Disabled Living

Month: October 2017

Story of the Month Feature: Ben Andrews

This Story of the Month is dedicated to Ben Andrews from Empower You. The vision of the programme is to revolutionise the health and leisure industry and make it a much more inclusive place for disabled people. Ben understands the barriers that disabled people face when trying to exercise. And Ben wants to support disabled people to knock down these barriers and teach them how they can have an active lifestyle as possible.

Ben’s background

Ben has a strong level of experience in the industry. Not only has he gained a 1^st class qualification at University of Salford in Exercise and Health Sciences but he’s built up many years of experience working with disabled people. He believes that:

Everyone can profit from the many benefits of that an active lifestyle can offer.

His supportive work has been recognised by NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group. This has helped Ben to gain a greater understanding of lifestyle goals that disabled people want to achieve in an exercise environment.

Success stories

Below are two examples of success stories from those who have used the services at Empower You with Ben.

Katie

Through the Empower You programme Katie has lost weight as well as improving her lung capacity, something that is much lower in people with Down Syndrome. Katie is now regularly attending her dancing and drama as well as another gym group, which is made up of her newly found friends. Katie now has a much busier social life and is becoming more independent through it.

Craig

Craig has Retinitis Pigmentosa, which has resulted in near enough complete blindness.

Our initial consultation identified Craig’s goals were to become fitter, gain muscle and get out of the house more.

My programme incorporated big lifts such as presses, squats and dead lifts, focusing on the higher rep ranges to optimise muscle growth and keeping the sessions as high tempo as possible with short rest periods. These lifts are difficult to perfect as anybody who trains will know, doing that with no vision is even harder, yet Craig has progressed in both technique and workload week in week out. Craig is now seeing a noticeable difference in his size, filling out clothes, which used to be baggy as well as strength, specifically in his legs.

Ben’s personal training offers specialist programming, lifestyle support, regular reviews, and customised. If you know someone who would benefit from this programme, contact Ben today via Twitter.

If you would like to feature your story please contact Disabled Living.

October 31, 2017
Disabled Living’s 120th AGM at the Yang Sing Cathay

Friday 13th is unlucky for some. However, this can’t be said for Disabled Living. The team put together a lot of plans and preparation to hold their 120th Annual General Meeting at the Yang Sing Cathay in the Trafford Centre. And it was a successful and enjoyable afternoon for all.

Gerry Yeung OBE, owner of the Yang Sing, President of Disabled Living, and Higher Sheriff of Greater Manchester welcomed our guests and did his introductory speech.

Gerry Yeung opening Disabled Living’s AGM

Dean Styger, Chairman of Disabled Living

Debra Evans, Chief Exexutive of Disabled Living, giving her speech

This was followed by talks from our Chairman, Dean Styger, and Chief Executive, Debra Evans. A lot of information was provided to our guests, which guided them through key parts of our Annual Report for 2016/2017.

Thank you to our speakers

We were pleased to be joined by Joanne Beamish from Lloyd Piggott who spoke about Disabled Living’s annual accounts over the past 12 months and how we are in a stable financial position. The election of Honorary Officers and Council successfully took place followed by other business discussions.

Joanne Beamish from Lloyd Piggott

Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development at Manchester Cathedral

It was wonderful to have our guest speaker, Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development at Manchester Cathedral. Many of us were impressed by the success of the cathedral and it was good to gain a bigger insight on it’s history. After the talks were complete, it was time for food. The part which many, if not all of us were looking forward to!

For starters, we were served with pork spring rolls, spring onion pancakes (vegetarian option), chicken balls with satay sauce, and beef dumplings with ginger and spring onion. The lovely choices of dishes were followed by aromatic crispy duck with pancakes, leek, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. Finally, the main course was a choice of goujons of white fish with sweet and sour sauce, crispy chilli shredded fillet steak, mixed vegetables in Thai green curry, and boiled or egg fried rice.

Natasha and Joanne’s first experience of Disabled Living’s AGM

This AGM was Joanne and Natasha’s first one that they have attended. Both Joanne and Natasha thought the event ran smoothly and really enjoyed meeting everybody.

Natasha, Marketing Coordinator & Content Writer at Disabled Living: It was an honour to be part of such an important event for Disabled Living, having only been in the team for a short period of time. I’m glad I was invited along. It was great to network and enjoy a variety of food at the same time.

Joanne Mulligan, Team Leader, Kidz and Business Development: My first time at the AGM had lovely surroundings, ambience and food. It was great to hear Anthony’s talk on his role at the Cathedral and also to put faces to names.

We would like to thank Gerry Yeung and all of his team at Yang Sing Cathay for their excellent customer service. They made sure our drinks were topped up and promptly served the courses of food.

October 17, 2017
A Quarter of the Public ‘Don’t Know What Cerebral Palsy Is’

This post has been written by JMW Solicitors. JMW Solicitors support families affected by cerebral palsy caused as a result of medical negligence. A team of expert solicitors ensure families receive the best possible care package and support to lead as normal life as possible. JMW fully support an initiative to raise awareness and highlight the importance of open discussions to support families.

A new survey

A new survey of 736 people has revealed a lack of understanding surrounding cerebral palsy in the UK. Conducted by the Clinical Negligence department at JMW Solicitors , the survey found that almost one-quarter (24%) of people do not know what cerebral palsy is.

The research showed that despite almost one-quarter (24%) of respondents personally knowing someone with CP, a similar proportion said they do not know anything about the condition. More than four in ten (41%) of those questioned described their understanding of cerebral palsy as “poor”, while a further 15% described it as “very poor”. This compared to 38% with a “good” understanding of it and 6% with a “very good” understanding, highlighting the need for further awareness of the condition.

Just 22% know that roughly one in every 400 children is born with the condition. The other 78% believe cerebral palsy is less common; 21% answered one in every 800, 25% selected one in every 4,000 and 11% opted for one in every 8,000. Almost one-quarter (23%), meanwhile, concede that they are not aware cerebral palsy can vary in severity.

Here’s what Eddie Jones has to say

Eddie Jones, Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence at JMW, says: “Our findings highlight a real lack of knowledge among the general public regarding cerebral palsy. It is illuminating that almost one-quarter of the almost 750 people we asked confess to not knowing what the condition actually is. We believe that understanding cerebral palsy is an important step to helping both people with cerebral palsy and those closest to them and more can be done nationally to raise awareness.

Many people freely admit they do not know much about cerebral palsy; indeed, the percentage of people claiming to have “very poor” or “poor” knowledge of the condition (a combined 56%) is significantly higher than those with a “very good” or “good” knowledge of it (a combined 44%).

The survey also found that only 29% of respondents say they think £1 million or more is needed in compensation to adequately care for a child with cerebral palsy for the rest of their lives. The other 71% assume less compensation is required, including almost one-quarter (24%) selecting £500,000 to £1 million, and 3% choosing the lowest option; £1,000 to £10,000. Knowledge of the true extent of the care costs required to support children and adults with CP is limited.

Eddie Jones added: “The majority of people not only don’t know how many children are born with cerebral palsy in the UK, they also believe prevalence of the condition is much lower than it actually is. As a law firm, JMW has helped many children and families to claim compensation that can run into the millions of pounds for a single case when the condition is caused by negligence at birth or in the newborn period. Every penny is essential for assisting that individual and their families, and it is alarming to see that so few people understand how much is needed.

JMW Solicitors produced a guide to cerebral palsy diagnosis and more information is available on the NHS website.

If you would like to submit a blog to us, please send an email to: info@disabledliving.co.uk

October 6, 2017
Looking After Your Back

This year, Back Care Awareness Week is taking place during 2nd – 6th October. According to Backcare, 1 in 4 people suffer daily or regularly with back pain. Have you ever been one of these people? Our Supplier Directory could be of great assistance for you, with over 50 suppliers in our Chairs, Seating, and Postural Support category.

When lifting loads of equipment at home or in the workplace, it’s important to remember what you learnt in your moving and handling training. Did you know that Disabled Living have a wide range of moving and handling courses available? This also includes an Advanced Moving & Handling for Therapists.

Some of us don’t realise how important our backs are. Think about the amount of times you haven’t sat up properly; haven’t lifted a heavy piece of equipment properly; or overdone it at the gym. We shouldn’t neglect looking after our backs. Here are 3 ways that you can look after your back.

Maintain your posture

Conditions can affect people’s posture. That’s why it’s important to know what products are available to help them. If you’re someone who works at a desk, sit up right on your chair and try not to slouch. Part of maintaining good posture can also mean taking breaks to stretch the rest of your body.

