Dr Eric Gill Society

Have you ever fancied kayaking or canoeing Floating down a river in summer, watching the birds and the dragonflies; running a white water rapid; experiencing the thrill of riding a surf wave Well surprising as it might sound having a disability doesn’t have to stop you getting out and about on the water in a boat. There are a number of clubs around the UK where you can learn to paddle, and PaddleOn! in Bristol is just one of them.

PaddleOn! is an equal opportunities canoe club catering for adults and children of any ability, from beginners to experienced pros. Some of our members have learning difficulties, some have physical or sensory disabilities, many have no disability but the one thing we all have in common is that we like to paddle and have fun together. Whether it’s river trips, pool sessions, surfing, sea paddling, camps or just messing about in boats that takes your fancy, given the right attitude and support it is surprising what it is possible to achieve. Boats can be adapted, skills can be modified to achieve success but the most important first step is to get out there and have a go.

If you live in the Bristol area, why not start by contacting info@paddleon.org.uk or check out our website at www.paddleon.org.uk

If you live further away from Bristol or want general information or advice about canoeing opportunities for people with disabilities contact the British Canoe Union or visit their website www.bcu.org.uk

Paddling can open up all sorts of new opportunities, whether it is freedom to explore the countryside or the chance to take part in an exciting sport and make new friends. Why not give canoeing a go.

A Brief Look at the Daily Life of a Disabled Person
Integrating the disabled into daily life is an important part of modern healthcare strategies. There are a number of reasons for this. In the first place, it improves the physical and mental health of the disabled person. Also, it preserves their independence and protects them from the risk of abuse. Finally, the investment is more cost effective and better for the entire community.

A disability can be a physical handicap, such as one that inhibits mobility, or a matter of frail health. It might also be a matter of mental health, where the person is chronically depressed or otherwise unable to function. It might also be an incurable mental handicap like an intellectual delay. Some of the disabled were born that way, but some achieved the status in life due to an accident or illness. When a person is diagnosed with a problem, they are usually matched with a case worker, either a social worker or a community service worker.

Their job is to work with the individual or their parents to achieve the best possible outcomes for that person. They will usually have specialized training. Sometimes, especially when the handicap inhibits the successful completion of general life tasks, they will be matched with someone with personal support worker training (PSW for short). Their job is to help with day to day functions for that person, from house chores to physical self-maintenance.

For most of the disabled though, the more of a sense of independence that can be preserved the better. Not feeling valued or useful has very negative effects on many people, as does the loss of intellectual stimulation. Boredom may be literally deadly. A community service worker ideally helps people with things like rehabilitative programs that let the patient have restored efficacy. This is one of the reasons why art therapy is so popular, as it allows the person to produce some sort of creative output.

Because of their need for help, the disabled person may also be more vulnerable to abuse than the average. PSW courses teach how to look for signs of abuse from other care takers. They also allow their clients to develop back some self-reliance so they can protect themselves. With a PSW, a disabled person may be able to hold down a job that was out of their reach. Not relying on a limited or restricted income is ideal for many reasons.

For the entire community, that’s more tax revenue and the community does not miss out on the skills of the person who might otherwise be unable to express them. And even if the financial value of their labour is not as high as the cost of employing someone with PSW courses, it still helps teach the community about diversity to interact with the differently abled in something other than a caretaking role.

About the Author:
Visit Academy of Learning College Toronto for more information on personal support worker training.

Valeria Stephens is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

Example of a Resume for Aspiring Disabled Job Applicants
In reality, people with disability experience a lot of discrimination. Thus, to protect these disabled persons, the United States Congress, during the leadership of then U.S. President George W. Bush, created and signed into law the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA). This law focuses on the protection against the discrimination to Americans with disabilities. Millions of jobs are under the protection of this program.

An example of a resume for people with disability is not difficult to make as some of you might think. Though disabled persons have limitations in performing certain jobs, they can still be productive and effective in accomplishing various tasks as a normal individual.

