Crip Life™

Dismantling disabling barriers one article at a time

The image is an infographic illustrating the "Hierarchy of road users," with a focus on vulnerability levels. The design features a gradient background transitioning from light blue at the top to white at the bottom. At the top right corner, there is a blue and green "Safer Mobility" logo from Surewise, featuring an icon of a mobility scooter. The title "Hierarchy of road users" is written in bold green and blue text. A horizontal arrow spans the image, indicating a spectrum from "Most vulnerable" on the left to "Least vulnerable" on the right. The infographic depicts different types of road users along this scale: - On the most vulnerable end, there is a pedestrian, a mobility scooter user (highlighted with a magnifying glass effect and a red question mark), and horse riders. - In the middle, cyclists and smaller vehicles like cars are shown. - On the least vulnerable end, larger vehicles such as vans and trucks are depicted. The image emphasizes the importance of road safety and awareness, particularly for more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and mobility scooter users.
The image is a promotional banner for a podcast called "My Voice Podcast." The banner has a purple background with white text and includes the podcast's logo, which features a microphone icon and the tagline "Amplifying Unheard Voices." The text on the image reads: **"Giving disabled people from ethnic minorities a voice"** (inside a purple speech bubble). **"Listen on Spotify >>>"** (written in large white font). The image also includes the Spotify logo, which is a green circle with three white sound waves. The design suggests that the podcast focuses on amplifying the voices of disabled individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds.
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An elderly Caucasian couple is pictured in a modern, accessible living space filled with natural light. The man, smiling, is seated in a wheelchair and wears a light blue shirt and beige trousers. The woman stands beside him, leaning slightly on a cane with one hand gently resting on his shoulder. She has short white hair and is dressed in a beige cardigan over a light top and jeans. The background shows a bright, open-plan area with light wood flooring, neutral-toned furniture, and a simple kitchen, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
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The image is a promotional graphic for *The Great British Sewing Bee*. It features a lively group of contestants posing cheerfully inside the iconic sewing room. Each person is striking a fun, expressive pose, showcasing a range of personal styles, body types, and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the show’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. At the top, bold white text reads: **“IS YOUR SOUL FED”**, and at the bottom: **“BY NEEDLE AND THREAD?”**, inviting viewers to reflect on their passion for sewing. In the bottom-left corner is *The Great British Sewing Bee* logo, established in 2012. Just beneath the main text is the application website: **applyforsewingbee.co.uk**. The background is a rich green, with a stitched-line motif weaving through the frame, symbolising threads and the theme of sewing. The overall design is energetic, inclusive, and warmly inviting.
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A square, black-and-white digital graphic displays a 3x3 grid of nine minimalist icons representing accessible media devices, impairments, and features. The top row includes a play button icon (top left), a 4K television screen (top center), and a smartphone icon (top right), symbolizing media devices. The middle row shows a visual impairment symbol with an eye and a slash (middle left), a hearing impairment symbol with an ear and sound waves (center), and a cognitive or environmental accessibility icon (middle right). The bottom row presents an “AD” icon for Audio Description (bottom left), two hands forming a gesture for Sign Language (bottom center), and a “CC” or subtitle icon (bottom right), representing accessible media features. All icons are white against a solid black background for high contrast and clarity.
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A group of seven individuals wearing high-visibility jackets stand on the tarmac in front of an easyJet aircraft at London Luton Airport. One individual is seated in a powered wheelchair at the centre of the group. The atmosphere is professional and welcoming, and the photo appears to be taken during an accessibility-focused airport event. Various airport vehicles and infrastructure are visible in the background.
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This image is a collage of six wildlife and nature-themed photographs along with one of a person engaged in photography: 1. **Top left**: A smiling man standing on a sports field, operating a large telephoto camera lens mounted on a tripod—likely a professional wildlife or sports photographer. 2. **Top right**: A black and white photo of a weathered, broken wooden bench in a natural setting, evoking a sense of rustic decay and solitude. 3. **Middle left**: A close-up of a red fox with striking amber eyes, peering through green grass in a vibrant, sunlit outdoor environment. 4. **Middle right**: A colorful kingfisher bird perched on a branch, holding a small fish in its beak, showcasing the beauty and precision of bird hunting. 5. **Bottom left**: A powerful portrait of a tiger with intense eyes and vivid black-orange stripes, captured in a moment of stillness. 6. **Bottom right**: A harbor seal lounging on a rock in a coastal area, mid-yawn, with gentle waves in the background, conveying a relaxed, playful mood. The collage combines dynamic wildlife photography with natural and candid moments, portraying the diverse subjects often captured by nature and animal photographers.
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This image shows a young person - Liam Virgo - seated in a wheelchair along the South Bank of the River Thames in London, with the iconic Palace of Westminster and Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) in the background. The individual is wearing a white t-shirt that also features an illustration of Big Ben, along with light-colored shorts and black sneakers. The scene is peaceful, with a cloudy sky above, and some autumn leaves scattered on the ground. The historic Westminster Bridge can be seen to the right of Big Ben, adding a classic London atmosphere to the photo. It’s a well-composed picture that nicely captures both the person and the landmark.
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Entertainment News
Emma Purcell

Ben Wilson: A Dancer With Down’s Syndrome Breaking Barriers

The image shows a young man - Ben Wilson – with short dark hair and a beard, wearing glasses, a white t-shirt, and black pants. He is outside on a sunny day, mid-motion with his arms raised above his head, as if stretching or dancing. His expression appears cheerful or enthusiastic. In the background, there's a modern building with dark brick and a light grey stripe, along with a few tall streetlights and a clear blue sky. The overall mood is energetic and positive.

