Category Archives: disability
Fire Service Lends Support To Cambridgeshire Carers
This Carers Week (18-24 June) Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is reaching out to local carers and reminding them that help is available to keep them, and the people they care for, safe from fire.
Fire safety is yet another worry on an ever-growing list for those with the extra responsibility of looking after an elderly relative, sick friend or a disabled family member.
A recent survey showed that more than half of the few people who had tested their smoke alarm for someone else had done so for an older family member*. But there are many other issues a carer must think about – from the extra time it takes for people with difficulty moving to escape a fire in the home, to the added risks of flammable equipment such as oxygen cylinders.
Norwich disabled man’s holiday from hell
An amputee says he suffered a ‘holiday from hell’ in Turkey and has complained to a travel firm about his experiences.
David Bale Saturday, June 9, 2012
11:00 AM
Patrick Martin, 64, from St Barnabas Court, off Orchard Street, in Norwich, uses a wheelchair and crutches after having one leg amputated, and was on holiday last month for the first time since the death of his partner.
He booked the 14-day trip with Norwich’s Thomas Cook in Brigg Street and requested medical seats on the flight, which was operated by Pegasus Airways.
He said he was assured that his disability would not be a problem and he would be well looked after, but he says he started having problems on the plane.
Mr Martin said he had to sit in cramped seats away from the front rows, where there is more leg room, received no help putting his crutches and rucksack into the overhead compartment and had to stand on his crutches while waiting to use the toilet instead of being seated.
When the plane arrived in Turkey he again had to get the crutches and rucksack from the overhead compartment. While he was wheeled to the airport carousel to collect his luggage, he said he was left to drag himself and his luggage to the coach.
The holiday rep on arrival in Turkey did not even know a disabled person was on the flight, he said.
His problems continued at the hotel where he was not given an adapted room, despite being assured one.
Report from the Hardest Hit North-East Conference
Cuts are costing us our independence, disabled people in Newcastle tell Government
Over 200 disabled people, carers and disability campaigners gathered at Newcastle Civic Centre on Friday 1 June to discuss the impact of government cuts on disabled and older people. The conference comes after a march and rally last October which was the largest of a series across the country with over a 1000 people taking part.