tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52773561980033512412024-02-22T03:40:17.294+00:00Puresh PowerDanny Puresh's blog on thoughts and ideas around access for disabled people that he encounters on a day to day basis. Director of a London based disability equality practice. Speaker on disability and access. Available to speak as an expert. Also offer consultancy for seminars/workshops at corporate events.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-75503625892386854542018-11-14T13:47:00.000+00:002018-11-14T13:47:14.294+00:00Airport assistanceHello Readers,<br />
<br />
<br />
It has been a month since the release of the C.A.A(Civil Aviation Authority) guide to improve assistance for hidden disabilities and with the recent news story of the Paraplegic Man dragging himself through Luton Airport. It is time to ask the question of whether the current airport assistance is good or bad and what can be done to improve the assistance given at airports.<br />
<br />
<br />
Firstly lets talk about what happened at Luton Airport. A paraplegic man named Justin Levene arrived at Luton airport where his self propelling wheelchair was left. He decided to propel himself across the floor. He was offered assistance but the assistance offered didn't accounted for Justin's right to be assisted unaided and to be able travel independently. Now Justin is currently suing Luton airport for failing to provide adequate assistance. This story leads to me questioning why he was not offered a self propelled wheelchair? was it due to a prejudged notion that disabled people can't be independent that disabled people have to act or look a certain way? after searching for news articles about this I have found some articles which have a similar theme.<br />
<br />
While it is great that airports are taking steps to take hidden disabilities seriously however there is still an idea of what a disabled person looks like for example here are some summaries from articles that show what I mean.<br />
<br />
Take this article written November 12 from the metro (link to article below) which is about a woman called Hana Islam who is registered as partially sighted and has a condition called Stargardt's disease but due to her interests in fashion and makeup she is able to expertly apply makeup and dress glamorously but according to the article she is often questioned about her appearance with the common misconception that she does not look disabled.<br />
<br />
Another article dated January this year about a woman called Nathalie Allport-Grantham who suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a tissue disorder that causes chronic pain)Marfan syndrome which also causes chronic pain and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (which causes dizziness and fainting from standing too long) meaning she has to partially use a wheelchair was talking to a staff member was told that she was wasting the staff members time and that the staff member was waiting for someone who can't walk. As it turned out that staff member had been the booked assistance she was looking for but was refused help from that staff member because she didn't fit that staff member's idea of an disabled person.<br />
<br />
To conclude with providing a further question. Why does the assistance seem to fail from travelling through London? has London become a place where despite being a capital city with people constantly travelling through day in and day out and people constantly asking for assistance that the only way to get assistance is to look a certain way?<br />
<br />
Links to articles:<br />
<b>Metro Article</b><br />
https://metro.co.uk/2018/11/12/woman-told-shes-too-good-looking-to-be-disabled-8132183/<br />
<br />
<b>CAA Guide</b><br />
http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=8717<br />
<br />
<b>Independent Article</b><br />
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/disabled-woman-stansted-airport-refuse-help-ryanair-nathalie-allport-grantham-a8138051.html<br />
<br />
<b>Luton Airport Article </b><br />
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45765767<br />
<br />Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-2818508986280098222018-11-06T08:54:00.000+00:002018-11-06T08:54:20.119+00:00Restarting the blogHello Readers,<br />
<br />
I have decided to restart my blog which has been inactive for nearly 6 years (well 5 years 11 months and 17 days since my last post to be specific).<br />
<br />
So why the long delay?<br />
Well the delay started as I was restructuring the business and moving office which took a lot of my time up so I couldn't regularly update and then the blog just faded into obscurity from there.<br />
Now that I am able to update the blog now I will be trying to stick to a regular posting schedule.<br />
<br />
And with that being said I think I will end the post here. I know that this post is a bit of short one I will hopefully have a topic for discussion in the next week or so look out for that post.<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
Danny PureshDanny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-17320930811303729252012-11-20T12:08:00.000+00:002012-11-20T12:08:17.278+00:00THE DISABILITY MOVEMENT CALLS FOR SOCIAL INVESTMENTS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE CRISIS
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-transform: uppercase;">THE DISABILITY MOVEMENT CALLS FOR SOCIAL INVESTMENTS
TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE CRISIS </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Cyprus, 18 November 2012 ///</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">On 17-18 November 2012, the European disability movement
gathered at Ayia Napa, Cyprus, for EDF’s Board meeting thanks to the support of
Cyprus EU Presidency. Representatives of its member organisations all around
Europe, as well as representatives of the Cyprus Republic and the European
Parliament discussed the steps to be taken towards a more inclusive and
accessible Europe. During the meeting, EDF adopted a Statement on the crisis in
view of the upcoming European Council on 22-23 November 2012.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">WE WANT EU MONEY INVESTED ON ACCESSIBILITY & SOCIAL
INCLUSION</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #632523; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Acknowledging
that persons with disabilities and their families have been hit
disproportionately hard by the crisis leading to the worsening of their living
conditions and endangering their social rights, during its Board meeting in
Cyprus, EDF adopted a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Statement
on the crisis calling for social investments to protect and respect the rights
of persons with disabilities</b>. The Statement will be sent to the European
Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Central
Bank and all the heads of State and Government<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>in view of the upcoming European
Council on 22-23 November 2012</b>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Read more at:- <a href="http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13855&thebloc=31409">http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13855&thebloc=31409</a>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-29588564233606003212012-09-14T14:04:00.000+01:002012-09-14T14:04:00.951+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Team GB won ....................................<br />Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-28261227096057884952012-08-31T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-31T10:00:08.316+01:00Pralympic Fact - Did you know....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbZ2uwn6BxBBu49hguYpmHEh2z6I44Idd-Rk2vfLdk2v9_6mo2QqXjerb8vzEPDn9THXNSh59zNHjIqToUzggoETO0fIctpp2DpeXI8lH-bts6fVvuysb319pbp78B3dwPrv_jMgTNOlZ/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbZ2uwn6BxBBu49hguYpmHEh2z6I44Idd-Rk2vfLdk2v9_6mo2QqXjerb8vzEPDn9THXNSh59zNHjIqToUzggoETO0fIctpp2DpeXI8lH-bts6fVvuysb319pbp78B3dwPrv_jMgTNOlZ/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/sports/">London 2012</a> will be the most compact Games ever. Around half of the 20 sports will be held in the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/spectators/venues/">Olympic Park</a> and the majority of the remainder in the River Zone. These two zones are just 15 minutes apart. <br />
<br />
The River Zone features five venues in the Thames Gateway area which straddle the River Thames. They are: North Greenwich Arena 1, Greenwich Park, North Greenwich Arena 2, ExCeL and the Royal Artillery Barracks.<br />
<br />
Events held outside these two zones include Paralympic Rowing (which is being held at Eton Dorney, 25 miles west of London), Paralympic Sailing which is at Weymouth and Portland and Paralympic Road Cycling which will be held in central London.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/sports/">London 2012</a> will be the most accessible Games ever for athletes and spectators. Train platforms have been widened, buses will be low-floored and are wheelchair accessible and all river piers have ramps. <br />
<br />
