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The Trailblazer Series: The Intellectuals
Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking, who lived from January 8, 1942, to March 14, 2018, was one of the most well-known scientists in history. Due to ALS, he was verbally impaired, therefore, Prof. Hawking had to use a customized wheelchair that had a computer placed on it that could speak for him.
Hawking was a renowned theoretical physicist who made important discoveries about the universe’s operation. One of many of his significant scientific accomplishments is the discovery of Hawking radiation. Additionally, in 1974, Professor Stephen Hawking was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest, st civilian honour. He also received numerous accolades for his contributions to science. He might be the most well-known disabled person in the entire globe.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller (June 27, 1880–June 1, 1968) is arguably the best-known representative of people with disabilities. At the age of 19 months, she developed a disease that left her deaf and blind. Keller continued to become the first deaf-blind graduate in history. The Story of My Life, Helen Keller’s autobiography, is regarded as a classic work of English literature. She traversed the globe in support of causes like socialism, women’s suffrage, labour rights, and antimilitarism.
Nicholas Vujicic
Nick Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia. He was born without arms or legs due to the unusual condition known as phocomelia. Nick went on to graduate from Griffith University at the age of 21 despite all the challenges his condition presents. Nick is the creator of “Attitude is Altitude” and a well-known motivational speaker across the world.
Samantha Renke
Samantha Renke is a presenter, disability activist, inclusion and equality consultant, keynote speaker and columnist for the Metro newspaper in the UK. Samantha has dedicated her career to changing the workplace for disabled people and encouraging better representation of disabilities in the media. Now, Renke is the Disability Lead at Paramount, The Diversity Trust and UNLRN.
John Nash
John Nash was a world-renowned mathematician. He won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994 for pioneering the analysis of equilibrium in the theory of non-cooperative games. In 1959, Nash was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Despite his ongoing battle with his disease, Nash excelled in mathematics. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton University. The Oscar-winning film A Beautiful Mind was based on the life of John Nash (1998). Russel Crowe played Nash, and Ron Howard beautifully directed this masterpiece.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who was six years old when she was diagnosed with polio. Her condition caused her right leg to become shorter and thinner than her left. In 1925, Kahlo was involved in an accident that exacerbated her condition. She spent the majority of her life in bed, in excruciating discomfort. Despite this, Kahlo went on to become one of the most recognized artists and a cultural icon.
Frida Kahlo’s most famous works include Henry Ford Hospital (1932), My Birth (1932), Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States (1932), Memory, the Heart (1937), What the Water Gave Me (1938), The Two Fridas (1939), Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1939), and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1939). (1940).
Louis Braille
Louis Braille became blind in one eye, at the age of three, as a result of an accident. This led Braille Louis Braille to devise a reading and writing method for the visually impaired. This tactile approach is known as Braille language. Braille began working on his touch-based programming while still a student. He won a scholarship from the Royal Institute for Blind Youth. Braille originally revealed his code system in 1824.
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Celebrating Inclusion in the Workforce: Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in Saskatchewan. This month celebrates people with disabilities. It also emphasizes the importance of inclusive hiring practices in the workforce.
Promoting Awareness
SARC is a key organization in this effort. It supports community services for people with disabilities. During DEAM, SARC leads the effort to raise awareness. Amy McNeil, the Executive Director of SARC, highlights the benefits of inclusive hiring practices.
“Every year, more employers recognize the value of hiring people with disabilities,” McNeil said. She added that inclusive hiring practices are not just good for business; they also benefit the community and strengthen the economy.
Furthermore, SARC participates in the Light It Up! initiative for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. On October 17, 2024, businesses and organizations are invited to light up their buildings in purple and blue. This initiative honors the contributions of workers with disabilities. Interested people can contact SARC to learn more.
Importance for Rural Communities
This initiative is especially important for rural areas, such as West Central Saskatchewan. Disability inclusion is becoming vital for workforce growth in these regions. Tamara Wiebe, Executive Director of West Central Abilities, points out that various disabilities can affect individuals. These include chronic conditions like lupus and invisible disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Disability inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it’s also smart for businesses,” Wiebe explained. She noted that inclusive hiring practices help expand the applicant pool. In addition, they boost employee morale. Moreover, employment plays a critical role in the independence and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Companies should provide accommodations to support long-term employment.
Benefits for Employers
Wiebe also emphasizes that inclusive hiring practices bring real benefits to employers. For instance, these practices lead to higher retention rates and lower turnover. Employees with disabilities often seek stable, long-term jobs. This stability can enhance productivity and reduce hiring costs.
Creating a supportive workplace for disabled employees is essential. This support goes beyond just physical accessibility. It involves building an accepting workplace culture and providing chances for professional growth.
“Employees with disabilities offer unique insights and creative solutions to problems,” Wiebe noted. She emphasized that creating an inclusive work environment helps everyone. It boosts employee engagement and morale across the board.
Looking Ahead
West Central Abilities does not currently have individuals in the workforce. However, the organization is hopeful for future inclusion opportunities.
“We’re not there yet, but we want to help clients find jobs in the community,” Wiebe said. She added that if businesses in West Central Saskatchewan want to hire individuals with disabilities, SARC is ready to support them throughout the process.
As DEAM unfolds in Saskatchewan, there is hope that more businesses, especially in rural areas, will adopt inclusive hiring practices. This will ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, can contribute meaningfully to the workforce and the community.
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Farewell to a Legend: Dame Maggie Smith Passes Away at 89
The world mourns the loss of Dame Maggie Smith. The beloved actress, known for her iconic roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89. Her family announced that she died peacefully in hospital early on the morning of September 27, 2024. She was surrounded by friends and family.
Dame Maggie was a titan of British theatre and film. Her illustrious career spanned over seven decades. During this time, she garnered two Academy Awards for remarkable performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1970) and California Suite (1979). Her talent earned her four additional Oscar nominations and eight BAFTA awards, solidifying her status as one of the greatest actresses.
In a heartfelt statement, her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, expressed their profound sadness. They stated, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
The family also expressed gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during her final days. They emphasized the importance of respecting their privacy during this difficult time.
Dame Maggie’s career began in the theatre, where she first gained acclaim. She earned her first BAFTA nomination in the 1958 film Nowhere to Go. Her remarkable talent caught the eye of legendary director Laurence Olivier. He cast her as Desdemona opposite his Othello at the National Theatre in 1963. This collaboration later led to an Oscar nomination when the production was adapted into film.
The outpouring of tributes from friends and admirers has already begun. Gyles Brandreth described her as “one of the greats” and reflected on her extraordinary life and the golden era she represented.
As we bid farewell to Dame Maggie Smith, we celebrate her incredible contributions to the arts. She brought joy to audiences around the world. Thank you, Dame Maggie, for your unforgettable performances and the legacy you leave behind. Your spirit will forever remain in our hearts.
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How a Robotic Exoskeleton is Helping Paralysis Patients Walk Again
Sophie Shuttleworth, a 32-year-old woman from Newport, has experienced a remarkable transformation thanks to a robotic exoskeleton for paralysis. After contracting viral meningitis in July 2022, she was left paralyzed from the chest down and spent two years relying on a wheelchair.
In January, Sophie began using the exoskeleton during therapy sessions at the Morello Clinic, a local rehabilitation center. The device enables her to stand and move her legs in a natural walking pattern, allowing her to experience the sensation of being upright for the first time in two years. This moment was deeply emotional for Sophie, who described the joy of regaining mobility after such a long period of inactivity.
Beyond the emotional impact, the exoskeleton has provided Sophie with significant physical benefits. It has improved her circulation and bone density—crucial factors considering her diagnosis of osteopenia due to prolonged immobility. Sophie emphasized the mental health benefits as well, comparing the endorphins she now feels when walking to the exhilaration she experienced while swimming, a sport she loved before her illness.
Sophie, along with eight others who use the exoskeleton, is actively fundraising to support its continued availability at the clinic, aiming to raise £50,000 for a year of access to this life-changing technology. Each user benefits uniquely from the device, demonstrating its versatility in addressing various mobility challenges.
Before her illness, Sophie was fiercely independent and even swam 22 miles in a local pool to raise money for charity. While she continues to rely on family support for certain tasks, she is optimistic about the future. The combination of the exoskeleton and her new ground-floor apartment, designed to meet her needs, brings her closer to regaining her independence.
As she navigates this new chapter, Sophie remains hopeful and determined, believing that with continued use of the exoskeleton, she can achieve greater autonomy in her daily life. Her story not only highlights the potential of robotic technology in rehabilitation but also serves as an inspiration to many facing similar challenges.
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