Any Physically Challenged?

We in Southport have more OAPs than any UK town but Bournemouth

The church where I live is only @ 4/500 yards from the UK street with the most residential care homes & '93/96, I used to do daily reminiscence therapy sessions in many, from S'port to Waterloo

Liverpool & Manchester have city-wide prayer

Many evangelical churches in Preston have long worked together, as here


So if any in the NW need help..

God bless!

Ian

Hi --i am not pc but my younger daughter has brain damage and seizure disorder--which is controable but still she can t do certain things. is it ok if i post here ?

Didymus said:

Hi --i am not pc but my younger daughter has brain damage and seizure disorder--which is controable but still she can t do certain things. is it ok if i post here ?

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I'm certainly looking forward to reading your posts, Didymus.

ShetlandRose said:

I'll be the first to start out this new forum

What type of physical challenges do you face? Are you homebound? Do you feel sometimes you are left on the sidelines or even shunned? How do you cope or what encourages you? Do you have family or friends that struggle daily with disabilities? What is it like and what advice would you give to others? What would you say if you could to other people to make them aware of your feelings and how do you think they unconsciously hurt you? What are good ideas for ministry to the disabled?

Let's talk, okay?

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I'm pretty much homebound now, Shelty; I shouldn't be, but I have very few friends or relatives on whom I can call for help, and I'm on the borderline when it comes to state assistance.

I've been stigmatized enough in the past to make me leary of being in social situations in which such reactions might occur again, not that I'm likely to find myself in them now.

Anyone which a vehicle and a drivers license can have a ministry to the disabled: just take us places now and then.
Blind people rarely have enough people to read to them.
I live alone, so it would be nice to have someone to just sit in my living room while I shower, in case I fall.
Some ministries only need consist of acts of ordinary human kindness, really, and aren't difficult.

I think people think that because there are audio books and tv and radio blind people dont need to be read to anymore. Have you ever tried connecting with teens who are looking to do community service ? People are slow to reconize others needs but usually will help when asked. I hate asking for help too.

I've had the good luck to make friends with some people who are blind; I always enjoyed reading to them I loved taking them to films and watching TV with them very much. Blind people have the most interesting stories to tell, too.
Shelty, One of my blind friends told me that he inability to make eye contact is a real problem in making friends, and I have since done a enough study on that subject to know it's the case.
Didymus, one thing no one realizes about ordering library books is that you almost never get series books in order. This is a prblem for me now, too, even though our local library has a special program for the disabled and my librarian works very hard to do so.
The Library of Congress's program, which sends Braile books by mail, is not set up to make that effort.
In my case, few neighbors can tell I'm disabled by observation; if I can walk, then they just perceive me as limping.
If I'm having problems ralated to my seizure disorder, I'm perceived as--how do I put this--poorly socialized? That's at best. Online, I have word processing and editing capabilities by which I can minimize some untreatable symptoms, and no one can see me.
I had a young person recently who offered to walk my dogs for me everyday. He's about eleven years old, but already has anyother older disabled client. He's a Christian and considers helping "elderly" disabled people his ministry.
Then my baseline dropped and I couldn't make it to the door for a couple of weeks. My home help aid has a key, although she's not supposed to, but I can't imagine any young person's parental units allowing their kids to have one, and for good reasons.

I'm legally blind due to 25 years of type one diabetes.

Well, while I am classified as, err what did they call it? Lifelong impared or severe disability or something but over here in Britian, they kind of leave it up to you. My stuff is just a odd collection: heart issues, spine and scoliosis (sic?) and other boring bits.

I know quite a few people and have friends with MS, which seems quite cruel as it strikes so early. Those who are working are in the University, which has excellent sick leave and anti-discrimination policies. I only wish I could say the same for the rest of the UK, or at least where I live. I think the greatest difficulty in the UK is support, and integration. Most of the professionals I know with MS are planning to go to Canada if possible because the cruical medicine which can halt the condition isn't covered over here, it is in Canada.

I just came back from Canada where my mother is in a long term disabilities support group: she has FM but the group has people with cancer, MS and other life affecting conditions. The city pays for a fleet of handicap accessible bus/vans to drive people around. You get a bus pass or pay the regular fare, call them up, they come and get you and deliver you where you want to go. And in the US and Canada, I noticed that virtually everything was in braille, from the elevators to the resturant menus.

