lABLEd

About this Episode

In this episode of the lABLEd podcast, hosts Lucy, Alice, and Disability Historian, Daisy discuss the history of guide dogs, their training, and the impact they have on visually impaired individuals. They explore the origins of guide dogs, noting that dogs have been guiding visually impaired people since the first century AD, with documented training methods emerging in the 1780s

About this Episode

In this episode of the lABLEd podcast, hosts Lucy and Alice discuss their guest, Dr. Sarah Ryan, a professor at Manchester University and a respected disability advocate. Dr. Ryan shares her journey into academia, focusing on people with learning disabilities and autism, and her recent book on health inequalities and social murder. They delve into the systemic failures in care settings, particularly the preventable deaths of individuals with learning disabilities, and the lack of accountability among healthcare professionals. The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy, the role of allies, and the need for clear, inclusive language in disability

About our Guest

Sara Ryan is a prominent academic and a leading campaigner for the rights and improved care of people with learning disabilities within the NHS, following the preventable death of her son, Connor Sparrowhawk (nicknamed "Laughing Boy" or "LB"), while in the care of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in 2013.

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About this Episode

Lucy and Alice discuss LS Lowry's painting "The Cripples," which features matchstick figures in an industrial northern English town. Lucy describes the painting, noting 30-35 human figures, including a child in a rudimentary cart-like object. They explore the painting's potential political statement, Lowry's possible Asperger's, and the controversy surrounding the term "cripple." Alice shares her personal comfort with the term and its historical context. They emphasize the importance of art in representing diverse experiences and invite listeners to share their perspectives on the painting.

About this Episode

Liam Virgo discusses his nine-year battle with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which began at age 12 and worsened at 13, leading to severe symptoms like incontinence and loss of mobility. Despite extensive testing and misdiagnoses, he was finally diagnosed at 13. Liam recounts his struggles, including being bedridden for three years and facing misunderstandings and stigma. He highlights his recovery, including learning to walk again and visiting London, a dream he achieved. Liam emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of FND, sharing his journey to inspire others and raise awareness.

About our Guest

Liam Virgo LIVES Nottinghamshire, UK, who has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). He is an awareness advocate who has shared his personal story in various news outlets to highlight the challenges of living with FND and the need for greater understanding of the condition. Liam has gained some public recognition, with his story featured on BBC News and in a video message from the cast of the ITV show Loose Women, who became part of his rehabilitation journey. He shares updates on his progress, often visiting his favourite place, London, as part of his recovery

About this Episode

The lABLEd Podcast episode delves into the history of Joseph Merrick, also known as the Elephant Man. Joseph was born on August 5, 1862, in Leicester, with significant physical deformities. He faced societal rejection, including being abandoned by his stepmother and working as a hawker. Merrick's life improved when he became a human exhibit, attracting medical and social attention. He lived in the London Hospital for years, receiving care and attention from high-society benefactors. Merrick's cause of death remains debated, with theories including accidental asphyxiation. His skeleton and medical samples are preserved at Queen Mary University.