Wheelchair Back Pain

If you, like many other wheelchair users, suffer from a painful lower back, this could all be down to bad posture. The below link offers advice that could sort out the problem.

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/downloads/are_you_sitting_comfortably.pdf

Remember to share any tips/ advice of your own.

Little Creatures

Head to wheelchair accessible London Zoo this weekend for its Little Creatures Family Festival,

ZSL’s bachelor group of meerkats, Norman, Nigel, Billy, Timmy and Ronnie, were given their very own brightly-coloured play balls, stuffed with their favourite snack of meal worms to encourage their natural foraging behaviours.

Meerkat keeper Angela Ryan said: “It’s not just little people that we’ll be entertaining at ZSL London Zoo this weekend – the meerkats will be joining in too.”

Little Creatures Family Festival, which starts today (Friday) and goes on until Sunday 1 September, promises a great day out for the whole family, with wacky races, a pedal-powered disco and a whole host of special animal feeds and talks to enjoy - beat the entry queues and book online now at www.zsl.org/littlecreatures<

http://www.zsl.org/littlecreatures>

http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/visit/access-for-disabled-visitors,126,AR.html

Wheelchair Gardening

The sun is shining bright again and many people are hoping to perfect their garden before the weather changes again. If you’re confined to a wheelchair though, this task takes more planning and  thought then most.

Age UK have published the below tips for gardening through the oncoming Autumn.

1.     Ensure your garden is well lit. This will help prevent trips and falls

2.     Electrical equipment should never be used in wet weather

3.     Avoid the garden when slippery from Autumn rain

4.     If you're unsure about tackling a job in the garden, always call in the professionals

5.     Carry a mobile phone or personal alarm device with you when outside

Gordon Morris, Managing Director of Age UK Personal Alarms, said: " It is important that nothing prevents them getting outside and enjoying their gardens. A personal alarm can help give older people peace of mind that they are safe when in the garden.”

Read More wheelchair gardening tips!

Wedding Make- Up

Once you have decided on your wedding venue (see previous post), you'll have to start thinking about how you want to look. Everyone wants to look perfect so these make- up tips by facial therapist Amanda Elias will help you transform into the blushing bride!

- Don’t try any new products, skincare, hair care, make-up, even washing powder 3 weeks before your wedding, any kind of a reaction could take a couple of weeks to calm down and that’s the last thing you need before your big day!

- Don’t leave it until the last minute to think about your skin, the longer you have to correct any skin issues, the better! Using products that contain AHA’s will help to remove dead skin which tends to leave our skin looking dull and lifeless, removing this dead layer will leave your skin looking fresher and more vibrant.

- If you’re getting married abroad, make sure you wear SPF 50 as soon as you arrive and re-apply regularly. Don’t risk sunbathing, you don’t want to get married looking like a lobster! Don’t forget your ears, lips and the back of your neck.

- To avoid any fake tan disasters before your wedding, book yourself in for a spray tan the day before, you’re a lot less likely to end up with any streaky patches. Make sure you have a trial tan before the big day to make sure the colour suits you and to avoid any chance of a reaction.

- Make-up sits better on exfoliated skin, using a cleanser that contains AHA’s daily can help to remove the dead skin so that your foundation lasts longer.

- If you suffer with blackheads or hormonal spots on your chin, try using a salicylic acid product daily. This will help to exfoliating the skin and clear out the pores, salicylic acid also has an anti-inflammatory effect so it’s great for spots that can also become inflamed.
- If you have a lot of redness left over from acne, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about a short course of hydrocortisone which can dramatically help to reduce the discolouration.

- There’s going to be a lot of focus on your hands on your big day, to keep your hands and nails in peak condition, massage sweet almond oil in to your hands and nails daily, a month before the wedding. By your big day your nails will be stronger and your hands will be supper soft. If your hands tend to be flaky, mix a little olive oil and sugar, gently massage in to your hands, wash away and then apply your sweet almond oil.

- Don’t forget your lips, wear a good quality lip balm and re-apply regularly throughout the day, especially before bed. Do this for at least a week before your wedding and your lips will be super soft and kiss ready.

Accessible Wedding

As the traditional 'wedding season' comes to an end for another summer, are you already planning your nuptials? If you choose a hotel for your special day, most places are  adapted but other venues vary. I have collated a list of wheelchair accessible venues I have been to recently but add other places you would recommend.

Wedding and Reception

The Lawn

Down Hall Country House Hotel

The Lodge Hotel

Charlton House

Reception

Queen Mary Hall

Red Barn

Get Sporty In The Sun!

Experts have predicted the warm bank holiday weather will see leisure activities peak

Although Saturday was a wash-out, people across the UK are expected to participate in more sporting and active leisure activities such as swimming, running and other games.

If you feel like getting sporty, don’t let a wheelchair stop you, as there are many specialist clubs everywhere, such as these:

Disabled Golf Society
Wheelchair Dancing
Accessible & wheelchair friendly boating
BRITISH WHEELCHAIR BOWLS ASSOCIATION
Wheelchair Tennis Belfast
Riding for the Disabled
Wheelchair Rugby
Wheelchair Football
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Netball
British Disabled Angling Association

 

Bank Holiday London!

Secret Escapes  has revealed that London is the top destination for last-minute bank holiday deals. Their research revealed that Brits choose last-minute breaks at home rather than going abroad.

 Top 10 Destination Searches for the Bank Holiday Weekend

1)      London

2)      Scotland

3)      Paris      ( London had 3 times the amount of searches as Paris)

4)      Ireland

5)      Italy

6)      Lake District

7)      Cornwall

8)      Greece

9)      Spain

10)   Edinburgh

 How have you found the wheelchair access in the destinations? Write a review!

Kids Week!

If you're running out of ideas for the last couple of weeks of the long summer holidays, don't forget Kids Week, ending on 31st August. Kids go free to amazing West End shows and you can check theatre, wheelchair,  access here! Most London theatres have been made accessible to all so you can get your Jazz Hands ready!

Anyone Can Fly A Plane!

Were you inspired by Carol Vorderman's debut solo flight today? Don't let your wheelchair stop you from reaching the sky during this lovely weather.

Aerobility is a British charity that enables disabled and profoundly ill adults and children to pilot an aircraft.
Prices start from £60 for a trial flight and then vary depending on the package you choose to take part in and the number of participants.
Packages include ‘Experience of a Lifetime’ days, aircraft hire for disabled licence holders, and specialist training for injured service personnel.

It could be the perfect treat for those who have passed their A Levels, GCSE's or those who are about to start university. It could also be used to cheer up those less successful!

Welcome!

Esther McVey recently called for local councils to improve access to tourist areas and claimed many public places are too difficult for visitors with mobility problems to get to.

My blog will stop the usual worry of phoning round or frantically searching the Internet to find out if places are accessible and will become the first place to look at. You’ll no longer have to trust someone’s version of ‘access’, who may not know, and you will also be able to add your own recommendations.