Tag Archives: disability

SUNDAY SCENE: VIVIEN BROWN ON HER FAVOURITE SCENE FROM FIVE UNFORGIVABLE THINGS

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When I started to write my second novel, Five Unforgivable Things, I wanted to follow all the ups and downs of a family, from its beginnings when Kate and Dan first meet in the seventies right up to the present day, exploring the pivotal decisions and mistakes the couple make along the way and what impact they have on their children as they grow up.

Each of the now adult offspring is introduced in a way that reveals something important about their lives, and the ‘introduction’ scene I most enjoyed writing is the one featuring Natalie, the first of the siblings to appear on the page.

Natalie is entering a wedding dress shop alone. In the window she has spotted what could be the perfect dress for her Christmas wedding to childhood sweetheart Phil but, with no family or friends with her, how will she know if it’s the right one, with no-one ‘to oooh and aaah and spin her around in all directions and take sneaky photos on their phones?’

I well remember accompanying my own daughter to a bridal shop a few years ago, with her sister, the prospective chief bridesmaid, also in tow. That sea of long white dresses billowing on a seemingly never-ending rail right across one side of the room, and all the sparkling tiaras, floaty veils, beaded bags and very posh shoes – unforgettable! In the novel I describe the shop Natalie enters as ‘an oasis of beauty and calm. There was a deep cream carpet and floor-to-ceiling mirrors without so much as a smudge on their shiny gilt-edged glass. The sweet scent of jasmine drifted in the air…’

But it can be a bit daunting when the assistant hands out glasses of fizz and starts measuring and fussing. Ivory or white? Lace or satin? Shape? Style? How long a train? For Natalie, not only is she making these choices alone but the choices themselves are a lot more restricted. There are hints that something is different here as Natalie enters and a look of surprise flits across the shop assistant’s face before being ‘swallowed up in what was clearly a well-practised customer-friendly smile.’ It’s a look Natalie is used to, one ‘that told her she was not quite who, or what, had been expected to come rolling in.’

‘Sorry about the carpet,’ says Natalie, as her wheels leave a trail of dirt and leaves behind them. And so we learn that Natalie is in a wheelchair, and that the beautiful traditional dresses that sweep the floor as they flow along behind a walking bride will never be quite right for ‘someone like her’.

This is a very short scene but it gives the reader a peep into Natalie’s mindset as she ponders her sisters’ absence, realises that the last thing she really wants on her big day is to be the centre of attention, and that the dream dress in the window is never going to work for her.

Yet, I did not want the reader to pity her. Natalie is in many ways the happiest of the siblings, and the only one to have found true love with a man who adores her just as she is. Still, how she came to be disabled will form an important element as the story unravels, and is at the heart of the mistakes and tragedies that have rocked Kate and Dan’s marriage and family life and are so hard to forgive.

 

https://twitter.com/VivBrownAuthor

 

 

 

 

 

CHARITY GETTING DISABLED KIDS DANCING DURING LOCKDOWN

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  • Charity Flamingo Chicks is pioneering inclusive dance classes for disabled children
  • Virtual classes are designed not only for fun and fitness, but also to tackle loneliness and isolation
  • Their dance classes benefit 3,000 children each year

UK charity for disabled children has produced a one of a kind series of virtual dance classes for children of all abilities, but especially aimed at those with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, profound and multiple learning disabilities and physical impairments. Pirouetting in the footsteps of Joe Wicks, UK charity Flamingo Chicks is launching Makaton-signed and subtitled online dance classes that disabled children can do with their siblings and carers.

These unique online classes are suitable for children with a wide variety of needs, including those with complex medical needs or life limiting conditions as well as children with learning disabilities, autism, physical impairments, and children without additional needs. As in all Flamingo Chicks classes, adaptations are provided throughout, including ways parents and carers can support children with limited mobility, and ways to translate different ballet and dance movements.

Filmed using green screens with animated backgrounds, the classes not only get kids moving but immerse children in a magical world of storytelling, characterization, and music and come complete with Makaton for further accessibility.

Flamingo Chicks have even got volunteer celebrities on board to help young minds keep active, alert and engaged. These celebs have written new stories with the themes of dance and inclusion that will be illustrated and read aloud by a famous face. First up is Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper) reading ‘Ozi Seven Legs’!

