The UKs Favourite Disability Magazine
columnists
Stopping Caring
Aug 4th
In her regular column for Able magazine, Jane Muir shares her ongoing experiences of life with – and without – her disabled son.
I may be a literacy teacher with a degree in modern languages, but the letters I receive from the benefits agencies leave me struggling. Possibly they constitute some kind of arcane computerised poetry. Although there are recognisable sentences with full stops and capital letters, and these sentences mimic the English language, the meaning remains elusive, with juxtaposed contradictions and staccato and repetitive choruses. The last correspondence from them to me was 25 pages long. Oh bliss! One line even states quite clearly (I think) that my son is a ‘non-dependant’….
Canine Partners
Aug 4th
What happens to a Canine Partner when their working life ends? We thought we’d ask one!
Stephanie has progressive hereditary spastic paraparesis, a degenerative condition of the nervous system. For the last 11 years, Canine Partner Frodo has helped maintain her independence and quality of life. Last year, Frodo retired, but Stephanie and partner John were pleased to be able to keep him as a pet, alongside new Canine Partner Elmo…
Father and Daughter
Jun 21st
Anna and Angie
Angie is an unusual Canine Partner – she’s worked with two members of the same family!
When Canine Partner Angie came into Paul Chandler’s life, his daughter Anna admits she was a little jealous. Both Paul and Anna had Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a brittle bone disease that means their bones can break when simply coughing or sneezing.
“I have always loved dogs,” Anna said. “Suddenly my dad had a dog that would help him do many of the tasks we both find difficult but she wasn’t for sharing! However, my dad had recently lost his father and was diagnosed with respiratory failure. He was lonely and Angie became the lifeline he really needed, I could see their bond growing and it was just the support he needed.
Usually, when a Canine Partner comes into a family environment, it is only for one recipient and no one else is allowed to give them commands. In this case, though, that began to change. Anna explained: “Because my father and I had the same condition, Angie did begin to do things for me as well. I lived next door and one day I was in with my Dad when my mobile phone began to ring. I dropped it before I could answer it and Angie immediately picked it up and delivered it back to me!”
Out On A Limb
Apr 1st
In the first of a new column for Able magazine, Harry Wade shares his life experiences as an amputee.
On The Road
Apr 1st
In September I spent a week visiting disabled people and organisations to see what is working and, more importantly, what could be improved. More >
Sport For All
Apr 1st
Jonathan Shaw,Minister for Disabled People, explains the importance of challenging preconceptions through high-profile sporting events.
The Special Olympics provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents of people with learning disabilities, and challenge preconceptions about the capabilities of disabled people. More >
Sporting Equality
Apr 1st
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, supports Britain’s Special Olympians.
Having never skied before myself, seeing our athletes at the recent Special Olympics World Winter Games hurtle down what appeared to me to be the most frightening ski runs was truly impressive! The confidence and ability of these skiers, who adapted easily to the slopes of Idaho was inspiring. It was with joy and high spirits I supported our skiers at this year’s event while leading them in the opening procession was a very proud moment. I’d like to congratulate them on their 13 medals as well as voice my praise for their coaches and staff, many of whom were volunteers. More >
Combating Hate Crime
Apr 1st
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, discusses hate crime.
One of my priorities for 2009 will be to focus on hate crime. As Minister for Disabled People I am appalled to hear that hostility and prejudice can be a common occurrence for many disabled people, which can then escalate into a crime against the person.
We have all read cases in the media where disabled people have been seriously injured or even killed; although such cases are extremely rare, just one incident is one too many. What we don’t hear about is the abuse – both physical and verbal – that many disabled people have to deal with as part of their daily lives. Whether on the bus, or in the shops, or simply trying to go to and from their homes, abuse and the fear of violence can be a constant, unwanted companion. More >
The Last Few Months
Apr 1st
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, discusses the Welfare Reform Bill.
The last few months have been busy as we continue work on our Welfare Reform Bill, setting out our vision for how we want to transform the lives of disabled people.
These reforms are about improving individuals’ lives: about what more the welfare state can do to offer each person the support they need to move away from a life on benefits. I believe that for the many disabled people I’ve met, work is the path to that better life – our reforms will give each person help to overcome their own barriers to work, achieve their goals and ambitions and get a better life for themselves and their families. More >
Support For All
Apr 1st
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, discusses Government Pledges.
Recently the Government pledged £5 billion helping jobseekers during the economic downturn.
This includes creating jobs for young people and those in the hardest hit communities, delivering training and skills, and providing 16,000 extra frontline staff in Jobcentres across the country. More >
Flossie and the Dogs Pad
Apr 1st
Trainee Canine Partner Flossie is enjoying the best accommodation as she gets ready for her advance training.
Flossie has now joined the pre-advanced training class that, as the name suggests, is preparing her for going into advanced training. All the dogs in this group can be called in at any time to replace a dog in advanced training that gets placed with a human partner. More >
Canine Partners Needs You!
Apr 1st
National assistance dog charity Canine Partners, which is currently training Flossie, is calling for help from Able magazine readers.
Canine Partners is always happy to hear from any people who would like to apply for a Canine Partner, but they’re also on the lookout for help from individuals and businesses. More >
Byron’s A Star!
Apr 1st
Kate Cross explains how an assistance dog called Byron has made a huge difference to her life.
My joints dislocate very easily, so if I bend down to pick something off the floor my shoulder tends to drop painfully out of joint. Since mid-September 2007, though, my shoulder dislocations have reduced from several a day to none at all – thanks to my new shadow, Canine Partner Byron! More >
‘EBEN’S A STAR’
Apr 1st
A Canine Partner ensures a Leicester woman feels safe and proud.
Anne Pridmore from Leicester, has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. She now shares her life with Eben, an assistance dog provided by Canine Partners, the national charity which trains dogs to change the lives of disabled people.
“It always seemed that the moment my PA disappeared, I would drop something or be unable to reach for it,” said Anne. “Now Eben picks things up from the floor, presses lift and shop/bank buttons, opens and shuts doors, gets post from the letter box, collects his collar and harness, plus much more.”
Anne first heard about Canine Partners from a work colleague. After successfully making it through the application process, she first met Eben when visiting the Canine Partners National Training Centre in West Sussex. “From the first moment I was asked to do some exercise with Eben I really loved him. He is such a large and handsome dog that when I was matched with him, I felt so privileged.” More >
Dropping in for Canine Partners!
Apr 1st
Determination, the support of friends and his canine partner all helped James Rose raise more than £4,000 for charity – by leaping from the sky!
James Rose, from Winchester, has cerebral palsy, which affects his dexterity, speech and mobility. He nevertheless enjoys an independent life thanks in part to his electric wheelchair and his assistance dog Nemo, trained by national charity Canine Partners.
Inspired by his best friend Michelle Lewis, who trekked across Jordan three years ago, James determined to face down his fear of heights by completing a parachute jump. However, doctors’ concerns led to two years’ battle with medical bureaucracy to achieve his dream – and to raise in excess of £4,000 for Canine Partners and Comic Relief.
There were some last minute hitches, however. “Forecasts were bad for Saturday’s weather, casting doubts on whether the jump would go ahead,” James told us. “Postponement of the jump was discussed, as a large number of people from all corners of the country were due to come and watch. However, we decided that we should risk it.
“On arrival, the instructors were very doubtful about the jump happening,” he added. “To an extent, that served as a comfort – thinking I wasn’t going to jump out, after all, of a plane at 13,000 feet! On the other hand, I was painfully aware that more and more people were arriving with the hope of watching me and Michelle skydive. Suddenly, one of the instructors shouted: ‘We’re on!’ More >