Ben Wilson, a passionate 20-year-old dancer with Down’s syndrome from Northwich, Cheshire, is proving that dance knows no boundaries. Living with Down’s syndrome has never held him back – in fact, it’s fuelled his fire. Now, he’s making waves in the dance world with a powerful debut performance set for the Now Northwich Festival in May 2025.

A dancer with Down’s syndrome becoming a rising star of inclusive dance

Ben discovered his love for dance at just 13 through the DS Dance group – a collaboration between Down’s Syndrome Cheshire and Cheshire Dance – based in Winsford. From the start, this inclusive dance journey ignited a lifelong passion.

Fast forward to today, and Ben is thriving: he’s been an Associate Artist with Cheshire Dance since 2023, a successful applicant on a prestigious dance training programme for d/DEAF, disabled, and neurodivergent dancers at Frontline Dance in Stoke-on-Trent, and a choreographer premiering his first original work, Step Ahead, this May.

The image shows a young man, Ben Wilson, climbing and posing comfortably on a large V-shaped tree trunk in a park. He has short dark hair and a reddish beard, and is wearing glasses. His outfit includes a navy blue hoodie with a light blue logo or patch on the chest, black athletic pants with a blue stripe down the side, and black sneakers. He is smiling, appearing relaxed and cheerful, with one hand resting on the tree for support while his other leg is raised and bent, braced against the tree trunk. The background features more trees, a grassy area with patches of fallen leaves, and a residential neighborhood with fencing and houses visible in the distance. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a bright, pleasant day. The overall vibe is casual, outdoorsy, and joyful.

Ben said: “Being a Cheshire Dance associate dancer means so much to me. I get to work with different teachers and dance artists and have time to really develop my career in dance.”

“Before this, I didn’t know that I could become a dancer or a choreographer,” he added. “Cheshire Dance has shown me that this is an option for me.”

Why Ben’s journey as a dancer with Down’s syndrome matters

Ben’s story resonates far beyond the stage. It highlights what’s possible when inclusive opportunities, community support, and personal drive come together.

Here’s why his journey inspires:

  • He proves that disabled artists, including dancers with Down’s syndrome, can thrive professionally.
  • He demonstrates how emotion can be powerfully expressed through movement.
  • He advocates for a more inclusive arts culture in the UK.
  • He’s setting an example for aspiring dancers with disabilities nationwide.

Ben continued: “Dancing makes me feel free and lets me express all kinds of emotions, both good and bad. I love the freedom of it: it’s like a fire inside. It helps me deal with things that can be difficult for me.”

“I believe that lots of different types of people and bodies can dance, no matter how different they are!”

Local roots, national impact

The image captures a joyful and dynamic moment between two young men performing a playful, dance-inspired lift outdoors on a sunny day. - The individual being lifted (on the left, in midair) is wearing a white t-shirt, glasses, and black pants. His arms are extended wide in a dramatic pose, reminiscent of the iconic lift scene from *Dirty Dancing*. His expression is one of happiness and excitement, and he appears to be fully enjoying the moment. - The person doing the lift (on the right) is wearing a greenish-brown sweater and navy Adidas track pants with white stripes. He’s also wearing white sneakers. His expression shows determination and joy, clearly putting in effort while still having fun. The background features a paved courtyard outside a modern industrial-style building with brown brick and grey paneling. The sky is bright blue with wisps of cloud, and the lighting enhances the energy and cheerful vibe of the scene. This is a candid and expressive moment that radiates enthusiasm, collaboration, and trust between the two individuals.

Deeply connected to his hometown of Northwich, Ben also coaches at Egerton Football Club in Knutsford. But dance is his first love – and his dream is to open an inclusive dance studio of his own someday.

As a dancer with Down’s syndrome, Ben said: “My whole life is based around Northwich and so, to be able to present my first dance piece for four dancers at the Festival feels amazing.”

Emma Thomas, producer at Cheshire Dance, sees a bright future for him:

“Ben has been working with us as a dance associate for the last two years and is on an incredible dance journey.
He is open to trying new things and is very hard-working. He is a beautiful mover with a unique style and voice.

“Watching him grow and learn about a dance world that isn’t created for someone with more challenges is an incredible process. He rises to every challenge presented to him and I see great things ahead for him.”

Step Ahead: dance, poetry and passion

This vibrant outdoor image features four individuals standing and posing together in a natural setting, among a group of leafless trees on a clear, sunny day. The group exudes a sense of unity, creativity, and casual confidence. ### People in the Image: - **Center (seated on the tree):** A young man in a white t-shirt and black pants sits on the fork of a large tree trunk. He wears glasses and a smartwatch, looking confidently and calmly at the camera. - **Left:** A man in a relaxed pose, leaning against the tree. He wears a loose-fitting dark greenish-brown sweater, dark pants, and light-colored sneakers. - **Right:** A woman in a flowing sage green dress smiles warmly. She has curly hair and stands with a casual grace, adding a touch of brightness to the composition. - **Back Center:** Another man stands slightly behind the seated individual, wearing a dark green long-sleeved top. His expression is calm and observant. ### Environment & Vibe: The group is surrounded by trees with bare branches, suggesting early spring. The ground is lightly covered in leaves, and a grassy park and red fence are visible in the background. The blue sky and natural light add vibrancy to the scene. The overall mood suggests artistic collaboration—likely a dance or performance ensemble preparing for or celebrating a creative project together.

 

Ben’s upcoming piece, Step Ahead, brings together four dancers to explore friendship, relationships, and emotional expression. The vibrant performance blends contemporary dance, hip hop, and spoken word poetry—led by a gifted dancer with Down’s syndrome who’s ready to take centre stage.

Catch Step Ahead at Barons Quay Square during the Now Northwich Festival on Saturday 3rd May 2025 – a free, inclusive event suitable for all ages.

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