The View from Where I Sit

Blog

  • Medical House Ltd.

    Medical House’s Managing Director is Mickey Robinson. Mickey started Medical House in 1995.

    Mickey’s greatest joy is when our customers of all ages communicate how Medical House staff have helped them get through and overcome challenges in their homes or workplaces.

    Medical House is a reliable and caring company that provides the very best products and services in the industries we represent. We are leaders in Medical Supplies, Home Health care, PPE supplies, Uniforms and Footwear; and Restaurant, Janitorial and Safety supplies. Our established and professional team are here to serve you. They are similar to BACES in Bradford.

    SERVICES

    • We offer skilled consultation with our occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing team.
    • Assessments, CPAP and Oxygen services by self referral or health care provider

    For example, as a disabled customer, I’ve also purchased other items from them like Urine Off spray to clean my wheelchair and new wheelchair cushions.

    They also encourage Compression Therapy. Compression therapy is an effective treatment used to help increase blood circulation in the lower legs, ankles, and feet. The elastic in the stockings helps provide compression to prevent blood from pooling up and fluid from building up in the legs, ankles, or feet. There are different categories of pressure depending on the condition of the individual and how much compression they require.

    CONTACT PERSONTinee Furbert
    PHONE NUMBER4412923622
    EMAIL ADDRESSmedicalhouse@medicalhouse.bm
    WEBSITE ADDRESSmedicalhouse.bm
    PHYSICAL ADDRESS22 Mill Reach Lane Pembroke HM 05
    2 Bakery Lane
    Pembroke HM 07
    Bermuda
    MAILING ADDRESSPO Box DV56, Devonshire, DVBX
    HOURS OF OPERATION9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday; Extended Hours Uniform Dept. 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Medical Sales 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Kathleen Margaret Carter

    Sherrie-Lynn Lilley is the Founder/Director of Inspire Bermuda.

    This week Inspire Bermuda is celebrating women with disabilities for Women’s History Month!

    Today we would like to honour the wonderful and inspiring Kathleen Margaret Carter.

    She was the founder and long-time chairperson of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, Kathleen Margaret Carter championed the cause of people with disabilities.

    She was herself disabled, and one of only a handful of Bermudians of her generation with a disability to receive access to a formal education. That, along with her talents as an organizer and writer and her media savviness, combined to make her a formidable spokeswoman.

    It was largely because of her activism that the needs of handicapped Bermudians were placed on the national agenda. It led to more employment opportunities for the disabled and heightened public awareness of the need to make buildings and streets in Hamilton more accessible to people in wheelchairs.

    Without her influence, Summerhaven, the residence for the physically handicapped in Smith’s, would not have been built, and the Human Rights Act would never have been amended to include people with disabilities.


    Carter was the only child of George Caswell Carter, a British engineer who came to Bermuda to work for the Bermuda Electric Light Company, and Margaret Daisey (born Taylor) Carter. She was born with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease that put her permanently in a wheelchair by age 11.

    She received her early schooling at Mount St. Agnes Academy. When she was 13, she left the island to receive rehabilitation at Pinderfields Hospital in Yorkshire, England. Carter remained in the United Kingdom for three years and relied on her sense of humour to cope with her loneliness and isolation.

    On her return to Bermuda, she completed a correspondence course in creative writing and began to develop her talents as a writer and a doll maker.

    By the 1960s, she had written a novel based on her experiences in the rehab hospital, but despite favorable reviews from publishers, it never made it into print.

    She self-published two pamphlets “1609 was a Very Funny Year”, a satirical account of Bermuda’s settlement, and “Bermuda Joe”, about a talking sea horse with the secret for world peace.

    She began laying the groundwork for university education when she completed Colin Benbow’s G.C.E. history course, which he taught on television. Courses taken through Queen’s University Extension in Bermuda followed, which led to her receiving a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology from Queen’s in 1983.

    Carter’s life as an activist began when she took out a newspaper ad, asking people who were disabled to contact her. The result was the formation of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA) in 1970. It became the forum through which Carter, working with a team of disabled and able-bodied members, led the fight for jobs and greater access to transportation and the integration of children with disabilities into the regular school system.

    By 1991, the BPHA could claim success in a number of areas. There were nine hydraulic buses on the roads, where there were none in the 1970s, providing transportation for residents and tourists with disabilities.

    A swimming pool had also been built at St. Brendan’s Hospital for use by the disabled for physical therapy, and amendments to the building code, requiring all new buildings to be accessible to the handicapped were on their way to Parliament. Hamilton City Hall had led the way, installing ramps and later an elevator.

