ACHIEVEMENTS
DAVID PROUD
David Proud is an English actor. He was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. He only began his acting career during his early
twenties, having previously believed that it would be impossible for him to have a career in that field. His first professional acting role was as a wheelchair basketball player in the children's TV series Desperados. David can currently be seen as Adam Best in BBC's EastEnders. To view David's website click here
WHAT AN INSPIRATION! CLAIRE CUNNINGHAM
Claire Cunningham is a multi-disciplinary performer and choreographer based in Glasgow. Her unique performance style integrating the dynamic and imaginative use of her crutches, alongside her beautiful voice (she trained as a classical singer), aerial and acting skills have made her a much-sought after performer both in the UK and internationally. Her solo works, evolution and mobile, have been critically acclaimed for their humourous and intelligent challenges to issues of aesthetics and dance. For more
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 has now successfully completed
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
A Northern Ireland group, called the Open Arts Community Choir, led by our very own Beverly Whyte made it through to the final 15 - a remarkable achievement indeed - of Last Choir Standing in 2008. The choir delivered a magnificent performance. 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 Open Arts Choir in2000. 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 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....
Updated 02 July, 2010 10:17:02 GMT