Ouch: Disability Talk

Meet heavyweight boxer Joe Joyce who was born almost 30 years ago to his mum Marvel Opara, then a teenager with a visual impairment. The mother and son combo from London have done many challenges together but have now gone solo - Joe won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Marvel is about to climb Kilimanjaro. Glaswegian comedian Ray Bradshaw is a child of deaf adults - also known as a CODA. His 2017 Edinburgh Fringe show, Deaf Comedy Fam, is about growing up with parents who can't hear and he plans to simultaneously sign and speak it which is even harder than you might imagine, apparently. From helping pay the bills through to pointing out the right bus, Joe and Ray trade stories on life with disabled parents.Also, Samantha Renke discusses accessible housing in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and Naomi Lawson-Jacobs tells us about Autistic Pride Day. Plus Kate Monaghan saves someone's life this month. Presented by Simon Minty and Kate Monaghan. Produced by Emma Tracey.Write and tell us what you're u

Meet Jared O'Mara. He's the MP who knocked former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg off his Sheffield Hallam seat in the recent General Election. It was one of the most talked about scalpings from the early hours of 9 June and O'Mara himself didn't expect to win.[Find a full transcript in the Related Links section below]The 35 year-old was born and bred in Sheffield and has cerebral palsy. A former activist, he knows his disability politics well and proudly says his impairment is part of him and it has helped create the man he is. With Damon Rose and Beth Rose. Write and tell us what you're up to - Email ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. Subscribe to Ouch as a weekly podcast and, if you wouldn't mind, we'd be delighted if you review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts from - it helps other people find us. Share and like Ouch too. Thanks. Kate Monaghan and Simon Minty are back next week with another installment of their hour-long monthly talk show. That's all on this feed.

Fewer than 6% of people with a learning disability have a job. Government figures show that disability employment rates are going up but Mencap says that employment in this group is going down. Mencap's CEO Jan Tregelles and employee Vijay Patel, who has a learning disability, came in to tell us how things could be different.Patel loves his work and says it’s unfair that more people with learning disabilities aren’t given the chance to be employed. Some great insight and depth in this programme, it's well worth a listen. With the Ouch team: Damon Rose, Beth Rose and Emma Tracey.Write and say hello - Email ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. Subscribe to Ouch as a weekly podcast and please review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts from - it helps other people to find us.

The podcast this week dives into some of the stats and happenings around disability at the 2017 general election with two interesting guests. [For a transcript, scroll down to the Related Links section on this page] "Deaf people were more engaged than during any other election," says Charlie Swinbourne, editor of popular deaf news blog Limping Chicken. Facebook and other social networks allowed British sign language users to easily post videos, and deaf politics groups were over-run with comments on community matters. Eleanor Lisney is one of the founders of hashtag #CripTheVoteUK, a campaign to get lots more disabled people voting. Find out how many users they reached and how it got into the UK's trending top 5. As this was a snap election, there was less time than usual to produce party manifestos in alternative formats like BSL and easy read ... so they were published very close to polling day, rather late in the day says Daniel Gordon who worked on Ouch's election coverage. We discuss how this impacted on

Tom Skelton adds his bizarre sense of humour to the Ouch podcast and talks about his forthcoming Edinburgh Fringe show Blind Man's Bluff. (Scroll down to the Related Links section to find a transcript)In the show he brings historical blind figures to life to help him tell the tale of his sight loss eight years ago. But they’re not the usual blind role models you might think of - gone is David Blunkett, in is Samson of Old Testament fame who went blind after having his strength-giving hair chopped off. And have you ever heard of Bella the Blind? - a Hungarian king of old. Skelton's sight difficulties come courtesy of a disorder which has been passed down through his family, known as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. He talks to Simon Minty and Kate Monaghan about this and admits he hasn’t spoken seriously about it before. And then he and Kate flirt. A lot. Produced by Damon Rose. Email ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. Tell us what you think, and tell us your story. You can subscribe to Ou

