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Archives for August 2011

±«Óătv TV and Radio this week: arctic heroes and a disabled model

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 11:03 UK time, Wednesday, 31 August 2011

In the second part of Harry's Arctic Heroes on ±«Óătv One, Prince Harry and four British soldiers are dropped by helicopter 160 miles from the geographic North Pole.

In temperatures that can dip below -50 degrees centigrade the team navigate massive pressure ridges, boulder fields, and open water leads, pulling everything they need behind them in 100 kilogram 'pulks' or sledges.

With unprecedented access to the expedition, this documentary revealed a prince willing to pull his own weight - literally. It also reveals he is passionate about the cause of Britain's wounded soldiers.

Other highlights:

Listen - Radio 4 - In Touch
A look at the services offered to visually impaired Britons who come from a South Asian background. What is stopping them accessing help and how can things be improved?

Listen - Radio 4 - No Triumph, No Tragedy
Peter White meets Shannon Murray, the first disabled model to be featured in an advertising campaign by a major department store.

Listen - Radio 4 - It's My Story
This programme follows James, who is severely autistic, and his family as they prepare for his transition into full time residential care.

Catch up with disability radio & TV programmes on the ±«Óătv every Wednesday on this blog.

Disability news round up: protesters and Paralympians

Emma Emma | 12:03 UK time, Thursday, 25 August 2011

Jody Mcintyre

The ±«Óătv's home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani reports that the Independent Police Complaints Commission has partially upheld complaints made by disabled protester Jody McKintyre.

At a demonstration against student tuition fees on 9 December 2010, McKintyre said he was hit by a baton, taken out of his wheelchair and dragged across the road by police.

The IPCC ruled officers had acted appropriately when they removed him from his wheelchair because they believed he was in danger. However, the watchdog said one officer had used "excessive force" when he dragged McKintyre along the road. Watch this ±«Óătv News interview from a few days after the event with Jody McKintyre, featuring footage of the incident.

With just over a year to go until the London 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony, the papers have begun profiling and analysing disabled athletes in ernist. Wednesday's Guardian features a piece by Andy Bull, which asks, The article succinctly lays out the arguments for and against Pistorius taking part in mainstream sporting events.

Meanwhile, The Independent carries the story of Martine Wright, who became an above-knee amputee as a result of the 7/7 London bombings. Martine says: "sport has given me confidence again and a whole new dream". At 39 years old, she is on course to take part in the 2012 Paralympics as a member of the British sitting volleyball team.

Elsewhere in the news:

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• Investigations into the Nurofen Plus mix-up begin [±«Óătv News]

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• Diabetes drugs 'driving rise in NHS drugs bill' [±«Óătv News]

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• Remploy workers protest over job fears [±«Óătv News]

• Could Remploy closures help more people into work? [±«Óătv News Magazine]

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• Man lost facial features in fight [±«Óătv News]

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• Tourist relives broken neck dive [±«Óătv News]

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• Why do so many disabled people embark on dangerous feats? [±«Óătv News]

±«Óătv TV and Radio this week: an American comedienne and a Malaysian politician

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 10:46 UK time, Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Comedienne Ruby Wax

In Broadcasting House on Radio 4 over the weekend, Ruby Wax discussed her descent into depression charted in her new theatre piece - Losing It - which she is performing at the Edinburgh Festival. She talks about leaving Chicago, show business, mental illness, medication and reinventing herself after moving on from television. The show transfers to the Duchess Theatre in London's West End at the end of August.

Other highlights include:

Watch - ±«Óătv One - Harry's Arctic Heroes
The first programme in a two part documentary following Prince Harry as he joins four British soldiers in their attempts to make the first unsupported trek to the North Pole by servicemen wounded on active duty in Afghanistan. Writing for the ±«Óătv TV blog Captain Martin Hewitt, who features in the programme, explains how he has adjusted to his injuries and how the trek has helped his recuperation.

Listen - World Service - Your World
John Blades has multiple sclerosis and talks to friends with disabilities about how their sexual needs are often neglected.

