BBC NEWS | Health
Thomas is recovering well say his mum and dad and Dr Jean-Pierre Lin
A five-year-old boy has become the smallest patient to undergo deep brain stimulation at a London hospital.
Thomas Melville-Ross has had electrodes inserted in his brain as a treatment for dystonia - a condition which causes involuntary muscles contractions.
At just 12.6kg (2 stones) - around the same as a toddler - his size meant the operation was only possible due to the development of a new small implant.
His twin sister, Alice, is also due to have the operation later this year.
Dystonia is a painful condition which causes affected parts of the body to develop abnormal movement or postures.
In severe cases it can be massively disabling.
This new device means we can try and help manage their conditions from a far earlier age
Dr Jean-Pierre Lin, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital
Thomas and his sister, who live in Buckinghamshire, have the condition as a result of being born 16 weeks prematurely.
Deep brain stimulation is the only treatment in severe cases and is done through a surgically implanted medical device similar to a pacemaker.
The implant delivers controlled electrical pulses to affected areas of the brain to block out the signals which cause the disabling movements.
Previously implants have been too large to use in very young children.
But doctors believe that the years before the age of eleven are the most important in terms of neurological development.
A team at Guy's and St Thomas's and Kings College Hospitals said the new implant also has battery that can be recharged from outside the body, meaning it can last for almost a decade rather than only a couple of years.
Surgeons were keen to do the operation on Thomas as soon as possible as his dystonia makes it impossible for doctors to fit him with a cochlear implant he needs to cure his profound deafness.
Improvement
Dr Jean-Pierre Lin, consultant paediatric neurologist at Guy's and St Thomas' said although the implant takes three months to work there were already signs of improvement.
"Premature babies like Thomas are often affected by dystonia but because they develop smaller physically it has been impossible to give them early treatment.
"As a result they have gone on to suffer a poor quality of life and also a number of knock on problems such as spinal and hip injuries.
"This new device means we can try and help manage their conditions from a far earlier age."
Mr Richard Selway, the surgeon who did the operation on the 30 December, said dystonia could be "disastrously disabling"
"In addition to being smaller, the fact the new device is rechargeable is a massive benefit to the patient.
"This offers exciting possibilities and we anticipate being able to treat a lot more young children in the coming years."
James Melville-Ross, Thomas's father, said it was a big decision to put him forward for major surgery at such a young age but it was necessary.
"It is still early days, just over a week since the operation, but we are hopeful this will improve his long-term quality of life."
Philip Eckstein, chief executive of the Dystonia Society, said it was an "exciting development".
"The painful and uncontrollable muscle spasms of dystonia can be devastating to the child and the child's family.
"The fact that the operation can now be performed at a much earlier age means that there is less chance of pain and permanent muscloskeletal deformity and a much better chance that the child can have a good quality of life like their brothers or sisters."
Showing posts with label Deafness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deafness. Show all posts
08 February 2009
07 September 2008
Emmerdale are thrilled to led support to Deaf Parenting UK
Emmerdale, a popular ITV British Soap have joined Deaf Parenting UK and led their support of our work.
Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK welcomed the news: "Deaf Parenting UK is delighted to have Emmerdale's support and recognition of our work and the needs of Deaf Parents in UK. We continue to work hard on limited budget and vastly on voluntary basis, to raise the profile of Deaf Parenting UK to the mainstream as well as championing the needs and rights of Deaf Parents in accessing to mainstream services without barriers."
Emmerdale' Spokesperson recognised the importance of Deaf Parenting UK, saying: "If you are a parent yourselves, it is challenging being a parent but for Deaf parents, it is even more challenging as information and services are not accessible for Deaf parents who use sign language as first/ main language.
"Little things like access to info during pregnancy, birth, the choices of labour/birth, planning the baby/child's first few years, their education ? choosing which school are often taken for granted where hearing parents can find out information from other parents, chatting to neighbours/ local network, local radio/ newspaper, TV as such but for Deaf parents, they miss out so many information and were often the last to know.
"Deaf Parenting UK is working hard to reach out to Deaf parents, enabling them to have confidence in being parents as well as to raise awareness of Deaf parenting issues among Deaf parents and professionals who work with them. Deaf Parenting UK also campaign for better access to services for Deaf parents in all aspect of parenting in the same way as other parents.