If you happen to be among the few aspiring disabled applicants who are patiently looking for employment, you must try not to focus on your weaknesses and instead concentrate on your strengths. Yes, some employers may be biased and may develop a negative perception about you, but you should keep your self-esteem in-tact. With the help of a powerful resume, you can present potential employers your fortes and your edge over other contenders.

What Should You Highlight?

While there are occupations that are really not applicable for most disabled persons like you, still, there are a lot more jobs that suit your competence and ability. Besides considering a job that fits your potentials, you should also believe in yourself and in your capacity to do great things. In short, if you think that your disability will not affect your job performance, then you should go for the gold and apply for the post.

After finding a job that fits your capabilities, you must create a list of all your strong points and excellent qualifications. You must be able to present your unique potentials to your future employers and show them that you can work, accomplish your tasks, and perform at your best even if you have a disability. Recognize and stress out your talents as well.

Indeed, the best example of a resume for people with disability is something that does not undervalue one’s capacities. Your resume must be a reflection of your strong determination to get the job and to prove yourself to others.

Should You Disclose Your Disability?

Though the decision to disclose or conceal your disability depends on you, you should still carefully evaluate your status before any potential employer. If you think the employer is considerable, then inform them. But if you think that it will affect your advantage and qualifications in getting the job, then you must postpone mentioning it in your resume and just wait until your application is picked out.

Similarly, many career specialists advise that you should not disclose your disability until an interview is set. This is to avoid prejudgments and a possible discrimination. Also as stated under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is no longer a must that you should mention your disability. Thus, you should consider your application normally and must not be too worried about your incapacity.

Starting Your Cover Letter

In writing your cover letter, do not start with the details of your disability. If you want to mention it, make sure you highlight on your strengths and your capacity to overcome them. Follow the standard format in making a cover letter then emphasize more on your skills, talents, and adaptability that showcase your abilities.

Include in the second paragraph your limitations then continue explaining your functions and capacity for the job. Discussing the truth and emphasizing on your trustworthiness will be a good.

Getting an Interview

If you have the chance to be invited for an interview, then you’re lucky enough. That would be your chance to prove the employer that you are capable and qualified enough for the job even if you’re disabled.

Always remember that you are not different from others. Never put yourself down. Always bear in mind that there are still many opportunities waiting for you. A positive attitude and great confidence can make you stand out from other applicants despite your disability.

About the Author:
Kate Ross-Myers works for a New-York based human resources magazine. She has a broad experience in preparing resource materials on hiring, recruitment, and training. Kate also speaks on forums and conventions on employee wellness and growth.
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In September 1998, Michael J. Fox stunned the world by announcing that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – in fact, he had been secretly fighting it for seven years. In this candid book, with his trademark ironic sensibility and sense of the absurd, he tells his life story – from his childhood in western Canada to his meteoric rise in film and television and, most importantly, the years in which – with the unswerving support of his wife, family and friends – he has dealt with his illness.

He talks about what Parkinson’s has given him: the chance to appreciate a wonderful life and career, and the opportunity to help search for a cure and spread public awareness of the disease. He feels as if he is a very lucky man indeed.

The same sharp intelligence and self-deprecating wit that made Michael J Fox a star in the Spin City television series and Back to the Future films make Lucky Man a lot punchier than the usual up-from-illness celebrity memoir.

Yes, he begins with the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, the incurable illness that led to his retirement from Spin City (and acting) in 2000. And yes, he assures us he is a better, happier person now than he was before he was diagnosed. In Fox’s case, you actually might believe it, because he then cheerfully exposes the insecurities and self-indulgences of his pre-Parkinson’s life in a manner that makes them not glamorous but wincingly ordinary and of course very funny. (‘As for the question, ‘Does it bother you that maybe she just wants to sleep with you because you’re a celebrity?’ My answer to that one was, ‘Ah… nope.’)

From a Canadian, working-class background, Fox has an unusually detached perspective on the madness of mass-media fame; his description of the tabloid feeding-frenzy surrounding his 1988 wedding to Tracy Pollan, for example, manages to be both acid and matter-of-fact.

He is frank but not maudlin about his drinking problem, and he refreshingly notes that getting sober did not automatically solve all his other problems.