This podcast contains discussions about suicide. If you are struggling at the moment, you may choose to leave this episode for another day. Why are so many students dropping out of university due to mental health problems? And what's so great about disability-focused private Facebook groups? Comedian and mental health campaigner Juliette Burton, and TV personality Mik Scarlet, take us through the stories grabbing their attention on social media this month with good humour and the benefit of their personal experience. "I can't face another winter with multiple sclerosis," said Colin, in a TV interview about plans to end his life at a Swiss clinic. Fellow MSer Rona was watching, and realising he lived locally, tracked Colin down and convinced him to halt the process. They have since become friends. In an emotional conversation for everyone around the table, Colin and Rhona discuss how a person comes to contemplate assisted suicide, the support that is and should be available for people with MS, and stem cell tr

London poet Raymond Antrobus was thought to be dyslexic with severe learning disabilities, until his deafness was discovered at the age of six. (for a transcript, scroll down this page and find it in Related Links)At school, the hearing kids taunted him because he had to sit at the front to hear the teacher, and deaf kids called him a "baby signer" because he came to British Sign Language late and wasn't as proficient as the rest of them. Later, Raymond became a teacher himself and now also writes poetry about speech therapy and other experiences deaf people have. Here, he talks eloquently about his life and reads two new poems for us.With Emma Tracey, Beth Rose and Damon Rose. Please share this programme on social media, plus rate it and leave comments on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from. If you want to get in touch, email ouch@bbc.co.uk, tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.WHAT IS OUCH ALL ABOUT?We think it's an intelligent and funny insight into being disabled, made by people who know. The R

Why office treats and commenting on people’s lunch choices can be unhelpful(Scroll down to the Related links section to find a transcript of this podcast)Eleanor Bowes struggled with bulimia at university but now works in an office and, perhaps due to her food related difficulties, has noticed a rise in “cake culture” – where people bring treats in to share. Because she has found this difficult, and knows others do too, she has put together some tips for supporting people with eating problems at work. Suggestions include not pressurising colleagues to take part in food, alcohol or sports related activities, keeping treats in the kitchen, and not commenting on the lunch choices of co-workers.With Emma Tracey, Beth Rose and Damon Rose. Please share this programme on social media, plus rate it and leave comments on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from. If you want to get in touch, email ouch@bbc.co.uk, tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

Dave Mercer had been married for three years when he had encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which changed his personality and relationship forever. He says the illness turned him into a "moody teenager" with behavioural problems. His wife says if she met him now, she would never marry him.(scroll down to the Related links section to find a transcript of this podcast)During rehabilitation Dave started going to Headway East London, a brain injury charity, and discovered a passion for art that hadn't existed before his illness. BBC Ouch's Beth Rose and Helen Weaver met Dave at the pop-up Submit To Love Gallery in Hoxton where brain injury survivors have been selling their art. Please share this programme on social media, plus rate it and leave comments on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from. If you want to get in touch, email ouch@bbc.co.uk, tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

The snap general election is on the horizon so it would be remiss of a disability podcast if we didn't look at the accessibility of voting. It may be 2017, many might assume we've solved these issues by now, but it is still a work in progress. Meet Jordan Smith who has mild learning difficulties and Tracey Garcia from charity Dimensions who tell us more (A transcript can be found in the related links section of this page)In our look at social media this month, the creator of hashtag #disabledandcute, Keah Brown, goes for Netflix's teen suicide drama 13 Reasons Why, and she explains #cripthevoteuk. Then we meet Claire Connon and vlogger Carrie Beckwith-Fellows - both of whom don't eat food. Instead they have nutrients intravenously fed to them, in one case, directly into the heart. How does it all work? Presenters Simon Minty and Kate Monaghan ask Claire and Carrie the top questions:Does it mean you no longer poo? And if you invite a date back to your bedroom... how do you casually introduce the fact you've

Actor Mat Fraser speaks with Ouch's Emma Tracey about his role in Richard III at the Hull Truck theatre starting in May. (A transcript can be found in the related links section of this page) The outspoken and hilarious Fraser discusses everything from queuing for a plane through to kickboxing and acting in this wide-ranging conversation. A must listen. Please like, share and review this podcast on iTunes and wherever you are enjoying it or downloading your podcasts from. Contact us by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. We want to hear from you. Email us and say hi, tell us what you'd like to hear on the podcast, and let us know how you think we're doing. Back next week with an hour-long monthly talk show with Simon Minty and Kate Monaghan.