Listen - Radio 4 - In Touch
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association expresses concerns about the future of the concessionary bus travel and Liz Cooke relives her parachute jump for the programme back in 1993.

Listen - Radio 4 - Caring Too Much
Julie Fernandez, a disabled actor best known for her role in The Office, explores the complex relationship between child and parent carer.

Listen - Radio 4 - No Triumph, No Tragedy
Peter White interviews Malaysian politician and human rights campaigner, Karpal Singh, who became a wheelchair user following a motor accident in 2005.

Watch - ±«Óătv Three - Tulisa: My Mum and me
Pop star Tulisa Contostavlos finds out what life is like for young people in Britain caring for a parent with mental health issues, as she has done for her mother since childhood.

Listen - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour
Libby Dowling, clinical advisor for Diabetes UK and David Leslie, Professor of Diabetes and Autoimmunity at Barts in London discuss Type 1 diabetes in children.

Catch up with disability radio & TV programmes on the ±«Óătv every Wednesday on this blog.

A day in the life of: Scott Jordan-Harris

Guest Guest | 11:01 UK time, Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Scotto Jordan-Harris

28 year old blogger Scott Jordan-Harris spends the majority of his time in bed due to ME and other illnesses. Here he writes about his typical day.

I can wake up at any time, my body can't regulate sleep. For years, I tried to manage my sleep pattern. I kept sleep schedules and 'sleep hygiene' diaries.

On the instruction of an expert, I even put an old-style alarm clock inside an empty biscuit tin to make a huge din so I couldn't sleep through it. It made me so ill I'd vomit on waking. I achieved nothing.

Since abandoning that awful regime, I've been able to write and to live, at least as much as is possible for someone who often can't leave his bed.

I'm sometimes asked to give advice to other ME sufferers. My advice is that you know your body, and your illness, better than anyone. Listen to it and work within its limits.

When I wake, one of my parents will come in to assist me; I've never been well enough to move out of their house.

I'm 28 and I imagine myself unchanged at 38. At 48, I have a terror of robbing my parents of their retirement; they have a terror that my illness will rob me of the rest of my life. But I try not to think in those terms.

I don't have a parallel life in which I'm out doing all the things I 'should' be doing; I have only the life I'm living now.

I begin my day - whenever my day begins - by assessing submissions for the Spectator arts blog. If I have the energy, I move on to other editing projects. Other times I write something - those are the best times.

Some writers are impossibly particular about the type of pen they use, I'm impossibly particular about the type of tea tray. It has to be sturdy and free-standing: broad enough to accommodate a laptop but thin enough to fit on my bed; low enough to let me type without sitting upright but tall enough to allow me to shift restless legs underneath it.

Never mind the wheel or medical science, to me mankind's greatest inventions are the internet and the free-standing tea tray. Without them I'd scarcely exist.

I'd never call my illness a blessing: that's an insult to those who have it too. But it has taught me lessons I wouldn't otherwise have learned, like how to work quickly and effectively before my energy runs out and exhaustion runs in. It also means I have no chance to procrastinate, which other bloggers tell me is an invaluable gift.

As I go to sleep, I'm seized by two contradictory feelings: embarrassment at how little I've achieved and amazement I've achieved anything at all. I try not to focus on the former.

Disability blog entries I've enjoyed recently:

US film critic Roger Ebert's to Chris Jones's Esquire profile of him. Roger Ebert is now unable to speak following facial surgery to treat cancer.

Deaf scriptwriter Charlie Swinbourne's much-needed piece on .

Visibleinvisibility's .

Scott Jordan-Harris writes for The Spectator and edits its arts blog. He is also Senior Editor of The Big Picture magazine, editor of the book World Film Locations: New York and a Huffington Post sports blogger.

Ouch! Talk Show 75: Say it again ... and again

Damon Rose Damon Rose | 14:15 UK time, Friday, 19 August 2011

Talk show presenters Liz Carr and Rob Crossan with Richard Warren and Richard Saunders from the British Disabled Golf Open.

How many times can you legitimately ask someone with a speech impairment to repeat themselves? Our vegetable quiz returns and we're all about disabled golf. Liz Carr and Rob Crossan present.

Listen or subscribe to the show by following this link

Read a transcript

• Rob admits that he doesn't know how to talk to people with speech impairments. We help him out. Correction, we try to.

• The Disabled British Open starts this weekend and we have two of the hopefuls in the studio to talk about golf.

• Our Vegetable Vegetable Vegetable game returns. Just what is wrong with the person on the other end of the phone? Our presenters have to guess in 90 seconds or less.

• We discuss the embarrassment of swimming pool changing rooms if you can't see. And singer Pidgie from unsigned band Olypsys joins us.

• This is a special longer edition for summer. September's show is also a longer one. Do you like our newer short shows, or our old style hour-long ones? Get in touch and tell us.

Coming soon

Mat Fraser is back with Liz on the next show. But what's going to be on it? We've had a few ideas though haven't booked anyone or anything yet so your guess is as good as mine at the moment. It's due to go live around September 12.

If you have any ideas about what you want to hear on a future podcast then get in touch with us. We're also always keen to take any disability questions you have - the more obtuse the better; we'll try and answer them.

This week's news: paralympian involved in crash and new beach huts in Bournemouth

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 13:03 UK time, Friday, 19 August 2011

Paralympic cyclist Simon Richardson

Paralympic cycling champion Simon Richardson was involved in a hit-and-run crash which left him in a critical but stable condition in hospital. He had been cycling near Bridgend in Wales when he was apparently struck by a small white van. The accident followed a previous incident involving a car while he was out cycling with friends in 2001 which resulted in the loss of use of his left leg.

After the National Deaf Children's Society warned of "dark times" for disability support in services for children, debated the issue with contributions from government, charities, the health sector and academia.

There was a after a Care Quality Commission survey revealed they needed help finding and keeping employment.

And as the changeable British summer continued, specially designed beach huts were opened for disabled users on Bournemouth beach. Each hut can accommodate up to four wheelchairs and has high colour contrast surfaces and tactile flooring to assist the visually impaired.

Elsewhere in the news:

Man's fight for 'equality' over assisted suicide guidelines, ±«Óătv News

Former rugby player: 'Paralysis made me a better man', ±«Óătv News

Wheelchair user agrees out of court settlement with Value Cabs, ±«Óătv News

Autism sibling risk 'higher than previously thought, ±«Óătv News

Smartphone cameras bring independence to blind people, ±«Óătv News

Castlebeck care home abuse reported two years ago, ±«Óătv News

, Science Daily

, Wired.com

, Wired.com

, The Guardian

, The Guardian

, The Guardian

, The Guardian

, The Atlantic

±«Óătv TV and Radio this week: a diplomat and a Dame

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 09:54 UK time, Wednesday, 17 August 2011

In No Triumph, No Tragedy on Radio 4, Peter White interviews high profile disabled people about the obstacles they have faced. In this week's episode diplomat Jane Cordell explains how her second overseas posting was revoked when officials ruled her deafness made it too expensive to send her abroad.

Other highlights include:

Listen - Radio 4 - In Touch
The visually impaired people deemed 'not disabled enough' to need social care.

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson

Watch - ±«Óătv News - HardTalk
Stephen Sackur talks to Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who won 11 paralympic golds on the track and is now an influential voice in UK sport.

Listen - Radio 4 - More Or Less
Recently the Department for Work and Pensions published statistics about Employment Support Allowance. The numbers prompted headlines such as 'The shirking classes: Just 1 in 14 incapacity claimants is unfit to work' but is that really what the statistics tell us?

Listen - World Service - The Education of Ashif Jaffer
Can a young Canadian man with Down's syndrome get a university degree?

Listen - Radio 4 - You And Yours
Winifred Robinson examines cinema chain Odeon's decision to screen films for people with autism.

Catch up with disability radio & TV programmes on the ±«Óătv every Wednesday on this blog.

Guest blogger Lee Anthony Smith, a Wales-based web designer with Aspergers, writes about his typical day.

Guest Guest | 12:23 UK time, Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Guest blogger Lee Anthony Smith

I am not a morning person. Living in a state of mild but constant anxiety isn't really conducive to a "good eight hours" sleep. I am generally lucky to get four.