    Carter served on a number of boards including Summerhaven’s and Government’s Human Rights Commission and the Rehabilitation Council. Her activism extended to the anti-Apartheid Group, which she helped found.

    She was a member of the Bermuda Writers’ Collective, and her short stories were included in two of its collections, Palmetto Wine, published in 1990, and An Isle So Long Unknown, which was published in her memory in 1993.

    In 1992, while attended a creative writing workshop led by Barbadian writer George Lamming, Carter suffered a stroke from which she never recovered.

    Her funeral, which was held at the Anglican Cathedral, was attended by artists and activists, Government and Opposition figures, clergy from different denominations and a host of friends.

    https://www.gov.bm/k-margaret-carter-centre

    https://bernews.com/2015/05/k-margaret-carter-centre/

  • Secret Ways to use LinkedIn

    I am now a Willpower Trainer under the Willpower Consultation. Willpower Consultation is a global merging of world-class corporate trainers, social media pioneers, and business development experts. Willpower Consultation has a global network of corporate trainers, online lead generators and business consultants. The course trainer, influencer and consultant, Will ‘Willpower’ Harris, opened 11 orphanages in India during pandemic (2020).

    200 Willpower trainers, holds a $500 training course. This course teaches you how to use LinkedIn for Social Selling instead of Social Networking.

    Social Sales vs Social Networking

    Check Social Selling Index by using the Social Index online.

    The Social Index is a unique online platform that provides a consent driven, timebound, infographic report to allow individuals to understand the value of their reputation and for employers to help their talent navigate the emerging challenges of online and offline reputation management as part of positively amplifying their company brand.

    Leads+ Prospects + Customers= Money

    3 Ways to get Sales on LinkedIn

    -Be Known

    -Be Relevant

    -Be Social

    However Social Networking on LinkedIn is different. LinkedIn is the most popular social networking sites when it comes to online “business networking”. It is a platform that allows business people and professionals all over the world, regardless of their industry, to connect with other professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-social-networking-site-business-people-mutalemwa/.


    Ask for Recommendations- Invite to Prospect

    Be Smart!

    Be Interesting!

    Be Valuable!

    That is the difference between Social Sales and Social Networking.

    I’ve grown personally and professionally!

    https://thesocialindex.com

    http://www.willpowerharris.com


  • ‘Home Automation for Physically Disabled People in the UK’

    CareFree Smart Homes began from a desire to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. As a disabled-owned company, we recommend all of our products to anyone disabled who is looking to utilise technology to enhance their level of independent living. During an interview with CEO Josh Porritt, this is what he said:

    1. What is a Care Free Smart Home?

    A CareFree Smart Home is one that provides the occupants with useful automation and voice controlled features that make it easier to control their home.

    2. Are Care Free Smart Homes wheelchair accessible? How?

    Products available at CareFree Smart Homes can help wheelchair users by enabling them to do more from their chair without having to move around as much or stretch for switches.

    3. Are Care Free Smart Homes digitally accessible? How?

    CareFree Smart Homes is all about technology. Whether you want to control your home whilst you’re there, or somewhere completely different. We have a website and are available on all major social media platforms plus live chat and WhatsApp.

    4. Do Housing Corporations know about your company?

    We are open to working with housing corporations and welcome them to contact us.

    5. Are Care Free Smart Homes legal?

    All our products and services comply with the law.

    6. When did you start Care Free Smart Homes?

    CareFree Smart Homes was incorporated in July 2022 and began operating in September 2022.

    7. Does a Care Free Smart Home, work without Wifi or Internet connection?
    Sort of, at the moment. The ability to control your smart home without an internet connection is becoming more and more possible every day. There will come a time where every smart home accessory can be controlled independent of an internet connection.

    8. You say that you like solving problems. Which problems arose for you to start building Care Free Smart Homes?

    It’s often difficult for disabled people to navigate properties, whether it’s fully adapted or not. As a disabled person, I understand this problem first hand. Coupled with the fact I’m obsessed with technology, I’m ideally placed to advise on how smart technology can be used in the homes of everyone, including disabled people.

    9. How do you build Care Free Smart Homes?

    Whilst there’s a broad range of smart products available, we focus on providing products and solutions that are ‘plug and play’. We believe that ‘plug and play’ products, if they can’t be installed by the purchaser, are suitable to be installed by family members, friends, carers, handymen, and for certain products, a short visit from an electrician

    10. Do you eventually wish to go global/international?

    At this time we are focused on establishing our name within the United Kingdom and making life easier for as many people as possible through use of technology.