"For those reasons, all cast from Emmerdale Production Team are thrilled in support of Deaf Parenting UK and wish to highlight that Deaf parents should have the same opportunities in life as any other parents in accessing to information and services.
"We are in favour of the unique work that Deaf Parenting UK do and would urge everyone else to support Deaf Parenting UK by any means necessary."
To learn more, please visit Deaf Parenting UK: www.deafparent.org.uk
Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK welcomed the news: "Deaf Parenting UK is delighted to have Emmerdale's support and recognition of our work and the needs of Deaf Parents in UK. We continue to work hard on limited budget and vastly on voluntary basis, to raise the profile of Deaf Parenting UK to the mainstream as well as championing the needs and rights of Deaf Parents in accessing to mainstream services without barriers."
Emmerdale' Spokesperson recognised the importance of Deaf Parenting UK, saying: "If you are a parent yourselves, it is challenging being a parent but for Deaf parents, it is even more challenging as information and services are not accessible for Deaf parents who use sign language as first/ main language.
"Little things like access to info during pregnancy, birth, the choices of labour/birth, planning the baby/child's first few years, their education ? choosing which school are often taken for granted where hearing parents can find out information from other parents, chatting to neighbours/ local network, local radio/ newspaper, TV as such but for Deaf parents, they miss out so many information and were often the last to know.
"Deaf Parenting UK is working hard to reach out to Deaf parents, enabling them to have confidence in being parents as well as to raise awareness of Deaf parenting issues among Deaf parents and professionals who work with them. Deaf Parenting UK also campaign for better access to services for Deaf parents in all aspect of parenting in the same way as other parents.
"For those reasons, all cast from Emmerdale Production Team are thrilled in support of Deaf Parenting UK and wish to highlight that Deaf parents should have the same opportunities in life as any other parents in accessing to information and services.
"We are in favour of the unique work that Deaf Parenting UK do and would urge everyone else to support Deaf Parenting UK by any means necessary."
To learn more, please visit Deaf Parenting UK: www.deafparent.org.uk
BBC See Hear: Deaf parents experiences wanted!
Deaf Parenting UK and BBC See Hear are working together to make a programme on Deaf Parents and their experiences to highlight the issues they faces in accessing to services.
Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK explained: "As our aim is about enabling, empowering and supporting Deaf parents, we need your experiences as Deaf Parents accessing to mainstream services across maternity care, accessing to health, children's education and many more etc. We encourage Deaf Parents to share their experiences, both negative and positive so we can put forward stories and highlight the issues faces by Deaf Parents."
Angela Spielsinger, researcher for BBC See Hear added: "We are keen to hear your experiences on the attitudes of medical professionals towards deaf parents who have hearing and Deaf child/ren. As Deaf adults have a 90% chance of having hearing children and what support they actually received from the professional."
"I would be grateful if you as a Deaf parents who have faced these issues and please feel free to contact me if you are interested."
Please submit your experience urgently to angela.spielsinger@bbc.co.uk or info@deafparent.org.uk.
To learn more, please visit Deaf Parenting UK: www.deafparent.org.uk or email info@deafparent.org.uk
Sabina Iqbal, Chair/Founder of Deaf Parenting UK explained: "As our aim is about enabling, empowering and supporting Deaf parents, we need your experiences as Deaf Parents accessing to mainstream services across maternity care, accessing to health, children's education and many more etc. We encourage Deaf Parents to share their experiences, both negative and positive so we can put forward stories and highlight the issues faces by Deaf Parents."
Angela Spielsinger, researcher for BBC See Hear added: "We are keen to hear your experiences on the attitudes of medical professionals towards deaf parents who have hearing and Deaf child/ren. As Deaf adults have a 90% chance of having hearing children and what support they actually received from the professional."
"I would be grateful if you as a Deaf parents who have faced these issues and please feel free to contact me if you are interested."
Please submit your experience urgently to angela.spielsinger@bbc.co.uk or info@deafparent.org.uk.
To learn more, please visit Deaf Parenting UK: www.deafparent.org.uk or email info@deafparent.org.uk
30 August 2008
Battling meningitis
Bruce Langoulant is on a mission to raise awareness of the insidious effects of meningitis.
MENINGITIS can destroy the brain and body within 24 hours of contracting the disease. Perth-based Bruce Langoulant found out the heart-wrenching way in 1989 when his second daughter, Ashleigh, at six months old, was rushed to hospital.
It was a hot, Christmas season in Western Australia when Ashleigh developed a fever. But Bruce’s wife, Jenni, did not suspect anything unusual when she brought her to their regular general physician for a check-up.
But the next day, the doctor felt compelled to call and asked the Langoulants to bring their baby for him to re-examine. It became apparent that Ashleigh had more than a fever. Her listlessness and the red rashes on her little face were tell-tale signs of meningitis. The disease can cause 20% of its sufferers to experience life-long disabilities, and spells death for another 8%.
Bruce Langoulant’s family. Ashleigh is in the middle.
Up until then, Ashleigh was a picture of health. She met every developmental milestone. A video of her as a baby shows her crawling cheerfully, exploring her little world.
But when the bacterial pneumococcal meningitis attacked her brain and spinal cord, Ashleigh lost her sight, hearing and mobility. For the next 18 months, Ashleigh lived in a world of darkness before she regained her sight.
But at 19, she remains deaf and has to undergo regular physiotherapy to tone her muscles following the loss of control of movement caused by cerebral palsy. She is also taking medication for epilepsy.
As Bruce notes in his recently launched book, Meningitis: A Tragedy by Installment, “Meningitis is an insidious illness occurring in ones and twos across the country on a regular basis. It is like a tragedy, but by instalments.” His conclusion is based on the 300 families across Australia who responded to a survey he initiated through the newspapers.
Ashleigh’s debilitating condition means she has to be cared for round the clock. Bruce and Jenni take turns to clean and feed her. They have two other daughters – Jessica, 22, and Courtney, 16.
Carrying her, wheeling her and dressing her are part of Bruce’s routine. Because Ashleigh is unable to communicate in the conventional way, it can be tough at times for the family, especially when she is about to have her menses. “Ashleigh is like a six-month-old trapped in the body of a 19-year-old,” says Bruce.
He recently flew in to Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of a newly formed parents support group called Pro-active Parents Group.
Determined to help other families avoid the potentially devastating disease, Bruce became a parent advocate in 1992.
Over the past 16 years, Bruce has been diligently raising awareness, lobbying and mobilising parents and the medical fraternity to work together towards making informed decisions.
He established the Meningitis Centre in Australia. He also serves as chairman of the Disability Services Commission, a governmental department in Western Australia that manages accommodation, therapy and support services to families and individuals who have physical and neurological disabilities.
Bruce also travels overseas regularly in his capacity as president of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations that connects parents support groups globally with health and research organisations.
In Australia, for instance, Bruce was instrumental in getting the government to mandate free pneumococcal immunisation whereby babies born from Jan 1, 2005, receive three doses of vaccines against meningitis at two, four and six months. The elderly over 65, and children born between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2004, are also vaccinated.
(In Malaysia, immunisation against pneumococcal meningitis is optional and is available in private clinics).
Bruce admits there had been times when he and wife asked themselves: “Would we have done it differently if we knew about meningitis?” Not wanting other families to suffer the same fate, Bruce is driven to do his utmost to reach out to as many parents as possible.
Bruce is well aware that he is pitted against the global anti-vaccine group which asserts that certain vaccines can impair the immune system and the brain. For instance, the triple antigen for mumps, measles and rubella had been blamed for the rise in autism.
But he clearly believes vaccination against diseases outweighs such fears. “We have to accept the fact as the world population grows, with the attendant impact on hygiene, health and resources, we can expect more vaccinations,” he asserts.
Bruce cautions parents who choose to delay or abstain from vaccinating their children. “Ultimately, parents must take responsibility for the choices they make for their children.”
Not one to blame doctors who miss the signs or misdiagnose, Bruce urges medical professionals to work with parents. “If the parents are coming back to see you with their child, don’t treat them like they are over-emotional, out of control. Work with them.”
In the end, like all doting parents, Bruce’s hope for Ashleigh is for her to be safe, healthy and loved.
One Voice is a monthly column which serves as a platform for professionals, parents and careproviders of children with learning difficulties. Feedback on the column can be sent to dignitytm.net.my. For enquiries of services and support groups, call Malaysian Care ( 03 90582102) or Dignity & Services ( 03-77255569).
Danger signs
Symptoms of meningitis in infants:
Fever, possibly with cold hands and feet
Refusing feeds or vomiting
High-pitched moaning, cry or whimpering
Dislike being handled or fretful
Neck retraction with arching of back
Blank and staring expression
Child is difficult to wake, lethargic
Pale, blotchy complexion
Floppy or stiff or jerking movements
Symptoms can appear in any order and may not all be present.
Source: The Meningitis Centre (www.menin gitis.com.au).
MENINGITIS can destroy the brain and body within 24 hours of contracting the disease. Perth-based Bruce Langoulant found out the heart-wrenching way in 1989 when his second daughter, Ashleigh, at six months old, was rushed to hospital.
It was a hot, Christmas season in Western Australia when Ashleigh developed a fever. But Bruce’s wife, Jenni, did not suspect anything unusual when she brought her to their regular general physician for a check-up.
But the next day, the doctor felt compelled to call and asked the Langoulants to bring their baby for him to re-examine. It became apparent that Ashleigh had more than a fever. Her listlessness and the red rashes on her little face were tell-tale signs of meningitis. The disease can cause 20% of its sufferers to experience life-long disabilities, and spells death for another 8%.
Bruce Langoulant’s family. Ashleigh is in the middle.
Up until then, Ashleigh was a picture of health. She met every developmental milestone. A video of her as a baby shows her crawling cheerfully, exploring her little world.
But when the bacterial pneumococcal meningitis attacked her brain and spinal cord, Ashleigh lost her sight, hearing and mobility. For the next 18 months, Ashleigh lived in a world of darkness before she regained her sight.
But at 19, she remains deaf and has to undergo regular physiotherapy to tone her muscles following the loss of control of movement caused by cerebral palsy. She is also taking medication for epilepsy.
As Bruce notes in his recently launched book, Meningitis: A Tragedy by Installment, “Meningitis is an insidious illness occurring in ones and twos across the country on a regular basis. It is like a tragedy, but by instalments.” His conclusion is based on the 300 families across Australia who responded to a survey he initiated through the newspapers.
Ashleigh’s debilitating condition means she has to be cared for round the clock. Bruce and Jenni take turns to clean and feed her. They have two other daughters – Jessica, 22, and Courtney, 16.
Carrying her, wheeling her and dressing her are part of Bruce’s routine. Because Ashleigh is unable to communicate in the conventional way, it can be tough at times for the family, especially when she is about to have her menses. “Ashleigh is like a six-month-old trapped in the body of a 19-year-old,” says Bruce.
He recently flew in to Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of a newly formed parents support group called Pro-active Parents Group.
Determined to help other families avoid the potentially devastating disease, Bruce became a parent advocate in 1992.
Over the past 16 years, Bruce has been diligently raising awareness, lobbying and mobilising parents and the medical fraternity to work together towards making informed decisions.
He established the Meningitis Centre in Australia. He also serves as chairman of the Disability Services Commission, a governmental department in Western Australia that manages accommodation, therapy and support services to families and individuals who have physical and neurological disabilities.
Bruce also travels overseas regularly in his capacity as president of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations that connects parents support groups globally with health and research organisations.
In Australia, for instance, Bruce was instrumental in getting the government to mandate free pneumococcal immunisation whereby babies born from Jan 1, 2005, receive three doses of vaccines against meningitis at two, four and six months. The elderly over 65, and children born between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2004, are also vaccinated.
(In Malaysia, immunisation against pneumococcal meningitis is optional and is available in private clinics).
Bruce admits there had been times when he and wife asked themselves: “Would we have done it differently if we knew about meningitis?” Not wanting other families to suffer the same fate, Bruce is driven to do his utmost to reach out to as many parents as possible.
Bruce is well aware that he is pitted against the global anti-vaccine group which asserts that certain vaccines can impair the immune system and the brain. For instance, the triple antigen for mumps, measles and rubella had been blamed for the rise in autism.
But he clearly believes vaccination against diseases outweighs such fears. “We have to accept the fact as the world population grows, with the attendant impact on hygiene, health and resources, we can expect more vaccinations,” he asserts.
Bruce cautions parents who choose to delay or abstain from vaccinating their children. “Ultimately, parents must take responsibility for the choices they make for their children.”
Not one to blame doctors who miss the signs or misdiagnose, Bruce urges medical professionals to work with parents. “If the parents are coming back to see you with their child, don’t treat them like they are over-emotional, out of control. Work with them.”
In the end, like all doting parents, Bruce’s hope for Ashleigh is for her to be safe, healthy and loved.
One Voice is a monthly column which serves as a platform for professionals, parents and careproviders of children with learning difficulties. Feedback on the column can be sent to dignitytm.net.my. For enquiries of services and support groups, call Malaysian Care ( 03 90582102) or Dignity & Services ( 03-77255569).
Danger signs
Symptoms of meningitis in infants:
Fever, possibly with cold hands and feet
Refusing feeds or vomiting
High-pitched moaning, cry or whimpering
Dislike being handled or fretful
Neck retraction with arching of back
Blank and staring expression
Child is difficult to wake, lethargic
Pale, blotchy complexion
Floppy or stiff or jerking movements
Symptoms can appear in any order and may not all be present.
Source: The Meningitis Centre (www.menin gitis.com.au).
12 August 2008
A look behind the Paralympics
Britain's hopefuls in Beijing
In 1948, Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire, launched the forerunner of the Paralympic Games. He believed sport was vital to the recovery of war veterans injured in World War Two and organised a competition to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics.
Since the 1988 games in Seoul, Paralympics have taken place at the same venues as the Olympics. In today's competitions a classification system operates, similar to that used in boxing, where athletes are grouped according to their functional ability. There are five groups: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries and other disabilities ("les autres"). These groupings aim to ensure fair competition between athletes with similar degrees of disability.
At the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Britain achieved the second highest number of gold medals, 35. This year the British squad hopes to improve on this with 205 athletes competing in 18 of the 20 sports.
Drugs and Dishonesty
But as with other sporting competitions, the Paralympics are open to cheating. At the Sydney games in 2000, the Spanish basketball team won gold in a competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Ten of the 12-man squad were later found to have no disabilities. As a result, the International Paralympic Committee suspended the category of "athletes with an intellectual disability" - a decision that learning disability charities, such as Mencap, hope will be overturned in time for the London 2012 Paralympics.
Paralympic organisers share the Olympic movement's fight against drugs, but face additional problems such as "boosting" - a practice where athletes with spinal cord injuries attempt to stimulate their bodies by sitting on pins or ball bearings. While they will feel no pain, their nervous system reacts and increases their blood pressure. Boosting to improve performance, like doping, is illegal in competition.
One of Britain's best-known wheelchair racers, Daniel Sadler, was banned from competitions in 2002 when it was discovered that he was not disabled. He protested, saying that he had never claimed to have a disability. Although banned by the International Paralympic Committee, some disabled athletes defended Sadler as they felt he had no obvious advantage over disabled competitors.
Promoting sport
The Olympics aim to leave a legacy for the host country. The Paralympics are no different, but in this case the focus will be on promoting disability sport and improved physical access to public buildings.
In the run-up to the 2012 London Paralympics, the "Inclusive and Active" strategy has been developed to help local authorities increase opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity.
Having signed up to the strategy, the London Borough of Southwark is hoping to build on its existing range of sports activities for disabled people, which includes specialist coaches for football, gymnastics, swimming, sailing and tennis. Southwark also plans to start work on a coaching programme to train disabled adults as qualified coaches.
Glyn Newberry, a sports development officer for Southwark, coaches the Millwall disabilities football team. He says: "The team has a wide range of disabilities, including spinal problems, cerebral palsy, deafness, epilepsy and behavioural issues. None prevents them playing superb football. They love coming here, whatever the weather. We hope to increase the rate of participation for people with disabilities. And, who knows, some of the young people we encourage today may be our Paralympians of the future."
Britain's Medal Hopes
● Sarah Storey, cyclist
Former Paralympic swimmer Sarah Storey will be cycling in Beijing, her fifth Paralympic Games. Her preparation involves a gruelling training regime: "Between now and Beijing I will be racing every Wednesday evening at local club 10-mile road time trial events. My training schedule also includes two or three track sessions a week, as well as two or three road rides of about 80km," says Storey. "I hope to bring home medals in my pursuit and road time trial."
● Simon Munn, wheelchair basketball player
Simon Munn, 40, will also be travelling to his fifth games as the veteran of the men's wheelchair basketball team. He says: "My career highlight was winning silver in Atlanta. Getting the bronze in Athens [in 2004] was just as good though because, although it was a step down, the standard has come along a lot since then."
● Josie Pearson, wheelchair rugby player
Wheelchair rugby is perhaps the most aggressive Paralympic event, but this has not deterred Josie Pearson, who will make history by becoming the first woman to represent Britain at the sport. Pearson remains unfazed being the lone female in the team: "To be the first female ever selected for the Paralympic GB rugby team is a real honour. I don't feel any different for being the only female in the sport because when you get on court you have a role to play and you're so focused on what you're doing, nothing else matters."