I work as a freelance website designer and my job can take me anywhere in South Wales. Driving, while processing everything that's happening around me, requires an awful lot of concentration. I need to mentally prepare myself for the tasks ahead, so I use public transport.

I have to go over the details of the journey in my mind several times before leaving the house. I need to take the correct change for my fare, plus some extra in case the fare has gone up without anyone telling me. I have to arrive at the bus stop or train station at least twenty minutes early. I work out where everything is: my phone, keys, wallet and my passport (I always have it with me). I keep an empty pocket for my ticket.

Work can be gruelling. Social interaction works by using subtle and beautiful rules, verbal and non verbal. Most people know these rules without thinking about them; unfortunately I was never given them; I don't really know if you are happy, sad, angry, curious or bored.

I find it difficult to socialise and small talk is a complete mystery to me. I don't want people to think I am being standoffish, but I find it very difficult to initiate a conversation, let alone keep one going.

Meeting new people can be overwhelming for me, so before I arrive at a new client's office, I prepare a couple of phrases. These vary a bit. If I am particularly flustered, it is usually something along the lines of: 'Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?' Or 'its a lovely day, shame we are stuck in the office isn't it?'

Sometimes if I remember, I may ask something like: 'have you worked here long?' Or 'are you looking forward to the weekend?'

This gives me time to get my bearings, process who this person is and what they are called. I find myself saying the same phrases a lot throughout the day, hoping that nobody notices.

I have to be careful, because if I start talking about a specific subject, I tend not to know when to stop, which can make people uncomfortable.

I am very sensitive to the fluorescent lighting in offices; they flicker 100 times per second. It gives me a headache and makes me sleepy. I always carry paracetemol with me.

My evenings are strict routines of cooking, surfing the web and TV, interrupted only for a cuddle and some time on the sofa with my partner Emma. I try to be very aware of Emma's needs because it is easy for me to become absorbed in things. I can break routines for Emma, although I admit breaking routines can make me a bit short tempered at times. The best part of my day is time spent with her.

Then, the arduous struggle to get to sleep begins again, as my brain inevitably fails to shut down for the night. Half of the night is spent reading. I visualise anything I read, which helps me drift off to sleep eventually.

Autism blogs I have enjoyed recently

•. Stuart has a young son with Autism and provides great support articles for parents and some very insightful opinions on Autistic issues.

•. This is written by an incredibly talented artist called Amy Murphy, who has Aspergers. Amy sees the world in a very unique and wonderful way.

• is a blog and autism community. It is a fantastic resource for news and views on all types of autism supported by a vast community - as far as I know the biggest autistic community on-line.

Lee Anthony Smith blogs about Autism issues at . Or follow him on Twitter .

Tweeting disability ... during the England riots

Emma Emma | 10:20 UK time, Monday, 15 August 2011

Last week's riots prompted a massive spike in Twitter usage by disabled and non-disabled people alike. We were regularly reminded to check on vulnerable neighbours and the hashtag #disabledriothelp was created, so that those in need of some emotional support could access it from fellow "tweeps".

Many were determined to retain a sense of humour during these difficult times.

On Tuesday morning Steve Sparshott Tweeted: "I did indeed park my 90kg wheelchair against the front door. Forgot to lock the door though. [Contact] me for a free security consultation."

Comedian Jim Sweeney

Later that evening, comedian with MS, Jim Sweeney, told Twitter of his unique plan of attack should trouble arise: "19:00. Wimbledon. Empty streets. Shops boarded up. Strange calm. Connected catheter to a hosepipe. Face full of [pee] for the first one"

Elsewhere on Twitter

Why do aliens always disembark via ramp? Do they have problems with stairs? Or are flying saucers just handicap-accessible? .

Just looking at charity fundraising tweets today... one lot are jumping off a tower, another lot are jumping out of a plane. Tough times.

Sitting by the sea having a coffee breathing sea air with my new lungs didn't think I would do this again loving my holiday.

