The View from Where I Sit

Tag: physical disability

  • ‘Horseback Riding in Bermuda’

    This year The WindReach Bermuda and Bermuda Riding for the Disabled, is celebrating 50 years of Therapeutic Riding in Bermuda!

    Therapeutic Riding is recognized world wide for its positive contributions to an individual’s well-being; cognitively, physically and emotionally. In fact, the impact therapeutic riding has on an individual with special needs is profound. Not only does riding improve physical strength, balance and coordination, it goes as far as to increase self-esteem, concentration levels, health and social interactions. Therapeutic riding is available to a large sector of individuals living with special needs and should be encouraged as we look to celebrate all abilities.

    WindReach Bermuda’s Therapeutic Riding Programme is accredited by The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) and their Instructors are also CanTRA certified. We strive to provide a high quality programme that promotes challenge, achievement, empowerment and independence for individuals with special needs. Lessons, whether individual or group, follow an individualised lesson structure; including warm up exercises, a progression of skills and games designed to further those skills. Accompanying the participant and instructor in each lesson are trained volunteers ensuring safety at all times. Lessons are designed around the participant’s unique needs to maximize the outcomes and therapeutic benefits.

    WHY HORSES?


    Because they are fun! But more importantly, a well trained therapy horse is rhythmic, symmetrical and organized. Each step the horse takes provides strong sensory and physical input in many dimensions – up and down, side to side, and back and forth. The Instructors balance these movements in specific orders to achieve positive results with the rider’s body mechanics that cannot be duplicated in any other setting.


    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAMME:

    The physical benefits include: improved balance, strengthened muscles, improved coordination and motor planning. It also stretches tight/spastic muscles, increases joint range of motion, respiration and circulation, as well as sensory integration.

    Therapeutic riding also improves: social skills, self confidence, increased interest in the outside world and increased risk taking abilities. In addition, it develops skills of patience, emotional control and self discipline; enhances friendships, communication and enjoyment and develops respect and affection for animals.

    The educational benefits include: improved remedial reading and math, sequencing, patterning and motor planning, improved hand/eye coordination, improved visual and spatial perception, increased attention span and concentration, as well as improved verbal skills.

    I remember when I used to go horseback riding at Bermuda Riding for the Disabled, as a wheelchair using, primary school student. During my time there, I got to ride three different horses: Dusty, Squirrel and Sandy. It was a form of physical therapy for me.

    In the picture below, I am riding on a horse named Squirrel in my school P.E uniform. This took place every Wednesday at lunchtime for about an hour. Unfortunately, I stopped when I transitioned to Middle School to focus on my studies.

    Purple Badge for Bravery Award

    One technique that I learned while there was Trotting. There is a difference between Trotting and Galloping. The difference between gallop and trot is that gallop is (intransitive of a horse, etc) to run at a gallop while trot is to walk rapidly. I even won a purple ribbon Bravery award for Trotting during a contest. I learned a lot and made great relationships while there. Congratulations to them for 50 years and best wish for a whole lot more!

    If you are interested in participating in our Therapeutic Riding Programme please contact Samantha Hillier at shillier@windreach.bm or call 238-7433.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDOyCTJcY8A

    https://www.windreachbermuda.org/programmes/riding/

  • ‘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

  • Dealing with Disability in the Home: Second edition of series

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    Housing and assisted living can be quite scarce for people with disabilities. Most times people with disabilities live with family where they rely on parents for support.

    While living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, I’ve had the privilege of living in two separate countries, which means I’ve had two separate homes. I was born in England, raised in Bermuda. I have dual nationality, which has resulted in dual perspectives on disability.

    I lived with my parents in Bermuda during my early school years, then I lived independently in England. I completed Primary, Middle and High School in Bermuda then completed college and university in England.

    Living in both countries has been an eye opener for me especially from the perspective of being a wheelchair user.

    Housing in England vs Housing in Bermuda

    Housing in England is completely different to Housing in Bermuda, especially for people with disabilities.

    During my college and university years, I lived in student accommodations that were modified for wheelchair users. Cultural differences impacted this. Once I completed university, I transferred to Assisted Independent Living. I live at a housing scheme called Five Oaks Housing Scheme under Sanctuary Housing Association in Ilkley. Sanctuary Housing Association is a housing corporation dedicated to the disabled community in the UK. https://www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk/.

    I have a great landlord who meets with the residents and I on a quarterly basis. She also communicates effectively, in-person, by phone and email. My bathroom is equipped with handrails to make transferring easy. I also use a profiling bed in addition to my height adjustable electric wheelchair. All counters and tables are low enough for me.

    However there are other people in my flat who require the use of assistive technology.

    Residents who are either unemployed or actively job seeking are eligible for Housing Benefit pays rent in the UK.

