Hello
Welcome to the Independent Living newsletter, the first of 2018, which I hope will bring you everything you wish for!
03.01.18 Contents:
No more New Year's Resolutions
Lasting Power of Attorney
Getting back on track
Check yourself!
Derek's View – Protective aprons
Latest updates - SEND; childhood obesity
1. No more New Year's Resolutions

I am definitely not a fan of New Year's Resolutions – the post-Christmas and New Year slump doesn't seem to me the best time to load yourself down with a long list of unrealistic goals which you will probably fail to achieve quite quickly, making you feel even more gloomy than January and February deserve in their own right!

It's never a bad idea to try and make changes for the better, of course, but as with so many things, "little and often" is generally more successful... more here

 

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2. Lasting Power of Attorney

None of us likes to contemplate losing the ability to manage our own affairs, but it is something that can happen to anyone, at any time.

Some forward planning can make a difficult situation a little bit easier: with thanks to solicitor Ruth Hayward, find out all you need to know about a Lasting Power of Attorney here

 

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3. Getting back on track

A new design competition, organised by law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp with Cerebra, aims to raise awareness of spinal cord injury, as well as encouraging development of some innovative products to make daily life with SCI a bit easier.

Getting Back on Track is open to individual students and groups of up to four, from any higher education institution, college or university in the UK.

Find out more here

 

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4. Check yourself!

The Oddballs Foundation has come up with a new free smartphone app, designed to encourage men to check themselves regularly for testicular cancer.

It is the most common cancer in young men, and if detected and treated early, 95% make a complete recovery.

Find out more here

  

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5. Derek's View – Protective aprons

At school and at home, children get messy. All sorts of great activities from painting and cooking to science experiments, come with a fair degree of splashing and staining.

Our newest Independent Living site subscriber, All Shorts, provides protective aprons, smocks and tabards, to keep clothes clean and dry. Wheelchair-friendly designs are included in the extensive range.

Read more here

  

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

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6. Latest updates - SEND; childhood obesity

We had a powerful guest blog written by disabled activist Simone Aspis recently, which highlighted among other things, the problems faced by disabled children in the education system.

Families and carers of a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be able to access a personalised education, health and care plan, providing joined-up support from birth to 25 years of age.

More information here 

 

And while still in childhood territory, Public Health England is now telling parents to limit snacks between meals to two, of no more than 100 calories each. Is that the answer to the obesity problem? You can add your thoughts here

 

Don't forget that you can apply to join the Independent Living Facebook group, if you would like to spend more time discussing these themes with other interested people. 

There are various ways you can get in touch with us: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

If you are reading a copy of the Independent Living newsletter that has been passed on to you by a colleague or friend, why not sign up for your own free subscription – it's quick and easy, and won't lead to your inbox being bombarded with other stuff!

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances

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Frances Leckie
Editor

e: editor @ independentliving.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628
Skype: francesleckie
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