    For more information about his company, you can check out his website at: Home Automation For Disabled Persons | CareFree Smart Homes https://www.carefreesmarthomes.co.uk/

    Seen by Josh Porritt at 14:35

    Enter

    Write to Josh Porritt

  • Where did the term ‘Handicap’ come from?

    You might have heard that the word originated from disabled veterans in England during King Henry VII’s reign (15th-16th century). Unable to make a living for themselves after war, they were forced to take to the streets with their “cap in hand,” begging for coins. King Henry VII made it legal for disabled people to beg because he didn’t think they could hold down jobs. Disabled individuals, therefore, became known as “handicapped”…It turns out, though, that this is not true.

    In contrast, “Cap in hand” actually refers to taking one’s hat off as a sign of respect, such as when listening to the national anthem or entering a building. This has been a custom since 1565, when people took their “caps in hand” to show subservience to certain individuals like judges. The phrase eventually took on the meaning “to humbly seek a favour.” It is still in use today, such as when referring to asking a boss for a raise, “cap in hand.

    Now in the late nineteenth century, the term “affliction” began to disappear and people started using the term “handicapped.” “Handicapped” arose in the context of evolutionary theory, the world was being reinterpreted as a place of struggle, of competition, in the midst of industrial expansion and growing commercialism. It arose in the context of an economy that was fiercely competitive and where people were increasingly seen as competing individuals.

    The term “handicapped” originally comes from a game called “Hand in Cap,” which is a game of chance in which every person would have an equal chance of winning in each succeeding game that you played. Later it was applied to horse racing. You would handicap a fast horse by hanging stones on it to slow it down. It began, then, in the late nineteenth century to be applied to people with disabilities, and it always occurred in the phrase, “handicapped in the race for life,” or “handicapped in the struggle for existence”. It was very much tied to the kind of competitive, social-evolutionist worldview that was obvious in the late nineteenth century. And that was the term that was used through much of the twentieth century until fairly recently, when the term “disability” began to replace it.

    The interesting difference between “affliction” and “handicapped” is that “affliction” was not something you should overcome. While an “affliction” was a spiritual burden to be borne with faith and lived with as best as possible, in submission to God’s wisdom, a “handicap” was a condition to be conquered, an impediment to worldly success that had to be overcome. Thus twentieth-century success stories about disabled people are most often stories of “overcoming.”

    ‘Handicapped’ is a word which many disabled people consider to be the equivalent of ‘nigger’. It evokes thoughts of being held back, not in the race, not as good, weighed down by something so awful we ought not to speak of it.

    However, “handicapped” is not universally offensive; while many disabled people do take offense, many others don’t care if it’s used, and some even prefer it. (Of course, “disabled” is seen by some as a negative word, too, with some people preferring “less abled.”)

    There has also been some attempt to “take back” the word “cripple” and use it in a positive sense, such as with the talented comedian, and sufferer of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, Ally Bruener and her “I laughed at the crippled girl” comedy act; her definition of “crippled” being: “Something so awesome, it’s debilitating. Opposite of ‘lame’.”

    Inclusive communication and the proper use of specialist terms is important to me, especially as an upcoming journalist and Politician. It should also help to encourage mutual respect and self-respect. Furthermore, it will also continue to change our worldview on people with various exceptionalities and how we treat them.

    http://www.disabilitymuseum.org

    https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/origin-word-handicap/

  • What is Accessibility?

    The International Symbol of Accessibility, that white stick figure in a wheel chair on a blue background, was developed in 1969. It was borne of a contest held by the International Commission on Technology and Accessibility, which was won by Susanne Kofoed of Copenhagen, Denmark. Kofoed’s original design didn’t include a head (probably because she was trying to keep the figure unisex) so it wasn’t used right away; but once the head was added, it became quite popular.

    The Commission chose the blue background simply because it provided a nice contrast with the white stick figure, making the symbol easily visible on all kinds of surfaces. That said, the little stick figure might change some time in the future, as some parties are arguing that not all disabled people use a wheel chair and the figure needs to be more representative of other disabilities.

    This is a good start for disability representation and wheelchair accessibility. I hope the little stick figure changes in the near future so that it can change our worldview on medical conditions and the general outlook on life for people with different exceptionalities.

    https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/origin-word-handicap/

  • Television Coverage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

    If I had to rate the amount of TV Coverage given to the London 2012 Paralympic Games overall, I would give it a five. As I have viewed various newspaper websites, I have noticed the complaints of interested viewers expressing their disappointment of not being able to watch the Paralympic Games on channels like Cable Vision.

