Malaga's Christmas Lights 2008

If you are planning to visit the Malaga Christmas Lights then you are in for a surprise, this year they are absolutely spectacular. I was also delighted to see that Malaga City has made strong advances in adapting the city to be wheelchair friendly.

Wishing you all and wonderful New Year and may we all be blessed with Peace on Planet Earth and good health.

II Asperger’s Syndrome International Congress Sevilla, Andalucia 2009

Direct link with all the necessary information: http://www.asperger.es/congress_eng/news.php

II Asperger's Syndrome International Congress
Dates: 19, 20 and 21 February 2009.
Place: Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain
Congress Venue: Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Sevilla

I had a quick look at the program, seems that there is one flat fee for the whole conference plus additional fees if you wish to attend the workshops.

ByronKatie and A Special Needs Child (audio link)

Sometime during our lives we will be touched by hardship, for many the weight will seem just unbearable. As humans we develop our own beliefs and methods to cope with this massive challenge that is placed on us, we desperately search for answers to the familiar "why me?"

Yesterday, I was listening to one of ByronKatie's discussions, the title really intrigued me "Audio: "I'm angry at God because I have a 'special needs' child". I decided to listen being familiar with ByronKatie truly inspiring work on www.byronkatie.com and www.youtube.com.

Here is the link to listen to the audio download http://www.byronkatie.com/2008/10/audio_i_angry_at_god_because_i.htm
You will see below MP3 download here >> (just click on the here)

It is worth listening too, hopefully you will find yourself amused at the turn around of events.

http://www.zacbrowser.com/

Download for free.

ZAC is the first web browser developed specifically for children with autism, and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and PDD-NOS.

ZAC BROWSER say "We have made this browser for the children - for their enjoyment, enrichment, and freedom. Children touch it, use it, play it, interact with it, and experience independence through ZAC".

http://www.zacbrowser.com/

ZAC es el primer navegador desarrollado específicamente para niños con autismo, y desórdenes de espectro autista como el síndrome de Asperger, desorden de desarrollo dominante (PDD sus siglas en inglés), y PDD-NOS. Hemos creado este navegador para los niños - para su divertimento, enriquecimiento, y libertad. Los niños lo prueban, usan, juegan e interactúan con él, y experimentan su independencia mediante ZAC.

Solvinde - Providing Solutions for Wheelchair Users

Here's some inspiration from a beautiful idea implemented in the city of Valencia giving solutions, promoting and supporting independent living for Wheelchair Users.

I love the music, I love the video, I love the concept.
Congratulations Solvinde.

For further information contact www.solvinde.com

TifloInnova 2008 - blindness or visual disabilities

Although this blog focuses on Andalucia, I felt it important to mention this up and coming event to be held in Madrid

Dates & visiting hours:21 & 22 November 2008 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
23 November 2008 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Free admission for all visitors.
Centro de Recursos Educativos de ONCE
Paseo de la Habana,
208 - 28036 MADRID


TifloInnova 2008, the best showcase nowadays to display the latest innovations, products and trends within the world market of assistive technology for people with blindness or visual disabilities, organized by the Centre for Research, Development and Application of Technologies for the Blind (CIDAT) of ONCE.In this second edition, TifloInnova 2008 is conceived as a benchmark and dynamic meeting point that will bring together both developers, manufactures and dealers of software, hardware and all sorts of assistive products as well as users, relatives and professionals related to education, employment, rehabilitation, leisure and everyday life of people with visual disabilities.

Exhibitions, workshops, special shows, practice-oriented demonstrations... A whole world of advances that will help to bring assistive technology a step nearer to all visitors, who will be able to apprehend it as something natural, simple and close to their daily activities.

International Congress DRT4ALL May 2009

Here's the link, http://www.drt4all.org/DRT/es/2009/intro.htm

It's for next year and unfortunately not in Andalucia.

DRT4ALL 2009
III International Congress on Digital Homes,
Robotics and Telecare for All.
May, 20 -22, 2009
ONCE, Catalonia
Sepúlveda 1, Barcelona, SPAIN
Organized by: Foundation ONCE

DRT4all International Congress is a window on the future opened today: its main goal is to know about latest advances in ICT supporting independent living of people with functional limitations, and to show how these can work together to give everybody an easier life and improve social integration for the elderly and people with disabilities.

DRT4ALL is aimed at:
Universities.
Research institutions.
Researchers.
Companies specializing in these new technologies.
Companies providing care and services for people with special needs.
User's organizations.
Associations of the elderly and disabled.
All those working in the field of domotics, robotics and remote-assistance.