Still Me
Through his leading role in the three Superman films, Christopher Reeve became so closely identified with the superhero that he wasn’t just seen as the actor who played Superman, he was Superman.

Which is why the tragic riding accident which left him paralysed from the neck down shocked the world. Superman was not superhuman. It is also why he is now the world’s most recognisable person in a wheelchair.

In true superhero style, Christopher Reeve refuses to resign himself to the life of a quadriplegic, and is actively campaigning to raise the profile of spinal-cord injury victims and research.

Although he was initially told that he would only ever be able to move his head, he can now shrug his shoulders and breathe alone for increasing periods of time, and is determined that he will walk again.

It is this extraordinary courage and determination that has made Christopher Reeve the internationally admired figure that he is, and it is this bravery, which makes this autobiography about his paralysis and his journey to recovery such a powerful and moving story.

The whole world held its breath when Christopher Reeve struggled for life on Memorial Day, 1995. Thrown headfirst from his horse the screen idol adored by millions, the critically acclaimed actor, the man who was superman, was left incapable of movement.

Yet, despite his paralysis, Reeve never lost faith or his will to make a difference. He testified before Congress, made his directorial debut and wrote two autobiographies, which tell the moving, wise, passionate and gripping story of his life.

Reviews

A story of enormous depth: honest, intelligent and compelling. I have rarely read anything as moving (Sunday Times)

Brave, funny and deeply moving (Sunday Telegraph)

Fascinating and utterly lacking in self-pity (Guardian)

Through his honesty, dignity, and clarity of purpose, Reeve has created an involving book and a meaningful life (New York Times Book Review)

Still me redefines the idea of hero . . . In this detailed and well-written autobiography, Reeve proves that, in many ways, he has transcended previous accomplishments through his courage and character (Boston Globe)

Disabled access in Berlin is quite good, similar to other European cities that were heavily bombed in World War II. There are much fewer cobblestone streets or 100-year-old buildings used for hotels and museums than you will find in Paris or Rome.

Additionally, public transportation such as busses and subways provide Berlin with good disabled access.

Berlin is definitely worth a trip by itself, or you can combine it with another destination (Cologne is 4 hours away by train, Prague and Warsaw – 5 hours, Amsterdam – 6 hrs, and Copenhagen – 7 hours, or you can take a quick flight)

Berlins Layout

Your best landmarks to get your orientation in Berlin are the large Tiergarten Park in the middle of the city and the Unter den Linden street that extends to the east of it.

The west end of the park has the Zoologischer Garten train station and was the centre of the former West Berlin.

South of the park is Potsdamer Platz and the Gemaldegalerie art museum. The east end of the park has the Brandenburg gate and the Reichstag.

Moving further east, Checkpoint Charlie and the Gendarmenmarkt plaza are south of Unter den Linden Street. Museum Island is at the east end of Unter den Linden. Further east of Museum Island is the TV Tower, which can be seen from all over the city.

Wheelchair Accessible Travel to Berlin

Wheelchair accessible travel to Berlin is possible by flying into Tegel airport or Shanefeld Airport, or by taking a train to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main train station). All of these have good disabled access with good options for accessible transportation to your hotel.

Accessible transportation while in Berlin

Accessible transportation in Berlin is provided by the accessible busses and via taxis. There are also many subway stations with elevators to get down to the platforms, and there is a website to check which stations have elevators that are out of service.

We recommend using taxis to get between the tourist areas in East Berlin: Checkpoint Charlie area, Museum Island, the Reichstag, Gemaldegalerie area, and the Jewish Museum. You can walk/roll to the sights within each of those areas:

– Checkpoint Charlie area: Museum of the Wall and Topography of Terror

– Museum Island: German History Museum, Pergamon Museum, Berlin Cathedral, and Egyptian Museum

– Reichstag area: Reichstag, Brandenburg gate, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

– Gemaldegalerie area: Gemaldegalerie museum and German Resistance Museum

Use the Number 100 and 200 buses to get to and from West Berlin where you will find the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and KaDeWe shopping store. The Gemaldegalerie area can also be accessed via the Number 200 bus line.