This week's news: bus service cuts and scientific breakthroughs

Emma Emma | 12:09 UK time, Thursday, 11 August 2011

There's a real mixed bag of disability stories in the papers this week. Notable in political news, is the Liberal Democrats plan to urge changes to the controversial ESA and Incapacity Benefit tests, at their party conference in Birmingham. The ±«Óătv reports that: "Party members will call for a reduction in the number of cases overturned on appeal, to continue to reform the tests and to make them more accurate - particularly for those whose symptoms fluctuate and to make assessments "less stressful."

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats

Elsewhere, a report, released today by the transport select committee, has stated that Bus service cuts threaten the most vulnerable. The report says that elderly and disabled people are being stopped from working, taking part in education or accessing healthcare. In response, the government says that they are monitoring this "challenging" situation, which has seen local transport budgets lowered by as much as 70 percent in some areas.

And finally, a disability news roundup would not be complete without heralding a couple of scientific breakthroughs. This week, scientists have been reporting on the role genetics has to play in Schizophrenia and MS. A report in the journal Nature Genetics showed that "fresh mutations" in DNA are involved in at least half of schizophrenia cases, when there is no family history of the illness. And Helen Briggs reports for the ±«Óătv that a UK team has discovered around 30 genetic risk factors for developing multiple sclerosis, most of which are linked to immunity. She is quick to point out however, that genes are only part of the MS story.

Elsewhere in the news

Vulnerable patients face 'painful waits in the NHS'

'Blind Dave' Heeley set to run ten marathons in ten days (±«Óătv )

International Assistance Dog Week

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 09:17 UK time, Thursday, 11 August 2011

It is all about cute and clever canines this week as the work of guide and assistance dogs is acknowledged and celebrated around the world.

A guide dog puppy

According to the , this event was "created to recognise all the devoted, hardworking assistance guide dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability related limitations."

The stated goals of International Assistance Dog Week are to recognise and honour guide dogs, to raise awareness and educate the public, to honour puppy raisers and trainers and to recognise the deeds performed by assistance animals in communities.

there are special events happening around the world to mark the week including visits to training centres, graduation ceremonies for puppies and duck race fundraisers.

Ouch! has featured its fair share of cute assistance animals over the years.

As part of the My Adapted Life video series, meet Lorna Marsh and her canine partner Ely.

And Andrea, one of our student diarists, introduced us to her beloved guide dog Cara.

Unusually, we also met Tabitha and her guide horse Trixie. Not strictly an assistance dog, but we couldn't leave the pony out. They wear little slippers on their hooves while indoors you know. Aww!

International Assistance Dog Week runs 7-13 August 2011.

±«Óătv TV and Radio this week: talking newspapers and treating mental health problems

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 10:27 UK time, Wednesday, 10 August 2011

In Word of Mouth on Radio 4 this week, reporter Chris Ledgard examined the production of talking newspapers for the blind. He explores how to 'voice up' both the Daily Star and the Telegraph and asks what it takes to be the reader on FHM or Private Eye.

Other highlights:

Listen - Radio 4 - In Touch
Strategies for how to cope if you are visually impaired.

Listen - World Service - Outlook
Meet the psychiatrist treating mental health problems caused by the siege in the Libyan city of Misrata.

Listen - Radio 5 Live - Cancer Trials
Behind the scenes at the Christie hospital in Manchester, home to Europe's largest Trials Unit, where hundreds of cancer patients volunteer to take part in scientific research.

Listen - Radio 4 - My Name is Stephen Luckwell
An afternoon play about an autistic teenager with an enquiring mind.

Watch - ±«Óătv Three - Angry Boys
A comedy about 17-year-old identical twins who live on a farm in South Australia and their grandmother who works as a prison guard. It features a deaf character called Nathan.

Catch up with disability radio & TV programmes on the ±«Óătv every Wednesday on this blog.

A day in the life of: Margo Milne

Guest Guest | 15:38 UK time, Monday, 8 August 2011

This month on Ouch! we're asking some disabled bloggers how they spend a typical day. First up, Margo Milne, a london-based writer with MS.

Margo Milne

Read the rest of this entry

Can disabled people break the rules of Ramadan?