Even in normal circumstances, life with a disabled child can be an isolating experience – a study revealed that, before the Coronavirus pandemic, two thirds (65%) of parents already reported feelings of isolation. Limited social interaction can be due to work, lack of time and money to do activities other families take for granted, fear of people’s reactions to their child.

However, the lockdown is creating new challenges for families with a disabled child. The lack of  routine, the uncertainty and the added anxiety parents are experiencing about their disabled children’s vulnerability means social isolation is an even greater challenge. Many kids will no longer be getting their usual visits from their care teams, such as their physiotherapist or mental health professionals, and as a result may be showing extreme anxiety or behaviour changes.

The virtual classes are one of a number of resources created by the charity that also campaigns for a fair future for disabled children and their families and provides a peer support network for parents and carers.

 

Not only will they encourage dance through their online classes – the first with a SPACE theme filmed using animated green-screen technology and signed with Makaton – but the charity will also offer activities for little scientists and crafters, guided meditation and relaxation videos for parents/carers, ‘smile calls’ via video chat to provide those much needed boosts and a variety of other online resources.

 

FC at home

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Don’t Be Afraid of Disability: A Guide on Acceptance And Inclusion

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Down_syndrome_lga guide to inclusion

Credit: wikipedia

There are approximately 40,000 people with Down’s syndrome living in the UK, and over 10 million people with disabilities in Britain*. Therefore, with 15% of the population living with a disability, it is essential that people are understanding and knowledgeable when it comes to inclusion. Inclusion is relevant to everybody through all stages of life, right through from the playground to the workplace, to new social situations. Most people will have felt excluded at some point in their lives, and if somebody has a disability this experience may be heightened.

It is common to be afraid and anxious of disability, not sure how to act or what to say, particularly if you don’t have previous experience. However, it is better to admit nerves and pledge to learn about disability, than remain ignorant and in the dark. Every disability is different, as is every individual, and so there is no ‘one size fits all’ method of knowing how to behave around a person with a disability. However, Carol Boys, CEO of the Down’s Syndrome Association has provided her expert advice for helping make sure that everyone in society is accepted and included.  

Understand everyone is different

There are a broad range of disabilities, encompassing mental and physical, and therefore, it is important to remember that everyone is different. People with Down’s syndrome have a learning disability, but even within this specific type of disability, this can be mild or severe. Interacting with people who have a learning disability is likely to be different to interacting with people who have a physical disability, and acknowledging that everyone is different is the first step of working towards a society that promotes inclusion, after all, the world would be very boring if we were all the same! Understanding that the different people we encounter throughout our lives can enrich our experiences, and help us to learn new things and make new friends is so important. There is still a lot of work to do to ensure people with Down’s syndrome, and other disabilities, have many of the same life chances that the general population take for granted, and this is why we at the DSA work to educate the general public and show that people with Down’s syndrome have the same feelings and moods as everyone else, and thus, should be treated as individuals.

Ask questions

As there is such a broad spectrum of disabilities, it would be very difficult to be knowledgeable about every disability you come across. Some disabilities aren’t visible, nor would you necessarily realise someone had a disability until a certain situation occurs, therefore it’s important to not to be afraid of asking questions to help you understand. If you don’t feel comfortable asking questions to the person with the disability directly or you think it would be inappropriate, do look at resources online to assist you. The DSA website has an extremely useful FAQ section which will help offer some clarity http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/about/general/.  Fear often comes from the unknown, and therefore they more we know, the less scared we will be of disability.

Be respectful

This is probably the most important piece of advice to take on board. Being respectful to anyone, whether they have a disability or not, is the best way to interact with others. Every individual has a different personality type (some we might click with and others we may not!) but never be disrespectful by talking down to or patronising someone with a disability. It’s important to note, for example, that everyone with Down’s syndrome needs some level of support at some point in their lives, whether this is a couple of hours help a week on their schedule, or 24/7 care. It can be difficult to get your heads around the balance of how much support to offer without treating people ‘differently’. However, being respectful, sensitive and considerate will always be appreciated no matter the situation.

Clue up on the terminology

To ensure you are sensitive in any situation, it is important to never use offensive terminology when discussing disability, either to the person with the disability themselves or with others. Assigning people with a label can be ignorant at the very least and highly upsetting at the worst. At the DSA, one of our objectives focuses on educating the public and the media on the correct way to talk about Down’s syndrome. For example, you should never say ‘this person suffers from Down’s syndrome’, as the word ‘suffer’ has negative connotations of illness. Instead, people ‘have’ Down’s syndrome. Alongside this, it is important not to define people by their disability. Don’t introduce people by name and their disability – a simple ‘this is my friend Sophie’ is sufficient – just like other people in your life.

