Disability

As soon as I got my lipoedema diagnosis last year, tears rolled down my cheeks. For years, doctors told me that I was ‘just fat’. But finally a medical professional had confirmed my disproportionately large legs were a medical condition – an extremely painful chronic disease that causes fibrotic fat to accumulate in the lower part of the body, over which the patient has very little to zero control. It was the validation I’d waited nearly 30 years to receive. When I was 12 years old, I began noticing distinct changes in my body. I quit wearing shorts or swimsuits and avoided all activities where I was expected to show my legs. Whenever I looked at them, I felt deeply ashamed and disgusted with myself. By age 14, I was so ashamed of my big legs that I convinced my parents to let me have a free consultation with a plastic surgeon. Back then, I was 5 foot 6 inches (170cm) tall and weighed roughly 135 pounds (61kg), the majority of which were within my legs. I was so … [Read more...] about Doctors told me I was ‘just fat’ – my serious medical condition was missed

In the leafy Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey lies a very different kind of farm:  the astonishing Funny Farm, a not-for-profit animal sanctuary open to the public two days a week, created by New Jersey's own Doctor Doolittle, Laurie Zaleski. Every animal here is a rescue – abused, abandoned, disabled – and Zaleski has healed and protected more than 600 animals over the last 20 years, from retired racehorses to raucous roosters. "We have 115 roosters," she said. And it sounded like it! Correspondent Lesley Stahl asked, "For those people who have never been here, never even heard of the Funny Farm, how would you describe it?" "I say Heaven on Earth, especially for animals," Zaleski replied. "And for people, because when you walk through the gates, you can feel the inner peace and harmony, because they all get along here. "My mother had the original Funny Farm, and she said it's full of animals and fit for lunatics!" laughed Zaleski. As she writes in her book, "Funny Farm: … [Read more...] about Remarkable friendships from the animal world

The Heartstopper cast were already our fave people, but watching them dance in front of anti-LGBTQ+ protestors at London Pride will make you love them even more. Thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies have taken to the streets of the capital today to mark the 50th Pride in London, donning their brightest colours and expressing themselves in the boldest ways. Sadly, a group of protestors also decided to show up, waving signs with anti-gay messages on, trying to prevent the community from celebrating. But, the people of London were not prepared for the protestors to dull their sparkle, as one youngster approached the elderly men at the railings and tried to grab his sign. As he did this, I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston blasted over the speakers, with the cast of Netflix’s Heartstopper enjoying a joyous boogie and flipping off the protestors. It truly was a sight to behold, as Joe Locke (who plays Charlie Spring) and Sebastian ‘Bash’ Croft (Ben Hope) … [Read more...] about Heartstopper cast playfully torment anti-LGBTQ+ protestors by dancing and blowing kisses at London Pride

Thousands of pensioners will be able to more easily claim a free TV licence under a new shake-up confirmed by the Government. Free TV licences for over-75s were axed in 2020, except for those who claim Pension Credit . Under the current rules, everyone who is entitled to a free TV licence must send documentation to the BBC to prove they are in receipt of Pension Credit. But as part of a revamp of the system, the BBC will soon be able to verify this information with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It will mean, in most cases, households will only need to apply online or over the phone without any need to supply additional paperwork. A statutory instrument has been laid in Parliament today to amend the Television Licences Act 2000. Pensioners over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence ( Image: Getty Images) The changes to the application process are expected to come into effect next year. A full colour TV licence … [Read more...] about New DWP shake-up will make it easier for pensioners to claim a free TV licence

Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A protest has been held by a coalition of organisations committed to reversing York's blue badge parking ban. Reverse the Ban (RTB), made up of 24 York groups, said the city council's "discriminatory decisions" hit disabled and older people the hardest. The council took away the exemption in November which allowed blue badge holders to park in the footstreets. It has promised to improve access to the city centre, including a programme of dropped kerbs and better pavement. Campaigners said not enough was being done, and 31 more disabled spaces would soon be lost during the closure of Castle Car Park to make way for a regeneration project. City of York Council said at the time that removing the blue badge exemption was necessary to allow anti-terror defences to be installed to protect visitors and shoppers. … [Read more...] about York blue badge ban: Coalition of campaigners in protest

Published 15 June 2013 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing BBC Look North's Harry Gration is among people from West Yorkshire who feature in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Bradford-born Gration presented Look North from 1984-1994 before returning to the programme in 1999. A woman who has coached budding gymnasts for more than four decades will also become an MBE for services to gymnastics and the community. Christine Bowker, an award-winning gymnast, founded Greenhead gymnastics club in Huddersfield in 1968. Gration said of his MBE for services to broadcasting: "It is an overwhelming honour. Something I never thought would happen to me. "I know my family is very proud but I have to say thank you to all my colleagues. They are the ones who have made this happen. "For a lad born in a back-to-back in Bradford I know my mum and dad would have loved to have been … [Read more...] about Look North’s Harry Gration honoured by Queen

SIR – Your Leading Article ( June 28 ) is a salutary reminder of the need to revisit the call in last year’s defence review for “a modern army that is more agile, more integrated and more expeditionary”, achieved through digitisation rather than numbers. While digital transformation remains relevant, the need to refocus on our European backyard puts the spotlight firmly on numbers – particularly the plan to limit the Army to 73,000 regulars and 30,000 reserves, with a commensurate reduction in heavy armour. Four months on from Russia’s invasion of a sovereign nation – and given Boris Johnson’s cheerleading for Ukraine at the G7 meeting, as well as Nato’s decision to increase high-readiness forces to 300,000 – the credibility of Britain’s contribution to thwarting Vladimir Putin’s ambitions is at stake. However dire the economic outlook, the Government must reorder its defence priorities. This will include: reversing Army personnel cuts so that at least one full-sized armoured … [Read more...] about Letters: Russian aggression highlights the need to restore Army manpower

Room 2806: The Accusation trailer revealed by Netflix Don't miss the best new TV releases for 2022 and behind the scenes news SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info All four episodes of Room 2806: The Accusation are available to stream and download on Netflix now. The docuseries concluded in 2015 and viewers are curious to know more about Dominque Strauss Kahn (DSK) today. Express.co.uk has everything you need to know. Trending Where is Dominque Strauss Kahn today? Dominque Strauss Kahn was once considered a likely candidate for the French presidency. He previously served as the former head of the International Monetary Fund from 2007 until 2011, and France's Finance Minister from 1997 until 1999. But in … [Read more...] about Room 2806 The Accusation: Where is Dominque Strauss Kahn today?

"We commit to strengthening our fight against human trafficking and our efforts to prevent and combat sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children worldwide, both online and offline," the G7 leaders pledged in their final declaration of the summit in Germany. Wibke Müller of the victims' group Brave Movement called this a historic step. "When I was a child, no one protected me from sexualized violence," she said. "Today, for the first time, G7 leaders have collectively committed to being the protectors that all children deserve." Germany has recorded a rise in child sexual abuse cases. Yet another came to light in Wermelskirchen, a town outside the western city of Cologne, just recently, when a 44-year-old male babysitter is believed to have sexually abused 12 babies, toddlers, and children with disabilities. His youngest victim seems to have been only one month old. The latest major case that came to light involved a male babysitter Police caught him at his computer … [Read more...] about How Germany and the EU combat child abuse

1. Russian forces claim control of Lysychansk Russia claimed control Sunday over the last Ukrainian stronghold in an eastern province that is key to achieving a major goal of its grinding war. Ukraine's General Staff of the military reported that its forces had withdrawn from Lysychansk in Luhansk province, but the president said the fight for the city was ongoing. If confirmed, Russia's complete seizure of Luhansk would provide its forces a stronger base from which to press their advance in neighboring Donetsk province and bring them one step closer to achieving one of President Vladimir Putin’s major goals: capturing the entire Donbas. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin that Russia’s troops, with members of a local separatist militia, “have established full control over the city of Lysychansk” and now hold all of Luhansk, according to a ministry statement published Sunday. As is typical with such descriptions, the Russian statement characterized … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Five important developments to know for Sunday