Events to watch out for
● Boccia
Boccia evolved from an ancient Greek ball game and became a Paralympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona games. Men and women compete together in teams or in individual events. The aim is to throw leather balls as close as possible to the jack, a white target ball.
● Cycling
Cycling is a relatively new discipline for disabled athletes. Blind or visually impaired cyclists compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted team-mate. Amputees and riders with other permanent disabilities use standard racing bicycles, but specific adaptations are permitted to improve safety.
● Swimming
Swimmers compete in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, individual medley and relay using a variety of starting positions - in the water, a sitting dive or a standing start. South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit, a former Paralympic competitor, hopes to become the first amputee to gain a medal at the summer Olympics 10k open water swimming event.
● Wheelchair basketball
Teams are comprised of five players and seven substitutes. A player is not allowed to touch the playing surface with his or her feet while in possession of the ball. As in able-bodied basketball, players must bounce the ball when moving with it.
● Wheelchair rugby
Wheelchair rugby was invented in the 1970s in Canada by people who had become quadriplegics as a result of spinal cord injuries. Collisions are frequent in this explosive game, originally known as murderball, as players try to stop their opponents crossing the goal line. Wheelchair rugby is open to male or female athletes, with teams of four players and eight substitutes.
●The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games take place between 6 and 17 September. Highlights will be shown on BBC Two on weekdays between 7pm and 8pm, with live coverage on weekends between 12.50am and 4.30pm.
In 1948, Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire, launched the forerunner of the Paralympic Games. He believed sport was vital to the recovery of war veterans injured in World War Two and organised a competition to coincide with the 1948 London Olympics.
Since the 1988 games in Seoul, Paralympics have taken place at the same venues as the Olympics. In today's competitions a classification system operates, similar to that used in boxing, where athletes are grouped according to their functional ability. There are five groups: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries and other disabilities ("les autres"). These groupings aim to ensure fair competition between athletes with similar degrees of disability.
At the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Britain achieved the second highest number of gold medals, 35. This year the British squad hopes to improve on this with 205 athletes competing in 18 of the 20 sports.
Drugs and Dishonesty
But as with other sporting competitions, the Paralympics are open to cheating. At the Sydney games in 2000, the Spanish basketball team won gold in a competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Ten of the 12-man squad were later found to have no disabilities. As a result, the International Paralympic Committee suspended the category of "athletes with an intellectual disability" - a decision that learning disability charities, such as Mencap, hope will be overturned in time for the London 2012 Paralympics.
Paralympic organisers share the Olympic movement's fight against drugs, but face additional problems such as "boosting" - a practice where athletes with spinal cord injuries attempt to stimulate their bodies by sitting on pins or ball bearings. While they will feel no pain, their nervous system reacts and increases their blood pressure. Boosting to improve performance, like doping, is illegal in competition.
One of Britain's best-known wheelchair racers, Daniel Sadler, was banned from competitions in 2002 when it was discovered that he was not disabled. He protested, saying that he had never claimed to have a disability. Although banned by the International Paralympic Committee, some disabled athletes defended Sadler as they felt he had no obvious advantage over disabled competitors.
Promoting sport
The Olympics aim to leave a legacy for the host country. The Paralympics are no different, but in this case the focus will be on promoting disability sport and improved physical access to public buildings.
In the run-up to the 2012 London Paralympics, the "Inclusive and Active" strategy has been developed to help local authorities increase opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity.
Having signed up to the strategy, the London Borough of Southwark is hoping to build on its existing range of sports activities for disabled people, which includes specialist coaches for football, gymnastics, swimming, sailing and tennis. Southwark also plans to start work on a coaching programme to train disabled adults as qualified coaches.
Glyn Newberry, a sports development officer for Southwark, coaches the Millwall disabilities football team. He says: "The team has a wide range of disabilities, including spinal problems, cerebral palsy, deafness, epilepsy and behavioural issues. None prevents them playing superb football. They love coming here, whatever the weather. We hope to increase the rate of participation for people with disabilities. And, who knows, some of the young people we encourage today may be our Paralympians of the future."
