NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table is hyperlinked to each article!
WELCOME – by Martyn Sibley ...... 3 Differently abled through digital art ...... 4 Viewing disability and difference through the eye of a lens ...... 7 Disability art and Turning Points ...... 9 Accessibility with style ...... 11 The British Paraorchestra: recruiting new talents ...... 13 Q&A with one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy ...... 14 Q&A with Paralympic swimmer Hannah Russell ...... 16 Invisible disabilities: small gestures and big impressions ...... 18 Wheelchair pool and snooker: inclusive sports ...... 20 Disability products: really useful things from Such and Such Design ...... 22 IN-abled.com: inspiration and disabilities...... 24 Accessible New York...... 26 Last minute accessible Christmas breaks ...... 29 Accessible Paris...... 31 Sponsored post: enjoying an accessible Mediterranean holiday ...... 33 Success in business: PA Pool and the Association of Colleges Gold Award ...... 34 Accessible holidays in Tenerife ...... 36 Rust and Bone: a film review ...... 38 Arlene on the Scene: disability and children’s books ...... 41 News round-up: week ending 2nd November...... 43 News round-up: week ending 9th November ...... 44 News round-up: week ending 23rd November ...... 45 DISABILITY HORIZONS – Our Vision and Structure ...... 46
WELCOME – by Martyn & Srin
Welcome to this exciting first edition of our e-newsletter.
Disability Horizons has been running for over 18 months now with a wealth of positive, practical and perfect articles written by you, the DH community.
Our website is reaching an amazing 20,000 people every month. However, we know there are many more disabled people, friends/family and disability professionals who would benefit from, and bring even more to our next generation view of disability.
We have also seen a brilliant shift in the attitudes of non-disabled people towards disability since the Paralympic Games. Therefore, we know there's an even larger group of people with whom we can share the love.
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DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 3
Differently abled through digital art Published 5th November 2012
I developed an impressionistic painting style resonates extremely well with my audience; because ‘dabbing motions’ were physically some of my most popular pieces have that easier for me to do than actual brushstrokes. South Florida-beachy theme.
I mainly worked with acrylics and was heavily I have tried experimenting with some inspired by Monet. As I began to lose the use autumn settings this year and have been of my hands I was forced to come up with a pleased with the results, so that is A rising star, digital artist AJ Brockman different way to be productive and express something I might continue to develop. I’m creates traditional and modern art using myself. I found the answer at high school constantly dabbling in other styles and computer software. We asked AJ to talk us when I took a course called Commercial Art subjects. through how he started creating art, his Technology and learned to use computer influences, and the success he has had. software for graphic design.
Can you start by telling us a little about Once I mastered the tools and programmes, yourself? the transition from using brushes to using a My name is AJ Brockman and I’m a digital computer was seamless. I create all of my artist. I also have spinal muscular atrophy artwork by manipulating the computer I try to have at least one piece that (SMA), a progressive neuromuscular disease, touchpad with literally one finger on my left everyone can relate to, but again, I paint and have been using a wheelchair since the hand. Creating a full work of art is an what I’m in the mood to paint, which is age of two. My disability definitely influences extremely time-consuming process, but actually the biggest reason I decided to who I am but it does not define me either as through it I am able to achieve maximum pursue fine art. I was tired of the an artist or as an individual. I view myself as precision and detail. I then use sophisticated commercial art industry and having to being ‘differently abled’ rather than printing methods to put my work onto canvas strictly adhere to an art director’s or client’s ‘disabled’ and I live life to the fullest every and even metal. vision. I have started to accept more day. commission work lately, everything from
What inspires your work? pet portraits to client-directed landscapes. How did you get into digital art? I usually just paint what I am in the mood to With every new project I do a lot of It was probably out of necessity more than paint. That said, for me, living in South Florida research into the emotional connection the anything else. As a kid I still had fairly good is like living in paradise, so I draw lots of client has to the subject, historical use of my hands and was able to paint inspiration from the beachside lifestyle here. significance and/or reason for the chosen traditionally using a paint brush. Not only is this something I truly enjoy, but it subject matter. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 4
Differently abled through digital art (cont.) Published 5th November 2012
(…) This, in turn, is like a miniature history Although my work is often compared to it, it’s I truly believe the only ‘disability’ in life is a lesson, and I find myself always learning not the same thing by any stretch of the bad attitude. You can accomplish great something new. Not only does this enhance imagination. things as long as you put your mind to it and my actual technique and skills, but it also have the drive and determination. leads to a more fulfilling experience overall. Another issue is that when people look at my My clients and I go through what I like to call work they don’t see brushstrokes; believe it or a ‘journey’ together and it becomes much not, people subconsciously look for that. I try more than just an art commission. to use the latest technology in digital printing to replicate a traditional painting, but the lack of brushstrokes is still an issue for some people. That’s why I’m truly grateful for the people who ‘get it.’ Hearing their comments reassures me I am doing what I was meant to do. What current projects do you have on the Perhaps the biggest challenge I face is just go?
getting people to recognise me as the artist. I I always try to stay extremely busy, and as I am also inspired by others’ works. I try to sometimes wish I had one of those giant arrow of late, I have become a pro at being busy. follow all the latest trends and upcoming signs pointing directly at me saying “artist.” I have a bunch of upcoming art shows and artists in both the digital and traditional People are more inclined to ask my booth exhibits. This includes a rotating gallery at a realms. If I see a painting or drawing that attendants or crew members if they are the very prestigious bank here in the states, resonates with me in terms of both the artist. I try to be as personable and as Northern Trust. I will also be participating in subject matter and skills/techniques used, I forthcoming as I can, and that helps people to one of South Florida’s biggest art and music get that sense of “Wow! That’s really good! I understand that it is my work. Unfortunately, festivals, Sunfest, along with many other need to step up my game.” some people still don’t believe ‘disabled’ commitments. people can be productive members of society. What are the challenges you have faced or I am involved with Canine Companions for barriers you have had to overcome? This does make me feel a certain sense of Independence, one of the nation’s premier One of the most common misconceptions of responsibility to educate others on what service dog organisations. This year I my work is that it is parallel with digital people with disabilities can accomplish, and received my second service dog, Dre, and photography. my artwork is a great way to do it. have the honour of being the (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 5
Differently abled through digital art (cont.) Published 5th November 2012
(…) Featured Graduate for one of their We heard you’re doing a documentary. Would You can find out more about AJ Brockman largest fundraisers. To commemorate this you mind telling us all about it and how you and contact him through is website incredible event, I have created a one-of-a- got involved? (www.ajbrockman.com), plus see more of kind digital painting. his digital art at Single Handed Studio My most important new project is starting a (www.singlehandedstudio.com). Community involvement is also very non-profit production company, No White important to me. I regularly volunteer at local Flags, with my manager, Art Brownstein. We By AJ Brockman schools giving speeches and donating my plan to produce full-length documentaries on artwork for fundraisers. I’ve also started individuals who never give up and have working with the local Muscular Dystrophy overcome extreme obstacles in their lives, be Check out… Association to give digital art it a physical or mental disability. tutorials/seminars to others with physical iPad art: helping disabled artists to disabilities. To further support our mission, we will give create masterpieces special consideration to hiring people with Dconference: disability and the Finally, one of my largest and most exciting disabilities to be part of our production team internet projects to date: I recently finished a portrait (videographers, musicians, playwrights, etc.). Arlene on the Scene: disability and of President Obama and his family. Although I’m really excited that I will be collaborating children’s books this piece was not personally commissioned with industry-renowned reporters, producers by the president, I recently had the honour of and distributors. Do you have a creative side? presenting it to him personally. Our first documentary will be a feature on Let us know about it by emailing us at yours truly: a combination of my life story, [email protected], messaging artwork and barrier breaking, with lots of us on Facebook, tweeting us @DHorizons funny moments along the way. In future or leaving your comments on the website productions, we will feature lots of other (www.disabilityhorizons.com). incredible ‘differently abled’ people. No White Flags will be launching a significant fundraising campaign through indiegogo in the next few days, and I encourage everyone to see how
AJ presenting the family portrait of the First Family they can get involved. to President Obama at The White House DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 6
Viewing disability and difference through the eye of a lens Published 5th November 2012
have of yourself with the expectations and different, I’ve grown used to this body of perceptions constantly being presented to us mine; wonky, scarred, unsymmetrical and by the media. As a visual artist, I felt it was seemingly out of the ordinary though it may important to explore these issues of body be. I have even, dare I say it, grown to like it image, in particular, the idea of desirability despite all the discomforts and physical and difference, and for me, the camera is the limitations I have, for this body makes me perfect ‘eye’ through which I can see myself who I am. just as other people might.
I have what is termed as right-sided Photography can be a powerful way to Hemiplegia, a semi-paralysis and weakness of explore both the human body and how is is my entire right side that causes me to walk in seen by the world. Photographer Claire a manner that suggests I might topple over at Gilliam talks to Disability Horizons about any moment. The sound of my footfall, heavy how she has used it to understand and on the right foot, out of sync with the norm, accept her disability. means you can hear me coming a mile off.
I’ve been photographing myself for over My disability is thanks to a severe head injury I’ve not always felt this way. As a child at a fifteen years. Perhaps that sounds rather from a car accident I was involved in as a baby. small all-girls school, I experienced my fair narcissistic. However, I am not taking I was fortunate in many ways. As the only share of bullying. As a teenager, when photographs to admire myself. In the survivor of my immediate family, it could have others were starting to get into beginning, the photographs were just self- easily turned out very differently. But as those relationships and later, exploring their portraits, but over the years they have closest to me will tell you, I am extremely sexuality, I began to feel my difference as a evolved into something more complex; they stubborn when it comes to getting my own woman. I felt as though people thought; have become a way of describing my own way and I suppose my tenacity won out over “she is a lovely girl, but not really someone disabled body and helping me understand my any poor medical prognosis. to be fancied.” Yet I had the very same relationship with society’s view of desires and longings as any other ‘normal’ ‘normality’. I am able to do almost everything I would like person, and if I’m honest, the constant to do (except ride a bicycle because my rebuffs I experienced back then did chip When you live in a disabled body, it can be balance is off) and as I was so young at the away at my confidence and self esteem. difficult to reconcile the image that you may time of the accident and have known no (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 7
Viewing disability and difference through the eye of a lens (cont.) Published 5th November 2012
These words and thoughts, which are both my own and those uttered by other people, record and reflect upon my experience as a disabled woman.