DRT4ALL 2009III Congreso Internacional sobre Domótica,
Robótica y Teleasistencia para Todos
20 - 22 de mayo de 2009
Lugar: Delegación Territorial ONCE de Cataluña
C/ Sepúlveda 1, BARCELONA

Integration Race in Malaga Capital

Around 1,200 people of all ages and abilities took part in the 9th city race for integration in Huelin Park in Malaga on Sunday 9th November.

Runners from athletics clubs, wheelchair racers, children, pensioners and people with Down’s syndrome all competed in the race which was set out in three categories: 500, 1,500 or 5,000 metres. Two hundred participants had some type of special needs.

This is super news. Let's make a point to add this date to our diary for 2009, I'd like to see my local Autistic Association, Aprona and Aspandem participating.

There are many topics I will be adding to this blog, one that caught my eye last weekend in Marbella was the amount of wheelchair users that were out for a Sunday stroll. Of course it was a beautiful day and Marbella has incorporated many wheelchair friendly ramps. On the other hand I will be going around San Pedro with my camera, I was horrified to see many establishments that are ignoring the new laws, they will be posted here, at a later date, on this blog. You have been warned.

Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome

Yesterday I received an update from Jessica Kingsley Publishers www.jkp.com promoting an up and coming practical introduction to Mind/Body Techniques for adolescents with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Now approximately one month prior to receiving this update, I had spoken to my friend Ted who really is a fitness guru. Ted has worked with many special needs children that have been physically handicapped with amazing results. I called Ted and said “Teddie, please when are you going to get a book together for special needs children, with your knowledge and teaching techniques, not only will it be a hot seller but think of how much you will be able help these children towards a better life style”.

Unfortunately Ted is entering into a new exciting project so cannot dedicate the necessary time, however I am still working on him and will do my best to persuade him to eventually find this value time, looks promising.

Getting back to the JKP update, I am keenly waiting to buy the dvd. Interestingly one of my topics in the MaxiSteps project is the importance of using from day one a correct sitting posture, many of the problems we face with our back and neck when we are older arrive from carrying, for many years, bad posture. See www.maxisteps.blogspot.com.

Here is the synopsis for the soon to be released book and dvd

Quote:

The DVD complements the author's book Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome and is a practical introduction to Pathfinder techniques for adolescents with AS, their parents, professionals including physical therapists, pediatricians, cognitive and behavioral specialists, and special education teachers who work with them.

People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) typically experience difficulty with balance, gait, coordination and sensory integration. The mind/body exercises in this DVD enable young people with AS to improve these skills, leading to greater self-confidence, and independence.

With clear explanations and demonstrations, this DVD covers a variety of simple, calming exercises designed to influence the way the individual stands, sits, moves, thinks of him- or herself, and relates to others. Ron Rubio's approach integrates ideas and practices from disciplines including martial arts, Eastern principles of mindfulness, techniques visualization, breathing, posture, and movement, and the practice of mentoring. Unquote

Time Out

To all of my blog followers, I have been looking after a poorly family member for the last week, so please bear with me. Hope to be back blogging a.s.a.p. Kind Regards x

Finding You Finding Me

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NON-VERBAL OR ON THE BORDERLINES OF SPEECH, WITH SERIOUS LEARNING DISABILITIES OR SEVERE BEHAVIOURAL DISTRESS

Recognise the title Finding You Finding Me? It is one of my favourite books. Written beautifully by Phoebe Caldwell who has worked for over 30 years as a practitioner with people whose severe learning disabilities are linked with behavioural distress. (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

Phoebe Caldwell introduces the practical approach known as Intensive Interaction, making connections through their body language a means of self-expression which makes it possible to build relationships by shifting attention from solitary self-stimulation to shared activity. The outcome is true happiness.

What I respect most is her ability to touch with very deep emotions and her wisdom to ask "How can we get in touch with each other?"

Thank you Phoebe for sharing your knowledge.

I am trying to find out if the book is available in Spanish, so far no joy, will let you know at a later date if I am successful.


Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in this book

Basketball, Tennis for Wheelchair Users

Here are some more activities going on in Marbella.
If you do not speak Spanish then here is a perfect opportunity to enjoy 3 in 1

• meet new friends
• play a sport / hobby
• learn conversational Spanish

WHEELCHAIR USERS

Marbella Powerlifting Club 952 774 457

C.D. Baloncesto Silla de Ruedas Marbella 952 866 750 (Basketball)

Tenis en silla de ruedas (a partir de 17 años):
Viernes de 13:00 a 14:00 horas
Lugar: Polideportivo Paco CantosAvda. Canovas del Castillo. 29600 Marbella
Profesor: Julio Cid
Inscripciones: Delegación de Juventud y Deportes. Tel. 952 761 185/ 952 761 186.
En horario de 9.30 a 14.30 y de 17.00 a 19.00 horas.
Documentación a presentar: Hoja de inscripción debidamente cumplimentada junto con una fotocopia del D.N.I. y de la Cartilla de la Seguridad Social o seguro privado.