More than 8,250 London buses have been fitted with the new <a href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2373.aspx">iBus system</a> an automatic radio and on bus passenger display announcement system which helps the visually and hearing impaired and those unfamiliar with London.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-11641743997278347212012-08-24T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-24T10:00:09.315+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tanni.co.uk/">Tanni Grey-Thompson</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Roberts_(swimmer)">David Roberts</a> are Britain’s most successful Paralympians. Both have won 11 gold medals each. Grey-Thompson won hers on the track and Roberts in the pool. <br />
<br />
Swimmer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Holmes_(swimmer)">Chris Holmes</a> won nine gold medals including six in one Games (Barcelona 1992), the largest medal haul at a single Paralympic Games by a British Paralympian ever.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-22337665161831274092012-08-20T10:00:00.001+01:002012-08-20T10:00:09.257+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmk7JJ1dw12MyckhuaNH-73YDfvAdpBVFJ9FpX8x-7HcK-1V99o0lwNbZ4XTfpDU5260ywzbEBA5qbpfSllCfkCV4QMbhBudL9xYlfnV-AtbmDnP0Ic5eVRWiQ_l5Ytr2LaWWwU9BTfUs/s1600/Stevie+Wonder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmk7JJ1dw12MyckhuaNH-73YDfvAdpBVFJ9FpX8x-7HcK-1V99o0lwNbZ4XTfpDU5260ywzbEBA5qbpfSllCfkCV4QMbhBudL9xYlfnV-AtbmDnP0Ic5eVRWiQ_l5Ytr2LaWWwU9BTfUs/s1600/Stevie+Wonder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"You can't base your life on other people's expectations". </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.steviewonder.net/">Stevie Wonder</a>, Musician<o:p></o:p></span></div>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-50612951880634445062012-08-17T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-17T10:00:00.862+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the last three Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008, Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000) Paralympics GB has never finished lower than second in the medal table. <br />
<br />
Beijing 2008 was the most successful Paralympic Games ever for Paralympics GB with a final tally of 42 gold medals. <br />
<br />
More than half, 58 per cent, of the British Paralympic team in Beijing in 2008 were at their first Games making London 2012 a fantastic prospect for more medals.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-36814698410003255862012-08-13T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-13T10:00:02.608+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHiEUFvdo0FwC7JQah8GM8MhWEdzhtj35MeLtQPIG0MJP0LPBU5d-0s8oFjVoQ7iST7DABya95UvsDjbNhdBiX3YHeFfZarrm_CFz-XsJlBtrqB-NwvMEV8K1nD7EhZPe9_rCREjjGmgw/s1600/Autism.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHiEUFvdo0FwC7JQah8GM8MhWEdzhtj35MeLtQPIG0MJP0LPBU5d-0s8oFjVoQ7iST7DABya95UvsDjbNhdBiX3YHeFfZarrm_CFz-XsJlBtrqB-NwvMEV8K1nD7EhZPe9_rCREjjGmgw/s320/Autism.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="quote1"><span style="color: blue; font-weight: normal;">"People get so caught up in trying to fix the person that
they don't see the great diversity and benefits that the person has to bring to
the rest of the world". </span></span><span class="cite1"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="cite1"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alison Seylor, Mother of Alex who
has autism<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</span><span style="color: black;">
</span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-69300234562927579172012-08-10T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-10T10:00:05.027+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
The classification of athletes based on their disabilities is key to the
Paralympic Games. In each event athletes are classified by officials appointed
by the international federation for their particular sport.<br />
<br />
The classification system works in the same way as different weight categories
for boxing, and is in place to ensure fair competition in events from athletes
with different abilities.<br />
<br />
In athletics there are five main groups of classes:<br />
<br />
* Classes 11, 12 and 13 cover the different levels of visual impairment.<br />
<br />
* Class 20 covers athletes with a learning disability.<br />
<br />
* Classes 32-38 cover athletes with different levels of cerebral palsy - both
wheelchair users (32-34) and those who are ambulant/do not use wheelchairs
(35-38).<br />
<br />
* Classes 40-46 cover ambulant athletes with different levels of amputations
and other impairments, including les Autres – the term for a range of
conditions, such as dwarfism, which result in locomotive disorders.<br />
<br />
* Classes 51-58 cover athletes with different levels of spinal injuries and
amputations who compete in wheelchairs</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-51280481658254517222012-08-06T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-06T10:00:05.477+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUceFkzkLKNOIxZezox6-F8MlKvdSz0MuLqE_ezuDhEVT_OPi-w5dmXfoc6h2msaUS7tsF6rQLrR298_S3_0MQYqCnHWkpcDupbPMzl4YlKwv7LxHgfISzryQe1iHREKBS3MVZrkk83UJ/s1600/Mark+Twain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUceFkzkLKNOIxZezox6-F8MlKvdSz0MuLqE_ezuDhEVT_OPi-w5dmXfoc6h2msaUS7tsF6rQLrR298_S3_0MQYqCnHWkpcDupbPMzl4YlKwv7LxHgfISzryQe1iHREKBS3MVZrkk83UJ/s1600/Mark+Twain.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">"Kindness
is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see".</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Mark Twain, Writer. <span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-51267964591609296652012-08-03T10:00:00.000+01:002012-08-03T10:00:05.127+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The 2012 Summer Games feature events in 20 sports, 16 of which are also Olympic sports: Archery, Athletics (Track and Field), Wheelchair Basketball, Cycling, Equestrian, Wheelchair Fencing, soccer 5-a-side, soccer 7-a-side, Judo, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, Volleyball, and Rowing. The other four are Boccia, Goalball, Powerlifting, and Wheelchair Rugby.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-60937013961022951102012-07-30T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-30T10:00:02.663+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh779P58YyS6ed_nMRG2rj75xMv__dB7LCsTesJ45lY3I_X_JSLhtUN0CTr-ojyi6-Is324ZfH5on0F9bDWPene7EcjZS_4okDXr3yU3nhI8WsPMgEcSwn76DUNYFcRicUtXgZpNjC4zTxI/s1600/michael_j_fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh779P58YyS6ed_nMRG2rj75xMv__dB7LCsTesJ45lY3I_X_JSLhtUN0CTr-ojyi6-Is324ZfH5on0F9bDWPene7EcjZS_4okDXr3yU3nhI8WsPMgEcSwn76DUNYFcRicUtXgZpNjC4zTxI/s1600/michael_j_fox.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"One's
dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken
away unless it is surrendered". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/">Michael J. Fox</a>, Actor</span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-45297513698049460242012-07-27T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-27T10:00:08.047+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know...........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The first Paralympic Games took place in Rome, a week after the 1960 Summer Olympic Games were held there. <br />
<br />
400 athletes with spinal cord injuries from 23 countries competed in eight sports, including snooker, fencing, field events, basketball, swimming, table tennis, archery, and the pentathlon. <br />
<br />
In 1964, they were again held in the same venue as the Olympics, in Tokyo. <br />
<br />
In 1968, Mexico City (home of that year's Olympics) declined to host the Paralympics, so they moved to Tel Aviv instead. <br />
<br />
From then until 1988, the Paralympics continued to be held in locations other than the Olympics.<br />
<br />
The 1972 Paralympics included the first competition for quadraplegics, and demonstration events for the visually impaired. <br />
<br />
In 1976, the visually impaired, amputees, and "les autres"—a catchall term embracing many sorts of motor disabilities—were fully included for the first time. <br />
<br />
1976 also brought the first Paralympic Winter Games, featuring events in Alpine and Nordic skiing for visually impaired athletes and amputees.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-28980691188588463652012-07-25T10:20:00.002+01:002012-07-25T10:20:50.793+01:00Paralympic Athlete Highlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_poqwGoEles-dA5LytNYZYL9KdRCaGtnq1VFFveuh2Og-mXj08_yKDTqj6iSdh2kK35ddmdjxs3Yc7tYJlk3KK_3Dsi8GkhLAxLUBP2eyNutwKN9ozq1lDhLSWXIF8RsY0wtc8Wai-MI/s1600/Simon+Munn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_poqwGoEles-dA5LytNYZYL9KdRCaGtnq1VFFveuh2Og-mXj08_yKDTqj6iSdh2kK35ddmdjxs3Yc7tYJlk3KK_3Dsi8GkhLAxLUBP2eyNutwKN9ozq1lDhLSWXIF8RsY0wtc8Wai-MI/s320/Simon+Munn.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simon
Munn was introduced to Wheelchair Basketball shortly after a train accident
which resulted in the loss of his leg. He immediately feel in love with the
game and began competing in 1991.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">To
date, he has represented Great Britain in five Paralympics winning Bronze in
Beijing, Bronze in Athens and Silver in Atlanta as well as numerous European
and World Championship accolades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Over more than two decades of playing
Wheelchair Basketball Simon has played for a number of clubs including Super
League Club MK Aces, Tameside Owls and London Club Capital City. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simon
has already announced that this will be his last Paralympics before retiring
and his intention is to go out on a high – a Gold medal in his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-33047189936972546922012-07-23T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-23T10:00:03.876+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y4YUxtr9Ps6GIpREwrDyPGvibSK_brGyGrNgCE73PqihWlUQYB_GHaOOWnWTWsIPG_sn-sppnENnUsZbI27HQDX0-sarSiw9R7lpsJNZ-Jv2RSRrvDTX75WkLS-1BMjHcOeVGhFwDs1n/s1600/Stevie+Wonder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y4YUxtr9Ps6GIpREwrDyPGvibSK_brGyGrNgCE73PqihWlUQYB_GHaOOWnWTWsIPG_sn-sppnENnUsZbI27HQDX0-sarSiw9R7lpsJNZ-Jv2RSRrvDTX75WkLS-1BMjHcOeVGhFwDs1n/s1600/Stevie+Wonder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"Just
because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.steviewonder.net/">StevieWonder</a>, Muscian<o:p></o:p></span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-2666152098961677752012-07-20T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-20T10:00:08.290+01:00Paralympic Fact - Did you know......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The story of the Paralympics began with <a href="http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/ludwigguttmann.aspx">Dr. Ludwig Guttman</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke_Mandeville_Hospital">Stoke Mandeville Hospital</a> in England.<br />
<br />
In 1944, he began using sports as a form of recreation and physical therapy for veterans of World War II with spinal cord injuries. <br />
<br />
In 1948, on the day that the Olympic Summer Games opened in London, he organized the Stoke Mandeville Games, a competition for wheelchair athletes. This became an annual event, and, in 1952, it achieved international standing, as athletes from the Netherlands joined the competition. <br />
<br />
This competition—now known as the World Wheelchair Games—is still held annually, except in years with Paralympic Summer Games.Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-55356300106743428602012-07-18T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-18T10:00:03.523+01:00Paralympic Athlete Highlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKPNU6XYJyARSF2MCTPu8WTC5TLJZLuPj96pRYJsJcAwHxDpG-hWjeoYWOOsVu_HyrygjlNTDPwJlt5QxGPnoABTDN_3lzqy1y6EcisEsP_Xr2ZdaiU2YPbRuLhhvntACsUwwkn2fcppu/s1600/Ben+Quilter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKPNU6XYJyARSF2MCTPu8WTC5TLJZLuPj96pRYJsJcAwHxDpG-hWjeoYWOOsVu_HyrygjlNTDPwJlt5QxGPnoABTDN_3lzqy1y6EcisEsP_Xr2ZdaiU2YPbRuLhhvntACsUwwkn2fcppu/s320/Ben+Quilter.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong><u>Ben Quilter (Great Britain)<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sport: Judo <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Paralympian <a href="http://benquilter.co.uk/">Ben Quilter</a> boasts an impressive
Judo career – a sport he started as a seven year old. Undeterred when he began
to lose his sight at 10 years of age, because of the degenerative condition
<a href="http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/eyeconditionsoz/pages/stargardts_disease.aspx">Stargardt's Disease</a>, he continued within the sport he loves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben missed out on selection for the Athens
Games but was selected for the 2008 <a href="http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/">Beijing Games</a>, where he finished fifth. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He has continued to progress and won the world
title in 2010 and added the 2011 European title to his tally.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben Quilter comes to the <a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/sports/">London Paralympic Games 2012</a> as the world number one and World and European champion in his -60kg
category. <o:p></o:p></span><br />Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-15035548600226287442012-07-16T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-16T10:00:03.493+01:00Quote of the Week<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvogOtMbYLjqQWU8lp5LLQbOqpvhbFUV7btHIEpP-n_l40wmp8d4EghZxAFX8p-5ynl1uKawrHi-Y0ImPxy-sn1iJU0TElqOTxvmimuSBcbsBLT8pMfhVyzhhcaF8YyWyKcebZQE6WmmIj/s1600/Franklin+D+Roosevelt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvogOtMbYLjqQWU8lp5LLQbOqpvhbFUV7btHIEpP-n_l40wmp8d4EghZxAFX8p-5ynl1uKawrHi-Y0ImPxy-sn1iJU0TElqOTxvmimuSBcbsBLT8pMfhVyzhhcaF8YyWyKcebZQE6WmmIj/s1600/Franklin+D+Roosevelt.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">We
know that equality of individual ability has never existed and never will, but
we do insist that equality of opportunity <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>still
must be sought. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">Franklin D.