Even though I am approaching this work from a very personal point of view, I am hoping that there is universality to the subject and imagery that others can relate to. Mainly, I hope that SOCIAL MEDIA AGENCY’s mission is my work challenges and get people to intrinsically associated with supporting question their own beliefs of beauty, disability people and organisations to harness the and the ideal body, in order to enable a wider, internet, communities and ideas… all of positive discussion about difference and body which help make their world-changing ideas image. come true. You can view more of my work and explore my (…) I cannot see what I am doing, I just feel it world at: SMA is part of the “SUNNIER DAYS GROUP”, and keep my fingers crossed that I’ve www.whitespaceimaginings.blogspot.com whilst being a joint venture between Martyn captured something for the camera. The Sibley’s “Sunnier Days” and Filipe Roldao’s emotional resonance I aim for in the pictures By Claire Gilliam “Filipus Alexus” companies. is due, perhaps most importantly, to the way http://sma.sunnierdays.co.uk I print them in the darkroom. I choose to be What do you think of how body image and naked so I can be fully honest and truthful in disability is currently viewed by society? Do Martyn Sibley has experience of blogging to the pictures I make. This is a human body and you think there needs to be more awareness an ever growing audience on after years of having people stare at me as I of what a ‘real’ body looks like? www.martynsibley.com walk by, I feel I am finally giving my permission to look. Let us know about it by emailing us at Filipe Roldao has knowledge in designing [email protected], messaging us websites and creating corporate images My latest portfolio, a work in progress, is on Facebook, tweeting us @DHorizons or since 2003. entitled This is You, This is Me and leaving your comments on the website www.filipusalexus.co.uk incorporates handwritten text with the (www.disabilityhorizons.com). imagery.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 8
Disability art and Turning Points Published 19th November 2012
Roman and decided to hide half the functions. different ways of telling them. Coming to I say we’ve been fixing it because as a person terms with life as a visually impaired person with a visual impairment I use a Personal has been one of the driving forces that have Assistant (PA) to help me overcome some of kept me working. In a large part it’s been the barriers that make life challenging for about refusing to lie down and be helpless disabled people. I’ve been using a PA for over or conform to a stereotype. And that, I 20 years now and I think without one I think, has helped me have the success that Artist Chris Tally Evans talks to Disability wouldn’t have been able to carry on working. I’ve achieved. Horizons about how he became a ‘story teller’ and how his recent work, Turning I started working life as a non-disabled person, Recently, that success was in the form of Points, was recently featured as part of the struggling actor and musician. Then I Turning Points, an Unlimited commission for London 2012 Festival. discovered in my late twenties that I had an the Cultural Olympiad, the arts festival
extremely rare congenital eye condition that surrounding the London 2012 Olympic and People often ask me; “so what is it exactly means part of my central retinas no longer Paralympic Games. Turning Points is a that you do?” It’s a reasonable enough reflect light. So now, I see the world like an collection of life changing moments from question, a simple one, one that deserves a impressionist painting, a Van Gogh, a Turner. people of all walks of life. The oldest person straight and honest answer. So why is it that This can be beautiful, but can also be a to give me a story was 90, the youngest 11, when I’m asked this I shuffle my feet, cough nuisance when you’re at an airport and you and I even had a story from Hollywood and splutter and feel the perspiration start to can’t see whether your flight’s up on the legend Sir Roger Moore. (cont.) trickle down my spine? overhead monitor.
My name is Chris Tally Evans and I’m a My work has covered different strands in the freelance artist. See? I’ve got myself in a knot arts: actor, musician, theatre director, writer, already. The word artist has probably digital storyteller, radio programme maker. conjured up an image of white studios and oil I’ve also written articles and edited disability on canvas, but trust me, I can’t paint for arts magazines and have been active in the toffee! disabled people’s movement here in Wales
where I live. So what do I do? Well, we’ve just been fixing my latest project’s website which had But, what connects all of these varied roles is inexplicably changed its font into Times New that they’re all about stories and finding DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 9
Disability art and Turning Points (cont.) Published 19th November 2012
(…) Six of the stories have been woven So what I actually do varies hugely from day to together into a 10-minute film that was day; one day it may be recording sound or screened at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, and images, another day it might be working with the Festival Village Cinema at London’s actors, or maybe stomping around my living Southbank Centre. room trying to sort out my own performance. More than often it’ll be the business of trying But this hasn’t been my only project. I started to get funding, putting together budgets and out by being very interested in improvised proposals (many of which come to absolutely theatre. The first company I founded, Theatre nothing) or working on publicity to try and Addix, tried to do for theatre what punk rock make sure my latest piece of work doesn’t go www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8brmCQJ3SM was doing for music. I’m not sure we unnoticed. succeeded but it was a lot of fun. However, By Chris Tally Evans as I get older – I’m now fifty and it makes me At the moment I’m trying to secure funding for laugh that I’ve officially entered the realm of a theatre project whereby I want to work with the grey pound – I’m increasingly inspired by other visually impaired actors and musicians to the countryside where I live. create an ensemble theatre piece based on our life experiences and personal stories; it’s A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to something I’m really excited about. make a series for BBC Radio 4 called my Mile of the River, which took an in-depth look at a Looking back at what I’ve just written for very small stretch of the beautiful river Wye Disability Horizons, it strikes me that it’s not that flows just 50 yards from my cottage. It much easier to write about what I do than it is The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the took a year to make, off and on, and was just to talk about it as either sounds as if I’m leading UK charity fighting muscle-wasting about the most rewarding thing I’ve ever showing off or apologising for what I’ve done conditions. We are dedicated to beating done because it dealt with the people and and I don’t really want to do either. Perhaps muscular dystrophy and related places that mean a lot to me. We weren’t it’s better to let the stories and the works neuromuscular conditions by finding trying to please anybody else, just make speak for itself. treatments and cures and to improving the something that showed how wonderful a lives of everyone affected by them. To find river, its history and those that share in it can If you’d like to find out more then visit my out more, visit our website at be. website, Chris Tally Evans: www.muscular-dystrophy.org. (www.christallyevans.com). DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 10
Accessibility with style Published 19th November 2012
I was out so much during this period in my life I wanted to find an accessible and stylish that I was often asked by able-bodied family lunch venue, close by, but had no way of and friends for recommendations on the latest doing so. cool venue or boutique hotel. I realised this could be valuable information for the less-able The app gives you access to the website’s community, as being disabled and maintaining reviews when you’re out an about, along Fiona Jarvis talks to Disability Horizons a sense of style can be difficult and ultimately with directions. It searches for cool venues about Blue Badge Style, a guide for stylish, excludes many people from mainstream near you and lets you know what the less-physically-able people wanting to enjoy society. reviewer thinks of the style, accessibility the finer things in life, cool bars and and facilities. (cont.) restaurants accessibly. There are plenty of guides to cool restaurants, but it is never clear from the guide, or the I first developed MS in the early 1990s, only restaurant’s website, whether they cater for realising when I started repeatedly falling off people with mobility issues or other my high heels and not being able to handle disabilities. There are also many websites out cocktails anymore! I have become there with information on disabled access and progressively disabled over the last twenty facilities, but none concentrate on style as years, moving from using a stick to gliding well. Plus, access information is often out-of- through life in a wheelchair. I now find it date or not audited by someone with a impossible to walk and I have uncomfortable disability. So in 2007 I decided it was time to spasms. So still being able to get out and bring this information together on one have a drink to helps! website, Blue Badge Style (BBS). The website pulls together reviews, information, news and I had previously worked for financial software video, plus our Michelin-like rating system, companies, but finding stylish places to take BBS ticks. clients for drinks and dinner became difficult. I wanted somewhere stylish, but where I Having initially launched Blue Badge Style as a could still get into the venue and to the loo website this autumn, we have now launched easily. As information about such accessible the app too. It was after an arduous places wasn’t readily available, I kept my own appointment at hospital that I realised we list of smart places. needed an app. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 11
Accessibility with style (cont.) Published 19th November 2012
(…)The main issues I faced in establishing BBS I also want to build a community of like- which does not include those temporarily were money and technology. Being disabled minded people for whom style and disability less-able, or families, friends, and means I often have to convince people I’m up are not mutually exclusive. unregistered carers. It is still not certain if to the job physically. This usually means I they include people with MS! work harder than ever. Through dogged determination and with the help of friends I want to encourage this wide community to and angel investors, I have been able to rate their favourite restaurants, bars, shops, establish the site and build the app. cafes, theatres so no-one has to be surprised or embarrassed by a lack of Getting a significant investment was my accessibility or facilities at a stylish venue. biggest business achievement ever. This took The real success for me is when other a few years and several false starts whilst the people in wheelchairs and able-bodied idea developed, but I’m so proud of what users say what a useful service they think we’ve achieved so far. Amongst the work, Blue Badge Style is. What started out as a knowing that the Paralympic Games were way of me finding somewhere for lunch, I coming to London was a real spur to get the hope will develop in to something everyone idea into action. I couldn’t miss that can use. opportunity! After all, being able is only a temporary My other triumph was to go to a UCL Mobile condition, at some point in everyone’s life
Academy course where I met the UCL there may be a period of disability even if Advances and Stuxbot teams. They jointly I might have become increasingly disabled it’s just a broken limb. The UK population is developed the app and have recently added a since I first developed MS, but I haven’t aging, buy 2033, 23% of us will be over 65. magnifying option and text-to-speech version become any less stylish. I do want to know So the likelihood is that we will all suffer for the blind. what to expect before I arrive at a venue from some mobility issue at some point in however. life, but we can still have fun! My aim for Blue Badge Style is to grow and grow so that it employs (not exclusively) less Importantly, this isn’t just a guide for the less- By Fiona Jarvis able people, is profitable and provides a physically-able, but for their friends too. There return for my brilliant investors who were are an estimated 10.5 million people with prepared to take a risk on me. disabilities and 5 million carers in the UK, DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 12
The British Paraorchestra: recruiting new talents Published 15th November 2012
Also include a few lines about yourself, your talent and why you want to join the British Paraorchestra.
The British Paraorchestra have been going from strength to strength, this year performing at the Paralympic Games closing ceremony. Here they share a video of their success so far, and what’s next…
Do you have hidden musical talents? The www.vimeo.com/52173058# British Paraorchestra is now recruiting. You can find out more about the British “Paraorchestra is showcasing incredible Paraorchestra and the recruitment process on At Leonard Cheshire Disability, we work for musical talent that lies undiscovered. Our their website (www.paraorchestra.com) or a society in which every person is equally vision is to create a platform for the best and Facebook page: valued. We believe that disabled people most able musicians with disability to (www.facebook.com/britishparaorchestra). should have the freedom to live their lives perform and excel at the highest level; to the way they choose - with the opportunity create a world stage for a whole community Now that talents of the British Paraorchestra and support to live independently, to of gifted people whose enormous potential is musicians have been showcased on the global contribute economically, and to participate currently overlooked.” stage of the Paralympic Games, watch this fully in society. space as we’re sure there will be more to Entrants need to be 16 and over, live in the come… Leonard Cheshire Disability supports UK and be “a prolific/highly able musician.” thousands of disabled people both in the UK All instruments are welcome! Don’t forget to get in touch by emailing us and in more than 50 other countries. We [email protected], messaging us help people with physical impairments, To apply, just email a recent short film of you on Facebook, tweeting us @DHorizons or learning difficulties and long-term health playing an instrument to: leaving your comments on the website conditions, as well as their carers, friends [email protected]. (www.disabilityhorizons.com). and families. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 13
Q&A with one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy Published 26th November 2012
Sonata and I just fell in love with everything about the piano. It was at this stage that I decided to be a pianist myself.
How long did it take you to learn playing the piano? With any instrument learning is constant and Pianist Nicholas McCarthy was born without never stops. I think I became serious about a right hand. He’s been playing since the age playing at around the age of 17 when I decided of 14 and has now joined the British that being a concert pianist was the career for Paraorchestra, performing recently at the me. Paralympic Games closing ceremony.
