Happy New Year to all our readers and subscribers. We have some exciting things coming in 2013.
The first is a series of articles by Team GB Paralympians on their respective sports and how they got started. From Archery to Wheelchair Rugby to Sitting Volleyball and starting with Susie Rodgers (@Susie_Rodgers) a Paralympian swimmer who describes swimming a “world of liquid freedom”. Followed by newly honoured Sophie Christiansen OBE and how Dressage enhanced her life. We hope to get practical advice on how and where you may be able to participate in sports and get rid of the Xmas excess, as well as feel good in 2013. Personally I find any kind of sport or movement a kind of freedom and an achievement, no matter how small, that makes me forget my limitations and concentrate on what I can do. Here’s to a great 2013 & a celebration of what our Paralympian’s have done for the ‘Less Able’!!
We will also continue to review new places to go and assess their accessibility & style. We will also continue to campaign hard for stylish places to include, as a “forethought”, disabled facilities. So look out chefs, hoteliers and bar owners!! The BBS Police are coming!?
On the interior design front we will be embarking on a project to find a designers & manufacturers of trendy, disability aids starting with a good looking and elegant shower chair/ stool. It has to be modular in design so it can be adapted, depending on the level of disability when taking a shower. I’ve looked hard on the market but have nothing I would want in my shower!!! Most of them belong in pub gardens of the ’70’s. So if anyone has ideas or comments do get in touch. We will post up some ideas as they come along.
We will also keep abreast of current trends and look at how the High Street as well as Couture fashion accommodates the less able fashionista. It looks like neon yellow is back as well as dance-floor fashion from the 90’s – OMG No!!. Here are a few I’ve picked out for SS 2013 as well as an interesting project by a French designer Chris Ambraisse Boston:
- Lou Dalton Menswear – Loose well tailored fashion
Chris Ambraisses Boston at the end of 2012 held a fashion show of “beautiful garments modelled by both able-bodied people and those with physical disabilities… ” hence its name, Une Mode Qui Sublime Le Handicap, which translates as “Fashion that underlines the beauty in disability.”
Really enjoyed this article and I look forward to reading the posts from the Paralympians. Happy New Year to you, your staff and all your contributors.