Roosevelt</span></span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-60147561326700251762012-07-13T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-13T10:00:02.814+01:00Paralympic Facts - Did you know.............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s1600/Did+you+know.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZySQDe8yc-hoDTjtzLKnQd4-Y4L7-rn3iEWkZbKz6WmaK-6Jo8rBs7zGK6VokpUTeFLYusFjsQznmG4XNy8nfLTRF2J00PVz2WRYiMUj4f1BAEyRh7x5pyQ5eLKadAUe2ZdKawTX_9ma/s320/Did+you+know.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The name "Paralympics" comes from the Greek prefix "para-" (in this context, "beside" or "alongside") and "Olympics." "Parallel Olympics" approximates the intended meaning. <br />
<br />
It has nothing to do with "paralysis" or "paraplegia." <br />
<br />
Its motto was "Mind, Body, Spirit" from 1994 through 2003, and is now "Spirit in Motion."Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-51144447549790909132012-07-11T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-11T10:00:10.753+01:00Paralympic Athlete Highlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ05an4y2cFz-YZr4BSVKG48nqirPXgLfWvBfQdfkhStwzcoXoOV-UIQsZcLBHvr6wZOhaEmyYEn9OBZKaml7pshGmLcagL4YKCcrZNkml4WTwE3duuFifcoiyiLLVyajcbMp3OBn2QBbS/s1600/Rickman+Birrell.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ05an4y2cFz-YZr4BSVKG48nqirPXgLfWvBfQdfkhStwzcoXoOV-UIQsZcLBHvr6wZOhaEmyYEn9OBZKaml7pshGmLcagL4YKCcrZNkml4WTwE3duuFifcoiyiLLVyajcbMp3OBn2QBbS/s1600/Rickman+Birrell.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell (Great Britain)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sport: Sailing <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.teambirrellrickham.com/TeamBR/Welcome.html">Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell</a> joined
forces in 2007 competing in the two-handed Skud category and have gone from
strength to strength ever since. At the <a href="http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/">Beijing Paralympics</a> they secured fifth
place in a very competitive field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Success has continued as this year they have
secured their fourth World Title in a row and Silver medals at events in Hyeres
and Miami. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Niki Birrell comes from a family of keen sailors
while Rickham came in to the sport following a diving accident in her native
Jamaica. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They will be competing in <a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/venue/weymouth-and-portland">Weymouth</a> as the
favourites and are hoping to win Team GB their first medal in the sport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-71874589000483102742012-07-09T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-09T10:00:07.284+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUPcSfGBlkn85L0Cyk85fi26KaEhMKPcWp8r0f5QSXxfEVGqp8yqZJ60QwgcUI_up0S-BmmaDFMkg55dEI-2ulBoGCSJdbddywuyAjW3xyLDNHnGIhy2B-zbljQouGpG5vb3_RrUviGpR/s1600/Martin+Luther+King+Jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUPcSfGBlkn85L0Cyk85fi26KaEhMKPcWp8r0f5QSXxfEVGqp8yqZJ60QwgcUI_up0S-BmmaDFMkg55dEI-2ulBoGCSJdbddywuyAjW3xyLDNHnGIhy2B-zbljQouGpG5vb3_RrUviGpR/s1600/Martin+Luther+King+Jr.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span class="cite1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="quote1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">Injustice anywhere is a threat to
justice everywhere</span></span></span><span class="quote1"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="color: black;">.</span> </strong></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span class="cite1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span class="cite1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: black;">Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-7474659483994861102012-07-04T10:30:00.000+01:002012-07-04T11:25:04.155+01:00Paralympic Athlete Highlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil146syBdvhav4oVv7uq25tekh4-HYGlKwo4Cq2mE8tVq9Zep3QxGsjSFPP5mqUzGSLjjFkDoEPYGDhB8Ys0NVglYOjrHuaQ8GwLOdF4oBls9xHR3cO6MTnRFvid3HkweXXtBfqoYuu01S/s1600/Jon+Allen+Buttrworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil146syBdvhav4oVv7uq25tekh4-HYGlKwo4Cq2mE8tVq9Zep3QxGsjSFPP5mqUzGSLjjFkDoEPYGDhB8Ys0NVglYOjrHuaQ8GwLOdF4oBls9xHR3cO6MTnRFvid3HkweXXtBfqoYuu01S/s320/Jon+Allen+Buttrworth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Jon-Allan Butterworth (Great Britain)<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sport: Cycling <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.j-butterworth.com/">Jon-Allan Butterworth</a> joined the <a href="http://www.raf.mod.uk/">RAF</a> in 2002
