Enabling a life without limits

Nowadays, having a disability does not mean that you cannot have a normal life.

In a city like London, many developments in technology and awareness have improved the quality of life for the disadvantaged.

With regards to sport, the common belief that people with disabilities are penalised is an incorrect assumption. Sport is a global expression of freedom and feelings.

It has also become more inclusive, recognising diversity and promoting the opportunity to participate.

Milan Sheth is a partially blind tennis player. He loves playing tennis and he is happy that there are now more possibilities to play for people like him. He regards tennis as a great way of exercising, being competitive and meeting his friends.

London lends a hand

He says London has become a really good place because there are more facilities and increased awareness. He points out an example related to his commuting: when he is travelling, there is an attendant who escorts and helps him to come in and out of the train.

Milan is one of the payers from the Metro association - a charity that supports and runs activities for blind people enabling them to take part in different kinds of sport, such as athletics, cricket and tennis. Metro also finances their participation in championships and supports them at a competitive level.

The Tennis Foundation charity takes action to make sport centres easily accessible for disabled players, providing professional and specific coaching. Disabled people are also given the opportunity to become coaches. In addition, the charity develops an international set of rules for blind tennis.

One of the centres supported by the Tennis Foundation is The National Tennis Centre in Barnes, London. I went there to visit a group of blind players tennis players from Metro who train every Friday. It was impressive to see them running and hitting the ball without any problems.

This is also where I met Milan, who is partially blind. His sight is affected by albinism, which gives him very weak eyes muscles. This means he can only focus on things which are a few feet in front of him. Beyond that, everything is blurred and he can only imagine what is there.

Relying on sound

When playing tennis, Milan mainly relies on his ears and on the sense of sound. He can hear when the ball is falling and coming towards him, by listening to the rattling sound that comes from inside it. This audible ball is one such adaptation made for blind tennis players.

The ball is also spongy, so it does not harm any players that it may hit and it also moves slower, giving them time to hear it.

Secondly the tennis rackets are short, with the face not too far from the hand, in order to have a clearer sense of its positioning and reflex more easily when catching the ball.

Finally, the tennis court is smaller because they use the serving line as the base line.

The rules of the game are basically unchanged. However, blind players are allowed extra bounces. If you are visually impaired you are allowed two bounces, if you are totally blind you are allowed three.

Blind tennis protocol

There is also a protocol in blind tennis, where the serving player must shout “play” or ”ready” and if his or opponent is ready, they respond with “yes”.  Verbal communication is essential when the players cannot see.

Tennis is one of the most popular sports in England and the annual Wimbledon championships draws thousands of people to its courts or to television screens to watch the latest matches.

It is therefore also important to make the sport accessible for people who are blind, deaf or in a wheelchair.

Odette Battarel, a second level coach of blind tennis and visually impaired herself, says: "Wheelchair tennis is already in the Paralympics.

“There is a GB team and they are competing this summer at London 2012 in August. We are hoping that blind and visually impaired tennis will come to the Paralympics soon.”

She adds: "We might even have the chance to have a demonstration this summer to show that it is possible for the blind and visually impaired to play tennis."

Sport is very important to the blind, but not just to stay healthy and participate in sporting activities. The main reason is because a blind person wants to feel like everyone else.

A life should not be limited because of a disability. London is a great city because it is providing good assistance and services to disabled people, fulfilling their dreams of not being discriminated or less able to enjoy life.

Advices to revive your relationship

Valentine’s Day is running up, and people get excited, thinking about how surprise their partner.

The key word is romance. Nowadays life is terribly busy and there is no much time to think about the value of our love. Valentine’s Day is set in order to remember us to celebrate it.





What are tips to restore and  feel more connected and close with your lover?

1.    Communication is extremely important.

Sharing thoughts, talking problems out and dealing with them to find a solution together. Silent is against any relationship because how can you know and try to understand what someone is thinking if you don’t ask?.

Being a couple means find the common ground and get a compromise in any decision.

2.    Kindness and little things make the difference.

Small gestures are so crucial: compliments to make your partner noteworthy or a sincere “thank you” to show appreciation about what he is doing for you.

3.    Physical contact is necessary to maintain your relationship strengths.

Kissing, hugging, and least but not less decisive a vital sex life.

4.    Surprises are always welcomed.

Unexpected card, flowers or gift, can mean a lot. They can be a delightful way to say sorry for a distressing argument or an annoyed misunderstanding.

5.    Special events are required to revitalize the normal routine.

A valid example is a trip together, relaxing in the seaside or discovering a new city.

Planning something different from everyday life is an excellent choice in order to renovate your loving feeling and experience something new.

Novelty brings always exciting.

In addition, some moments have to be underlined and ritualised because nothing is worthless in a relationship.

A lusty love is based on small steps, whose have to be remembered.

6.    Personal space.

In a relationship it is crucial and healthy taking your own time to your hobbies, to your friends and family. Everyone needs personal space to not fell oppressed and overwhelmed.

7.    Love is trust.

A mature understanding of your partner’s demands.

Relationship means a project together, and trust and confidence are essential. You have to rely on each other, having relaxing feelings and a sense of mutual support.

8.    Be honest.

It is better  avoiding lies and keep on telling the true, even if it is not pleasant. In this way, you are more reliable, and at the bottom of the line all coming up to the evidence. It is better facing problems immediately and directly and not trying to hid them.

9.    Not forget respect.

This most unforgettable element is so relevant in a relationship. It is related with feelings, ideas, opinions, goals and desires. Imposing your thinking and the decision is always hurtful. All the people are different, as well your lover is not the same as you. Sometimes can be difficult to accept an opposite view or will but this can show how extensive is your love.

10.    Listening.

Relationship is not only in one sense. Some people are so selfish that are able just to point out their problems and worries and treat their partner as a fixer. However, love is not that. Love is listening your companion, knowing his life, his ambitions and what he likes, without taking out his freedom and invading his life. He has to feel your presence next to him and your understanding.

A loving relationship is not easy to have been made working. It needs daily attentions and a lot of patience. Love can give you so much in life, but you need to keep it, making it bigger and stronger day to day.

Today Valentine’s Day is become a commercial event. A business for shop sellers. People are used to buy material present  and sometimes sent it by post because they are away working. The meaning of this festive day is different. It is a love celebration and money are not going to give you love. They are just a trace of love. Unusual trip, a memorable dinner or time shared together can means more.