Curated by interesting people

I’m David Lewis, aged 28.  I am currently approaching the end of my contract as Researcher for BBC WM (which I hope is to be renewed). Always looking for opportunities especially in helping young people with disabilities achieve their goals and I am involved in a few projects.

I play powerchair football for West Bromwich Albion as part of its community scheme, but I am looking to move towards coaching disability sport. I am also writing a book about my life, which has been dominated by health problems but hasn’t hindered me too much. I aim for the book to inspire young people and to help raise awareness as well as be a bestseller. 

I like watching films, love music and seeing friends.  My only fear in life is that there is so much I want to do I just don’t think there is time. As a radio person I have always got my eyes and ears open for great radio stories and features.

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Music / Audio 

http://www.ableradio.com/aod/item/56-mat-fraser

As much as I would have liked to have offered a beautiful piece of music, I can’t really direct you to any that can’t be found or heard on a mainstream basis, Radiohead often inspire me.  However I will point you in the direction of an interview with disabled actor and comedian Mat Fraser.   Mat is a thalidomide and his controversial straight talking, in your face approach to disability is just what is needed, no ifs, no buts, just say it as it is!   

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Photography 

http://www.alisonlapper.com/statue/

Once again I refer to the field of disability to portray not my favourite picture but something I can relate to in some way and greatly admire.  Alison Lapper is a disabled woman with no arms and shortened legs but has been in the spotlight in an extremely visual way.  She has had a giant sculpture made of her and has done much work in photography and digital imaging.  There is again a clear message in that no one should hide their bodies and we are all unique in our own individual way.

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Twitter 

Professor David Bailey

I am not on Twitter myself, I barely use Facebook, I prefer the art of actually meeting people when I can rather than having cyber friends.  If I had to choose someone a bit different I would say follow Professor David Bailey from Coventry University, lecturer in Business and Economics.  A specialist in his field, a highly regarded individual in the area and a nice person to top it all off.

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Video

Battle at Kruger

I love this video.  A real example of survival, a lucky escape and safety in numbers.  Not many humans or animals could say they have survived a crocodile and big cat attack, especially in the same day. True grit and determination at its very best.

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Website / Blog

www.youthhealthtalk.org

YHT is a fairly new project which is aimed at young people with health conditions.  The website aims to put young people in touch with each other to share their experiences of not only health but lifestyle in general, in a unique database of patients views shared by video. Although the site is medical based it is largely created by a panel of young people (I am part of this) for young people in a community where they can share their views and experiences on specific subjects.

 

The project has also just launched My Youth Health Talk which although in its early stages of development is on the similar lines as other social networking sites.