and served in Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2007 as a SAC(T) Weapons
technician. During this tour of Iraq, he was involved in a rocket attack and was
operated on by doctors in a battlefield hospital who carried out an above the
elbow amputation of his left arm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During 2008 he became involved with the <a href="http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/">Help for Heroes</a> Big Battlefield Bike Ride, a 350 mile cycling challenge around the
battlefields of Northern France to help raise funds to benefit other injured
servicemen and women. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Following <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this experience and watching British cyclists in
the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 <a href="http://www.j-butterworth.com/">Jon-Allan</a> attended a British Cycling Development
Programme and was accepted onto the British Paracycling Programme in January
2009. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aged 26-year-old from Sutton Coldfield,<a href="http://www.j-butterworth.com/">Jon-Allan</a> made his international debut at the 2011 World Championships in
Italy, winning gold in a world record time in the kilo event in his C5
category. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He retained his title at this year's World
Championship in Los Angeles, again setting a world record. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At <a href="http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/sports/">London Paralympic Games 2012</a>, <a href="http://www.j-butterworth.com/">Jon-Allan</a>
will see his kilo event being factored. This means he will be going
head-to-head for a Gold medal against his fellow GB team-mate <a href="http://www.jodycundy.com/">Jody Cundy</a> who
will be competing in the C4 category. Only one of them can take the Gold medal -
determined by which rider is closest to the world record for their class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-44726015896260860782012-07-02T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-02T10:00:04.481+01:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ZhxqYdL-vnv_r8YZce8Yahwg8OJlPQvAIpPk3Nz_oQ_2t-h53wLHMZyMUwFvyTmhjpcXF5DWAzxw69xQylFe7cmIh9G9CxHsXEcgp4ehoSqZL-LQUloSqZFlrbPbPdc4J4eJQSQstLi/s1600/Charles+Dickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5ZhxqYdL-vnv_r8YZce8Yahwg8OJlPQvAIpPk3Nz_oQ_2t-h53wLHMZyMUwFvyTmhjpcXF5DWAzxw69xQylFe7cmIh9G9CxHsXEcgp4ehoSqZL-LQUloSqZFlrbPbPdc4J4eJQSQstLi/s320/Charles+Dickens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Consider nothing impossible, then treat possiblities as probabilities.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/dickens_charles.shtml">Charles Dickens</a>, David Copperfield</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277356198003351241.post-218971553943147932012-06-30T07:00:00.000+01:002012-06-30T07:00:06.494+01:00Armed Forces Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvT4-fBvE-XaI4LfWyetqShRdt9QkrdkB_TaJgwI5Y0fYdU2NZHOR8j2xaO6zH2bUIA_5kjAemXajkA5C_Jd55NrTAQq9e6YX2iRK43seyVFOmkvRQLo0wwRO_2sAxk0zxvssuWoRjVvu/s1600/Armed+Forces+Day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvT4-fBvE-XaI4LfWyetqShRdt9QkrdkB_TaJgwI5Y0fYdU2NZHOR8j2xaO6zH2bUIA_5kjAemXajkA5C_Jd55NrTAQq9e6YX2iRK43seyVFOmkvRQLo0wwRO_2sAxk0zxvssuWoRjVvu/s1600/Armed+Forces+Day.png" /></a></div>Danny Pureshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17924895837447167508noreply@blogger.com0