This Friday is World Osteoporosis Day, a good opportunity to take stock of everything you can do to protect yourself from a condition that affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.

Although weakened bones may not show themselves until later life, lifestyle choices start having an impact much earlier. The right sort of diet and regular exercise are both essential to maintaining strong bones.

You can read more here

Love Your Bones is a fascinating book by Max Tuck exploring ways to avoid osteoporosis  

And Independent Living has lots of advice about fall prevention

Nudge Theory has been in the news this week, as one of the originators, Richard Thaler, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics.

If you are wondering what an economic theory might have to do with Independent Living, like most bright ideas, it has applications outside its original field.

You may think of ways of influencing behaviour broadly as "carrot or stick". Nudge theory is rather more subtle. Rather than providing inducements, or contrariwise imposing penalties, it lies in making small changes that encourage people to act in the best interests  of themselves or society.

Read more here

 

Skills for Care provides funding for training, for individuals who employ a PA. Whether you have a Personal Health Budget, Direct Payment, or you use your own resources, you can apply for funds now.

The money can be used for all sorts of care-related training to develop the skills of PAs, from first-aid and Health and Safety to British Sign Language and condition-specific courses. You can also use it for training that will help you to be a better boss.

There is more information and a link to apply here 

 

Laureus is a global movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good. 

I only found out about them quite recently, but they have been working since 2000, to make life better through sport. The first patron of the organisation was Nelson Mandela. He said “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.  Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.  It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”

They got in touch with Independent Living because they want people to vote for their Best Sporting Moment of the year, from a list they have put together.

One of them which I thought might touch you, as it did me, is 7 year-old Anu, who shows off her new pink, prosthetic blade here

  

A good example of products that consider different types of disability. The Ramp People supply access ramps – unsurprisingly – to enable wheelchair and scooter users to overcome obstacles such as steps and thresholds.

Their new range of premium portable ramps now have a bright blue nonslip surface, which is a great benefit for anyone with poor vision, whether they are using the ramp themselves, or making sure they don't trip over it.

You can see more on their showcase page

  

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

 

A new survey from Leonard Cheshire Disability has revealed that a third of people with a disability avoid going out through fear of hostility.

Figures obtained by the BBC from police forces across the country show disability hate crime more than doubling.

Shockingly, there has been a 150% increase in attacks on disabled children.  

Read more here

 

The Mobility Roadshow is no more. After 34 years of providing an opportunity for test driving a range of adapted vehicles and driving controls, as well as trying out other mobility aids, the event has suffered from a decline in exhibitor numbers which means it is no longer viable.

You can find out more about adaptive motoring on Independent Living

 

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.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances