.”
RNIB provides advice, support and training to employers wanting to make sure they are prepared for blind and partially sighted applicants and employees who experience sight loss.
Email EmploymentTeamNI@rnib.org.uk or visit www.rnib.org.uk/employers for further information on RNIB’s free eLearning and opportunity to become a ‘Visibly Better Employer’ and enter our 2023 See Differently Awards. Education professionals can find out more about guidance and training in supporting visually impaired learners at rnib.org.uk/education-professionals.
A flourishing network
We’re delighted to share the news that our network of support for spinal cord injured people
continues to grow, moving us ever towards our goal of giving every SCI person access to the support they need for all aspects of their mind, body, and life.
December 2022 marks two years since the launch of our business membership scheme, and we’re thrilled to be joined by two fantastic organisations.
SIA shares with these companies’ passion, enthusiasm, and the vision of a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury. Each firm has committed to support our work by joining this thriving network, providing services for SCI people, their families, friends, healthcare professionals, anyone and everyone affected by SCI.
We know just how overwhelming it can be to find the right services to meet your needs, and we passionately believe that every single person affected by SCI should have access to the support they require. That’s what drives us to work with our fantastic business members – complimentary to our trusted partners –who are experts in their sectors, and well aligned to SIA’s ethos.
Our ‘Association for All’ model works on the fundamentals of commitment and collaboration and seeks to benefit the whole SCI community. Working closely with our network of support, we pull together expertise, raise awareness, exercise influence, and deliver fundamental support services fit for everyone affected by SCI.
Our business members are an increasingly important part of the association, and as well as giving funding support for our services, they also bring with them a wealth of specialised skill and expertise, underpinning our services, and raising the profile of the charity and everyone we represent.
Most of our business members have been supporting us for some time, so it’s wonderful to have their ongoing commitment, and we’d like to say a special thank you to the organisations which have renewed their membership for another year this December.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to further our collaboration with organisations, both new and old alike, which share our ethos and values, and thank them all for their tireless commitment to the SCI community.
We’re proud to announce details of the latest organisations who joined our business membership scheme in December.
“Prestige Nursing & Care is delighted to be an SIA member. This membership gives us the opportunity to access research and innovation to be able to provide the best possible service to the people who we support. We have accessed the training provided by SIA in the past and found it to be of a high quality. We look forward to being able to support SIA this year with the variety of events and activities that they have planned.” Dr Sue Jones, Nurse Manager, Prestige Nursing & Care
“I am delighted that Elysium Neurological is joining SIA’s business membership scheme. A number of our specialist in-patient services provide active rehabilitation and support for men and women who have suffered a spinal injury. It is important for us to work closely with external agencies so we can provide the very best, allround service to people who need our services and their families. Our support for SIA and collaborative working will ensure that we can share best practice, information and specialist knowledge to improve the clinical care and outcomes for people with a spinal injury. SIA is recognised as an authority in this area of healthcare, and we are looking forward to achieving more together.” Trevor Irwin, Operations Director –Elysium Healthcare, Neurological Division