    Since I was apart of the Bermuda media team, I was right in the middle of all the excitement. As London was the host country for the Games, I think that Channel 4, and many other British channels really did a great job in televising the Paralympic events and athletes. It was really well supported, well attended and an overall success.

    As someone with a physical challenge, I find this personally disheartening as many Paralympians, like Jessica Lewis, have worked extremely hard to get to this platform and it seems as if only a few people care.  They’ve firstly had to overcome their disability before overcoming the challenge of mastering a sport. Comparing Paralympians with Olympians, I think that the Paralympians had just a bit more courage and determination to compete at such a high level in sport. They refused to let people take pity on them, and refused to let their disabilities stop them from competing at such an advanced and sophisticated level.

    I’ve had the wonderful privilege of witnessing the Games for myself and it was phenomenal. Just to see these Paralympians give it all they’ve got is amazing. I think it’s a shame that some either didn’t know or don’t even care about what’s going on in this part of the sporting world.

    For those who wanted to watch it and were unable to, you missed out. I saw wheelchair users doing track and field, sitting volleyball, the partially sighted doing judo, swimmers with either no arms and no legs or one arm and no legs as well as the blind doing long jump. They’ve all done an outstanding job.

    I personally and strongly feel that both the Olympics and the Paralympics should have received equal TV coverage, regardless of whether the public feel it is important or not, because it shows equality and fairness. These Paralympians are doing extraordinary things to outshine their physical challenges. They have put hours of blood, sweat and tears into preparing for various events, just like their non-disabled counterparts and it should be recognised!

  • Equality Impact Assessment

    Equality Together Bradford is getting involved with this initiative. Sarah Champion is the MP responsible for this. 86% of the cost of Tory tax and benefit changes fall on women’s shoulders.

    She spoke in Parliament about why the Treasury must honour their public sector duty and carry out equality impact assessments on their policies, just as Labour has committed to. https://www.sarahchampionmp.com/news/2018/1/11/sarah-champion-calls-for-equality-impact-assessments

    https://www.citizensonline.org.uk/

    https://fb.watch/dMS2YSs46P/

  • Mental Resilience: Zoom Etiquette- Maximising its use as a tool!

    It’s a video world these days, and we have been thrust into it, with very little preparation. What was previously the domain of Hollywood, celebrities and politicians is now commonplace for all of us at work and play. Here are a few tips for becoming a video conferencing star or at least avoiding some of the common mistakes.

    Family Cyber Clinic is a YouTube channel to help parents enhance their skills so that they are up to speed with the rest of the world and the younger generation.

    It is by a Cyber Security Expert; Lawrence Idem, a Pastor who loves God and married with three children/daughters, that hosted the Zoom meeting. He also uses Skype and Microsoft Teams. However Skype has been more popular pre-pandemic.

    Etiquette

    • Know when your microphone is muted and when it’s not. Even when you’re not speaking an open (not muted) microphone injects noise into the sound track. Mute when you are not talking!

    • Try not to interrupt or talk over someone else. The result is often unintelligible.

    It’s all about effective communication! With a little bit of planning and attention, the results will be

    immediate, and your techniques will become second nature.

    Looking Good on Web Cams

    Furthermore, avoid Backlight – An open window behind you, with daylight streaming in, and

    insufficient light on your face will create a dark silhouette that obscures your face.

    Actually, any overly bright background can cause this problem.

    Solutions:

    • Close the curtains, shade or move the Computer/Webcam to a new location.

    • Add some front lighting such as a lamp or general room lighting.

    • Use that problem window by facing toward it.

    • The screen of a Laptop or Tablet will actually light up your face, but the screen contents may be

    colours, and be changing constantly.

    Takeaways:

    • Avoid bright lighting behind you

    • Soft (diffused) light is better than hard, focused beams of light

    • Bright ambient light is good, but Fluorescent lighting is often unflattering for humans. Warm

    lighting is best.

    Frame Yourself Correctly

    Video Conferencing is normally about people’s faces. Correct framing will maximize expressive delivery of what you have to say and minimize distractions.

    Adjust the camera (if it can be done) or move physically closer to produce a chest to hair closeup. Unless of course a wider or specialized shot is specifically required. Do not leave too much headroom and centre yourself in the frame.

    The Eyes Have It!

    “The eyes are the mirror to the soul” and eye contact is critical to engagement with your audience. To achieve that in video conferencing set up your web cam/yourself so that you can speak to it the same way you would address a person in front of you.

