See what’s new at the Matt Hampson Foundation
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ2LXLiW6zY[/youtube]
Category Archives: Disability
Access to Work: Disability Scheme ‘not reaching people’
Substantial numbers of disabled people are missing out on government support to help them into work, MPs have said.
The government’s Access to Work programme suffers from a lack of funding and publicity, the Work and Pensions Select Committee report found.
Staff from the Department for Work and Pensions often failed to understand the needs of disabled people, MPs added.
The scheme helped 35,000 people get or keep a job this year – up by 5,000 on two years ago, a DWP spokesman said.
Access to Work assists disabled workers by paying for specialist aids, equipment, building adaptations and support workers. More
Inspirational Diversity Champion – December 2014
The 3rd December is International Day of People with Disabilities and with this in mind we have chosen Alex Brooker as our Inspirational Diversity Champion for December. Alex is a journalist and TV presenter, best known for his television work with Channel 4. He was born with hand and arm deformities and a twisted right leg which was amputated when he was a baby.
Alex graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2006, following which he worked as a reporter on the Liverpool Echo. He first appeared on TV as a trackside reporter at the 2011 Paralympic World Cup and at the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony Alex was seen interviewing Boris Johnson and David Cameron. During the Games Alex was the co-host of the TV show The Last Leg with Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe, the show proved so popular that there have now been four series. Earlier this year Alex co presented the TV show The Jump and in 2013 hosted a documentary about body image entitled ‘Alex Brooker: My Perfect Body’.
In May this year, Alex fronted a campaign called ‘End The Awkward’ by disability charity Scope which used comedy to shine a light on the awkwardness that many people feel about disability. He appeared in three adverts guiding viewers through awkward situations that they may encounter with a disabled person.
In November this year Alex married his fiancée Lyndsey at Hazelwood Castle in Yorkshire.
Inspirational Diversity Champion – October 2014
The Invictus Games was held from 10 – 14 September. Over 400 competitors from 13 nations took part in the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Teams came from the armed forces of nations that served alongside each other. The idea of the Games was to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.
One of the athletes taking part in the Games for Great Britain was Charlie Walker and we have chosen Charlie as our Inspirational Diversity Champion for October. Charlie was a trainee bomb disposal expert in the Royal Logistics Corps. In 2006 he contracted meningitis and as a result lost both of his legs below the knee. Less than a year later Charlie discovered the sport of wheelchair basketball and then sitting volleyball in which he represented Great Britain at the 2012 Paralympics.
At the Invictus Games Charlie took part in three events, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, of which he was the captain and sitting volleyball. In each event Great Britain won the gold medal. Charlie was an inspiration to not only his team mates but also everyone involved in the Games and truly lived up to the Games motto ‘I AM INVICTUS’.
Invictus
by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
Vibrations From Floor Help Deaf Dance Troupe Keep Time
The autobiographical dance show which tells audiences of experiences unique to deaf people.
“I ran over to the piano and put my hand on it to feel the vibrations of the music,” remembers Mark Smith. Diagnosed as deaf at four years old, his first encounter with rhythm and dance was at his sister’s ballet class.
Smith couldn’t hear the music but was able to establish a rhythm from what he could feel. He says: “I began to copy the movements and the teacher encouraged me to join.”He went on to study dance at degree level and has worked as a choreographer for the past 20 years. Now Smith uses those early experiences to teach other deaf people how to dance. More
Photos from the Invictus Games – Friday 12 September 2014 – Wheelchair Rugby
Helping students with Asperger’s prepare for university life
As the number of autistic students soars, universities are trying hard to help them with their social and life skills. Find out more here http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/09/students-aspergers-ready-university-life
Invictus Games
The Invictus Games starts on 10 September. The event is for wounded servicemen and women and runs until 14 September. Many countries are taking part. Find out more about the games here.
Matt Hampson Foundation
Matt was our very first Inspirational Diversity Champion back in July 2012. Watch the video to find out more about him and his foundation.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pb_9YpAWoY[/youtube]Inspirational Diversity Champion – August 2014
On 30 August it is National Paralympic Day and with this in mind we have chosen Ellie Simmonds as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the month.
Ellie is a British Paralympian swimmer who has achondroplasia dwarfism. She came to national attention when she competed in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, winning two gold medals for Great Britain, despite being the youngest member of the team, at the age of 13. In London 2012 she was again selected for the Great Britain squad, where she won another two golds setting a World Record in the 400m freestyle. In addition, she has won ten gold World Championship titles.
Ellie started swimming at the age of five and competed against able-bodied children at the age of eight. At ten years old, Ellie’s talent was spotted at a disability event and she was entered onto the British Swimming talent programme. She worked her way through to be selected as the youngest member of a senior British Swimming squad for the 2006 IPC World Championships at 12 years and three weeks.
Ellie swims in the S6 disability category. This category is for swimmers with short stature, amputations of both arms or moderate coordination problems on one side of their body.
In 2008 Ellie was voted BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and in 2009 she was awarded an MBE becoming the youngest person ever to do so. In the 2013 New Year Honours she was award an OBE for services to Paralympic Sport.
To find out more about Ellie and her achievements here http://www.elliesimmonds.com/