Rembember to telephone first and always take along your Identity card and Medical Card.

Covering the Costa del Sol

For the time being I will be focusing on the Costa del Sol region in Andalucia, mainly because this is the area where I reside and am familiar with local activities. However, as this blog expands I do hope to incorporate other regions.

I would appreciate any in put/feedback from readers interested in this community topic.

Thanking you for your cooperation.

Rainy Days and Wheelchairs

Here's a game for all the family, there is no accessibility problem, MegaBowl & Sports Bar, Marbella. http://www.megabowlmarbella.com/eng/default.htm
I have personally used the facilities, they are excellent for wheelchair and Special Needs users, ramps at good levels, 22 State-of-the-art Tenpin bowling lanes which upon request can be raised on the sides also they have specially raised, waist level, ball guided servers for people that cannot throw the balls at ground level. It truly is great fun and geared for all. Ask for special rates if in a large group.

So do not stay in doors, get out there and have some fun and one other point if you drive down into the underground parking at the shopping mall, you should stay dry all the way.

Gluten Free / Casein Free in Andalucia

Having trouble finding Gluten Free and/or Casein Free products. There are three major stores in Andalucia offering these products, Hipercor, Mercadona and Carrefour. If you happen to live near Gibraltar, Morrisons also has a very attractive well labelled range called "free from". On a personal choice Morrison's brown bread is really delicious. Also there are many small health stores around Andalucia offering a good range of products, it really is worth popping in for a browse, quite often I am surprised, also I like to support the small business owner. We still need to hope that one day the prices will be more attractive, GF/CF is painful for the wallet.

Sioux Indian Prayer

"Great Spirit, Help me never to judge another
until I have walked in his moccasins."

Making Websites Talk

Firstly, let me give you this link http://www.browsealoud.com/page.asp?pg_id=80002

I was browsing the National Autistic UK website yesterday http://www.nas.org.uk/browsealoud, which is now speech-enabled, meaning it can be read aloud to you using the program Browsealoud (download for free).

DATA: Browsealoud makes using the Internet easier for people who have:

. Low literacy and reading skills
. English as a second language
. Dyslexia
. Mild visual impairments

Unfortunately not all websites are speech-enabled, however I was able to try the program on the http://www.bbc.co.uk/, it is great fun, you can change the voice and the speed. Blogger.com is speech-enabled.

There's a big place in my heart for wheelchair users

I cannot walk by a building or down a town street without my passionate concern asking, "how would a person confined to a wheelchair enter there?, or why is that ramp so steep?". Why?, you may well ask, after all I do not have anyone in my family who uses a wheelchair! I am not confined to using a wheelchair, so why all this passionate concern!.

I will share with you my story. It is not until reality hits us in the face, hard at that, do we really learn lessons that remain in our memory.

Back in 2001 my darling son of 8 years of age fell off his bicycle and broke his shin bone, it was one big crack that would take months to heal. The plaster was set from the top of his thigh to bottom of his toes. Stiff like a rock. This was early July, the sun was really warming up and no swimming pool to cool down. To get Max out of the house was an effort in itself, fortunately God blessed me with strength and I was able, in a fire woman's lift, carry Max down the flight of stairs out the front door and into my car. After followed the rigged up a plank of wood, to keep the plastered leg straight out and a borrowed wheelchair. Day time trips were to be avoided, we turned into dusk searches, saved by the large shopping malls that catered with lifts and ramps and bless them air-conditioning. To cut a long story short, this went on for months, I can only describe it as extremely heart breaking hard work, not only physically but the mental pressure of "eyes" watching you like we were some sort of alien with a plank of wood.

Well out of something bad more than not arrives something good. Three points that will always remain in my memory. After 2 1/2 months being confined to the bed or the wheelchair my son Max finally was able to walk again. Secondly he learnt to read phonetically and thirdly I converted to a big advocate for wheelchair users. I am the one that gets real mad when someone dares to park in a reserved wheelchair zone, when shops do not place a ramp outside, when people park near the curb blocking side ramps, when people moan they are too tired to walk, how dare they. This subject we will cover again, as it is immense.

I really would like everyone to spend just one week of their lives using a wheelchair to get around town, I believe it is the only way we will finally learn that we need to change our mentality drastically, the sooner the better.

Marbella Taxis Adapted for Wheelchairs

This is good news, according to the Sur in English, edition 10th to 16th October 2008, http://www.surinenglish.com/ The Marbella Town Hall has asked the Junta de Andalucia to create 9 new licenses for taxis that are adapted to carry wheelchairs. At present only 4 of the town's taxis are adapted for the disabled and nine more would help Marbella meet the requirement that states that 5% of all cars should have these characteristics.