Merfolk

In a (slightly) alternative timeline the seas have become unable to sustain life for our closest living relatives – the merfolk.  Fortunately the British Prime Minister offers the refugees safe haven but even as they attempt to settle in to their new, land-locked existence, prejudice and bigotry work against them. 

Merfolk was created by Rory Waudby-Tolley as his third year major project at National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University. Humorous and thought-provoking, Merfolk won Best Animation at Purbeck Film Festival 2012.

Poles Apart

When you move to a big city it is more than easy to feel isolated.  In this case, Pang Pang is the only Panda in a town full of large polar bears that do not seem to take his size and his dietary needs terribly seriously.  Pang Pang does make attempts to fit in but to little or no avail – his efforts are generally met with patronising laughter.

Until one day...

Poles Apart was made in 2007 and has won a number of awards both in its home of Australia and elsewhere.  Made for their degree at the Griffith Film School it was created by Sean Wong, Steven Smith and Paul Lalo.

Of course, it isn’t just a story about a panda trying to rub along with a set of polar bears – it is a story about overcoming prejudice.  While most people don’t get the opportunity to prove their worth like Pang Pang is does remind the rest of us that everyone should be given a chance.

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.

The Road to Damascus

Sometimes, when racism and bigotry are in your face you have to confront them head on.  Mostly, though, they can be outclassed in a few moments with reasoned argument, quiet but persistent refusal to be put down and a choice word in your own language.

The Road to Damascus (love the irony of the title) shows us a very short converstion between two police officers in a pub.  In this short film by Ian Gamester the senior (white) police officer discusses the reasons for his colleague’s ease of entry in to the force.  Watch it until the very end – it had me in fits of laughter.

The film features Henri Khoury as Nazari and Julian Rivett as Johnson. 

Poles Apart

When you move to a big city it is more than easy to feel isolated.  In this case, Pang Pang is the only Panda in a town full of large polar bears that do not seem to take his size and his dietary needs terribly seriously.  Pang Pang does make attempts to fit in but to little or no avail – his efforts are generally met with patronising laughter.

Until one day...

Poles Apart was made in 2007 and has won a number of awards both in its home of Australia and elsewhere.  Made for their degree at the Griffith Film School it was created by Sean Wong, Steven Smith and Paul Lalo.
Of course, it isn’t just a story about a panda trying to rub along with a set of polar bears – it is a story about overcoming prejudice.  While most people don’t get the opportunity to prove their worth like Pang Pang is does remind the rest of us that everyone should be given a chance.