In a bit of a first for us, interlopers Seaneen Molloy-Vaughan and Mark Brown takeover the Ouch podcast to discuss a matter they fully know the ins and outs of - mental health. And they bring a fascinating personal angle to it. Launched by the younger royals, the Heads Together campaign has been all over the newsmedia this week with great responses to their calls to smash the stigma and 'talk' about mental health. Amongst other things, our two podcast hijackers discuss how some mental health difficulties are less easily understood by the public and so harder to bring out into the open. And they wonder what the next step is after sharing the fact you are having difficulties. Please share this programme and rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to get in touch with us, email ouch@bbc.co.uk, tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. Next week, on this very page, we'll be putting up some more info about this week's hosts Seaneen and Mark so you know where they're coming from and

This is the final in a series of seven entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties on the subject of love and relationships.In this edition, Harriet Dyer's best friend and boyfriend blamed her "paranoia" on her mental health difficulties, but she soon found out they were having an affair, a discovery which landed her in a police cell.The stories were recorded in March 2017 at an event held by BBC Ouch at the Backyard Comedy Club in London.Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Tell us what you think by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

This is the sixth in a series of seven entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties on the subject of love and relationships.In this edition, Gianluca Trombetta, who is deaf, confesses he hated it when his girlfriend talked before he was ready to listen, so he decided to teach her a lesson.The stories were recorded in March 2017 at an event held by BBC Ouch at the Backyard Comedy Club in London.Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Tell us what you think by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

This is the fourth in a series of seven entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties on the subject of love and relationships.In this edition, Georgie Morrell speaks about the loss of her sight in her 20s and having to give up her "sexy London life", until her brother played a prank on her - and taught her how to laugh and live life again.The stories were recorded in March 2017 at an event held by BBC Ouch at the Backyard Comedy Club in London.Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Tell us what you think by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

This month's talk-show is all about the stage as playwright Nicola Werenowska reveals her new play is based on her late diagnosis of dyspraxia.Director Stephen Unwin talks about how his disabled son, Joey, inspired him to look through the history books and create a play about disabled children in Nazi Germany.And musician Ruth Patterson chats about her band Holy Moly and the Crackers. Presented by Simon Minty and Kate Monaghan, produced by Emma Tracey.If you want to contact us email ouch@bbc.co.uk, tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.Rate and review us on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts from, it helps people to find the show. Also, please like us and share our programme on your social media.

This is the third in a series of seven entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties on the subject of love and relationships. In this edition, John talks about how he liked to make sure everyone felt just as miserable as he did when he was depressed, until a chance argument over an audition led him to finding the "light in his life" in the form of his long-term girlfriend. The stories were recorded in March 2017 at an event held by BBC Ouch at the Backyard Comedy Club in London. Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Tell us what you think by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

Men rarely talk about male sexual function when it goes wrong, if you know what I mean. So when Mik Scarlet became impotent after his spine collapsed he fell into depression, didn't talk about it, and wondered how he could possibly have an intimate relationship with anyone. (scroll down to Related Links for a transcript of this programme) But then, entirely by accident, a solution arose. You won't be surprised when we tell you this programme contains adult themes. And a big thanks to Mik for being so open about this subject. We hope it'll help others. It's also funny and fascinating. Please rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts - it helps this podcast to be heard by others who would enjoy it or find it useful. Contact us on Facebook, tweet us @bbcouch or email ouch@bbc.co.uk - tell us what you thought of this programme and what you'd like to hear more of. We're continuing to broadcast more Storytelling podcasts on this feed and mix them in with our regular shows. Kate and Simon are back on April 7

This is the second in a series of seven entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties, all of which are on the subject of love and relationships.In this edition, Ruby - who had never stepped on a stage before this night - talked about a disastrous date which fell foul of her co-ordination and other symptoms due to dyspraxia. (please scroll down to Related Links to find a transcript of this programme)The stories were recorded in March 2017 at an event held by Ouch at the Backyard Comedy Club in London. Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Tell us what you think by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

Sofie Hagen presents our short series of entertaining and enlightening stories from people who are disabled or have mental health difficulties. This is one of seven podcasts which will go out over the next few weeks, all of which are on the subject of love and relationships.In this edition, the Danish comic tells her own story about the relationships she has with her therapist,friends and food. Share this page on social media and pop over to iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from, and be sure to rate and review the Ouch podcast. Feedback by emailing ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch and find us on Facebook.