Getting around on the tube when you use a wheelchair isn’t easy as only a quarter of London’s Underground stations have step-free access. It is hugely important that public transport be made accessible to wheelchair users and those with other mobility problems so that they may enjoy the same opportunities as everyone else.
The meeting was attended by a range of people looking for work and in work which gave MDUK a well-rounded view of the issues. Those who attended were very willing to share their unique experiences and propose recommendations on how to tackle the issues they’ve experienced. Each member of the group was committed to finding ways to close the disability employment gap and this led to really productive and enthusiastic discussion.
Conrad said “As wheelchair users we are unable to use most of the borough’s tube and railway stations and have faced great difficulties in trying to travel around by wheelchair on public transport. Many others face daily problems in using the networks because of physical, sensory or communication disability, or because they have reduced mobility though becoming older.” Improved access also benefits wider sections of the community such as pregnant women, parents with small children and people with luggage.
Conrad Tokarczyk is a human sciences graduate (BSc.) He has qualifications from the Royal Society of Public Health. Learn more about Conrad Tokarczyk here. Check out the official Conrad Tokarczyk facebook page for more tips on how to prevent sports injury. Show your support online by following Conrad Tokarczyk on Twitter here.
You can also watch the Conrad Tokarczyk video here:
A disabled campaigner is hoping to create a new way of funding transport access improvements – by persuading London’s mayor to set up a public fund that would allow individuals, councils and businesses to contribute towards the cost.
Conrad Tokarczyk, from Hillingdon, west London, already has support for his idea from his local Conservative MP, Sir John Randall, and the neighbouring Hayes and Harlington MP, Labour’s John McDonnell.
Tokarczyk has linked up on the campaign with Paralympian Natasha Baker, who won two gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics, and also lives in Hillingdon.They have launched a petition to make all of Hillingdon’s stations step-free within five years, and also want transport organisations to publish the costs of making each of the UK’s rail and bus stations step-free within five years.
They are particularly frustrated at the failure to make better progress on delivering step-free access to London’s tube and rail stations.They are asking the Conservative mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to announce how much it would cost to make each station step-free, and then create a public fund for each station, which would allow donations from individuals, companies and local authorities towards those targets
Tokarczyk said: “I’m angry that we still have a public transport system that fails disabled people.“I’ve had to turn down jobs because I simply couldn’t get there by public transport, and driving wasn’t an option.”
He added: “Inaccessible public transport makes it difficult for many disabled people to access the workforce, healthcare and education.However, this is not an issue exclusive to disabled people. Britain has an ageing population; many older people experience mobility problems as a result of the ageing process. Failure to act will confine many older people to their homes, denying them freedom and the ability to live fulfilling lives.”
At present, only about a quarter of London’s 270 underground stations are step-free from street-level to platform, as well as about half of London’s overground stations, and the entire Docklands Light Railway and tram systems. And only about 25 further tube and rail stations will be made step-free over the next 10 years.
Sir John has written to Johnson, asking him to consider the public fund idea, which he believes is “very innovative and very exciting”.He said: “In the past, lots of public works were funded by public subscription, so I can’t really see why this might be different.”
He added: “It’s very important that we get the costings done, so we know exactly the sums of money we are talking about, and what we might try and get through a public fund.”Johnson has told Sir John that the public fund idea is “interesting”, but would “probably not be a viable solution in light of the amounts required to fund projects”, although he admitted that Transport for London was using third-party contributions from developers and councils to fund improvements at Greenford and Tower Hill stations.
McDonnell said the public fund idea was “absolutely brilliant”, and added: “I think it will prove popular. I think local people will campaign to raise funds to improve access to their local station.”
And he said he believed local councils would also be able to use their planning powers to ensure developers invested in local transport through the public funds, while they would enable companies to make life easier for their customers, and improve access to their businesses.
In the early 1980s, McDonnell served on the first national committee that looked at access to public transport. He said he thought at the time that the programme of work they suggested would produce an accessible public transport system within a decade, but he was to be “bitterly disappointed”.
He said: “I failed in that exercise and I’m hoping we don’t fail now.”