Nicholas takes some time out to talk to Where did you perform your first concert and Disability Horizons contributor, Zubee, how did it make you feel? about his passion, successes and the future. My first ever concert was in Christchurch
Cathedral in Oxford. It is a beautiful venue and Can you tell Disability Horizons readers what where some of Harry Potter was filmed. I was it was like growing up with a disability? so nervous about performing publicly for the As I was born without my right hand so, for first time, but once I’d finished playing I was me, growing up with a disability was just hooked. It just confirmed to me that that is completely ‘normal’. As a child friends would what I wanted to do. forget that I only had one hand, until it came to doing something like climbing a tree for How did you get involved with the British instance, and then they would remember Paraorchestra? How did you feel performing at the and help me out. I was approached by conductor Charles Paralympic Games closing ceremony?
Hazlewood about becoming a member of the It was an amazing but surreal experience What inspired you to get into music? British Paraorchestra. As soon as he explained performing at the Paralympic Games. Music certainly wasn’t a lifelong dream for the orchestra’s mission to me, to give talented 86,000 people were in the audience at the me, I actually wanted to be a chef. But when I disabled musicians a platform to showcase stadium and a reported half a billion was 14 I saw a friend, who was an their talents, I was sold and was delighted to ceremony on television, so it was certainly accomplished pianist, play a Beethoven piano become a member. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 14
Q&A with one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy (cont.) Published 26th November 2012
(…) the biggest concert I’ve ever been part of. I have carefully selected teachers who are able It was such an exhilarating feeling walking and experienced at working with a range of out to all the thousands of people cheering. It disabilities. is certainly a memory I will never forget. Who would you say is your role model? What one memory have you taken away I have always looked up to my favourite pianist with you from performing at the Paralympic Martha Argerich. Her artistry is just Games closing ceremony? phenomenal and she herself is very insightful, One of the fondest memories was when we so I would definitely call her my role model. were performing with Coldplay and lead singer Chris Martin came and sat on stage What are your aspirations for the future? about a foot away from my piano and caught I would like to see my concert career continue sight of me singing along with the song. He to grow. I have been very fortunate with my seemed quite happy that I knew the words. career so far, but there are still venues that I haven’t played in such as Carnegie Hall in New What advice would you give someone with a York and London’s Royal Albert Hall. These disability who wants to learn to play an have always been my dream venues to instrument? perform in, so I hope that one day this dream I would say to them that anything is possible comes true. I also want my teaching agency to and they should definitely follow whatever continue to grow and to provide quality tuition they want to do. for all. Just £5490 advance payment.
I own a teaching agency called Allegro Tuition Sirus are proud to launch the Fiat “Future” – (www.allegrotuition.com) that provides one- the lowest priced Up Front Passenger on-one musical instrument lessons, anything vehicle on the Motability Scheme. Travel up from playing the piano to a guitar. I set this front, next to the driver from the comfort of up as I feel very passionately about providing your wheelchair. quality teachers to students regardless of their age, playing ability or whether they Call 0121 505 7777 now or visit have a disability or not. www.youtube.com/watch?v=G77mcAAhfyc www.sirusautomotive.co.uk to book a no By Zubee obligation home demonstration.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 15
Q&A with Paralympic swimmer Hannah Russell Published 29th November 2012
Choosing to swim seriously was an easy How did you prepare for the 2012 decision to make! Paralympics Games? I have 100% trust in my coaches and, along Learning to swim was also very rewarding and with my family and school, they have the praise I received motivated me to get created a great environment for me to train involved with a proper swimming club. So and prepare in. I was regularly up at 5am in when I was seven I joined Woking swimming the morning and not in bed until midnight, 16-year-old ParalympicsGB swimmer club and have never looked back. so it was very demanding but enjoyable at Hannah Russell, who won three medals at the same time. If you fail to plan you are the Paralympics Games 2012, already has How did you feel being part of the Paralympic planning to fail! her sights set on the 2016 Paralympic Games Games 2012? in Rio. She takes some time out of her busy It was quite simply a dream come true and Who is your role model and why? training schedule to talk to Disability exceeded all my expectations. It is an honour This may sound strange but I draw Horizons contributor Zubee about her to represent my country and, more inspiration and learn so much from the career, life before the Paralympics, and importantly for me, to make my family and people I am with day to day. Teammates, what the future holds. friends proud of me. I wanted to ensure that I friends and family have so much to offer tried my best for the thousands of supporters and this is what influences me and makes Please can you tell Disability Horizons who made the effort to come and watch me who I am. I do not think many people readers how you became an athlete and ParalympicsGB. My three medals are an realise this, but we all have values that why you chose swimming? achievement not just for me, but for all my inspire people. It does also help having My parents thought that it was a sport that friends, family and all those people who some teammates who are champions in someone with a visual impairment could take supported me. their chosen events! to easily so I started swimming at four years old. From a very early age I loved the water What memories have you taken away with What advice would you give other disabled and the feeling of splashing around. Our you? people who would like to start swimming? family holidays have always been by the The noise of the crowds and the friendly Do not be afraid to try things and ocean or next to a big pool. I love the big nature of my teammates, opponents and the experiment, you will be amazed at the waves and golden sands of Australia and helpers are things something I will never support you will get. Being scared or closer to home in Biarritz. My parents and forget. Oh and the food was fantastic! worried is a natural thing and you can turn younger sister love the water too so it has a this into determination to face a challenge. strong family connection. Swimming is really suited to people (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 16
Q&A with Paralympic swimmer Hannah Russell Published 29th November 2012
(…) with a range of impairments because the exposure we receive the more it instigates swimsuit, hat and goggles. I still study water acts as extra support. further discussion and this can only be a good though and would like to go to university. thing. The leadership shown by a range of management and administrators involved in What do you do to let your hair down? making the Games happen must be I can sleep for Britain, I really mean it, congratulated and I would like to thank them getting up at 2pm is heaven. I like to listen to for their convictions. music and relax with my friends, they’re both a great way to unwind. Did you watch The Last Leg? What did you think of the show? What are your aspirations for the future You must be kidding; I was in bed every night and what do you hope to do next? by 10 o’clock. But my parents were regular The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are a big watchers at home and I know it challenged the one for me, you cannot hide from it and I status quo. Using humour to break down have already been training since mid- perceptions was very clever. September. The London Paralympic Games have set off a burning desire in me to be the How has your life changed since competing in best I can be and that journey begins now. I the Paralympic Games 2012? also want to share my experiences with Outside of the occasional school visit, meeting others and encourage them to follow their the Queen and having a cuddle from Prince dreams. Harry when he came to support us at the pool, my life is the same! Being an elite athlete is all By Zubee about everyday life; the bright lights will have
to wait a few more years. Main image credited to Channel 4 Do you think the Paralympic Games 2012 Paralympics have changed people’s perceptions of When growing up what was your childhood disability? ambition before you became an athlete? Being a swimmer has always been my Absolutely, it has been really pleasing to read ambition. When I was seven and we were and hear people’s comments about their asked to draw a picture of ourselves in our positive experiences of the Games. The more dream profession I drew an image of myself in DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 17 Invisible disabilities: small gestures and big impressions Published 29th November 2012
tasks; opening pickle jars, turning round door This is the very embarrassing issue that I am knobs, the list goes on. faced with on a regular basis; to shake, or not to shake. How can I leave a positive But life is all about accepting, adapting and lasting impression without coming off… carrying on. weird?
My disability can be categorised as an Artist Tiffanee Griffiths talks to Disability ‘invisible disability’; if you were to meet me, Horizons about how her invisible disability you would never know that I am ‘disabled’ has affected her work and how something unless I told you, and I never feel comfortable like a small, socially accepted handshake can explaining how I’m ‘broken’ on an initial have such an impact. introduction. This brings me to my topic; shaking hands. My name is Tiffanee Griffiths and I am an artist from the Interior of British Columbia, Why is shaking hands such an accepted social Canada. I have not always been disabled but I obligation? And how do I respectfully decline have always been an artist. An attack in 2009 shaking someone’s hand without offending 2009 painting left both of my hands badly broken, changing them? my art forever. I was always a firm hand shaker; I was My issue with shaking hands stems not from brought up believing that a good handshake Looking through my portfolio you can see my the fear of germ spreading or clammy hands, is the sign of good character. Now I extend progression as I have learned to hold my but rather the pain when a firm handshaker my hand shyly, wincing every time. paintbrush again. grips and squeezes, right where I have four pins holding a steel plate. OUCH! In 2010 I visited Vancouver for a second I will never draw the same smooth lines that I opinion on my injured hand. I was referred prided myself on prior to my injuries, and Usually I try not to flinch and yank my hand to a hand specialist who is highly that has been the most difficult thing to away for fear that questions would follow, and recommended throughout the medical come to terms with. then the apologies for not knowing. Honestly, world. While waiting to be called I was oddly it’s just easier when I can get through an both anxious and excited to see just how this I am learning to accept what I am able to do important meeting without having to tell my ‘hand doctor’ would extend his hand to me. with my hands and how there will be story and getting that look of pity. Oh how I frustrating challenges with small everyday despise that look of P.I.T.Y. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 18 Invisible disabilities: small gestures and big impressions (cont.) Published 29th November 2012
He instead held his hand out like a C, still sideways but cupped, and he gently lifted my hand up while covering it with his other. It was wonderful! So gentle, so majestic; I almost blushed.
I went away from the appointment with an understanding of what ‘honoured to meet JOIN US! your acquaintance’ must have been like back when ladies were ladies and gentlemen were Disability Horizons is currently run by a easier to find. dedicated team of volunteers led by Srin and Martyn. We are looking for volunteers Now, two years later, I still smirk when I think interested in: of how that old Dr. had made me almost blush. It’s funny how such a soft handshake, a Writing articles (let us know if you small gesture, can make such a big impression. have any article ideas or It just goes to show that it pays not to assume, alternatively, we can provide you to instead be thoughtful in the way we with some subjects to write about). approach such accepted ‘norms’. Sharing any expertise in publishing, Now, if I can just figure a way to put my hand journalism or web-design. out without looking like I’m expecting it to be kissed! Another awkward observation I’m sure Spreading the ideas and philosophy of Disability Horizons over social to have an opinion on in the future “Here Kitty” – 2012 media and helping to find new By Tiffanee Griffiths stories. (…) When my name was called niceties were exchanged and he offered his hand, but not Take a look at more of Tiffanee Griffiths‘ work If you are interested in becoming part of in the traditional right-hand-out-vertical- by visiting her website Team DH, get in touch at: with-thumb-up way. (www.tiffaneegriffiths.info) [email protected]
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 19
Wheelchair pool and snooker: inclusive sports Published 26th November 2012
This is especially evident in the UK where a In the mid-90s American sports TV channel number of British Wheelchair Pool Player ESPN broadcasted the Rider Cup, a Association (BWPPA) players, myself wheelchair pool tournament similar to the included, have competed in tour or open Mosconi Cup, and featured some BWPPA events with able-bodied pros. players including former number 1 champion Roy Kimberley. After the London 2012 Paralympic Games Ask any of the top UK able-bodied pool players the eyes of the world have been on to name as many wheelchair players as they disability sport more than ever before. But can and I would wager most could name at how many people know about wheelchair least five. snooker or pool? However, if you asked that same question to a My name is Matthew Lester, also known as top professional wheelchair snooker player, the Doncaster Destroyer, and I am a most would struggle to name even one; the wheelchair user and both snooker and pool game has a little further to go than pool when player. it comes to equality.