My opinion is that, in Britian, you are suppose to suffer in silence and that it takes particularly brave individuals to either demand a place even in shopping or the workplace (particularly as most applications ask you directly what conditions you have and how many days you have been sick in the last three years). Grrr.

Wow, Plan 9, what you discribe sounds not so good. Hey, I am still mobile, how do I get in contact with those who are marginal or not officially disabled in order to see what thier needs are? There are no support networks that I know of over here. Would hospitals be a good place to get referrals? Or my GP?

mpshiel said:

Hey, I am still mobile, how do I get in contact with those who are marginal or not officially disabled in order to see what thier needs are? There are no support networks that I know of over here. Would hospitals be a good place to get referrals? Or my GP?

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Hello MPshiel,

I'm not sure if this can be of any help to you, but I have this list of associations for the disabled in the UK. I thought I'd copy and paste it for you. If you're interested in doing volunteer work or seeing if you're not entitled to some assistance yourself, perhaps you'd have better luck contacting these associations rather than hospitals or asking your GP.

I wish the best for you and your mother.

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BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION - Liverpool Branch
15 The Heyes, Woolton, Liverpool L25 (Current Secretary) Tel: 051 428 1823. Provides information and support to the individual. Meetings are held at Broadgreen Hospital on the first Monday of each month.

BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION - St. Helens Branch
Enquiries: Leah Crow, 197 Mill Lane, Sutton, St.Helens. Tel: 812804 Provides help, advice and support to sufferers. Provides educational/social talks. A wide range of literature available on request Meets first Wednesday of each month 8pm at St.Helens Town Hall.

BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION - Southport Branch
Enquiries: Mrs J Simpson, 55 Rathmore Crescent, S.port. Tel: 0704 24802 Objectives: Provides and organises professional advice through lectures demonstrations etc.Meets first Thursday of each month 8pm at the Mornington Road Centre for the Disabled.

BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION - Wallasey
Enqs: Mrs G. Mahmoodshahi,18 Hazeldene Avenue, Wallasey. Tel: 051 630 4757 Provides help/counselling for sufferers. Meets on 2nd Tuesday each month 7.30pm. at The Board Rooms, Victoria Central Hospital Admin Unit, Mill Lane, Wallasey.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (Liverpool & District Branch)
Enquiries to: Mr R. Graham, 97 Barndale Road, L18 1EW Tel: 733 1390 Aims to offer advice and encouragement and assistance in kind to suffers. Financial contribution to research fund.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (St Helens Branch)
Enquiries to: Anne Forber, 21 Victoria Avenue, Moss Bank, St.H. WA11 7BU Tel: 01744 600970
Welfare Officer: Rita Scott, 13 Car Mill Rd, Laffak, St Helens, WA11 9AF, Tel 01744 735242

Aims: Offers help and advice for M.S. sufferes. Organises fund-raising events. Monthly newsletter and general literature available. Meets second Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm at Windle Pilkington House, King Street, St.Helens.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (Southport & District Branch)
Enquiries to: Mr. F.S.Robinson, 17 Lulworth Road, S.port. Tel: 0704 68335 Aims: Fund-raising events for the National Research Campaign and local welfare. Quarterly magazine and selection of leaflets available.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (South Sefton Branch)
Enquiries to: Margaret Hardman (Welfare Officer) 118 Moor Lane, Great Crosby, Liverpool 23 Tel: 051 924 9764. Aims: Offers counselling, advice and help: benefits for the disabled. Quarterly magazine and bi-monthly magazine.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY (Wirral Branch)
Tel: 051 608 5693. Enquiries to: Ms.J.Fogg, 47 Derwent Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral. Aims to further research into Multiple Sclerosis and to give assistance to those who suffer.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY GROUP (Liverpool & District Branch)
Enquiries to: Mrs. M.Wilson, 4, Manorbier Crescent, Liverpool, 9. Support Group, supports national research efforts. Meets second Tuesday in the month at Lime Court Centre, West Derby Road, L6. at 8-10 pm.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY GROUP (Southport Branch)
Tel: 0704 41971. Enquiries: Mrs S Cave 10 Ardleigh Avenue, Southport. PR8 6UD Fund-raising for research by the National Organisation and for local welfare. Meets monthly 8.30pm at 88 Waterloo Road, Southport.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY GROUP (Wirral Branch)
Tel: 051 625 8444. Enquiries: Mr.A.Stanfield, 3 Marina Park, West Kirby, Wirral. Fund-raising events for research into M.D.