Do what you can to help

Trying to make sure people aren’t afraid of disability can come in all different forms. This may start with informing people if they use the wrong terminology or volunteering at groups to provide support and assistance. If you are keen to get more involved, this year for World Down Syndrome Day, you can purchase ‘LOTS OF SOCKS’ socks to show your support of people with Down’s syndrome and raise awareness on World Down Syndrome Day (21st March). https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks

For more information visit: http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk  

* http://www.dlf.org.uk/content/key-facts

 

Down’s syndrome:  Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.  Around one in every 1,000 babies is born with Down’s syndrome. There are over 40,000 people with the condition in the UK.

Everyone with Down’s syndrome will have some degree of learning disability. The most important thing to remember is that everyone with Down’s syndrome is an individual, with their own strengths and weaknesses and personality traits that make them who they are.

 

The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) is a registered (1061474) national charity that exists to provide information and support for people with Down’s syndrome, their families, carers and those with a professional interest. The DSA seeks to improve knowledge and understanding and champion the rights of people with Down’s syndrome. To find out more about the work of the DSA visit our website www.downs-syndrome.org.uk 

 

Terminology: Down’s syndrome – What to say (and not to say)

 

We rely on the media to speak about issues relating to Down’s syndrome in a way that is both factually accurate and inoffensive to the general public, including people with Down’s syndrome and their families.

We are sure you share our concerns so please take a minute to check that your copy is in line with the following language guidelines and that you are not perpetuating any myths about the condition.

 

DON’T SAY DO SAY
Suffers from OR is a victim of Down’s syndrome Has Down’s syndrome
A Down’s baby/person/child A person/baby/child with Down’s syndrome or who has Down’s syndrome
Retarded/mentally handicapped/backward Learning disability
Disease/illness/handicap Condition OR genetic condition
the risk of a baby having Down’s syndrome (in relation to pre-natal screening and probability assessments) the chance of a baby having Down’s syndrome
Down’s (as an abbreviation) DS (as an abbreviation if necessary)
MYTHS FACTS
People with Down’s syndrome don’t live very long. Today, people with Down’s syndrome can look forward to a life of 60 years plus.
Only older mothers have babies with Down’s syndrome. Although older mothers have a higher individual chance of having a baby with Down’s syndrome, more are born to younger mothers, reflecting the higher birth rate in this age group.
People with Down’s syndrome cannot achieve normal life goals. With the right support, they can. The vast majority of people with Down’s syndrome learn to walk and talk, and many are now attending mainstream schools, passing GCSEs and living full, semi-independent adult lives.
People with Down’s syndrome all look the same. There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down’s syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down’s syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition.
People with Down’s syndrome are always happy and affectionate. We are all individuals and people with Down’s syndrome are no different to anyone else in their character traits and varying moods.

 

 

International Women’s Day. Inspirational Woman: Justine Durno

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International Women's Day. Inspirational Woman- Justine DurnoHappy International Women’s Day. Men may have the other 364 days but this day is all about women and how amazing they are. One such amazing woman is Justine Durno. Justine is 25-years-old and has already accomplished a lot despite being born profoundly deaf, which left her shy, withdrawn and isolated. She was bullied at school and would hide in the cloakroom. Justine felt from an early age being a deaf female was more of an obstacle than being a deaf male. She always thought this wrong and now hopes to empower all women – particularly those who have a disability – to not let anything deter them from fulfilling their dreams. Justine always wanted to be a Doctor because she knew how difficult accessing healthcare can be for herself and other deaf people and she wanted to turn this around. She worked hard at school but, unfortunately, she missed out by one grade to follow her dream of studying medicine.

Despite three years’ worth of University rejections, she preserved undertaking courses she thought would support her University application and embarking on an incredible year of volunteering with people with a range of disabilities across the world. Justine is now in line to become one of the very few deaf GPs in this country after finally being accepted to Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Justine has faced prejudice, injustice, bullying and isolation all her life. She is finally finding the confidence to not feel embarrassed about her disability but to open and assertive about it and make sure she doesn’t miss out any more. Her career has given her this confidence – so much so, she had even taken up an evening Spanish course. She says she revels in finding herself the most unobtainable goal and then not stopping until she has achieved it.

