According to NHS estimates, there are between three and six million incontinence sufferers in the UK, and an estimated 1.4 percent of people over the age of 40 suffer with significant faecal incontinence. A quarter of older people are affected by it; amongst those living in care environments, the figure is between 30 percent and 60 percent.

That's an awful lot of us with a problem – and very few people talking about it: even to the health professionals who could help. We look at some causes, consequences and management solutions, as well as the work of PromoCon, the 20-year-old national helpline which has just changed its name to Bladder and Bowel UK.

Read more here

  

Tourism is for Everybody is the campaign to encourage individuals, businesses and policymakers to work together to deliver a warmer welcome for ALL visitors.

Run by the national charity, Tourism for All, the campaign is not just about installing accessible facilities – important though those are. It is also about developing understanding, awareness and respect. Disabled individuals, tourism businesses, policymakers – all have a role to play in improving the experience of disabled travellers and tourists in the UK.

Tourism for All has been providing advice and information for disabled travellers since 1981, and they have a wealth of expertise and contacts which members can access to help with planning holidays and trips both in Britain and overseas.

There is more information here

  

It is sometimes known as "policeman's heel" – harking back to the days when Bobbies spent their days walking the beat, rather than cruising in a patrol car.

Plantar fasciitis is actually the most common orthopaedic problem you are likely to face – the Plantar Fascia ligament which connects the heel to the front of the foot is easily torn or damaged, which is perhaps not surprising when you consider the amount of stress it is under. People who do a lot of walking or running are particularly at risk of plantar fasciitis – and it is extremely painful.

We have an interesting article which explains the different ways that you can relieve the pain and manage the condition, here.

 

So far so good with Team Lily Bea – you may remember in the last edition, we had a lovely guest blog from David Keogh, one of the team who are heading off to visit 11 European cities in 11 days, in Monica, an elderly black London taxi. The reason for the journey is to raise awareness and money to find a cure for SMA, the disease that killed Lily Bea when she was just nine months old.

Monica finally made it through the MOT, and the team set off on schedule at the beginning of the week. London to Brussels was the first stage, and as I write this they have just arrived at the next destination, Amsterdam.

Independent Living will have regular updates throughout their journey, and if you would like to donate, you can do so here.

 

The Libretto Lift is a new and innovative, fully enclosed home lift from Terry Lifts. Visitors to the OT Show later this month will be able to see the Compact and Standard models, which both come with a full-height glazed door.

The Standard model can accommodate a wheelchair user or 2-3 people standing, whilst the Compact model can accommodate two people or one person seated. There is also a Longer Wider model suitable for a wheelchair user and attendant: a feature that is not available with traditional unenclosed through-floor lifts.

You can see more details 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

 

Prices for epileptic seizure monitors have been going up recently, but Easylink UK has been able to launch a new supersensitive monitor with their patented high-gain sensor technology for an unbeatable £170 plus VAT.

The MP5-UT provides reliable detection of different types of seizure, with minimal false positives, ignoring normal sleeping movements, and being adjustable for user weight and mattress type. You can read more here.

 

And congratulations to CareFlex, whose innovative SmartSeatPro was Highly Commended at the recent Better Build Healthcare Awards.

 

As you may have heard, the UN has delivered a critical report on the way in which austerity policies in Britain have disproportionately affected disabled people – more next week.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances