Alex Squire - The Life Quadriplegic

Stephen Hawking: An icon of science and disability

Sad news today. The legendary Professor Stephen Hawking has died. The word “inspiration” seems to be attributed to disabled people too often nowadays, and often for very mundane reasons. …

The Government Will Give “Enhanced Rights” To Disabled Bus Passengers

Two red double-decker buses and a black taxi drive through a busy crossroads in a city with modern and historic buildings under a clear blue sky.

I read today that the government is going to give “enhanced rights” to disabled people when travelling on buses. Last year Doug Paulley won a court case which meant …

How Gene Editing Could Eradicate Disease

A digital illustration of blue DNA double helix strands on a dark blue background, representing genetic material and molecular biology concepts.

A gene editing revolution is now underway. Techniques to alter human DNA could very soon be used to cure previously untreatable diseases or disabilities. There is a lot of …

Social Isolation And Disability

A mural depicting a woman and a man in wheelchairs facing each other closely. The woman touches the man's face gently as they share an intimate, affectionate moment against a grey background.

I often find myself isolated and a bit lonely. It’s quite common in people with disabilities, and indeed in the general population. In a survey of 1004 disabled people …

Google Maps Now Lets You Add Accessibility Information For the Places That You Visit

Person holding a mobile phone and a wallet, using a map application for navigation outdoors. The background shows fallen leaves and a blurred railing, suggesting an autumn or winter setting.

Google maps now lets you add accessibility details for places, which can help make life a bit easier for disabled people. If you sign up to be …

The Exciting Escapades I Have Planned for This Year

View of a canal in a city, framed by the underside of a bridge, with boats moored along the sides, cars parked on the street, trees without leaves, and another arched bridge in the background.

2018 is going to be a good year! I’ve got a total of 4 holidays and 2 (possibly 3) music festivals planned already for this year, so it looks …

A Question Of Transport

A colourful bus stop shelter with striped benches sits beside a city street at dusk as a bus speeds by, creating light streaks and a blurred motion effect under a bright blue sky.

I first started University in 2009, and lived in a flat which was part of University accommodation. My flat was in a village called Oadby which was 2 miles …

Lincoln Christmas Market: Accessibility Review

A lively crowd gathers at a market in a town square at dusk, with brightly lit stalls and historic buildings. In the background, a large illuminated cathedral towers over the scene.

It’s that time of year again! This last weekend I visited the annual Lincoln Christmas market. It was bitterly cold, so I only spent a couple of hours there …

My first encounter with the University of Leicester

A large group of people pose for a photo outside a building with big windows. Some wear red shirts, one person is in a wheelchair, and a sign above the door reads George Porter Building.

I studied at the University of Leicester for five years, starting in 2009. But the first time I went to Leicester was actually four years previously in July 2005 …

Breathe: A Movie Review

Six people in retro-style business attire stand in a futuristic white laboratory. One man sits in a central chair, looking serious, while five others stand behind him, observing. Mannequin-like figures are visible along both walls.

Last week I went to see a film called Breathe, directed by Andy Serkis, and starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, and Hugh Bonneville in the main roles.

Dulce Et Decorum Est – a Powerful War Poem

Wooden crosses with red paper poppies are placed in grass beside a stone, symbolising remembrance. Red text reads: Dulce Et Decorum Est – A Powerful War Poem.

Today is Remembrance Sunday so I decided to share a poem to commemorate the fallen. Everybody knows “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, so I looked for some less …

Spending a week at Revitalise

Last week I went to Revitalise. If you’re not familiar with what revitalise is they are a charity that offers respite breaks for disabled people and carers. They have …

Petition to Make Changing Places Toilets Mandatory

A modern, accessible hospital bathroom features a height-adjustable changing table, a wall-mounted toilet with support rails, a washbasin, a mirror, and white walls with bright lighting.

I have created a petition to make Changing Places Toilets mandatory in large public places. Here is the link to my petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/203512 Please sign it and share it! …

Equinox Festival, Lincolnshire: Wheelchair access review

Colourful wooden fence panels with the words DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY painted on them, set outdoors with a field and trees in the background; a pink smiley face is also drawn on the fence.

On Friday, 22 September I decided to go to one last music festival to celebrate the end of summer. The festival in question was Equinox Festival, set on a …

Lost Village Festival: Raving in the Woods

A man in a wheelchair wearing a colourful shirt, sunglasses, and a red cap sits on grass in front of a large outdoor festival marquee with people gathered under it and festival decorations around.

From the 24th to 27th of August I went to Lost Village Festival in Lincolnshire.

Beach Wheelchairs Make Beaches Accessible to All

A man in a beach wheelchair with large tyres sits on wet sand at the beach under a blue sky. Text reads: Beach Wheelchairs Are Making Beaches Accessible for All.

If you have ever tried pushing a wheelchair on a beach you will know that it’s an almost impossible task. The small narrow wheels mean that as soon as …

7 Websites To Help You Find Local Carers In The UK

A person in a wheelchair and a woman in a hat stand closely together, facing a fenced area outdoors with a group of people in the distance under a cloudy sky.

A list of 7 UK websites that could help make finding the right local carers a bit easier.

Splendour Festival 2017: Wheelchair access review

A man in a green shirt and white hat sits in a wheelchair at an outdoor event, with people gathered on the grass and a large crowd in front of a stage under a partly cloudy sky.

On 22 July I went to Splendour music festival in Nottingham. It was held in Wollaton Park, in the grounds of Wollaton Hall.

GlassOuse Assistive Device V 1.2: An Honest User Review

A man wearing glasses and a head-mounted GlassOuse V1.2 assistive device, with text overlay saying A review of the GlassOuse V 1.2 Assistive Device.

The GlassOuse Assistive Device allows you to operate any Bluetooth device hands-free. It’s ideal for people with disabilities who are unable to use their hands and arms. You can …

Tenerife Accessibility Review

A person in a wheelchair sits by a wooden fence on a mountain road with trees and clouds in the background. Large text reads “Tenerife Accessibility Review.” Smaller text says “The Life Quadriplegic”.

At the beginning of June I spent a week in Tenerife – the second most visited destination in the world for disabled people, behind Florida. The reason is not …

Author: Alex Squire