International Women's Day Inspirational Woman Justine Durno

You have achieved a lot. What is your proudest accomplishment?

It would have to be getting into medical school. I am still in disbelief that I am here, even more so that I am halfway there to getting that ‘Dr’ title!

What are your feelings on International Women’s Day?

That I am very proud to be a woman! It is a shame that International Women’s Day exists because of inequality between the genders, but it is a great tool for reminding the world that this shouldn’t be happening. It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come with stamping out sexism, and the amazing things women have achieved. This will no doubt empower the next generation of women to believe in themselves and the next generation of men to stand with us.

How does it feel that very soon you be a Doctor?

Very excited! I find medicine fascinating and I feel very fortunate that I will be able to have a job in something that will have so much variety and I will genuinely enjoy. I won’t lie, though, there is slight trepidation too. I’m going into a working environment that will demand more of me, as a deaf person, than my peers. It will get harder before I completely find my feet, and I don’t think the hardest part has come yet!

What holds women back?

It is the propagation of terribly outdated views on women over the years. Media doesn’t exactly help either – in adverts, for example, women are constantly being portrayed as scantily-clad sexual objects whilst men generally are fully dressed and powerful-looking.

What more can be done to help disabled people?

It’s about getting the right support. Deaf people can do anything others can do, given the right support. Without the right support, deaf children and adults are vulnerable to isolation, abuse, bullying, poor self-esteem and low levels of achievement. I am very fortunate to say that this hasn’t been my experience. I got the right support. I had the support of my family – a family is the most important influence on a deaf child’s ability to achieve – and I had the support of my teachers. And the support of the National Deaf Children’s Society  (NDCS – www.ndcs.org.uk)  – I made my lifelong, childhood friends through NDCS and Dumbarton Deaf Children’s Society.

Education and awareness goes a long way because the problems faced by disabled people, such as inaccessibility or negative attitudes, are down to ignorance. We also need to celebrate disabled people more, and focus on what amazing things they can do, so as to create a positive image of them. This would encourage disabled people to feel enabled, not disabled, by society.

What was your greatest obstacle?

My greatest obstacle has to be my greatest achievement – getting into medical school. It took 5 years from finishing secondary school to finally starting medical school. The first time I applied, I got a conditional place in medical school but didn’t get the A-Level grades I needed. Next time I applied, I didn’t have enough work experience, so I made sure by the 3rd time that I had satisfied the entry requirements AND had done plenty of volunteering!

How do you get yourself past the bad times?

I am quite bad at it, but reaching out to my friends and talking to them about it is always the remedy. Quite a lot of what makes me sad or frustrated is shared especially by my deaf friends, and knowing that I am not alone provides me with a huge amount of comfort.

Tips for other women to achieve their dreams?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s not going to get handed to you on a plate – you will have to work really hard at it, and there will be highs and there will be moments when you wonder whether it’s really worth it. But if those lows are there, then it will shape you as a person, give you resilience, and the success of finally achieving your dreams will feel even sweeter!

You have said you revels in finding the most unobtainable goal and then not stopping until you have achieved it. Any tips for other women to develop the same great attitude and do the same thing?

Never lose vision of the end goal, because that is what keeps the motivation there. Equally, don’t let it take over your life at the expense of enjoying it and taking each day as it comes. If you aren’t enjoying yourself whilst striving to achieve something, then one will be so much more likely to feel overwhelmed, or bored and fed up, and just give up.

International Women's Day. Inspirational Woman Justine Durno

What is the next unobtainable goal?

To make healthcare much more accessible for deaf people and therefore to contribute towards taking away the health inequality that exists amongst the deaf community.

Research has shown that there is a huge health inequality amongst the deaf community, and the reason boils down to mainly the fact that communication with medical professionals is difficult, and so there is less understanding of the education and advice given by doctors.

Visiting the doctor can be hard for anyone but when you have a health concern you know the steps to take to address it – you pick up the phone to make an appointment, understandably there might be some anxiety as you wait in the surgery to hear your name called, and then of course it’s time to tell the doctor what’s worrying you and to listen to their medical advice. Talking about personal health issues can be worrying and uncomfortable no matter who you are or what your age. Imagine though if even the process of seeking medical advice is a challenge. This is the reality for many deaf people.

The main barrier that deaf people face in healthcare is lack of accessible information and communication.  Many appointment systems are telephone-based meaning that deaf people rely on family or friends to make calls for them. Some professionals aren’t aware of technologies that may help deaf people.

