Meet Astronaut McFall
The European Space agency says John McFall will be the first person with a disability to be cleared for a mission to the International Space Station. A British surgeon and paralympic sprinter, McFall had his right leg amputated after a motorcycle accident when he was 19 years old. McFall was just one of 257 applicants who live with disabilities who answered an open call. McFall was successful after completing a series of rigorous cognitive, technical and psychological requirements.
Source: Gov.UK
Cancer, women, alcohol
Toxins in drinks can alter hormones and trigger cancer risks say scientists. Latest research says:
• 16.5% increased risk for women drinking less than one unit weekly (10% for men) and,
• 21.8 % additional risk for women at one daily alcoholic drink (13.1% for men).
Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverage while taking HRT also increase the breast cancer risk more than it does any other form of cancer.
Source: HCM
Hearing aid support
A British pilot study showed personalized intervention for hearing care may help protect cognitive health. Four sessions covered fitting and adjusting, personal communication goals, tips for daily hearing aid use and fine-tuning. Successful daily use went from 22% to 75% for the study group. The pilot’s results are particularly significant given the fact that hearing loss is a major modifiable risk factor for dementia- one of 13 modifiable interventions that have been identified.
Source: AT Today
EA’s full-time hours
Educational assistants in British Columbia are only part-time yet classrooms are understaffed. They are asking for full time hours as there is no paid time to collaborate with teachers or parents. Also, without extra supports, they’re know they’re at risk from high-needs students who are often violent. Of note: EA’s have been identified as having the fourth highest number of violence reports.
Source: The Tyee
ALL research lab
Carleton University’s Abilities Living Lab (ALL) brings together top minds from science, engineering, design, health and social sciences in a malleable, multidisciplinary space with stakeholders and innovative community systems. The ALL team aspires to design prototype and powerful test tools and solutions that not only enhance mobility for people living with disabilities but also support inclusion in public and cultural life.
Source: newsroom.carleton.ca
Deafblind resources
The Global Deafblindness Digital Resource Hub brings together supports from eight countries and four continents creating an accessible, user-friendly space for access to information and learning for people living with deafblindness (PwDB) their families and communities. Training videos on the hub equip parents in rural communities with the knowledge to guide children while providing stimulation activities in areas such as communication, daily living, mobility skills.
Images: ESA/Novespace. Mac Loong. iStock. CanStock. newsroom.carleton.ca.
