Latest news with #disabilityawareness
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Isle of Man's veteran's hand crank challenge to 'inspire others'
An army veteran who completed the equivalent distance of the Isle of Man's Parish Walk on a hand crank machine after losing the use of his legs said he hoped his efforts would "inspire others".Mike Ryan said he decided to complete the 85-mile (137km) challenge at the National Sports Centre (NSC) as the event's route would be "impossible" in a wheelchair due to the said he had decided to take on the venture, which he completed in just over six hours, to "surprise" himself and demonstrate to others "I am more than what you see".Mr Ryan said: "It is easy for people to look at people with a disability and think they are 50% of the next person... give me an option to be judged on a level playing field and I won't come last." The former member of the Royal Engineers said he decided to use the hand crank machine, which is designed to improve upper body fitness, because it was the only piece of exercise equipment he could use that registered a distance. Mr Ryan, who served in the British Army between 1994 and 2001 and did tours of Germany, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, said he broke his legs in more than 140 places over a three year was referred to the NSC by the island's mental health services due to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after leaving military service. Attending the gym sessions "helps me get out of the house more and combat stress", he said he had "jokingly" asked to sign up for the Parish Walk Challenge at the NSC, which sees entrants complete the distance of the walk on a variety of gym equipment, but had then taken it on in receiving a medal for completing the task, he said although it was different from the annual walk itself it was no less of an achievement."I know it is not the same as completing the Parish Walk, but I would say to anyone to go and do 85 miles in a day is challenging, even if it is not the same challenge," he others with PTSD to seek help, he said: "Don't suffer in silence like I did for a few years."Completing the challenge in six hours and 15 minutes, Mr Ryan raised about £650 for local charity Bridge the Gap, which aims to help young people with long-term health conditions. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
TikTok videos of blind Hull parents 'show how amazing they are'
A blind mother and father have been using TikTok to dispel misconceptions about their 71, and Trevor, 74, from Hull, have more than 15,000 followers on the social media platform and have made a series of videos to show what life is like being blind parents to their sighted son, Richard, family talk about many topics, including nappy changing and trips to the nursery, as well as the reaction of school friends and sharing hobbies said: "It makes me really proud to be able to showcase my mum and dad for what amazing parents they are." Richard said his parents, who were both born blind, use audio labels to identify a tin of beans or smell and touch milk to see if it is in of the videos was filmed at Christmas and showed his mum opening a present, which she thought was perfume until Richard told her it was a tin of thought the videos, which started off as personal and shared with friends before he was encouraged to upload to a wider audience, would show others how they had adapted to everyday tasks and address some of the misconceptions about being said people had often queried whether blind people could be safe parents or questioned how they could cook or go to the gym, as well as wondering how people with sight could assist people added: "We want to create a safe space to showcase not only how amazing my mum and dad are but people with disabilities." Lynne said making the videos "was great fun" and answered a lot of questions that sighted people felt too embarrassed to ask. The couple said they welcomed questions and are happy to answer anything if it helps give a greater understanding about their life.A spokesperson for the Royal National Institute of Blind people said: "Trev, Lynne and Richard are a fantastic example of a family who see each other beyond the barriers of sight loss."One of the biggest challenges for blind and partially sighted parents is the misconceptions they are faced with, but the family's hilarious videos help to smash these and show a happy, supportive family." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Cycling charity promotes work with 160 mile ride
Two cyclists are to take part in a 160-mile tandem ride to raise awareness of a project that supports people with disabilities to get into cycling. Warmley Wheelers, based on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, has a range of adapted bicycles for riders and their carers. Project co-ordinators, Eduoard Guidon and John Simmons, will spend four days cycling from Wiltshire to Somerset, taking in Swindon, Bristol and Bath. "We aim to raise awareness of inclusive cycling, and to make cycling accessible for people with disabilities who might otherwise think that cycling isn't important," said Mr Guidon. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Warmley Wheelers was started ten years ago to provide battery-assisted bikes, bikes with platforms for wheelchairs, recumbent bikes and a variety of trikes, as well as the popular side-by-side tandems. Mr Simmons said: "It's a complete range and primarily people with learning difficulties are the target audience, but increasingly we've moved to also cover people with other health conditions. "We really need help to try and keep the whole service going and to keep the price low and reasonable for our users - to make it accessible in all senses of the word." "One of the great joys of the project is seeing the expression on the faces of people as they come back," said Mr Guidon. "They invariably look more serene because they're able to experience a different level of independence and seeing the world in a way they might not otherwise be able to." The project, which is supported by the charity Milestones Trust, is based on the Bristol to Bath railway path, and users can also access the nearby Warmley Forest Park. "One of the things we are looking to expand is our buddy programme," said Mr Guidon. "Most of our users have a carer to look after them, but we have a small number on their own, who lack confidence and need a volunteer to go along with them. "Our capacity to offer that is still fairly limited," he added. The ride starts later from Highworth, Wiltshire, at 09:00 BST and finishes on 17 June in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Cyclists take part in slow ride for safer streets Adapted bike charity sees huge rise in demand Bike project 'promotes independence' Milestones Trust
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Wiltshire cycling charity promotes work with 160 mile tour
Two cyclists are to take part in a 160-mile tandem ride to raise awareness of a project that supports people with disabilities to get into cycling. Warmley Wheelers, based on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, has a range of adapted bicycles for riders and their carers. Project co-ordinators, Eduoard Guidon and John Simmons, will spend four days cycling from Wiltshire to Somerset, taking in Swindon, Bristol and Bath."We aim to raise awareness of inclusive cycling, and to make cycling accessible for people with disabilities who might otherwise think that cycling isn't important," said Mr Guidon. Warmley Wheelers was started ten years ago to provide battery-assisted bikes, bikes with platforms for wheelchairs, recumbent bikes and a variety of trikes, as well as the popular side-by-side tandems. Mr Simmons said: "It's a complete range and primarily people with learning difficulties are the target audience, but increasingly we've moved to also cover people with other health conditions. 'Level of independence' "We really need help to try and keep the whole service going and to keep the price low and reasonable for our users - to make it accessible in all senses of the word.""One of the great joys of the project is seeing the expression on the faces of people as they come back," said Mr Guidon. "They invariably look more serene because they're able to experience a different level of independence and seeing the world in a way they might not otherwise be able to." The project, which is supported by the charity Milestones Trust, is based on the Bristol to Bath railway path, and users can also access the nearby Warmley Forest Park."One of the things we are looking to expand is our buddy programme," said Mr Guidon."Most of our users have a carer to look after them, but we have a small number on their own, who lack confidence and need a volunteer to go along with them."Our capacity to offer that is still fairly limited," he added. The ride starts later from Highworth, Wiltshire, at 09:00 BST and finishes on 17 June in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
South Fulton police asking for help finding missing 14-year-old boy with autism
South Fulton police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing disabled teen. Prestley Godfrey, 14, was last seen Tuesday at 6:55 p.m. on Lilfield Lane in South Fulton. Police say he is diagnosed with depression, autism (level 1), disruptive mood disorder, and anxiety disorder. He is five feet, three inches tall, weighs approximately 120 lbs., and has brown eyes and black hair in a short afro. He was last seen wearing an all-black Nike sweatsuit with a Nike check logo on it, black glasses, and white shoes. He should be traveling on foot. If you see him, police ask that you call 911 or South Fulton police at 470-833-8807. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Immigration protest ends with tear gas, fireworks thrown at officers, 6 arrests along Buford Highway They were once best friends, then one killed the other. We take you inside this bizarre murder case Fake Uber Eats killing suspect in court, victim's family removed from hearing [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