    Imagine the web cam is a face. Then use direct eye contact as much as you can.

    Background Replacement

    Most modern video conference offer the ability to replace your background with a picture or even a video, without a traditional “Green Screen”. This allows you to present yourself in any environment that you have a photo of, and additionally avoids revealing the state of your housekeeping. If you use a virtual background, use a green screen.

    • Tip – Avoid waving your hands around to avoid distracting video artifacts.

    • Tip – Slow movements track well and fast movement increase bandwidth requirements.

    • Tip – Light yourself properly.

    • Tip – Do not use wardrobe colours that blend into your environment. The A. I. gets fooled and does not do a clean cut-out.

    Clothing

    • Avoid intense colours and in particular, avoid bright red or hot pink. These colours can blur and bleed with some cameras.

    • Fine grained patterns, complex prints and fine horizontal lines can also cause problems in some

    situations.

    • Always wear pants in case you have to stand up!

    Sounding Good in a Video Conference

    Generally, web conference sound leaves much to be desired. Hears a few tips for sounding good.

    Choose the Best Location

    • Avoid environments that are noisy – close your eyes and really listen.

    • Shiny smooth walls, ceilings and floors often make your voice sound “hollow” because of echoes and “boomy” resonances.

    • Control interruptions – silence your cell phones and let the people around you know you are “ON AIR”.

    Microphone Technique

    • Know where the microphone is located if it is embedded in your Computer/Laptop/Tablet/Phone.

    • Staying physically close to the microphone is good. Too far away sounds faint, hollow and noisy.

    • Speak clearly, articulate, and don’t turn away from the microphone.

    • Maintain a good volume – Don’t shout and don’t whisper.

    • Consider using a headphone/microphone combination.

    Why Zoom?

    Zoom is now more popular because of the pandemic and Microsoft teams is enterprise/business bound. He stated that virtual meetings/events are an immersion of the real thing/scenarios which cuts down on actual time that was supposed to be spent. As such social interaction requires respect, etiquette, manners, undivided attention, mental resilience, and concentration.

    However, over 80% of people who attend Zoom meetings, don’t come on camera and this not fair on the host because Zoom meetings lay down ground rules. If you don’t follow ground rules, you tell the host you don’t care about them. Zoom fatigue is a thing. We don’t like the format of the meeting hence we’re tired.

    Therefore, he stated that we need mental resilience. Preparation is key. Be presentable. For example, if you don’t want to be recorded you leave the meeting. Imagine going to a party and leaving your head behind?

    Choose a good background so we can see you. It’s disrespectful when you eat, drink and don’t look presentable on a Zoom meeting. Give undivided attention. Don’t fall asleep. Try not to multitask. When you multitask, you’re not giving your undivided attention.

    If you’re not prepared to speak, don’t attend the meeting. It creates a bad host-guest relationship.

    If you want to sound your best use a speaker phone, especially if you’re using your phone instead of your laptop. Get close to your microphone if you’re using a laptop.

    Update tools you use to deliver meetings. If you host a Zoom meeting, don’t do it without a waiting room, breakout room or password. This will prevent lateness.

    Don’t put meeting ID or password on a flyer. Zoom bombers can ambush the meeting and disturb it. The wrong people may attend your meeting. The host will be upset by uninvited guests crashing the meeting. Zoom etiquette demands that you show your screen. Don’t wear your pyjamas to a Zoom meeting, even if it’s at night.

    If you don’t follow these rules, it will impact interviews and business meetings. You must prepare. Bad habits become bad behaviour!

    However, in-person meetings are different. You wouldn’t multitask if you are in person.

    Virtual events can never replace in person events!

  • How to become a Disability Confident Employer and Why?

    Here in the UK, we have ‘The Disability Confident Scheme.’ The Disability Confident scheme helps employers recruit and retain great people, and to:

    • challenge attitudes and increase understanding of disability
    • draw from the widest possible pool of talent
    • secure high-quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working
    • improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating fair treatment

    It also helps identify those employers who are committed to inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

    The scheme has 3 levels designed to support employers on their Disability Confident journey, these are:

    • Disability Confident Committed (Level 1)
    • Disability Confident Employer (Level 2)
    • Disability Confident Leader (Level 3)

    All employers join the scheme at Disability Confident Committed (Level 1), and progress through the levels to achieve the one that’s right for their organisation.

    For more information about signing up for the Disability Confident scheme, and how it can help your business check out the detailed guidance on gov.uk.