Reduce your stress levels

Did you know that stress can cause backache? The NHS tells us that it can. Perhaps you want to try meditation techniques, yoga, or try some simple breathing techniques. These can all help to make you feel relaxed, therefore, causing less stress onto your back. Breathworks have a great video that can help.

Have the right products for you

Are you in need of specialist chairs, seating equipment, postural support, or sleep systems? Take a look at our Supplier Directory. Many of our great suppliers are in there including Felgains and Simple Stuff Works.

The right care is available. There are many products for different areas of your home, workplace, and day-to-day routines that can assist you. Visit Disabled Living’s website or call 0161 214 4590 for further assistance on looking after your back.

October 5, 2017
Guidance on Choosing What to Keep in Your Archive

This is the second blog from Heather Roberts (HerArchivist, archive consultant), explaining the process we undertook for appraising our photographs archive.

Appraisal

Appraisal is a term that archivists use a lot. It means “choosing what to keep”. Contrary to some beliefs, we are not “professional hoarders”. Well, most of us aren’t, I have my suspicions about some of us.

An archive is:

An archive is a collection of records (that are either physical or digital) that are the evidence of something or somebody in the past, which you keep so that others can remember it in the future.

(HerArchivist, “Create your own archive” toolkit, p.5)

When presented with loads of “stuff”, you therefore need to think about what fits the definition.

Disabled Living’s Donkeys to Innovators project have hundreds of incredible photographs evidencing activities, staff, premises and so much more. We are not archiving them all. Many are duplicates and we don’t really need more than one of the same thing. We are going to appraise them.

Here’s why…

Duplicates

More than one of something is great. It beats having nothing. However, if you are keeping two or even three or more of something, you have to store it. A few hundred photographs take up enough space as it is. Add to that the special archive packaging and you’ve easily doubled the required space. If you have the space available then fab. Most organisations have to be very careful with storage space. The cost of it needs to be worth what you’re putting in it.

Also, archival packaging isn’t cheap. Photography packaging in particular as it requires special materials to help preserve the photographs. It may not be financially sensible to spend money on more than packaging than you strictly need.

The easiest way to reduce the volume of your archive and therefore space and money is to take out duplicates.

Below are the two main things we have been considering when appraising duplicate photographs on the Donkeys to Innovators project.

Information

Two photographs may be the same. Same image, same angle, same size etc.

If that’s the case, check the back. If one is blank and the other has a date, photographer’s stamp or scribble on the back which reveals some further information about where the photograph was took or who/what is in etc., that is the one you choose to keep.

It’s frustrating when you have a great image but no information about it. Keep the one which has the most added information and you’ll have a richer archive.

If both have the same information, then keep the one in the best condition.

Condition

Photographs are very delicate. They are the materials for which archivists insist on wearing cotton gloves, to protect the chemical surface of the image from the oils on people’s hands. Even freshly washed and thoroughly dried hands can easily damage a photograph.

Photographs are also subject to light damage. This is when prolonged exposure to light has faded the photograph’s image and it is no longer as clear. Light damage is irreversible so if you have any photographs, be mindful of light exposure.

Photographs can be torn, holes poked through where they’ve been pinned up, stained where Sellotape has held them in place and all sorts of similar damage.

Choose the photograph that is in the best condition. Fewer stains, clearer image, least holes and tears etc.

Information vs condition

Some decisions on the Donkeys to Innovators project have gone like this, “Well, this photograph is in the better condition, but this other photograph of the same image has more information on the back. Which do we keep?”

The trick here is to choose the photograph which is in the best condition (and therefore easier to keep and use) and transfer the information from the other photograph onto this one. Either, write on the back of it with a soft pencil (2B or softer will do) or put it in a folder/envelope and write the information on that, again in a soft pencil.

Soft pencils are the archivist’s weapon of choice because you don’t have to press very hard to a surface to write (hence reducing possible damage to the item) and because they are easy to rub out (in case of mistake), they don’t leak ink all over your invaluable archive either.

We are looking forward to revealing some of our fabulous photographs to you on this project. We are certainly having an amazing time working with them.

Heather’s free “Create your own archive” toolkit can be downloaded here.

October 5, 2017