I have competed in various sports over the None the less, with so few barriers, these last twelve years including athletics, Boccia, sports are great examples of how sport should wheelchair snooker and wheelchair pool. be. This is in fact true of all cue sports, which Athletics and Boccia were both highly encompass a wide variety of games played featured at the Paralympic Games this year. using a cue stick, as they are probably the only But I wonder how many people are aware sports where disabled and non-disabled that wheelchair snooker was a Paralympic players can compete against each other with sport up until the 1988 Games in Seoul? no adaptations or changes to the rules.
I have been involved in competitive American Let me also point out that wheelchair pool wheelchair pool since 2007 and over the last players don’t just make up the numbers in I think it is important to mention that the five years have discovered that the sport has mainstream events, there are quite a few that BWPPA (who were once the English little or no barriers between non-disabled have been on the receiving end of a winning Wheelchair Pool Players Association) (cont.) and disabled players. performance. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 20
Wheelchair pool and snooker: inclusive sports (cont.) Published 26th November 2012
(…) has played a key part in the positive The pool world, and in particular in the UK, attitude of the UK pool and has encouraged should be very proud of its attitude. That’s not many to take up the sport. to say it is perfect, but we’re getting there. If anyone reading this would like more One monumental match I can recall is that of information on the BWPPA please follow them the UK’s greatest ever pool player, Darren on Twitter @BWPPA and on Facebook. Appleton, running a fundraising event for the
BWPPA in which he partnered with Karl Bit confused by the difference between Boyes in a scotch doubles match against Roy snooker and pool? Check out this explanation The service company LeRo (www.lero.net) Kimberley and Karl Read. The night also of pool vs snooker. was founded in Los Cristianos as an out- featured trick shots from Chris Melling. patient care station in 1988 by Agnes and Video frame courtesy of CueSportTV. Roland Leykauf. Take a look at Darren Appleton taking on his Our goal is, as it has always been, to help partner Karl Boyes back in 2008 to get a By Matthew Lester people with limited mobility to organize sense of the game: their vacation experience, so that it is as Check out… carefree and pleasant as possible.
Paralympic Games 2012: your Over the years, the scope of our activities highlights has expanded to include the rental and sale The Last Leg: a review of the of devices for people with limited mobility, alternative Paralympics show our own workshop, pick-up service for Boccia requires skills rather than travellers and outings with specially strength equipped vehicles.
Today LeRo is the most complete service www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHZayDePlUk Let us know about the sports you are company for all needs of disabled people in involved in. Email us at Tenerife! I think it’s only a matter of time before there [email protected], tweet us is a wheelchair pool player who breaks into @DHorizons or send a message on Facebook. We offer full service during the whole the international mainstream pool world, holiday including mobility aids, bathroom even if it isn’t in the immediate future. aids, transport, excursions and nursing-care.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 21
Disability products: really useful things from Such and Such Design Published 12th November 2012
We come into contact with many new product Despite having been around a few years, designers and entrepreneurs as well as the they have re-launched the Strawberri at new product releases of established Naidex National 2012 New Product companies. I am also part of a new ethical Showcase this year. With a Strawber, a healthcare business network of eight small but straw can be clipped onto any glass or cup growing companies called Kandu Group. allowing comfortable, hand-free drinking without worrying about splashes or spills. Sometimes the smallest invention can make Product reviews the biggest difference. With that in mind, As I see so many new and innovative products, Also, there’s no need to contend with the Duncan E., owner of Trabasack, takes a look I wanted to show you three that have really annoying ‘popping up’ when you plunge at some of the newest and most useful stood out to me, all from a small team of your straw into a fizzy drink as the Strawberi disability products from company Such and professional designers at Such and Such holds it perfectly in place. Who hasn’t Such Design. Design. There products only make it through chased a straw around in a glass of booze?!
to productions after extensive consultations Affordable and available in multipacks, the My name is Duncan and I’m director and co- with the public at shows and events. Strawberi solves that problem simply, and founder of Trabasack, a wheelchair lap tray You may have met them at the recent Mobility once you have got them you will carry them come bag. My family, who help with the Roadshow Design Zone in fact. They offer a everywhere. business, probably see more disability range of very simple yet extremely handy products than most! My wife, Clare, is a products that are not clinical or stigmatising, a Bridgit – the clever crutch clip wheelchair user (spinal injury C5/6) and my philosophy of design that we also try to follow son has severe epilepsy and multiple learning at Trackback. disabilities (Dravet Syndrome).
Strawberis straw clip – for hands-free drinking Trabasack is useful for most people but (maybe because of our family!) wheelchair users and children with disabilities have been our initial customers. We launched the company at Naidex in 2009 and since then we have been to quite a few healthcare trade shows and conferences over our three years of trading. (cont.)
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 22
Disability products: really useful things from Such and Such Design (cont.) Published 12th November 2012
(…) Say hello to Bridgit (£6.99), a clever and just attach your DUO without having to buy a simple product that connects two crutches or new cup. walking sticks in a stable X shape to allow for secure resting. There is no need to worry As you can see, these are three very simple yet about keeping tight hold of your sticks or effective designs which many people can laying them separately (and dangerously) on benefit from. ‘Design for all’ concepts sit at the the ground. It’s great for when out and heart of all these products which is what about or running errands as the Bridgit is makes them so effective. lightweight and easily portable as it can be slipped into a bag or pocket. By Duncan E.
Relaxing and lively holidays for disabled and DUO cup holder – an extra handle for your You can follow Duncan or get in touch at able-bodied guests in a barrier-free favourite mug @trabasack. environment. (www.marysol.org)
Have you got a suggestion for a product you A privately managed hotel, situated in Los would like to be reviewed? Or maybe you’re Cristianos, in the south-western corner of an inventor of a new product you would like the island of Tenerife, with Spring Disability Horizons readers to know about. temperatures all year round offer a perfect
holiday climate. Either way, get in touch by emailing us at
[email protected], messaging us Wheelchair-accessible accommodation on Facebook, tweeting us @DHorizons or throughout (all rooms have bathrooms with leaving your comments below. wheel-in shower and most bathrooms are
The DUO (£14.99) is an ergonomically also equipped with elevated toilet and with designed additional handle you can attach to grips). any cup or mug, aiding grip and protecting your hands from the hot surface. The best There is a wheelchair accessible transfer thing about the DUO is that the universal and excursions for the disabled and able- design means it adapts an item you already bodied, as well as two big pools with hoist, own so if you have a favourite mug, you can one heated all year round to approx. 32ºC
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 23
IN-abled.com: inspiration and disabilities Published 22nd November 2012
The company name is meant to honour all involved in contributing to your world, to those people who overcome challenges and ‘get in the game’. obstacles on a daily basis. IN-abled.com focuses on IN-volvement, IN-spiration and being IN-cluded… themes describing what anyone can accomplish. Disabilities and jobs are topics on the rise in circles across the globe. Chad Moore, The idea for the company came as a result of founder of IN-abled.com has combined an invitation to an Olympics event from my them all in a small business start-up that life-long friend Chris Hiles as his 14-year-old offers wall hangings, books and T-shirts son Noah, who has been diagnosed with a focused on inspiration and disabilities. developmental disability, was being honoured. Noah has been a huge source of inspiration to People with disabilities have the ability to me his whole life. Before his diagnosis he was inspire. We have clearly seen that with the struggling a lot with friends, social settings and Olympic and Paralympic Games. I have talked school, but he never stopped trying. He never to many people with disabilities who would gave up. like to see more media and everyday images In-abled.com is a small website with big plans. that include them. The aim of IN-abled.com is In the blog ‘Cover your space. Change the to do just that, to give businesses, World’ I speak openly about my daily life and organisations and individuals something they struggles with bipolar as well as the reasons IN-abled.com has more than just wall can use to increase inclusion in their for starting the website, creating the products hangings and T-shirts in mind. The ultimate environments. goal of the company is to create jobs for an and the successes and failures of the company. integrated workforce, to employ people IN-abled.com wants to change environments with and without disabilities to work by offering cutting edge wall designs that together within the same company. Our improve the impact of your surroundings or start-up team is made up of business men space. We also offer T- shirts called Pride tees and women who do and do not have that have a theme of inclusively. We want to disabilities, but one thing is for sure, we are challenge everyone to enjoy life, no matter all committed to raising awareness and what challenges they might face, and get creating jobs. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 24
IN-abled.com: inspiration and disabilities (cont.) Published 22nd November 2012
(…) I was able to develop an understanding of Awareness and employment is so important to the workforce during my time working in me because throughout my life I’ve dreamt of government. I was privileged to meet having a working environment I can be part of International Workforce Expert Jay Block and that adapts to me and doesn’t demand me Jesse Roberts, Manager for Columbus, Ohio’s adapt to it. In traditional work settings a Possistivity electronic waste service line. person has to conform to the environment and change to fit rigid structures provided to Possistivity is a not-for-profit company them. ORIGIN (www.origincare.com) is an aimed at providing business solutions to customers and business partners. All For people with disabilities I truly believe there experienced, specialist care agency providing, one-to-one, 24 hour, live-in care Possitivity employees are talented people is potential for performance to be as good, if services for people with spinal cord injuries. with disabilities. Jay Block recently launched not better, if the environment adapts to their his Protean approach to careers, jobs, and needs and styles. This isn’t taking it easy on A spinal injury is a complex injury that economy, the philosophy being finding a people or letting someone not work as hard as creative way to adapt, solve and accomplish. someone else. It’s creating a flexible structure requires specialist care. This is why, in order to maintain the highest standards, we Both have agreed to participate on my board to bring out a person’s strengths and what focus on providing live-in care services of advisors to help IN-abled.com take a makes them unique in order to contribute to exclusively for spinally injured clients. Our creative approach to raising awareness and the success of their employer. clients are men and women who are mostly creating jobs. IN-abled.com plans to release a new line of aged between 18 and 55 approx and all our clients are wheelchair users, often as a products each year, with the 2013 line being result of a serious accident on the road, at called Determined to Work, focusing on work or playing a sport. people with disabilities in careers. Also, IN-
abled.com plans to donate $3 of every purchase to an organisation that assists people Our services concentrate on understanding and meeting the individual, practical and with disabilities to lead more active lives professionally and personally. social needs of people with spinal injuries who wish to live independent lives in their So we ask you, get in the game! own homes, for which our Personal
By Chad Moore Assistants, also known as PAs, are specially trained.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 25
Accessible New York Published 22nd November 2012
