ACHIEVEMENTS
AND HOW'S THIS FOR DETERMINATION?
Great news about NIASBAH member Darren Gribben. With the help and support of friends and family Darren has been able to pursue his love of literature through degree and Masters level, before going on to successfully undertake a Ph.D. study on the works of Samuel Beckett. He has had several papers published, and is currently working on a paper which looks at the depiction of disability within Samuel Beckett's works.
With the support of ASBAH, Darren is about to undertake a Masters in Legal Science law degree at Queen's University, Belfast. It's his intention to offer legal support and advice to people with disabilities, as well as those who work with the disabled. Darren tells us:
"I hope to be able to help young people and adults make the transition from childhood/adolescence to a more independent adulthood, by offering advice and support which will allow them to pursue the fulfilment of their interests in the way I have been enabled to do so by family, friends and the support of ASBAH."
ALISON STUDIES 'THE SIMPSONS'-AT HIGH LEVEL
News
reaches the website about NIASBAH member Alison Crawford who is a postgraduate student at the University of Ulster. In 2004 Alison received a first class honours degree in English literature and American studies and soon after that began studying for a PhD. She is now investigating how satire functions in various American prime-time animated sitcoms such as The Simpsons, South Park and Family Guy.
And earlier this year Alison submitted an article to The Journal of Film and Video, a peer-reviewed academic publication that is distributed internationally. The article was accepted and it will feature in a special edition of the journal exclusively focusing on animated sitcoms to be published in the spring of 2009. She is now in the final months of completing her PhD. When asked what next Alison told the website “ When it is finished I would like to publish my PhD, continue lecturing at university level and research and write about other topics within the world of animation.” Wow, congratulations Alison, and good luck. Somehow we think we’ll be hearing more from/about you.
BEVERLY AND HER CHOIR HIT THE HIGH NOTES
The BBC 
has embarked on a brand new weekend entertainment show with choirs from all walks of life going up against each other to find out who has the passion, power and performance necessary to be declared Last Choir Standing. What a contrast with Big Brother. This programme has captured the hearts of millions of viewers who have been enchanted by the singing, the emotion and the excitement.
And it's a Northern Ireland group, called the Open Arts Community Choir, led by our very own Beverly Whyte who made it through to the final 15 - a remarkable achievement indeed. Singing in the last of three heats on 3 August 2008 the choir delivered a magnificent performance of which they can be justifiably proud. Sadly they didn't make it through to the final of the competition but they performed with distinction and brought great credit not only to themselves but also to Northern Ireland. Well done.
Beverley Whyte founded the choir in 2000. The Open Arts Community Choir are an inclusive choir based in Belfast. They consider themselves a choir of a high standard who enjoy choral competitions but the main thing is that they all love to sing. No matter what kind of day they have had on a Monday, when they get to rehearsal all is forgotten once they start singing. This choir want people to focus on the ability rather than the disability. Listen to the choir perform.
Congratulations go to Brian McDowell a member of NIASBAH's Belfast Branch who received a certificate recently recognising his many years of volunteering. If you have a success you would like to share with others-perhaps some qualification you have achieved-or a piece of news you would like to share with others about your forthcoming trek over the Andes or starting a new job then please tell us about it. Your success might encourage others to follow in your footsteps. Let's hear from you....
Congratulations to Francis Heslip who was married on 30th June; apparently he is emigrating to Dungannon! Where did he get the Visa?
Ruth Gracey had a baby daughter in June. Baby Jane Sarah weighed in at 5lbs 3ozs and both mother and daughter are well. We send our warmest congratulations to Ruth and her husband and also to Arnold and Lorna.
Updated 01 October, 2009 06:45:24 GMT