And they disabled people aren’t sexy… Check out the YouTube clip below for a montage of shots of Miss Iowa (USA), 2008, Abbey Curran. There’s an interview with her towards the end of the clip, too. Cute girl!

Well I’ll be, have all my Christmases come at once? If I had a spare $50,000, maybe. Researchers in Pennsylvania, USA, have developed a new laser-guided robotic wheelchair which – all by itself – attaches itself to your vehicle’s hoist after transferring into your car. That’s right, it’ll attach itself. That is, you hop in your car, and your little robot does the rest. Pretty sweet, eh? Would certainly eliminate the need to gut vans to make them self-drive for

Now, I’ve heard of some people tipping the poor odd soul out of their wheelchair in aid of a burglary or other such petty crime, but really, ramming your car into a dude in a wheelchair is taking it a bit far, isn’t it? Sure, he might’ve been a negative bugger, but hey, aren’t we all sometimes? Anyway if you haven’t heard this wee Papamoa-based scuffle, read the full story here.

Gosh I love my readers. Thanks to Rachel I’ve discovered the Kiwiable card! Not that it’s of any particular use to me considering I live in Auckland hehe, but it’s great to know these sort of local initiatives exist! Basically, the ‘Kiwiable card’ gives people with disabilities and their support person discounted entry to various leisure activities around Canterbury, including the movies and Kaikoura whale watching! It’s free to join, but to get the Kiwiable card you need to be

I’m sure you’re all well aware of the tragic events which unfolded last week on the banks of a Turangi river, but what you might not have caught was that one of the students who died was Special Olympian Tom Hsu, 16, who had cerebral palsy. From what the media have reported, it seems the students’ teacher Tony McClean tried to save Tom by tying himself to the student, in an attempt to pull them both to shore. However, people

I stumbled across an interesting article on CNN.com the other day which discussed how yoga classes can benefit disabled people. Specifically, the yoga teacher mentioned multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and arthritis as impairments yoga can especially help, but added “”Pretty much if you name a health condition, yoga can help with it”. I can vouch for this on a personal level, having had yoga sessions on a weekly basis for the past 10 years. I get private sessions with a lovely

How’s this for a fantastic initiative? The NSW Govt has announced the ‘Companion Card‘, enabling disabled people to take a carer with them to sporting matches, movie theatres, and even aboard public transport for the price of a single ticket. So now whenever Aussies with disabilities are out and about and want to go to the movies or hop on a bus, they can take a support person for no extra charge! Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally says people

Hey everyone, Just a quick update to let you all know why I haven’t been posting as much the last few weeks – I really am still alive! I’ve started back at Uni for my 2nd year of my Communications degree, which of course brings with it such joyous obligations as essays, assignments, et al. I’ve scored a job working part-time at Saatchi & Saatchi which, while freakin cool, takes up a good half of my week! Add to that

Well – have you?! I’m pleased to announce I’ve scooped an interview with the Minister for Disability Affairs, Hon. Ruth Dyson, at the end of next week, and I’d love to know what you’d like me to ask her! Leave your questions for the Minister in the comments below, and I’ll try to squeeze them in! Full interview transcript to follow late next week

Consider this: you’re waiting to be picked for the NZ Paralympic team and training your arse off to show the selectors you’re ready, when someone nicks your car, containing all your training equipment. Well that’s just what happened to previous Paralympic medallist Matt Slade, when thieves stole his car, along with all the stuff in it, including specially-designed trainers and even his wheelchair! Some people, eh? Let’s hope the idiots who took it realise that a wheelchair might actually –