in the city delayed our 7½ hour flight a further We eventually had to settle for two 5½ hours, and we arrived at JFK via Boston. separate rooms, and I ended up sleeping in The good side was that I managed to get more an extra bed in my parents’ room. This was value from my in-flight entertainment, but the not at all convenient, but after mentioning bad side was that I began to get a bit the word ‘discrimination’ to the uncomfortable having sat in an airplane seat management of the hotel, multiple for the whole day. discounts pretty much compensated. One Freddie Sheffield tells Disability Horizons word of advice, in this kind of scenario with about his recent trip to New York City, from When we finally landed and got all of our a chain of hotels, always check room details the Empire State Building to Central Park, baggage (including my Balder wheelchair, with the individual hotel rather than the plus all the adventures and mishaps in portable Aquatec Ocean Shower Chair and booking agent. between. back-up manual chair, which were kept in the
hold), we were driven by some friends with an From this point forward our trip went During the summer, I went on an amazing adapted car to the hotel. They also had a brilliantly. The next morning, after holiday to New York City with my family; my Molift Smart portable hoist, which we breakfast in one of the innumerable cafés in parents, my brother (13) and sister (11), and borrowed. This was a huge advantage as my the city, we walked to the Empire State me (14, with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II own hoist and its case weigh an extra 36kg and Building. and using a wheelchair). It was a really the airline would have treated them as excess exhilarating experience for all sorts of baggage. It was already an awesome experience, but reasons, and I managed to get to plenty of on top of it we got to skip all the queues! At the major attractions and typical New York Our hotel, the Hilton, was very central within around floor 90 we got out of the elevator experiences under my belt with only a little Midtown, and because of this it was an ideal where we had an unobstructed view of difficulty. Access tends to play a huge role in base. However, aside from the location, it was Manhattan. This is a great start to any New just about everything that I do. not completely ideal for what we as a family York trip as it helps you get your bearings. needed; two interconnecting rooms, one of Our trip was from a Friday to a Tuesday, but which would have a roll-in shower. Then it was along to a very crowded 5th seemed so much longer because of the huge We had confirmed our booking from the UK, Avenue; Oxford Street, eat your heart out! number of things that we did and places we but were horrified to find that the It was absolute mayhem, but spectacular at saw. So, late on Friday morning, we left combination we required did not exist at this the same time. After walking about twenty Heathrow and set off for New York… At Hilton. blocks with pothole-ridden crossings, we least, that was the plan, until stormy weather arrived at the Apple Store (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 26
Accessible New York (cont.) Published 22nd November 2012
(…) (in today’s world, this has to be classed as century; some of us appreciated them more Although our hotel had limitations, its a major tourist attraction). than others! We went to an open-air concert central location meant that we did not have at the Lincoln Centre, which was a great way a struggle to find accessible taxis (these are After that we went to Central Park, which to end a warm summer’s day in the city. few and far between). I had an action- seemed like the only place in the whole packed three days and came home with a teeming city where there was actually empty The highlight of our final day – and probably lasting impression of sky scrapers and large space. Later that evening, after dinner just off the whole trip – was without a doubt the New portions of food. Times Square, we went to the world- York Yankees match. The atmosphere was renowned Broadway, where we saw Newsies, fantastic, like any big football match in Top tips for wheelchair users: a musical that I would highly recommend. A England plus foot long hotdogs, massive - Terminal 5 at Heathrow is less crowded, wheelchair accessible ticket had been souvenir shops and waiters bringing all the highly efficient and well worth the visit. All difficult to book from overseas via the food and drink to your seats! We got there by British Airways flights to NY leave from theatre agent, so once more a friend based in train, walking to Grand Central and taking the here. New York had organised this locally. over ground to the Yankees Stadium station. - When arriving at JFK ask airport assistance We felt a little tentative about the train to take you to the front of the immigration journey as we were not sure how accessible queue (or else it could take you at least 45 the trains were, but it all went without a hitch, minutes to clear immigration). and the guard there was very helpful, pulling - Book airport taxis in advance. out a ramp when the gap between the - Book a hotel in the most central location platform and the train looked too wide. and you will not need to worry about taxis. - As I mentioned, with a chain of hotels, I think the trip turned out to be a success always check room details with the chiefly because we chose a wide range of individual hotel rather than the booking accessible activities. It is not always agent. straightforward to find the right places to visit with a wheelchair in a foreign city, so there By Freddie Sheffield
was an element of trial and error. In our The following day we visited a very accessible experience the American people were both New York skyline image credited to Museum of Modern Art and saw some of the welcoming and helpful, which makes a big Wikipedia. most well-known art works of the 20th difference.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 27
SCOPE’s appeal Infographic
Percentage of children travelling more than What would having services closer to home half an hour to get to school: mean for families? - Children with disabilities 21% "It would be mind-blowing. It would mean - UK average 1% togetherness and building relationships. It would just be heaven-sent, that once in our Everyday life shouldn't be a battle... life, we could do things normally." - Mum from London
Infographic: Families with disabled children lacking local support The Government is currently putting a new Children and Families Bill through Families with disabled children are suffering Parliament. massive strain because vital support they 4366 Average number of miles travelled each This is our chance to get a guarantee of need isn't available locally... year by disabled children to access basic good local support for disabled children and services ...roughly the same distance driving their families. from Lands End to John O'Groats 7 Times.
Please support our campaign by telling your 80% suffering anxiety and stress MP that you want them to change this.
51% missing out on family activities such as birthdays 43% pressure on relationship with partner
6 in 10 Families with disabled children are 36% financial pressures not able to access the services they need in their local area ...which means a lot more ...and it's taking a massive toll on families: time spent in the car. What do parents say are the main impacts of not being able to access services locally? "My wife has been driving over 100 miles a day just to get our daughter to school" - Father of a disabled child
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 28
Last minute accessible Christmas breaks Published 15th November 2012
the Christmas story of the three Kings through market will be perfect for last minute the stately rooms steeped in silks and Christmas shopping and stocking fillers. To glittering with gold. The trail passes through top off the festive spirit, there is the exquisite banqueting hall adorned with entertainment and live music throughout jewel-encrusted palm trees, peacock feathers the day, as well as a hog roast, roasted and lavish and exotic festive decorations. chestnuts and the obligatory mulled wine!
Looking for a Christmas getaway in the The vast majority of Blenheim Palace and the Need some where to stay? A warm UK? Steph Fairfoul from enjoybedandbreakfast.com, a small grounds are fully accessible by wheelchair, welcome is guaranteed from Christine and independent travel website showcasing bed with adapted toilet facilities and parking. Tony at Meadow Hill Guest House . Situated and breakfasts and guest houses, shares on the outskirts of Berwick Upon Tweed, five accessible breaks to get you in the Need somewhere to stay? Green Gables Guest Meadow Hill is a delightful and traditional mood for the Christmas holidays. House is a great value, charming Edwardian B&B with two wheelchair accessible rooms. B&B with one room on the ground floor It’s getting chilly and Christmas is just around adapted for wheelchair access. 3. Castle Howard - Yorkshire the corner. What better way to get in the Castle Howard, one of England’s finest and festive spirit (and treat yourself to an early 2. Dickensian Christmas Market – Berwick grandest Baroque mansions, embraces the present) then a break away? Upon Tweed, Northumberland festive spirit from the 24th November – German Christmas markets can be found in 16th December. The castle is decked out Whether it’s culture, family fun or just a cosy any city these days, but for something a little with elegant decorations, open roaring log winter hideout you’re after, here’s my pick of different head to Berwick Upon Tweed, where fires, Christmas trees and more, all set five alternative and accessible Christmas a charming and original Dickensian Market will against a backdrop of stunning 18th century breaks to get you in the mood for the season. be in full swing in the town centre on the 12th architecture. There’s a variety of live December. Situated right on the high street, musical performances daily and, for the 1. Blenheim Palace – Oxfordshire the entire market is fully accessible to young ones, an audience with Father The birthplace of Winston Churchill, wheelchairs. Christmas every weekend. Blenheim Palace (pictured) is steeped in history. When the festive period arrives, If you’re really feeling in the mood, you can To top off the magical experience, you can there is no shortage of splendour. From the join the rest of the town as they dress up in relax in one of the cafes or restaurants and 10th November – 14th December the Palace Victorian costume and entertain visitors. With enjoy homemade freshly prepared seasonal will be decorated in a special theme, telling well over 50 stalls expected this year, the fare. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 29
Last minute accessible Christmas breaks (cont.) Published 15th November 2012
(…) There is designated parking, ramps and All of the rooms have their own private accommodations are accessible by level access to the gardens. Inside Castle entrances so you can come and go as you wheelchair users. The self catering lodge Howard, wheelchairs can access all areas of please and be left in peace and quiet. For has received an Access Exceptional Award the House, except for the Chapel and the first added luxury, a hearty Shropshire breakfast from Enjoy England. For a comprehensive floor of the Exhibition Wing. can be served to you in your room. The self overview of Grindon Cartshed’s facilities contained Merrington room has twin beds, including video footage by Accessible Places Need somewhere to stay? 4 stars one with space for a hoist under the bed, and please Gridon Cartshed website accommodation is available at the a full en-suite wet room adapted for (www.grindonfarm.co.uk). picturesque Thornton Lodge Farm. Thornton wheelchair users. Lodge makes a perfect winter escape from Enjoybedandbreakfast.com also believes the hustle and bustle with beautiful views 5. Luxury escape - Hexham, Northumberland strongly in equal opportunities. That’s why over sprawling fields. Nestled in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country they recently launched a hand-picked and encircled by Roman history sits Grindon collection of Accessible Bed and Breakfasts 4. Rural Retreat – Shrewsbury, Shropshire Cartshed. The B&B is a beautifully converted exclusively for disabled travellers. For those who truly just want to get away barn and provides the ultimate base for from it all, Shropshire, one of the quietest exploring or simply relaxing and unwinding. By Steph Fairfoul counties in England, is perfect. Shrewsbury is There is no shortage of things to do in the area a traditional market town and the birthplace at any time of year. Take your pick from of Charles Darwin. It was most extensively Roman baths, forts or the Senhouse Roman Check out… developed in the 16th century and features Museum. The museum is brimming with Top 5 accessible walks on the South almost 600 period buildings. Nestled in a loop artefacts, the most impressive of which is a of the River Severn, this characterful town is commission of 22 altars by the Commanders West Coast Accessible Paris? a perfect escape. of the fort for Jupiter. Situated within Northumberland National Accessible holidays in Tenerife Need somewhere to stay? Situated 4km out Park, Gridon Cartshed has spectacular Do you have a favourite holiday spot in the of the town centre is Penn Peel Cottage, the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape UK? We’d love to hear about it. perfect place for escapism. Your hosts, Helen and is a perfect setting for either breakfast or Get in touch by emailing us at and Martin, will greet you on arrival with a dinner, both lovingly prepared using local [email protected], tweeting hot drink and a slice of homemade cake produce. us at @DHorizons or messaging us on before showing you to your accommodation. Both the Bed & Breakfast and self catering Facebook.