I want to contribute to spreading deaf awareness amongst the medical profession, and to use my knowledge of BSL and deaf culture (because deaf culture is different to hearing culture!) to provide medical care and education to the deaf community in THEIR language.

But first, I have to pass my exams, perhaps that is my really my next goal!

 

 

Is This The Best Women’s Magazine Cover Ever? We Think So

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The Australian Women’s Weekly has trumped every other women’s magazine cover by featuring Turia Pitt as it’s cover star. 26-year-old Pitt was running a marathon three years ago when she was caught in a bushfire and was left with scars over 65 per cent of her body. Pitt said: “I feel humbled, For me it sends the message that confidence equals beauty.”

bestwomensmagazinecover

Pitt has had over 100 operations, and she spent over two years in hospital. She even lost all the fingers on one of her hands. It is a brave move from Women’s Weekly but it shouldn’t have to be. There should be more diversity in race, age and disability in our media.

Before I go to sleep poster

The poster for Before I Go To Sleep doesn’t do equality any favours however, showing Colin Firth and Mark Strong with wrinkles, looking handsome but looking their age, while Nicole Kidman’s face looks like it has been sandblasted. It seems that women are still not allowed to age in Hollywood, but men are. Firth and Strong look great and are allowed to age, but for Kidman you get the feeling it would be the end of her career. Kidman is 47, Firth is 53 and Strong is 50. I mean, god forbid a 47-year-old woman looks like a 47-year-old woman.

It is not Kidman’s fault of course. She is just a product of her environment. But I can’t help feeling that actresses who nip and tuck everything are perpetrating the problem. I think it is time we made a stand. What do you think?

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Announce First Ambassador

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Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has welcomed its first Ambassador to the sport that captivated the nation at London 2012.  Harlequins and England rugby star Mike Brown will take on a role that continues the rugby links GBWR has made recently – partnering with the RFU and with Harlequins, Saracens, Gloucester, Leicester and Woodbridge rugby clubs – involving him in the GBWR military programme, supported and funded by Help for Heroes.

wheelchairrugby

(From left to right: Alan Ash, GBWR Captain, Mike Brown, Harlequins and England and Kylie Grimes, GBWR)
Mike – who has amassed 21 caps for England and had a starring role in England’s recent Autumn Internationals picking up the coveted QBE Player of the Series Award – comments,  “I enjoy playing rugby because it is physical and I enjoy wheelchair rugby for the same reason.  The sound they make with the hits they put in is unbelievable.   It is a fast-paced, high-action game and the physicality and skill they show with the ball is brilliant.  I look forward to my new role and hope I will get a chance to join them for a game.”
David Pond, Chief Executive of GBWR, comments “I’m delighted that we have the support of Mike for this initiative.  We have been working closely with the charity Help for Heroes and Battle Back to provide opportunities for wounded and injured service men and women to try wheelchair rugby for the first time. The programme started with a series of sessions at Headley Court and I’m pleased it is to be part of the rehabilitation programme rolled out to support Help the Heroes run Recovery Centres at Colchester, Tidworth, Catterick and Plymouth.”
Mike Brown met with GBWR squad players (including Alan Ash [Captain] and Kylie Grimes) at Headley Court, the Ministry of Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit, to announce the appointment and joined them in a demonstration match against the patients.
The programme, funded by Help for Heroes, along with Sport England, will be available to wounded, injured and service personnel and veterans at UK Recovery Centres across 2014.”
 

Can Regenovex Stop You Doing a Lady Gaga?

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regenovexFor people with injuries or arthritis the cold weather can really hurt joints. No matter what your age, as the health problems of Lady Gaga show. So when Frost got sent some Regenovex to review we send it to some writers with joint problems. Here is what they thought.

Regenovex® Capsules. An advanced formulation designed for daily joint health, one-a-day Regenovex® Capsules are very small and easy to swallow.

Regenovex® Gel is for targeted application on individual joints. Easy to use Regenovex® Gel is dispensed via a pump and can be rubbed on the joint up to 3 times per day.

Our writer said:

It said on the pack that you could take two for the first 10 days and I wanted quick results so I did this. I have had a dodgy knee for a while. It even hurts when I go up and down stairs. I started taking these but t o be honest I did not expect results.