ASSOCIATION OF BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED TEACHERS & STUDENTS
c/o T.Moody, Department of Political Economy, University of Glasgow, G12 8RT. Tel: 041 339 8855 Ext. 559

BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION
38, Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1HU Tel: 071 323 1531

FREIDREICH'S ATAXIA GROUP
Burleigh Lodge, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey. Tel: 0483 272741

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ACTION GROUP
71 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1 Tel: 081 568 2255

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS GROUP OF GREAT BRITAIN
286, Munster Road, London SW6 Tel: 071 381 4022

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY GROUP OF GREAT BRITAIN
Natrass House, 35 Macaulay Road, London SW4 Tel: 071 720 8055

PARTIALLY SIGHTED SOCIETY
Breaston, Derbyshire. Tel: 03317 3036

ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
224 Great Portland Street, London W1N 6AA Tel: 071 388 8033

my husband and I think it is hysterical that at the drive up window at our bank there are instructions in braille. i am blind as a bat without my glasses.
I like horse racing. in handicap races the man who asigns the wieghts is called the handicapper. the fast horses have to carry the most weight. the goal is to give all the horses an equal chance at winning. Maybe God hands out handicaps to certain people because He knows they have special qualities which will help them win at life.
i am covinced after 9 years as a parent member for the spec. ed comm. at my school district that the spec ed kids who do the best are the ones who have mothers who are bi***es and will fight for them.

hummh I have chrons disease and an illeostomy does that count?

I do not have a physical disability but I work with children who have disabilities. I have 4 kids that I see regularly and they are my life! I love them with all my heart and I get as much from them as they (hopefully) get from me. Two of my clients have Cerebral Palsy and some cognitive delays (one of them is also deaf and signs); and my other two clients have high-functioning autism.

It is such a blessing to get to know someone with a disability, regardless of what it is or who the person is. There is just something about the kids I work with--I see such a joy in them. I don't feel sorry for them or pity them because I know they are some of the strongest people I will ever come across.

I do have a particularly hard time with people who are prejudiced towards individuals with disabilities. I feel anger towards such people and often have to fight the urge to snap at them. I find that my personal ministry does not involve me saying the Lord's Name aloud but, rather, by saying it through example. By loving and valuing the children I work with, I am advocating for them and showing others that people with disabilities are not aliens but they are PEOPLE.

I am a huge advocate for inclusion in schools and for helping people with disabilities to be as independant as possible. I hope one day to have a classroom with children from all walks of life, learning alongside each other as students, without focusing on (but also without denying) their differences.

I hope I'll be able to add something to this forum.

-Kelly

Im a burn & stoke victim. When I was a year old I fell in a bathtub of hot water. 2nd & 3rd degree burns on 65% of my body. After two months in the hospital and being discharged I had a stroke. Im now 29 years old and I still have no use of my right arm and hand. With all the years I have leaned to manage many things but still have trouble with some. And just this year ive been in physical therapy to correct the way I walk. Is here anybody ou there with stuggles like mine. I dont wish my hardships for anyone but I wonder if there is a person who knows sort of what im going through...

I was born with Spina Bifida. I really don't have many friends, I feel left out because of disability. It limits me so much.

I thought I would come in and show my support for us with permanent health problems. I was a nurse for 30 years. I had to retire recently due to osteoarthritis, (multiple) which is very painfull, amongst many other things, I also have one eye only. I can understand more now , of many peoples positions and how many people dont know how to cope with their disabilities and how it can lead to depression and social isolation. I have worked in most areas of the health service and understand. ---clan cheif-

advertising has brainwashed into thinking most people don t have disabilities when more people do then dont. whether they be physical mental or emotional.

Yes, advertising, your public profile, image,(how you look) smell, dress, how you communicate and interact, does create a jugement and sometimes misconceived prejudice in some people without disabilities and in employers.Here in the u.k. you have to suffer in silence. I was told this at some medical examinations. I was greived. The goverment here wants the disabled to work and all over 65, not all can. It feels like the the third reich has returned. Suffering can make one bitter or closer to the Lord. The church I attend has many people who are handicapped in one way or another, and we support each other, as we are all in the same possition to a greater or lesser extent. It can produce unity and an unusual closeness. Romans/18--37 has helped me in the past---clancheif--