    One recurring issue that I’ve experienced in relation to housing is having access to showering facilities instead of bathing facilities. I personally prefer baths to showers.

    According to my research, Bermuda offers Summerhaven Trust. Summerhaven Trust is an assisted living residential complex that provides the opportunity for people with physical disabilities to live in the community. https://helpingservices.bm/listing/summerhaven-residential-home/

    The Bermuda Housing Corporation provides loans for the elderly and the disabled in Bermuda. https://www.bhc.bm/senior-disabled-loans/.

    For the last house that I lived in, before moving to England, my family sought to make the house wheelchair accessible with an escape route for me in case of a fire or flood, by the patio area, but the Department of Planning wouldn’t let us do so because it was too risky. Bermuda has legislation for this. https://planning.gov.bm/index.php/planning-legislation/.

    During my high school years, my father teamed up with a family friend to implement a lift at my house at one point because there were stairs to access and exit the house. Bermuda has legislation for this. http://www.bermudalaws.bm/laws/Consolidated%20Laws/Building%20Authority%20(Elevators%20and%20Lifts)%20Regulations%201962.pdf.

    Additionally, the Disabled Living Allowance is also available while living out here. I’ve also received additional support from Carers like Dignicare and Visioncare.https://www.dignicare.co.uk/, http://www.visioncare.co/.

    https://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/10128744.ilkley-community-centre-back-in-business-after-a-two-year-closure/

    Wheelchair Accessibility: Functioning in Dysfunction

    This is one of the main reasons why I moved to England from Bermuda as a high school graduate.

    Wheelchair Accessibility and mobility issues are just some of the problems that I face as a wheelchair user. Access alleviates the amount of limitations and restrictions on wheelchair users. Failing to ensure wheelchair accessibility is neglecting to provide reasonable adjustments. It is like functioning in dysfunction.

    However, despite all of this, people with disabilities, like me, can lead independent lives even though we experience a restricted level of independence. Yes we do have preferences, goals and ambitions. We also have rights too.

    Throughout this whole ‘Dealing with Disability’ series, I’ve learned that both countries have endeavoured to make mandatory reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities through legislation and finances. Reasonable adjustments, finances and legislation enable us to live independently. This is the way we deal with life.

  • My Audio Interview on Disability Advocacy with the Big Girl Panties Podcast

    My Audio Interview on Disability Advocacy with the Big Girl Panties Podcast

  • Models of Disability

    Models of Disability

    By: Daniella Jade Lowe

    What is Disability?

    Over the years, classifying and defining disability has become quite tedious. There are various examples to describe disability.

    Disability is seen as a ‘social construct.’ It is the idea that society and its’ institutions have the authority to construct disability around social expectations. In medieval times, disability was constructed around a person’s moral behaviour.

    Disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. According to an article I read from meriahnichols.com, ‘dis’ is another way of doing and being. The term disability is an ability to do or be in another way. The term disabled is an ability to do or be something, in another way-https://www.meriahnichols.com/3-reasons-say-disability-instead-special-needs/.

    Even though, I’ve only identified three models of disability, according to research there seems to be loads more.

    Models of Disability are tools for defining impairment and for providing a basis upon which government and society can devise strategies for meeting the needs of disabled people.

    Medical Model of Disability

    The medical model describes disability as a consequence of a health condition, disease or caused by a trauma that can disrupt the functioning of a person in a physiological or cognitive way.

    This model is a conceptualization of disability as a condition a person has and focuses on the prevention, treatment or curing of the disabling condition.

    Functional Model of Disability

    This model is similar to the medical model because it conceptualizes disability as an impairment or deficit. Disability is caused by physical, medical or cognitive deficits. The disability itself limits a person’s functioning or the ability to perform functional activities.

    Social Model of Disability

    The Social Model of Disability includes people’s views, opinions and attitudes. It has been the prominent approach to disability over the last 30+ years.

    It was developed by disabled people based on real life experience of discrimination, inclusion and challenging disabling barriers. It is outward looking and focused on the things in society that can be changed or improved, like, the environment, information, communications and people’s attitudes.

    It’s a problem solving approach which gives disabled people greater control over vital, even basic decisions, like, from what time to get out of bed on a morning to employability and education choices.

    This approach enables you to better understand how reasonable adjustments can be implemented. It also focuses on the things you can influence or change and promotes valued skills.

    In conclusion, the purpose behind the models of disability is to highlight the political struggle of disability. It analyzes the ‘problem of disability.’ It also affects policy making, so that we can make positive change in our society for people with disabilities.

    Since laws are already created to discriminate against disabled people by default, we need to make sure that the Social Model of Disability is pushed to ensure equality.

    For more information on the various models of disability, check out this website: https://www.disabled-world.com/definitions/disability-models.php.