Berlins Accessible Tourist Attractions

Many wheelchair accessible Berlin tourist attractions can be found in the city, however you should know that some of the main attractions are not wheelchair friendly. Some tourist attractions will have an alternative entrance that has a ramp or elevator to get around the steps at the main entrance, including the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Reichstag, the Berlin Cathedral, the German Cathedral, and the Museum of the Wall.

Other Berlin tourist attractions have a single step at the entrance (German Resistance Memorial) or do not allow wheelchair users (TV Tower). The German History Museum has flat access at the main entrance, while the Gemaldegalerie art museum, Jewish Museum Berlin, Neues Museum, and Berlin Wall Documentation Centre have ramped access. The Pergamon museum has a wheelchair lift to get up the steps at the entrance.

For more information on Berlin Disabled Access and other info Contact us. We will book Your Berlin Disabled Access. Sage Traveling experts will answer any remaining questions you have about disabled travel to Berlin.

We make your dream accessible vacation in Berlin a reality!

Sage Traveling provides you with Berlin Disabled Access, the easiest way to create a vacation memory that you will have forever!

For gardening tips for less abled people, click here.

Disability aids are directly related to ability and society
In our modern society disability should no longer be a barrier to learning, to having access to goods, facilities and services, to buying or renting land or property, or to employment.

New, technologically enhanced disability products are available for those with physical challenges, making it easier for them to perform activities within the normal range of a person.

These products together with an adequately adapted environment can facilitate both passive and active integration into society.

Included in the definition of disability is the difficulty to carry out activities considered simple basic ones for a regular human being, because of impairment.

No matter the type of disability (mobility difficulties, learning difficulties or sensory impairments) it should not be a barrier because people with disabilities can now escape this discouraging stigma with the help of various and largely available types of disability products.

Most of those suffering from certain affections are not familiar with just how many useful things are now available for online purchase. Independent living technology is continuously developing new disability products.

Some examples of simple disability aids are: a walker to make moving around easier, an amplification device to help those with partial hearing loss when talking on the telephone or watching television or a magnifying glass that helps someone with low vision read the newspaper.

Even these simple, classical products are now enhanced with new designs and durable materials to increase their utility and make them more easy to use. More sophisticated disability products are also available such as small motor scooters, for example, that makes it possible to travel over distances that are too far to walk.

Appropriate housing or at least the ability to perform minimal daily activities is the key to independent living.

A variety of disability aids are available to help living and working around the house. Mobility aids (the classical wheelchair), new devices such as kitchen and household enhancements (grab bars located in critical locations) and ergonomic workstations and furniture are now easily obtainable helping movement and for functioning around the house.

The ability to walk or move, take care of personal hygiene and manage day-to-day living activities for themselves will minimize reliance on others and will increase the self-confidence and quality of life of those with disabilities.

More and more people with various types of disabilities use such devices which help them lead independent lives by enhancing self-determination and giving them the opportunity to pursue an objective.

Although nowadays there are few disabled adults in employment, the children with disabilities have access to education and training. This will help them develop skills needed for future employment and social integration.

Disability aids have a great impact on the life of those with disabilities or those working or involved with them. Disability products give those who need it, the chance to minimize reliance on others in making decisions and in performing common day-to-day activities. Together with an adequately adapted environment they can work to diminish their disabilities, to learn how to deal with their problems and to become socially adapted.

About the author:
Please visit my website, a useful online resource, to view and purchase disability aids or disability products. These devices will help people with challenges and their close ones lead a life as normal as possible.

Beverly Ribaudo was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 47, after going from doctor to doctor for eight years. She never lost her sense of humour and continues to laugh about her life with Parkinson’s.

Her funny stories and song parodies have cheered up thousands of people around the world, from Australia to Iceland, South America, China, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe as well as fans from all 50 U.S. states.

Everyone is laughing with YumaBev. Even if you don’t have Parkinson’s, you will find her stories inspirational. Like she says, ‘Have a Happy Parkie Day!’