I also put the gel on my knee three times a day when I remember. Which is not all the time. To be honest, the gel does not smell nice, but it is not too bad.

I use both the pills and the gel. The pills until they run out, and the gel even until this day. Is there a difference? Absolutely. The pills and gel worked so much that I did not even notice. I was just walking up some stairs and I realised that my knee had stopped hurting. I had not had a pang of pain for ages. I am going to continue to use the products. I am very impressed.

· Regenovex® Patch is flexible and can be worn for up to 12 hours, making it ideal for day and night use.

Our writer said:

I have shoulder pain. It is a sport injury and it really bloody hurts. I think I have probably just worn my joint away. Which is a nice thought! I use the patch for the full 12 hours. It is easy to use. You can just cut it down to any size you want. Do I think it works? Yes. It does bring relief. I reckon I will be investing in some more.

Regenovex® Unveils How Cold, Damp, British Weather Can Really Affect Our Joints

The link between bad weather and an increase in discomfort from joint problems has been revealed in groundbreaking new research.

In the UK, about 10 million people suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) and many more have undiagnosed joint stiffness. The prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age and is greater in women than in men. About 20% of adults aged 45-64 years and 35% of women aged 75 years or over have osteoarthritis in the knee while about 25% of adults over 50 report disability from severe knee discomfort. All too often, the early warning signs and symptoms of joint problems are ignored or just put down to old age, until they become serious and potentially crippling.

People with joint health issues often complain that the weather and climate can badly affect their health. However, scientists have struggled to prove the association and doctors can assume the perception of increased discomfort is in a patient’s mind.

Now new research from the makers of Regenovex® – a pioneering formulation backed by research to help maintain the health of joints – has shone light on the relationship between changes in weather and an increase in joint health problems such as stiffness. Four out of 10 respondents have even considered moving from the UK to a warmer country because of their joint problems. One in nine (11%) are actively contemplating relocation. Containing two functional ingredients from natural sources – a marine oil and hyaluronic acid – Regenovex® Capsules, from the smart technology experts at Mentholatum, is specifically formulated to help keep joints healthy. The Regenovex® range includes one-a-day capsules, a gel and a patch, all containing a marine oil.

Weather misery…

Adults aged 35 to 75 – with an average age of 50 – who suffer from joint health problems or stiffness were questioned about their experiences with weather-related joint issues.

· More than half (55%) said it was during cold periods, followed by damp weather (45%), wet weather (38%) and frosty weather (19%). Just 4% thought hot weather could trigger joint problems.

· A staggering 72% of respondents agreed that they suffered more from joint problems such as discomfort and stiffness because of the weather.

The biggest joint problem symptoms triggered by weather were:

· Discomfort (63%)

· Stiffness (56%)

· Difficulty getting up when seated (30%)

· Difficulty going up or down stairs (24%)

· Difficulty moving (23%).

Other problems included getting out of bed (20%), bending down (17%) and exercising (15%).

When it comes to the areas of the body that are most affected by stiffness, respondents from the Regenovex® survey cited knees as the worst by more than half (56%), followed by the back (39%), the fingers (26%), hips (25%), hands and neck (both 20%).

Reactions to stiffness triggered by the weather varied:

· A third (32%) said they just put up with it and don’t take any further action

· One in seven would take over the counter painkillers (14%)

· 12% would opt for a hot bath

· Other coping strategies included using a hot water bottle (7%) and seeing a GP or pharmacist (5%).

Physiotherapist, Paul Hobrough says, “Joint discomfort and joint health issues are a huge problem in the UK, with millions of diagnosed sufferers and many others who struggle on in silence. Joints that are stiff or cause discomfort can badly affect quality of life, with many activities we take for granted proving difficult or even impossible, including the health benefits of taking regular exercise.

“I see a large number of patients in my clinics nationally, that report bad weather or the cold and damp as a trigger for their joint aches or make them worse. For a long time these people have been told that it is in their mind however I was delighted to read the latest research from Regenovex, building on a growing body of evidence, that supports the association between weather – especially temperature and air pressure – and increased levels of joint discomfort and stiffness. The Regenovex survey found nearly three quarters of those questioned said the weather could be a joint health trigger, with cold and damp conditions blamed the most and Scientists are now investigating the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.”

