If You Want It

Si tu le veux translates as if you want it – and this remarkable short piece directed and edited by Grégoire Thiry, screenplay written by Lou Bruston and starring Nathan Cohen shows that you should not let things get in your way either particularly when it comes to self-expression.  You may be surprised by the moves that Nathan is able to produce but their message is more profound that simply look what I can do – it’s a signal to us too to go out and excel at what we enjoy.  As the end title says – if you want to dance, then dance.

Disabled by Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen wrote ‘Disabled’ in 1917 at a time by which he had experienced the full horror of war in the trenches.  It is a long, narrative poem: vignettes of a young man’s life appear before us as he reminisces from his wheelchair.  Now, he is without arms or legs and he looks back to the time when he was ‘whole’.

Although Owen uses simple language throughout, probably to emphasize the fact that the soldier is just an ordinary man – and ‘everyman’ as it were, the poem uses a number of sophisticated poetic techniques to juxtapose the ‘then’ and ‘now’ reality of this soldier’s life. As the soldier’s life and body have been broken, Owen also deliberately breaks the rules of iambic pentameter to convey the man’s bewilderment about his current existence.  This video is an attempt to convey the soldier’s story, using images from the time (not all from Scotland, it must be admitted).

In my ‘other’ life I teach English and IT – and this is one of my summer holiday projects (which makes me sound quite sad, I suppose, but think of it as therapy!). I had been meaning to attempt to match images with the words of this poem for a while but it is so long I needed an extended period of time, doing a line or two from day to day.  I got there eventually and hope that it helps more people to become familiar with this very powerful poem.

Viktoria Modesta: The World’s First Bionic Pop Artist

“The time for boring ethical discussions around disability is over. It's only through feelings of admiration, aspiration, curiosity and envy that we can move forward.” So says British pop singer Viktoria Modesta and, if you haven’t heard of her before, prepare to have your perceptions of altered beauty changed. This bravura video was made for UK TV’s Channel 4 and was directed by Saam Farahmand of Rogue Films. Riveting.

Paralympics 2012: Disabled People Making History

As the UK closes the curtains on the Olympic world stage and marks the end of the 2012 Paralympics, guest writer Danny West (left), trainer, coach, mentor and leadership consultant, reflects on the last two weeks and how everyone can join in to sustain the game's legacy.

The world has just witnessed a unique demonstration of disabled people’s absolute ability to overcome adversity, achieve world records and participate as fully able and highly skilled equal members of society.

Image Credit Flickr User Mia Elliot

The UK is proud to be positioned in third place in the Olympic medal tables; the world’s Paralympians have demonstrated that they have a remarkable ability to achieve their goals and have impressed and inspired the world with their skills, dignity and determination. The human spirit which has been utilised to confront and overcome a multitude of physical, emotional, psychological and environmental barriers has achieved the seemingly impossible and has potentially changed the views of non-disabled people, institutions and governments throughout the world.

The Paralympic Games: Resourcefulness, Determination, Spirit, Courage, Integrity

Wednesday, 29 August 2012 sees the start of the Paralympic Games. Guest writer Danny West (left), trainer, coach, mentor and leadership consultant shares his thoughts and hopes for the games – and what their legacy might be for everybody.

In contemporary society and in the context of the law disability encompasses all disabilities and health conditions. .

I am living with HIV which remains a highly stigmatized health condition. HIV raises all the taboos in society which creates discomfort and fear. Society on the whole holds prejudiced and stereotyped views of people living with HIV as it does about disability. During the recent Olympic Games an Australian Gymnast had the courage and integrity to be open about living with HIV.

Image Credit Flickr User Will Clayton

Over the next few weeks we will witness the largest, most watched and attended Paralympics ever. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with the world and demonstrate to the world what we can do. We can utilize this opportunity to tap into society’s fascination about the ways in which we now live our lives.

This is not just about athletes and sports people: it is about all of us. So let us embrace this opportunity and promote who we are. Let’s attend the Olympics, watch it on TV, invite our friends over and talk about it down the pub.  Most of all let us use this opportunity to demonstrate how proud, unique and competent disabled people actually are.