Reviews
I downloaded this book yesterday on my Kindle and literally couldn’t put it down once I started reading it in bed last night. As a person with PD (Parkinson’s Disease), I find it so refreshing and uplifting to read about Bev’s ability to look for the humour in her circumstances.

She turns potentially embarrassing moments into opportunities to laugh, lifting hearts and making new friends on her journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone with PD, family members and friends of PD folks, caregivers, and actually, anyone facing difficult circumstances, physical or otherwise.

Humour lifts our hearts. Bev has given us all an incredible gift with this book. She IS a gift! Oh, and one more thing: Not only is this book funny, it’s also filled with great, down-to-earth advice for people with Parkinson’s — so much so that she’s been a guest blogger on the Michael J. Fox website twice within the last few months. Kudos, ‘YumaBev’!

Everyone who has Parkinson’s or knows someone with Parkinson’s, or works in the health care industry needs to read this book. Unlike any book out there! Very funny and educational at the same time.

I used my husband’s Amazon account to buy this book. As a person with young onset Parkinson’s I know Bev from Twitter and when I heard she had put a book together I was keen to buy it. You might think that Parkinson’s is no laughing matter but I think Bev’s approach is very healthy; let’s face it what’s the alternative? It’s a challenging disease but facing it with a positive mindset is far preferable to looking on the dark side of life.

As well as Bev’s humour, there are also some very informative sections in the book. I wish I had been able to read this when I was first diagnosed. Whether you are a person who has Parkinson’s or a carer/family member this book is certainly worth a look.

I got the book in the post today, found it mildly amusing (English sense of humour and American are sometimes very different) BUT it IS a masterpiece and should be issued to every newly diagnosed parkie it runs through the symptoms in a flippant thorough way and should ease the fears and trepidations of many new parkies.

Bev you are a miracle you have portrayed the ins and outs of this disease that even i being full of inspiration have been further inspired.

Scooters and Automatic Chairs for the Disabled
Scooters and automatic chairs for the disabled are bought and sold all over the world. Folding mobility scooters are extremely handy and they are commonly used all around the world. The scooters are extremely helpful and they provide travelling solutions to the disabled and the elderly. They provide mobility to the user.

Folding Mobility scooters scooters entail following key characteristics:

The companies, traders and professional entities sell these to the needy. They also provide the utility on rent. One can buy and rent according to the need.

The companies also offer free service and spares for a limited period of time for the article sold. The warranty period usually extends to a period of six months after which it expires. During the warranty period the scooters can be serviced by the team of professionals. The service can be performed at least once a month. The technical, electrical and mechanical malfunctions are usually rectified by the home service specialists.

The companies and the traders also offer special packages to the buyers. These service packages entail service and support for the buyer. The buyer can call the company on break down and during other times. The traders charge fees in this regard and they usually provide the services to the clients for a fixed period of time.

The foldable feature of the scooter makes it extremely convenient. It can be folded in to any car and upon reaching the place of destination it can be easily reassembled. After reassembling it can be used on the footpaths and other pathways. It can be used with the super markets and departmental stores. It can also be used inside the market and hence, it is also called shoprider.

These days the scooter batteries are generally good for travelling up to 25 km or 14 miles. The batteries used within the machine are generally rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which can be recharged through any house socket and energy panel. The maximum speed of the scooter usually ranges in between 4 miles to 6 miles or up to 10 km per hour. The foldable scooter can easily carry around 320 lbs or 150 kg of weight. Which makes it a great shopping tool and it is commonly used in this respect.

The drive train is very important and it is made up of extremely light material. The overall weight of the scooter is kept low so that people can easily fold and pack wherever they go. The bike also comes with front and rear baskets which are very handy and can carry excessive loads.

The wheels of the scooter are usually made up of rubber which usually doesn’t require air. These wheels provide right amount of traction to the overall design of the scooter.

Online resource can be used in buying and selling quality scooters.

Carols Mithau is a freelance writer and blogger and in this article, he writes about Folding Mobility scooters and Shoprider. For more information, Please visit www.scootersmart.com.au.