Britain's Medal Hopes
● Sarah Storey, cyclist
Former Paralympic swimmer Sarah Storey will be cycling in Beijing, her fifth Paralympic Games. Her preparation involves a gruelling training regime: "Between now and Beijing I will be racing every Wednesday evening at local club 10-mile road time trial events. My training schedule also includes two or three track sessions a week, as well as two or three road rides of about 80km," says Storey. "I hope to bring home medals in my pursuit and road time trial."
● Simon Munn, wheelchair basketball player
Simon Munn, 40, will also be travelling to his fifth games as the veteran of the men's wheelchair basketball team. He says: "My career highlight was winning silver in Atlanta. Getting the bronze in Athens [in 2004] was just as good though because, although it was a step down, the standard has come along a lot since then."
● Josie Pearson, wheelchair rugby player
Wheelchair rugby is perhaps the most aggressive Paralympic event, but this has not deterred Josie Pearson, who will make history by becoming the first woman to represent Britain at the sport. Pearson remains unfazed being the lone female in the team: "To be the first female ever selected for the Paralympic GB rugby team is a real honour. I don't feel any different for being the only female in the sport because when you get on court you have a role to play and you're so focused on what you're doing, nothing else matters."
Events to watch out for
● Boccia
Boccia evolved from an ancient Greek ball game and became a Paralympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona games. Men and women compete together in teams or in individual events. The aim is to throw leather balls as close as possible to the jack, a white target ball.
● Cycling
Cycling is a relatively new discipline for disabled athletes. Blind or visually impaired cyclists compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted team-mate. Amputees and riders with other permanent disabilities use standard racing bicycles, but specific adaptations are permitted to improve safety.
● Swimming
Swimmers compete in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, individual medley and relay using a variety of starting positions - in the water, a sitting dive or a standing start. South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit, a former Paralympic competitor, hopes to become the first amputee to gain a medal at the summer Olympics 10k open water swimming event.
● Wheelchair basketball
Teams are comprised of five players and seven substitutes. A player is not allowed to touch the playing surface with his or her feet while in possession of the ball. As in able-bodied basketball, players must bounce the ball when moving with it.
● Wheelchair rugby
Wheelchair rugby was invented in the 1970s in Canada by people who had become quadriplegics as a result of spinal cord injuries. Collisions are frequent in this explosive game, originally known as murderball, as players try to stop their opponents crossing the goal line. Wheelchair rugby is open to male or female athletes, with teams of four players and eight substitutes.
●The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games take place between 6 and 17 September. Highlights will be shown on BBC Two on weekdays between 7pm and 8pm, with live coverage on weekends between 12.50am and 4.30pm.
11 August 2008
Taxis for disabled on the way
A DEDICATED taxi service for the disabled could be on the way if its backers can raise BD100,000 they need to get it off the ground.It is the brainchild of Bahrain Mobility International (BMI), which has already launched a first-of-its kind wheelchair repair service.
The organisation is now seeking backers for its subsidised taxi project, which would also cater to the country's blind.
It is now seeking sponsors to help it buy seven buses and cars, as well as pay salaries and other overheads.
"The disabled are really suffering because they don't have transport," said BMI vice-president Adel Sultan.
"If they get a job and can't drive they need to employ someone, so this service will make it easy for them.
"It is difficult for them to go in regular taxis so we will have specialised buses for wheelchair users."
He said the service would initially be aimed at those needing transport to work and hospital appointments, but in future could be extended into a 24-hour taxi service for the disabled.
"All this is a dream that is now coming into reality," said Mr Sultan.
"Since we started the golf tournament fundraiser three years ago we have been able to provide our services without struggling like before and this has given us the chance to think about other needs and services for the disabled.
"So for the first time we are now making a planning and development section in BMI."
Among the projects that BMI hopes will make a difference to Bahrain's disabled is the wheelchair repair workshop, located at its premises in Isa Town.
Thousands of disabled people across the country are expected to benefit from the new venture, which is the first of its kind in the country.
Workshop
The workshop also repairs motorised beds and has been made possible thanks to donations of BD7,000 from the Social Development Ministry and BD3,000 from the Bahrain Round Table.
The donations cover equipment, stock, running costs and salaries of a technician and a supervisor for one year, but it is expected to cost about BD5,000 to run the workshop annually.
Customers will be provided with a hired wheelchair while they are waiting and workshop staff can also give advice on buying and using a wheelchair.
Mr Sultan said the disabled and the elderly had been struggling for years because there wasn't a suitable wheelchair repair facility in Bahrain.