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 30
Accessible Paris Published 12th November 2012
numerous designer boutiques that would offer I must say the Eurostar journey was very the type of chic garments that only the French pleasant; the wheelchair access is very can make! good. I also noted that staff members weren’t averse to addressing me, an issue My obsession first started after watching which I have had problems with in Britain. countless episodes of Tots TV (does anyone But no I was addressed as Madame or remember that show?) with its red haired rag- Mademoiselle (I’m not entirely sure Thinking of going on a trip to Paris? Regular doll character Tilly who was by origin French. whether I should be offended at being Disability Horizons contributor Hayleigh This gave me my first taste of the French called Madame, I’m only in my twenties but Barclay tells us about her trip to Paris, from culture and ignited my desire to learn French as it was in French I will take it) and treated the romantic highs to the tiring lows. and dye my hair red; I haven’t been brave the same as everyone else.
enough to actually try that one! Bonjour! Or if you are reading this in the I really cannot complain about the attitude evening, bonsoir! No, I am not here to give So it seemed appropriate that my first trip out towards myself as a disabled person you a lesson on the very complex system of of Britain for ten years was destined to be to throughout the trip, whether it was hotel the French language; I am in fact going to Paris… actually my last holiday away from staff or shop assistants; I was considered a give you a brief insight into my latest trip to Britain was to Disneyland Paris, coincidence? valued customer and given the same Paris. But it wasn’t the same as actually getting the choices and options as everyone else. Even
chance to stay right in the centre of the French in the hotel my ‘unusual’ dinner Now for a city that is renowned for being the capital. requirements (my dinners consisting of city of love it is ironic that I left the place mashed potato with olive oil and an array of being both in love and heartbroken with the So this summer my family and I set out on our sauces, which I switched between each most beautiful city in the world. The reasons journey. We got the train from Glasgow to night) were not questioned and were for such extreme emotions will become Kings Cross in London, where we stayed one accepted. By the way I can highly apparent soon… night and then took the Eurostar the next recommend French food just by tasting
morning into Paris. By this time my excitement even this simple mixture, as well as the I should point out that from a very young age was at boiling point at the thought of wine and champagne! I wanted to be just like my French cousins. I experiencing a new culture and hopefully a was desperate to find myself coming face-to- whole lot of better weather! But of course with every love story there face with such Parisian delights such as the has to be a twist in the tale, which leaves Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and the our heroine disheartened. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 31
Accessible Paris (cont.) Published 12th November 2012
(…) Unfortunately I was let down by the lack When we arrived in Paris we booked a taxi to opportunity. Of course there are the usual of accessible transport. We were advised take us from the station to our hotel only to issues of old buildings not being accessible before travelling to Paris that the Metro find an hour later that the only way that we and the difficulty of accessing disabled wasn’t the best for wheelchair users and that could get the wheelchair into the taxi would toilets, but I think this is an issue that has to I would be best avoiding it. be to fold it and for me to sit in a taxi seat. This be addressed on a worldwide scale. is not an option for me as my chair does not fold and I cannot sit in a standard seat. The I think the main priority for any disabled taxi driver then phoned his base and explained traveller would have to be planning. I know the situation but was unable to guarantee that it seems such a simple piece of advice but I a solution could be found, by this time we had cannot stress it enough. We have been waiting almost an hour and a half. With discovered that the best way for travelling no other option we had to walk for an hour to to Paris would have to be by ferry and our hotel with luggage in tow. We quickly taking the car in order for us to be more realised that for the rest of the week we would mobile. Unfortunately we missed a lot of have no other choice but to walk around the the sights that we would have loved to have streets of Paris in order to get to sightseeing seen as they were just too far away and, like spots etc. I said, by the end of the week my body was too tired and sore to travel by foot, or By the end of the week both my family and I wheels! were shattered, having traipsed for miles navigating some very cobbled pavements and However the disheartened feeling hasn’t roads, which were not good for the spine. I am taken away the obsession. I am still unsure what the best mode of transport would determined to learn French and I am be under these circumstances but if anyone sincerely convinced that I have been French knows of any taxi companies in Paris who can in a previous life; I think it would suit me! A friend of mine also advised me that the accommodate disabled passengers please let buses would be difficult, even though they me and other Disability Horizons readers know By the way the French word for lift is are considered accessible, so that would be a as it would be a shame for this to be the ascenseur! Au Revoir! no go area. But we were undeterred, learning lasting impression I have of what would from a guide book that the taxis would be otherwise have been a very enjoyable By Hayleigh Barclay suitable; famous last words. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 32
Sponsored post: enjoying an accessible Mediterranean holiday Published 11th November 2012
people all in one place, a cruise makes for a adapted for disabled people, it is advisable wonderful choice of travel with a diverse mix to pre-book your cabin which has specially of experiences. With adapted cabins to cover adapted bathrooms for disabled people and your every need, excellent support from staff wider spaces for wheelchair users. who will assist you every step of the way,
space and flexibility, a cruise will satisfy the A cruise on the Mediterranean will open a The Mediterranean region is a wealth of travel bug in you. world of exotic medleys and an cultures, languages and beautiful unforgettable experience and leave you weather.The Mediterranean coastline is Choose a trip around the French and Italian with no doubt that nothing can stand in covered by France, Spain, Italy, North Afica, Riviera and experience places such as Nice, your way of a dream trip. Western Asia and is the Southern point of Monte Carlo and Genoa in Italy or for the European Union. something with an Eastern touch, why not got For more information, check out Thomson for a cruise and visit Egypt and the Red Sea, Holidays (www.thomson.co.uk) and their An ideal holiday destination for millions of Morocco or Santa Cruz in Tenerife. Perhaps a FAQ section for disabled travellers, which travellers including disabled people who tour of the Greek Islands combined with a visit contains information on what services can choose this hotspot for their annual holiday to Istanbul in Turkey where there will be a be arranged. each year. So why not grab a bargain at myriad of exotic fragrant bazaars with belly Thomson and jet off to the beautiful coast of dancers floating past you in an aromatic aura. the Mediterranean Sea? You may think that You will not cease to be amazed at this exotic If this article has got you in the mood to being disabled limits your choices when it heaven awaiting you. travel then please also check out what is on comes to travel and you will face offer with DISABILITY HORIZONS’ Special insurmountable difficulties which will prevent With a special assistance team awaiting to Discount Partners. a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Look no help you onboard your cruise, you will have further, everything is covered and whatever your every need catered for. There is a full your needs are, you can rest assured your range of services available including medical every need will be catered for. assistance if required at any time. It is advisable to have a discussion with the tour Cruises are an ideal holiday for disabled operator in advance to discuss your specific people. Take a cruise on the Mediterranean needs and abilities so that all preparations can and experience three different continents all be made to ensure a safe and enjoyable in one trip and with accessibility for disabled passage. With specific cabins specially DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 33
Success in business: PA Pool and the Association of Colleges Gold Award Published 8th November 2012
but a few, I still can’t see how anything I’ve Once inside, a blue-coated escort appeared done compares to their achievements; setting and marched us into the building past even up PA Pool and a bit of Freelance work in more Policemen armed with automatic graphic design?! Really?! weapons. Quite overwhelmed by it all – and concerned that we hadn’t been search by My PA, Edit, did a fantastic job of making me security as we were warned we would be – I
Wheelchair user and creator of PA look the part and by the time dad arrived I was sat silently in the main cafeteria looking out recruitment website PA Pool buffed, polished and as ready as I’d ever be! I for any famous faces. (www.papool.co.uk) Katy Etherington paints spent the entire journey to London practising a picture for Disability Horizons of the night my speech; that was the bit I was most Conservative MP Eric Pickles waddled past nervous about as public speaking is my idea of and disappeared behind a screen towards she was awarded an Association of Colleges Gold Award at the Houses of Parliament. hell! But, by the time we arrived at the first the back of the room. I concluded that must line of Policemen guarding the colossal be where the ‘notable’ people sat to escape
The morning arrived and I opened my eyes building, I was pretty confident I’d mastered it the ‘nobodies’. with some trepidation. Today was the big as well as I could. Eventually dad and I plucked up the courage day; we were off to the Houses of Parliament where I was to be presented, amongst a line to move from our seats and venture out onto the Terrace Pavilion to see the view of up of other seriously notable winners, with an Association of Colleges Gold Award. the Thames and the London Eye. A few more recognisable faces were congregated around tables sipping chilled glasses of The awards ceremony is held each year to recognise further education graduates as well wine, but I found the view over the river as acknowledge the vital role that colleges much more interesting. play in the careers of the winners. Apparently On the way back to my seat I bumped into my achievements since leaving the National another wheelchair user, Craig, my ‘mini Star College (who kindly nominated me for this award) have warranted this accolade. me’. Every winner had a ‘mini me’ and Craig, who was still a student at National Alongside people like Justin King the CEO of Star College, had been picked as someone who would follow in my footsteps. We Sainsbury’s and boxer Amir Khan, to name joined in conversation with David, (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 34
Success in business: PA Pool and the Association of Colleges Gold Award (cont.) Published 8th November 2012
(…) who was my tutor from National Star I was the very last As we exited, I was able to take in a few College and is now Director of College person to receive more sights of the impressive building, Development. We were mid chat when I was their award and sat especially at the crossroads of the House of summoned to do an interview for local radio. awkwardly listening Commons and the House of Lords. It was an Scary, but I tried not to think about it and let to Lord Willis read amazing sight and I was so awe struck that I my brain go on autopilot! They seemed my biography, still almost missed a sighting of Dame Tanni pretty pleased with my responses to their not quite fathoming Grey-Thompson who whizzed past in a pink questions. Mind you, I think they always say how I could be blur! how fantastic you were, don’t they?! amongst such a wealth of high Back home and with a nice chilled glass of The room began to fill up and people mingled achievers! Then it wine the realisation that I had won this and chatted. Justin King stood talking to me was my moment to amazing award was slowly starting to sink for ages, extremely interested in who I was approach the podium in. and what I’d done. At the time, I and accept my beautiful cast glass accolade. embarrassingly couldn’t for the life of me My speech was a bit of a blur, but I think I said The reason I had won was PA Pool. Finding remember who he was; oops! I was thank you to all the right people. Dad said it and recruiting your own PA isn’t easy and, absolutely mortified that all the effort I’d sounded really natural and unrehearsed, as I often say; “when it’s good it’s fantastic, made swatting up on the other winners had which I’m guessing meant it was OK. I was just when it’s bad it’s horrid.” For me that sums been in vain; my brain had turned to Swiss mightily relieved when that last word passed up having to rely on finding the right person cheese. my lips! to help with the most everyday of tasks! Being a PA user has not only given me some It didn’t seem very long before the time came With all the formalities over we were all able of the most liberating experiences of my to present the awards. Everybody gathered to chill out a bit! Everybody was really friendly life, but also some of the most stressful! around the small podium ready for the and the atmosphere was much more relaxed ceremony presented by Liberal Democrat than I’d feared. Before I know it Big Ben was I hope, therefore, that you will find PA Pool Lord Willis. He seemed like a very pleasant chiming 6pm; the time had flown, but it had helpful in enabling you to make choices for and genuine chap and read a short biography been a really, really lovely two hours. I still yourself. about each winner before presenting them couldn’t quite believe where I was though and with their award. what had just happened! By Katy Etherington
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 35
Accessible holidays in Tenerife Published 1st November 2012
plane? Would there be sufficient equipment We chose Tenerife for the climate and the for his gastrostomy feeds and continence Mar Y Sol hotel for the accessibility and needs? How would he cope on the flight? variety of things to do. Our son cannot cope with extreme summer heat, and Tenerife But we were pleasantly surprised. Monarch has a very pleasant climate. The two Airlines gave us extra legroom (a letter from unheated pools helped us stay cool as well. the family helped) so that we could help him The Mar y Sol hotel in Tenerife, for which stand up out of his seat. The airport and airline The hydrotherapy pool was a real hit with Disability Horizons readers can get a were very helpful and organised getting us on all of us. Our children were fine with having discount, caters for disabled and non- and off and we were given enough extra to be a little restrained to respect other disabled holiday makers with accessible luggage allowance for all his medical needs. users’ needs and vulnerabilities, and could accommodation and leisure facilities, be a little more exuberant in the other pools mobility items and a therapy centre. It was the also first time we had to manage which are much less used. They loved the Disability Horizons reader Maggie Layton without our wheelchair adapted vehicle, which water features, jets and bubbles in the recently stayed at the hotel with her family was a little daunting, but the drop off went hydro pool. and here tells us all… without a hitch. We booked a transfer from the airport to the hotel through the travel But an even bigger hit was the sports hall Earlier this year we had a lovely family agency, but this can also be done easily with activities from Boccia and wheelchair holiday in Tenerife, the first time we had directly with Lero, which is next door to the rugby. This is very new with lots of sports been abroad by plane as a family of five; hotel. equipment and very roomy accessible myself and my husband, our 11-year-old toilets. The highly qualified and welcoming disabled son, 8-year-old son and 2-year-old Another first was the type of holiday; it was sports and physiotherapy staff there were daughter. There were in fact many ‘firsts‘ to the first in a hotel rather than rented house, great at involving the whole family in try out this holiday, and it all went static caravan, or camping. For the first time activities, keeping all the children active and surprisingly well. no shopping, meal planning, cooking or amused. washing up; I’d had enough of self catering We hadn’t flown on a plane for seven years holidays! There was a lot of flexibility in length The Mar Y Sol hotel sits in Los Cristianos with our 11-year-old son, who has severe of stay too. As we went slightly off season resort, which is well adapted for mobility learning difficulties and some physical (May) we could choose any length of stay. We scooters, prams and wheelchairs. The hotel problem, so we had a number of concerns. went for thirteen days as this suited our is in a quiet area of the town, but within Would his wheelchair get damaged on the preferred flight times. reach of shops, market and beach. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 36
Accessible holidays in Tenerife (cont.) Published 1st November 2012
(…) Helpful lifeguards at the wheelchair The buffet means you don’t have to wait for accessible beach will transfer you to a three- food and choose what you like; great for little wheeled buggy with big wheels to help you hungry ones! get across the sand and into the sea. We would definitely recommend this hotel We found many good accessible toilets on and intend to go there again. It is great to have the island, at swimming pools and beaches finally found somewhere that makes our lives especially. There are boardwalks onto many easier on holiday and has all the facilities of the beaches, great for families with needed; and all on a fabulous island with lots “No one will give me a chance!” buggies and wheelchairs. Los Cristianos is a of excursions on offer. We saw pyramids, pilot Well, that’s not true. We will give you two little touristy, you don’t get a feel for original whales, sea water pools, amazing volcanic days a week (for six weeks), the opportunity Tenerife there, but there are adapted scenery and we still have lots to see and do to show you do wish to work, either in the vehicles available to rent on the island and there! Workshop or the Office. wheelchair spaces on many of the buses, although in high season these may need to By Maggie Layton Are you between 18 to 30, out of work for be booked. more than a year or a single parent and Disability Horizons readers can get up to 10% would like to show any potential employer The staff at Mar Y Sol appear to take discount at the Mar Y Sol hotel. Visit the Mar that you really do want to work, but have everything in their stride. The rooms were Y Sol hotel page within our resources section not had the chance to prove this. great, as were the showers. We were also to find out more about the hotel and to able to borrow a shower chair free of charge. claim. Happy holiday! The emergency buttons proved to be a little problem for us as they were in reach of our 2-year-old daughter, who could not resist initially. But it was good to know that if we needed help, it was there. If you are interested and feel you have what There is plenty of room in the restaurant to it takes to prove it, give us a call on: move around, relaxed staff, lots of food to 01954 782 666 or drop your CV into us at: choose from with a different international Andy’s Kars, 6 Viking Way, Bar Hill, theme each night. CB24 4TR Cambridgeshire DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 37
Rust and Bone: a film review Published 8th November 2012
needed to move or I would have only been Set in Antibes, the most south-eastern part able to see the first and last word of each of France, the setting was certainly no sentence. Giving my new carer, who I was Cannes. Against a somewhat dismal, trailing, a challenge, I transferred to the next depressing backdrop, a beautiful and very seat. No mean feat in almost total darkness, poignant love story develops, enveloped in but she rose to the challenge. So enough some very affecting music might I add. about me and on to the review of the film! Last Monday Disability Horizons reader The film at just two hours long allows Judith Merry went to the preview screening So for a brief synopsis (from IMDB): “Put in enough time to get to know both of the new film Rust and Bone, courtesy of charge of his young son, Ali leaves Belgium for characters, Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Think Jam. Here, she tells us what she Antibes to live with his sister and her husband Stephanie (Marion Cotillard), and to see thought of the new film about love, passion as a family. Ali’s bond with Stephanie, a killer them emotionally ‘grow’, both separately and disability. whale trainer, grows deeper after Stephanie and together after a chance meeting at a suffers a horrible accident.” The accident nightclub. As they say, actions speak louder As a proud self-declared film buff I jumped at leaves Stephanie with a disability, something than words, and this film is the opportunity to review the new film Rust that we see her come to terms with through certainly testament to that with the and Bone for Disability Horizons, especially as the rest of the film. gracefully shot camera work allowing the the preview was to be hosted in a glamorous actors to do most of the work as the hotel in London opposite Liberty! dialogue is often kept brief.
Often with cinemas the accessibility to the Marion Cotillard is an enthralling actress. seat and then transfer from my wheelchair Known for being a method actor, Marion can be a bit of a kerfuffle. But thankfully this said she wanted to think more about the time was smooth sailing – although I did have character rather than researching the to use the side entrance – and I had a lovely disability. Her approach made sure she spacious seat. If only all cinemas could be as could better understand how her character accessible. would transition from being able bodied to disabled, rather than creating a character Typically a tall fella sat two rows in front of I found Rust and Bone to be a wonderful based on the disability. me, and as Rust and Bone is a subtitled rollercoaster of emotions; passion, romance Stephanie is already a very independent, French film, and I am of short stature, I and sadness. financially secure and strong woman. (cont.) DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 38
Rust and Bone: a film review (cont.) Published 8th November 2012
(…) The accident does change her physically This is a rare thing to see in films; sex scenes more positive way rather than a sob story in and emotionally. However, her financial involving a main character who is female and mainstream cinema is always a plus and stability enables her to adapt and live disabled. The compassion shown in the recommendation in my eyes. perhaps more comfortably easily than most. treatment of the subject matter meant that at She turns to Ali for company, starting off as times I found Ali’s character hard to Take a look at the trailer to get a taste for it friends. It is his no-nonsense treatment of understand and heartbreaking to see. yourself: her that injects some life back into her. Together they benefit each other with That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the film; I loved emotional and moral support throughout the it. It’s a slow burner that pays off tenfold, and film. a subtitled film I forgot was subtitled.
Rust and Bone at its core is about raw human emotions; love, grief and survival. In the wrong
hands – i.e. Hollywood – this loose adaptation of two of Craig Davidson’s short stories could www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyAJDL3mTxI have been a slushy romantic comedy with disability being a stereotypical addition. But in
the hands of renowned director Jacques By Judith Merry Ali is a ‘hardened’ character, appearing as Audiard, disability is only a part of a story sometimes brutish and emotionally stunted, about basic human emotions. Seen any good disability-related films you especially towards his son and sister. Scenes think we should review or would like to with his family are a stark comparison to his Rust and Bonr is a romantic, albeit dark write about for Disability Horizons? very thoughtful and pragmatic treatment of comedy with undeniable serious issues that Stephanie after her accident. He has a very only the French could do with panache. It had Let us know about it by emailing us at refreshing reaction to disability; he just many hand-to-your mouth tear-filled eyes [email protected], messaging seems to take it all onboard in a very matter moments, and I wasn’t alone when I looked us on Facebook or tweeting us @DHorizons of fact way. around the cinema room!
As their relationship develops there aren’t Though not one of the cheeriest films, I would any awkward moments and the sex scenes be more than happy to see it again and own it are handled and shown with practical finesse. on DVD. Any film that portrays disability in a DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 39
Accessible Travel and Leisure Helping the less mobile access the world Real peace of mind We do. We are specialists in providing top We look after every detail so that you can quality accessible travel and disabled holidays just relax and enjoy a fantastic holiday. for the less mobile. From the flight of your choice to direct transfer to your resort, we will not confirm Tailored to your individual needs a booking until we are confident that every Our expert, friendly staff can advise you on the individual requirement of your holiday has suitability of each destination, because we been secured. Our personal, `hands-on' have already been there and checked it out approach means you get real peace of mind ourselves. every time you holiday with Accessible Travel. We can then tailor a disabled holiday to meet your specific requirements. Whether you need The specialists you can trust A good holiday is one of life's greatest to ensure ground floor accommodation, Accessible Travel & Leisure was formed in pleasures and a vital tonic to mind, body handrails, or any other special facilities, we 1997 by three wheelchair users with a vision and soul. Accessible Travel & Leisure, a can offer you disabled holidays where we can to create `barrier-free holidays' for the less leading accessible and disabled holidays secure the most appropriate accommodation mobile and people who have difficulty company, is dedicated to making it possible and services. walking or mounting steps. for you to access and enjoy the holidays you've always dreamed of. Our Managing Director is himself a wheelchair user and family man with Whether you have a hip problem, partial personal experience of the problems faced sight, trouble with walking and going up by holidaymakers with mobility difficulties steps, or need the full use of a wheelchair, & and for their friends and relatives. we understand the very real difficulties these and other conditions can place on holidaying Many of our regular travellers have arthritis, abroad. MS, use a walking aid, or have suffered a stroke. They continue to holiday with Most tour operators simply don't have the Accessible Travel because they know that experience, the understanding and, above all, we will leave nothing to chance in meeting the facilities to accommodate your needs. their every need and ensuring they have a fantastic holiday time and time again. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 40 Arlene on the Scene: disability and children’s books Published 1st November 2012
The experience taught me many things. Yes, black-eye experience, and having seen my my son is on his own in the batting cage from friend ensure innumerable stares herself now on! But it also made me realise the because of her wheelchair, we couldn’t help inextricable link between the opinion of others but worry how Grace would be transformed and our own self-image. We are, to a certain on the inside. Would she remain powerful extent, comprised of how others see us. and empowered, despite the stares and the
Arlene on the Scene is a children’s book well-intentioned sympathy she might about disability and embracing differences. I thought of this as I watched my kids and my receive from others? friend’s daughter, Grace, play one summer Author Carol Liu talks to Disability Horizons day. Both my friend and her daughter have We wanted to do something to help, to about the book and how she’s using it to teach children understanding. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive create a guidebook of sorts for Grace’s peripheral neuropathy that impacts mobility. fellow school friends. Thus began an The printed sign hanging eye level on the Young Grace had on her new leg braces, incredibly fun collaboration between gate was quite clear: “only one person in the having been recently told she should start myself, my friend Marybeth Caldarone, and wearing them full-time. So at nine years old her wonderful daughter Grace, and the batting cage at a time.” But I ventured in anyway to help my six year old swing the bat she had undergone a tremendous result is the book Arlene On the Scene, soon like a real ballplayer, like only his mother transformation. She now appeared to some to become a series with the sequel due out could show him. He swung all right, great others to be…”that girl with the leg braces.” in the spring of 2013. Our premise: take a follow through, all the way around to my typical heroine girl, slap some leg braces on her and see what happens. face.