Emma Emma | 14:11 UK time, Friday, 5 August 2011

The Islamic season of Ramadan is upon us. For observers, this means becoming more connected with the Qur'an and a feeling that your good deeds are multiplied. And as most people know, it means abstaining from all food and drink, including water, between sunrise and sunset. A challenge for anyone at any time of year.

Roshni Hosseinzadeh

Roshni Hosseinzadeh is a blind Muslim living in Scotland. She works with disabled members of the community in Glasgow and explains how she, other people with disabilities and carers are coping with the fast during this year's holy season.

"The timing of Ramadan is dependent on the moon. It begins ten days earlier every year. This year the fast starts at 2.30am and lasts until 10pm. If someone has a condition where to deny themselves food would be dangerous, they do not have to observe the fast, or can make up the days later on. I have had to do that in previous years due to a chronic migraine condition which wasn't under control."

Read the rest of this entry

This week's news: music therapy, Dj Blind Mikey, around the world

Emma Emma | 11:06 UK time, Friday, 5 August 2011

News stories connecting disabled people with music often focus on one of two subject areas - either celebrating music as a form of therapy or highlighting the talents of a disabled musician. Both are represented in the news this week.

On Tuesday, the ±«Óătv reported on a study conducted in Finland which investigated the use of music therapy as a treatment for depression.

Seventy-nine patients with depression received the standard treatment of counselling and medication but 33 of them were also given 20 sessions with a trained music therapist, which involved activities such as drumming.

After three months, patients receiving music therapy showed a greater improvement in scores of anxiety and depression. There was no statistical improvement after six months, however.

Commenting on the noted successes in the trial, Professor Christian Gold from the University of Jyvaskyla, where the study took place, said: "Music therapy has specific qualities that allow people to express themselves and interact in a non-verbal way - even in situations when they cannot find the words to describe their inner experiences."

In other music related news, Mikey Hughes, the blind guy who almost won Big Brother 9, has been

Blind dj Mikey Hughes

Following a claimed 5,000 hours of practise, DJ Blind Mikey is due to appear in front of more than a thousand people at the Arches nightclub in Glasgow this Saturday night.

Brian McIver from Scottish paper The Daily Record, reports on Mikey's innovative plan to keep his set running smoothly.

"Accompanied on stage by sighted support worker William Hill, Mikey has prepared his CDs in order of play, and will place them in one pocket of his cargo trousers. Once he has mixed one, he puts the disc in his other pocket to keep them separate."

Elsewhere in the news:

Blind opera singer Andrea Bocelli to lead Songs Of Praise 50th anniversary celebrations (±«Óătv News)

A study finds dyslexia makes voices hard to discern (±«Óătv News)

Charities 'hit by funding cuts' (±«Óătv News)

When suicide was illegal (±«Óătv News Magazine)

Around the world:

Whilst it's been quiet on the news front in the UK, the same can't be said for the rest of the world. So this week we're bringing you some global highlights too.

Iran: man sentenced to blinding for acid attack pardoned

The US: and

Check back each Friday for a roundup of the week's disability news.

Laurence Clark compares UK and US disability care in his new show

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 10:33 UK time, Thursday, 4 August 2011

Laurence Clark was a guest on a recent episode of the Ouch! Talk Show.

Ěý

Laurence Clark

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In a lively conversation with presenters Liz Carr and Mat Fraser, the comedian with cerebral palsy talks about his new show, Health Hazard, part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.

He explains: “it’s about healthcare and the possible dangers of privatising healthcare or, as David Cameron says, having more competition.”

According to publicity on the official Fringe website, the show links Stephen Hawking, cardboard tube fights, Shane MacGowan, health insurance, George Washington, Mussolini, religious cults, global Armageddon and the NHS.

Laurence began work on the piece two years ago, well before NHS reform bills were introduced by the coalition government which prompted headlines, criticism and some subsequent U-turns.

As part of his research, he travelled to America and filmed hidden camera stunts which he has incorporated into the show. Laurence also attended a march through the streets of Washington DC by The Direct Action Group of Disabled People, ADAPT.

He told Mat and Liz: “As they were sort of throwing themselves in front of police, in front of the White House, I was there with a microphone in the background trying to get interviews.”

He found there is a substantial lack of help available for disabled people in the US as compared to that of the UK.

“When I described things like self directed support, like personal budgets, it was like I was talking about the promised land. They are quite far away from that.”

In a poignant part of the interview, Laurence talks about his poor experience of trying to apply for medical cover in the US, a big part of the show.

“I attempted to get healthcare insurance over there and rang various insurance companies to give them my details. It’s amazing how the conversation turned when the words cerebral palsy enter it” he says.

To hear the full interview download episode 74 of the Ouch Talk Show podcast or read the transcript.

Laurence Clark: Health Hazard! runs from 3-28 August (not 16) at the Udderbelly’s Pasture.

±«Óătv TV and Radio this week: the rights of disabled people and an Olympic journey

Dan Slipper Dan Slipper | 09:46 UK time, Wednesday, 3 August 2011

There was a welcome repeat this week of the Radio 4 documentary ADHD and Me.

Comedian Rory Bremner

Comedian Rory Bremner has found success in his ability to switch between impersonating many different people. But behind his comic persona is a man who finds difficulty focusing, loses the thread of conversation and takes on too many tasks leaving his personal and professional life in disarray. Following a diagnosis of ADHD within the family, Bremner has realised he too may have the condition.

During the programme, he finds out how ADHD affects adults, how attitudes have changed in the two decades since it was first recognised, and explores ways in which support can be given.

Other highlights include:

Listen - Radio 4 - You and Yours
Peter White considers how the rights of disabled people have changed over the past 40 years.

Listen - Radio 4 - Blind Man's Bete Noir
Peter explores his bete noire of going slowly.

Listen - Radio 4 - In Touch
The journalist Maggie Rosen talks about her partial sight and Can't See Will Cook.

Listen - Radio 5 Live - Richard Bacon
Adam Ant tells of his decade of dealing with mental illness.

Listen - Radio 4 - You and Yours An Olympic Journey
Deaf comedian Steve Day gives his assessment of the Olympic journey from Heathrow to Stratford.

Watch - ±«Óătv Two - Top Gear
Richard Hammond meets a disabled rally team attempting the famous off-road Dakar rally.

Watch - ±«Óătv Three - Small Teen Bigger World
Jazz learns to drive her own specially-modified car and fulfils her dream of doing work experience at an animal hospital in America.

Catch up with disability radio & TV programmes on the ±«Óătv every Wednesday at this blog.

Disability and medical TED Talks

Damon Rose Damon Rose | 10:25 UK time, Tuesday, 2 August 2011

A lectern

When I updated my podcasts last night, ready for my commute today, down came a whole load of new Ted Talks.

TED is a series of worldwide events; mini lectures designed to inspire and communicate big new ideas.

I subscribe to the audio only feed but, if you are a keen viewer of the site you may already have come across these as videos.

Often disability themes and related science is touched upon. In today's batch of downloads I spotted these:

- How they're learning about it and hope to treat it.

- The simple tactile feedback needed to achieve this feat.

- How far can we push our genes?

There's much more on the site. Tap your area of interest into their search box and spend a mind expanding morning with some of the planet's most impressive thinkers.

Tweeting disability: bumper stickers and disabled friends

Emma Emma | 14:35 UK time, Monday, 1 August 2011

A glimpse into the lives of disabled people from all over the world, via Twitter. With added fascinating biogs.

Just seen AWFUL bumper sticker: 'Men are like parking spaces: the good one's [sic] are taken & the rest are handicapped or too small.'
. Blogger and breast cancer surviver

Figured it out now. If I want to be treated like I'm lazy use the mobility scooter. To be treated like I'm stupid use the powerchair.
. Mum with fibromyalgia

One of my Uni friends said recently that I have too many disabled friends... Um no, but I'm thinking that one less Uni friend will be fine.
. Occupational therapist and musician.

A coworker with an ear infection just came up to me and said that now she understands what it's like to be deaf. Uhh, I have no words!
. Deafblind, Herbalist, Canine Massage Therapist from New Orleans

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