Conrad Tokarczyk is an advocate for people with disabilities. He encourages disabled people and their friends and families to get out-and-about and explore somewhere new together. Conrad Tokarczyk wants also to raise more awareness of a culture that embraces people affected by disability and enables them to live to their fullest potential. Learn more about Conrad Tokarczyk here. Join our professional network by connecting with the official Conrad Tokarczyk on Crunchbase page and read the Conrad Tokarczyk news here.
You can also watch the Conrad Tokarczyk video here:
Taking care of ourselves while participating in a sport, competitively or recreationally, is incredibly important. Living better through an active lifestyle can be very rewarding, but an injury can take all that fun away or even cause a negative impact on our health. Today were giving you some tips about common sports injuries and ways to prevent them.
Ankle Sprains and Strains. One of the most common sports injuries are strains and sprains. Sprains are injuries to the ligaments. Ligaments are tough tissues that hold your bones together. Suddenly stretching ligaments can deform or even tear them. Strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons that connect the bones to the muscle. Strains are often called, “pulled muscles.” Overstretching or overusing a muscle can cause a tear in the muscle fiber or tendon.
Lower Back Pain. Lower back pain is very common, and one of the main causes is inactivity. Regular exercise can strengthen your core which helps prevent back injuries. Lower back injuries can result from a constant bending and stretching motion. Sometimes in addition to exercise, moving boxes, painting a room, or doing yard work can also result in lower back pain.
Knee Injuries. Knee injuries are often the cause of improper technique, lack of conditioning or poor flexibility.
Shoulder Injuries. Shoulder injuries can be quite debilitating if they are not treated properly. Usually injuries are a result of repeated movement or overstretching of a muscle. Shoulder injuries are commonly a result of throwing activities.
Groin Injuries. Pushing off from side to side can cause strain in your upper thigh or groin area.
How To Treat Injuries at Home
P = Protect from further injury with a splint or crutch
R = Restrict activity to prevent making the injury worse
I = Apply Ice, 20 minutes every 2 hours. Don’t use heat!
C = Apply Compression with elastic bandage
E = Elevate the injured area above the heart
Over the counter pain relievers can usually relieve the pain of most injuries. If you have tried these things to no avail, it’s probably time to call a doctor.
Conrad Tokarczyk is a human sciences graduate (BSc.) He has qualifications from the Royal Society of Public Health. Learn more about Conrad Tokarczyk here. Check out the official Conrad Tokarczyk facebook page for more tips on how to prevent sports injury. Show your support online by following Conrad Tokarczyk on Twitter here.
In physical therapy, trained professionals evaluate and treat abnormal physical function related to, for example, an injury, disability, disease or condition.
A physical therapist helps take care of patients in all phases of healing, from initial diagnosis through the restorative and preventive stages of recovery. Physical therapy may be a standalone option, or it may support other treatments.
Whichever way a patient come to a physical therapist, they can expect to:
Undergo a physical exam and evaluation, including a health history and certain testing procedures, including evaluation of posture, movement and flexibility, and of muscle and joint motion and performance
Receive a clinical diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care and short and long term goals
Receive physical therapy treatment and intervention based on the therapist’s evaluation and diagnosis
Receive self-management recommendations
Patients often train with a physical therapist in exercises that they can do at home, to help them function more effectively.
Benefits of physical therapy
Depending on the reason for treatment, the benefits of physical therapy include:
Pain management with reduced need for opioids
Avoiding surgery
Improved mobility and movement
Recovery from injury or trauma
Recovery from stroke or paralysis
Fall prevention
Improved balance
Management of age-related medical problems
Conrad Tokarczyk is a human sciences graduate (BSc.) He has qualifications from the Royal Society of Public Health. Learn more about Conrad Tokarczyk here. Check out the official Conrad Tokarczyk facebook page for more updates. Show your support online by following Conrad Tokarczyk on Twitter here.
Conrad Tokarczyk is a human sciences graduate (BSc.) Have a qualifications from the Royal Society of Public Health . He work as a GP referral consultant for a short period working with people with a range of chronic health conditions such as hypertension, hypocholesterolemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to name a few.
He is particularly interested in the aetiology and pathogenisis of cardiovascular disease. He previously worked for the NHS 111 as a health advisor and represented Great Britain in Disabled Strongman.
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