Paul adds, “Regenovex is a new generation of joint care preparation, with a unique formulation that helps to support joint health, backed by extensive scientific research. The key ingredients are Bionovex Oil, a marine oil derived from New Zealand green lipped mussels and hyaluronic acid. The Bionovex Oil has a proven anti-inflammatory effect which could relieve the pressure build up in the joint, while hyaluronic acid acts to lubricate and cushion your joints. Regenovex could be a major help in treating joint health problems. It not only helps tackle inflammation along a range of pathways, but it may also improve and maintain the synovial fluid in joints. No other product works this way.”

“I am thankful to Regenovex for providing a possible answer to scores of patients who have until now, found themselves suffering without a solution. Only time will tell the extent to which Regenovex will help these people but vast progress has been made and people feel like they are finally being listened to by the healthcare industry.”

Regenovex is available from Amazon UK and Ebay. Prices include:

· Regenovex® Capsules, pack of 30 capsules: RSP £23.99.

· Regenovex® Gel, 40ml: RSP £11.29.

· Regenovex® Patch, single patch: RSP £2.49.

Community-Upon-Thames: Bringing People Together

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Community-upon-Thames is a not-for-profit social enterprise, set up and run by Ben Mallet and Maundy Todd. Frost was incredibly impressed by the difference they are making to people’s lives in Kingston and Richmond, so we went to their offices to find out more.

Frost: Tell me about Community-upon-Thames.

Ben: Community-upon-Thames was founded in the New Year as a social enterprise. We were originally looking to do something in local media as there was a big gap in the market. The local Informer newspaper went bust last week, which is an example of the volatility of the market. Current local media is dull and boring – we wanted to do something interesting.

We thought about doing something in print, though actually everything we wanted to do, we can do far better online. So we shifted the entire idea on to a website, where we have The Secret Newspaper – alternative local news, written by local people. We have lots of exciting stories on there and we also have a skill exchange, which is like a local currency, and volunteers too.

Maundy: Ben had this brilliant idea, which is the online community. Originally, he wanted to do the paper and, again, Zac (Goldsmith, the MP for Richmond and Kingston) got involved and said: “Don’t do it on paper,” and I thought, amongst other things we were talking about, of the Skill Exchange. We were looking at the community and how people could be part of the community in many different ways. I just thought [a website] was a fabulous thing to help older people, people who might be trapped at home, people who weren’t working – who could be made to feel useful. It also just gave this wonderful flexibility, for people who might be thinking of starting mumsnet, but don’t know how to go about it. You can do a skill exchange and see if it works. You can offer things and see if people come back.

The newspaper, I really wasn’t sure. We pay for a local paper but I think they are dead flat, really boring and all have the same stuff in. So, when Ben said online, I was really excited because an online newspaper is all about the community. Because we are website-based, we can do anything at all to help the community. If people want to write about something then they can write about it. Some have particular hobbies and if they want to get it to a wider group of people,they can send it to us and we can upload it – unless it is something, legally, we wouldn’t want. If they have pictures, even better.

Life is a bit tough. Cameron keeps going on about the breakdown of society – we do feel that what we’re doing is about bringing the community together, creating a society where people do care. This is an affluent area, but there is still those little pockets where there is no community. People feel very left out and very excluded. I include older people in this. We treat old people dreadfully in this country. Anything we can do to try and connect.

My other big passion is helping people with disabilities. My daughter is so excluded from society because she is disabled. Our whole life is about inclusion, about our daughter having the same opportunity of other children. Helping her raise her expectations, and other people’s expectations about what a disabled person’s role is in life. That includes education and work.

We are coming up to two million unemployed people now. A whole raft of young people who have been excluded from society because they did what they were supposed to. They went to university and then fell off the cliff.

I have two daughters who are graduates. So I was very interested in what Ben was doing, supporting local shops, local charities, and reporting local news. Helping people feel like they are part of society and get paid work. Unless you are in paid work, you don’t feel like you belong, you don’t feel part of it. That is how we got to the employment bit.

It’s what we call our virtuous circle. Helping out small shops means they want to help us. All of the local businesses want to help, because we want to help local people into work.

We got these offices because we had a generous landlord and why did he help us? Because he listened to us about trying to help people back into work. He said he had to fire lots of people when the recession hit, and they lose confidence very quickly. If you are in your 50s or 60s, you have virtually no chance of being employed.

We also try to help people with a learning disability. We decided that if you can help people with learning disabilities, you can help anyone because they are the most excluded group in the country. So when we were doing our qualities policy, we would not tolerate any type of discrimination from anybody about anything. We are completely inclusive.

Businesses don’t get all we are trying to do, but they feel this energy! (Laughs).

Ben, because he’s young and he’s good with technology, he made this media stuff happen, and because he is very committed and very genuine, he put ads on for interns and we got all of these wonderful graduates – some with firsts, completely despondent about trying to get jobs. They start working for us and we promise that we have a flat management structure and it’s flexible. And we say: “We will help you find a job. If you want any input you can come to any meeting or anything.”

Ben: To put this into context, the meeting that is happening next door is what we were talking about when we were talking about the virtuous circle with businesses. Richard runs a business in New Malden. We are trying to support him through that and Michael, who is one of our interns, came along and wanted to get involved. Richard wants to sort out his system and now they are having a conversation about paid work. That is the metaphor for how we work. We are supporting the businesses and supporting local people and the website is the glue that binds them together. It’s a two-way street.

Maundy: We were talking and Richard said: “It sounds so exciting, I really want to help you and I’m in IT. I would be happy to come and mentor.” So we said okay and he came into the office and we ended up talking about a job that he needs done and Michael popped up at the end and said: “I could do that.”

The thing is, Richard doesn’t want employees, and we don’t want employees because the employment legislation in this country is really restricting for medium-sized businesses. So we told Richard we were sure we could find self-employed people and they would just invoice you for the hours they work. That is a reason why the job market is so bad at the moment, people don’t want to take the risk of having an employee and all of the restrictions that come with it. But people want to work and they want to get paid. They want to be useful in society.

So far, it’s been great fun. It’s been a roller-coaster but we are stabilising. We did a coffee Q & A with Zac Goldsmith a couple of weeks ago with local businesses asking him questions. It was great. Over 25 businesses came, Zac said social enterprise is the way forward and even the guy next door said he really wanted to help.

It is rotten to be a young person. We are going to have a pop-up job cafe for young people. Everything is about contacts. Our entire business plan is about contacts. Nick Clegg is trying to stop that, but it’s not about ‘who your daddy knows’ contacts. It’s about making connections. We put people in contact in an informal way. We have not stumbled at all yet.

Ben: We are still trying to find leads for some people.

Maundy: The National Childbirth society is a member of our organisation. We have membership packages for sole traders, companies and not-for-profit. They lost their venue, so they have their home birth class in our office. We can write stuff about them on our website and we link. We sponsor the Twickenham Live Regatta. They had stand-up paddle boarding. So we had Ben and Charlie paddle boarding.

Ben: I fell in. It’s a lot harder than it looks. I finished the race dry, then I fell in.

Maundy: We have the picture on the website. They were on Facebook quite quickly. And we can do advertising and Youtube videos.

Frost: How did you get it off the ground?

Ben: Hard work. It was just getting a website and talking to people. The real life that was injected into it was the employment side. That is when Maundy got involved. Everyone we spoke to said it was something they felt strongly about.

Maundy: The website took a while, but when we got the website, and the website functioning, it went quite quickly. We are a last resort. We have a cafe office. We want everyone to feel welcome.

Frost: Will you branch to other areas?

Ben: We are about community, but we don’t mind if you are from another area. We won’t ban you from the website. We want to expand, but in the local area. There are a quarter of a million people in Kingston and Richmond, so it would be great to touch even 10% of that. People in Kingston spend the most amount of time online than in any other borough.

Frost: What about the London Riots?

Ben: The area we cover was not directly affected, but they came pretty close. I was abroad at the time but I remember talking to Maundy about it.

Maundy: We had some alerts. We shut the office. We took all the interns home and locked up. We were contacted by the police and we are going to be working with the police on youth engagement. We were talking about how hard it is for young people, and we don’t just mean graduates. Graduates are easy for us because they can do internships. So we talked to the police and we will be getting some inspirational speakers.

Ben: In terms of the aftermath, when you see the news, what surprised a lot of commentators was the fact that all these people came out with their brooms and started sweeping. There was a strong sense of community and we didn’t find that surprising at all. There is a very strong sense of community, especially in London.

Maundy: You never know where your connections will take you. We work with the Big Issue as well, but we were trying to do something that was too ambitious. We were trying to help people find work. We thought because we do a job cafe, maybe we could do a lunch cafe for the Big Issue vendors. Instead, we are trying to help them identify people who might want to be vendors.

Ben: We are a supporter and a friend.

http://www.communityuponthames.co.uk/