"They go to the shop they bought the wheelchair from and the trader doesn't have the parts and doesn't care about repairing it because it will not profit him much," he said.
"They are forced to go to a bicycle shop, but most companies don't supply parts - especially for powered wheelchairs.
"But now they can come to our workshop and we will only charge them the cost of the parts."
He said BMI had been working on the repair facility project for three years and was happy it was finally up and running.
"I was pushing for this because I know the suffering of wheelchair users, many of them call me up and say they have a flat tyre and can't go outside," said Mr Sultan.
"The wheelchair is an extension of their body. I use a calibre (a metal rod that stabilises the leg) and if something happens to it I can't walk.
"It's the same for the wheelchair user, if they have a problem they feel they are not independent.
"Everyone is very happy because at last they have somewhere to go."
BMI has a long-term plan to provide mobile repair services for wheelchair users who are unable to visit the workshop.
More than 6,000 disabled people are registered at the Social Development Ministry and more than 2,000 elderly use wheelchairs.
BMI is now compiling a database of wheelchair users in Bahrain and hopes the workshop will help them collect statistics.
It is also planning a project in October to provide the deaf and disabled with driving lessons.
That initiative is being sponsored by the ministry, which is providing BD30,000 to run the project for year.
"We will provide the driving instructor free of charge, we will have one for the deaf and one for those with physical disabilities," said Mr Sultan.
The organisation is now seeking backers for its subsidised taxi project, which would also cater to the country's blind.
It is now seeking sponsors to help it buy seven buses and cars, as well as pay salaries and other overheads.
"The disabled are really suffering because they don't have transport," said BMI vice-president Adel Sultan.
"If they get a job and can't drive they need to employ someone, so this service will make it easy for them.
"It is difficult for them to go in regular taxis so we will have specialised buses for wheelchair users."
He said the service would initially be aimed at those needing transport to work and hospital appointments, but in future could be extended into a 24-hour taxi service for the disabled.
"All this is a dream that is now coming into reality," said Mr Sultan.
"Since we started the golf tournament fundraiser three years ago we have been able to provide our services without struggling like before and this has given us the chance to think about other needs and services for the disabled.
"So for the first time we are now making a planning and development section in BMI."
Among the projects that BMI hopes will make a difference to Bahrain's disabled is the wheelchair repair workshop, located at its premises in Isa Town.
Thousands of disabled people across the country are expected to benefit from the new venture, which is the first of its kind in the country.
Workshop
The workshop also repairs motorised beds and has been made possible thanks to donations of BD7,000 from the Social Development Ministry and BD3,000 from the Bahrain Round Table.
The donations cover equipment, stock, running costs and salaries of a technician and a supervisor for one year, but it is expected to cost about BD5,000 to run the workshop annually.
Customers will be provided with a hired wheelchair while they are waiting and workshop staff can also give advice on buying and using a wheelchair.
Mr Sultan said the disabled and the elderly had been struggling for years because there wasn't a suitable wheelchair repair facility in Bahrain.
"They go to the shop they bought the wheelchair from and the trader doesn't have the parts and doesn't care about repairing it because it will not profit him much," he said.
"They are forced to go to a bicycle shop, but most companies don't supply parts - especially for powered wheelchairs.
"But now they can come to our workshop and we will only charge them the cost of the parts."
He said BMI had been working on the repair facility project for three years and was happy it was finally up and running.
"I was pushing for this because I know the suffering of wheelchair users, many of them call me up and say they have a flat tyre and can't go outside," said Mr Sultan.
"The wheelchair is an extension of their body. I use a calibre (a metal rod that stabilises the leg) and if something happens to it I can't walk.
"It's the same for the wheelchair user, if they have a problem they feel they are not independent.
"Everyone is very happy because at last they have somewhere to go."
BMI has a long-term plan to provide mobile repair services for wheelchair users who are unable to visit the workshop.
More than 6,000 disabled people are registered at the Social Development Ministry and more than 2,000 elderly use wheelchairs.
BMI is now compiling a database of wheelchair users in Bahrain and hopes the workshop will help them collect statistics.
It is also planning a project in October to provide the deaf and disabled with driving lessons.
That initiative is being sponsored by the ministry, which is providing BD30,000 to run the project for year.
"We will provide the driving instructor free of charge, we will have one for the deaf and one for those with physical disabilities," said Mr Sultan.
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