I had a beauty of a black eye for a week. It Ours was a lofty goal: redefine disability for transformed me, into…well, depended on young readers. Define it so that the word who was staring at me. Some may have doesn’t even apply anymore. Can we transform, in our own minds, disability as correctly thought I was one of those people who ignored clear safety warnings. But some difference, akin to race, religion, culture, looked at me with pity. Was I a survivor of an personality, favourite topping on a pizza? accident? Domestic violence? Some looked with an eerie curiosity. What was this It seems worth a try. I now visit primary What would that do to her self-image? Having schools across the country and use the book suburban mum doing with a black eye? recently felt the intense gawks from my whole as a launching pad to talk honestly (cont.)
DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 41
Arlene on the Scene: disability and children’s books (cont.) Published 1st November 2012
distance, I tell students. It has its purpose, but there’s one step beyond sympathy that we can Check out… strive for; that’s true understanding, real empathy. I show the kids how to practice Once upon a time: children’s books empathy and apply it to everyday situations, need disabled heroes starting first with the fictional character Tilly Smiles: inspiring disabled Arlene, just to get used to it before we turn children our attention to each other for real. Book review: Off Balanced by Zachary Fenell I’ve spent some time with the issue of empathy through my work as a therapist for kids with emotional and behavioural Have you read any children’s books challenges. While we’d like to think there is a featuring disability? natural empathy spring bubbling through all of us, empathy is not always our first reaction, Let us know about it by emailing us at especially when confronted with differences [email protected], messaging that we don’t understand, differences that us on Facebook, tweeting us @DHorizons make us feel uncomfortable. And so I believe or leaving your comments on the website we need to actually practice empathy, just like (www.disabilityhorizons.com). piano or handwriting. Or batting baseballs.
By Carol Liu about how we view disability, and how we can view it differently. I find it helpful to first bring to the surface our own reactions You can find out more about the book and toward those who are different from us or contact Carol at the website: who have different abilities. www.arleneonthescene.wordpress.com and you can buy the book for £4.96 on Amazon. Then I explore with the kids the difference between sympathy and empathy, a key concept. Sympathy can sometimes create
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News round-up: week ending 2nd November Government plans to “shrink” new school buildings will Published 8th November 2012 threaten the inclusion of thousands of disabled children in mainstream settings, campaigners have warned.
Some of Britain’s top Paralympians will be appearing at a new festival of sport that aims to build on the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and unearth future medal- winners.
The sentencing of 11 former employees of a private John Pring who runs the Disability News Service publishes his weekly hospital for abusing people with learning difficulties has news round-up of the happenings in the disability world the past week. become mired in confusion, with the government unable to say whether the judge treated the offences as disability Three more charities have suggested that Atos Healthcare used hate crimes. misleading claims about them in a document it used to win two lucrative disability assessment contracts. Sentences handed to staff who admitted abusing people with learning difficulties at a private hospital near Bristol A review of the equality watchdog’s disability committee could have been branded “woefully inadequate” by leading slow down further progress on disabled people’s rights, members of the self-advocacy movement. campaigners have warned. The new minister for disabled people has agreed to Disabled and older people will make a million fewer cheap coach consider fresh demands for the government to assess the journeys this year as a result of government cuts, say full impact on disabled people of all of its cuts and reforms campaigners. to benefits and services.
A Supreme Court hearing this week could lead to important new protection from discrimination for thousands of disabled volunteers, and benefit claimants forced into government work
experience programmes.
Housing providers will be able to bid for money from a £300 million fund to help boost the provision of specialised housing for disabled and older people.
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News round-up: week ending 9th November The author of a major report for the government on Published 15th November 2012 employment support has told a minister of her “serious concerns” about the rapid fall in the number of disabled people funded by the Access to Work scheme.
A disabled man has this week staged a public hunger strike in protest at the failings of the government’s “fitness for work” contractor Atos Healthcare.
John Pring who runs the Disability News Service publishes his weekly Four disabled models will be taking to the catwalk this news round-up of the happenings in the disability world the past week. week in a bid to persuade some of the country’s top women’s magazines that they should be featuring on their A judge has been criticised for his “appalling” failure to treat the front covers. “degrading, cruel and inhuman” abuse of people with learning difficulties at a hospital as a disability hate crime. New government figures appear to show that “improvements” to the controversial “fitness for work” test Labour will this week ask MPs – and the National Audit Office – to are having limited impact on how many disabled people are investigate allegations that Atos, the government’s “fitness for able to hold on to their out-of-work disability benefits. work” contractor, used misleading claims to win two lucrative disability assessment contracts. A leading figure in the self-advocacy movement has called for a national user-led organisation that would represent Senior figures in Nepal’s Paralympic movement have denied people with learning difficulties right across England for the “detestable” claims about the death of a disabled member of first time. their delegation to London 2012. Organisers hope that a month-long disability arts, culture A Paralympian who won three gold medals at London 2012 has and human rights festival could become an annual fixture called for action after a new survey revealed “shocking” access and help turn a London borough into a centre of excellence. failures in city centre car parks across England, Wales and Scotland.
The decision not to reappoint the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s only disabled commissioner has raised fresh concerns over the government’s plans for the watchdog.
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News round-up: week ending 23rd November A 15-month parliamentary inquiry has called for Published 29th November 2012 determined action to tackle the barriers to inclusion and equality faced by young disabled people.
The growing trend to provide services online is generating an increasing gap between advances in new technology and disabled people’s ability to take advantage of them, according to a new report.
Government cuts and reforms are creating a “perfect John Pring who runs the Disability News Service publishes his weekly storm” that could see many disabled people losing their news round-up of the happenings in the disability world the past week. homes, according to a leading disabled campaigner and politician. Leading disability rights figures have warned that key parts of the country’s equality legislation are under threat from the A new parliamentary inquiry is a “huge opportunity” for government, after the prime minister announced that he was disabled people to raise their concerns with MPs about the “calling time on equality impact assessments”. accessibility of public transport, say campaigners.
The third annual review of the government’s “fitness for work” Two little-known government regulations could hold the assessment process has received a cool response from disabled key to helping thousands of sick and disabled people who activists. have been unfairly found “fit for work”, according to a new campaign. A new report by a committee of MPs has added weight to concerns that hundreds of thousands of disabled people could For links to the full stories, please visit Disability News Service find themselves driven “over the edge” by one of the (www.disabilitynewsservice.com) government’s key welfare reforms. Disability News Service (DNS) is run by John Pring, an experienced The government has announced a series of new measures it journalist who has been reporting on disability issues for more than hopes will reverse the slump in the number of disabled people 15 years. benefiting from its Access to Work employment support scheme.
A new private members’ bill that would allow MPs to “job share” for the first time would make it easier for disabled people to stand for parliament, say campaigners.
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DISABILITY HORIZONS – Our Vision and Structure Srin Madipalli, 26, also lives in London and worked as a lawyer at a Created on 11th April 2011 leading international commercial law firm in the City of London. He graduated from King’s College, University of London with a first class degree in Biochemistry, before re-qualifying as a lawyer. When he is not being a corporate lawyer or an aspiring social entrepreneur, Srin loves to travel and experience adventures of a more extreme kind in their wheelchair accessible form! Some past adventures have included scuba diving, flying a plane, wheelchair Our vision trekking through the Alps and a camping safari in Africa. In the To create a positive, interesting and useful disability related magazine second half of 2010, he took some time out from work to go with articles and resources to help disabled people achieve whatever travelling around the world for four months and consequently they wish. takes a keen personal interest in trying to encourage disabled people to travel more. Co-founders and Co-editors Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley Srin is now studying for an MBA at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Disability Horizons was founded by its co-editors, Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley who both have a physical impairment called Spinal If you would like to get in touch with Srin or Martyn, please email Muscular Atrophy. them at [email protected].
Martyn Sibley, 29, lives in London and runs his The Team social media consultancy called Sunnier Days. He Elizabeth Ransome – Content Editor previously worked as a product development executive at Scope, the UK’s leading disability Liz joined Disability charity. Martyn graduated from Coventry Horizons to help expand the University with a Masters degree in Marketing and magazine and its reach to a bachelors Degree in Economics. After university, people with disabilities. Martyn briefly lived in his hometown of St.Ives Liz is a journalist living in (Cambridgeshire) before moving down to London London, and has always to take up the role at Scope HQ. Since university been passionate about Martyn has become an influential voice in the disability sphere through promoting a positive view his pioneering use of social media and e-campaigning via his blog, of disability, thanks to the www.martynsibley.com. He aims to inspire, inform and change the world inspiring attitude of her brother, who had cerebral palsy. for disabled people. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 46
DISABILITY HORIZONS – Our Vision and Structure The Team Created on 11th April 2011 Mark Phillips – Social Media Executive
You could say I’m the voice (minus the welsh accent) behind the infamous #TwitterTakeover!!
I was born with ‘Asymmetric Diplegic The Team Cerebral Palsy’ hey it’s kind of sexy Filipe Roldao – Sub-Editor when you say it out loud… or maybe that’s just me! In a nutshell, Filipe describes himself as a traveller and a wannabe DJ, who likes to One thing you could say about me is walk and cycle… that I’ve always had a strange sense of humour when it comes down to it He graduated from University of Minho and I’ve always been open and honest about disability. (Portugal) in 2002 with a Degree in International Relations. Since then he has I completed a Law Degree at Aberystwyth University and then extended his knowledge to other went on to complete my Legal Practice Course. Now when I’m not domains… having ended up working as tweeting I’m back home completing my LLM (Masters) in Legal Personal Care Assistant here in the UK. Practice.
One of his dreams is to do a trip around the world, preferably on a Since leaving university I’ve done a lot of writing and sharing my motorbike. Crossing borders shouldn’t be a problem because, as he puts experiences and then helped out the Disability Horizons team it: “I look like Prince William (aka Duke of Cambridge)… when we are during the London 2012 Paralympics and it all kicked on from there both wearing a helmet!” or it’s just that the rest of the Team can’t get rid of me… I’ll let you decide. He enjoys meeting people from all kinds of horizons. Adventure comes naturally along with travelling and is always welcome. Most of the times When I’m not Disability-Myth-Busting, I’m diving head first into he prefers to explore places “by himself”… to follow his own path… this crazy world of disability and I’m always on the lookout for something new to tryout. More about him on www.filiperoldao.co.uk I’m pretty easy going and I’ll talk about anything, so don’t be afraid to give me a shout and keep an eye out for that. DISABILITY HORIZONS: NEWSLETTER - December 2012, Page 47