> Byte sized interview with Helen Smith
- 8 Jul 07, 11:45 AM
Helen Smith is Director of Policy and Campaigns for Mobilise, an organisation focused on encouraging greater independence for disabled people through enhanced mobility. Prior to this, she worked for Anglia TV as a journalist for six years.
In 1997, she contracted meningococcal septicaemia, which resulted in her losing her hands and legs. She has prosthetic limbs that enable her to drive, dance, cook and, with a special mouse pad (similar to that on a laptop) use a computer.
Q: What are your favourite websites?
I read the papers a lot for my job, like The Times Online, The Sun and The Mirror. Surprisingly I find that the red tops cover disability issues much better than the broadsheets - such as when Anthony Steen MP used a disabled parking bay at his local station - as they seem to be more open to 'human interest' stories."
Q: What was the last thing you bought online?
A red dress from Principles. I buy everything online. I still find a lot of shops don’t have wheelchair access, and the internet is great for everything from groceries to clothes. I can buy everything at home, in my own time, and if I don’t like it, then I can just send it back.
Q: Complete the following sentence, “If the web was taken away from me today…”
I would re-invent it! I can’t imagine life without it. If I’m doing research, or trying to contact someone, I can just look on the web. It is almost unimaginable to think what life would be like without it.
Q: What's the most adventurous thing you've done on the web recently?
If you mean, have I organised a date with some dodgy bloke on the internet, then no, I’ve not done anything all that adventurous on the web! Seriously, I would have to say that it is maintaining the Baywatch Campaign website. This is a website for our survey on disabled parking space abuse coming up later in the month.
Q: What's your favourite blog?
I’m afraid I don’t really read blogs. I’m quite happy reading the newspapers.
Q: Have you ever heard of Facebook?
I’m aware of those kinds of websites, but I don’t use them. They are for teenagers, surely! Whilst I was at Anglia TV, I registered with MySpace in order to see a profile relevant to an article I was doing. But I didn’t like the way people I’d never heard of kept asking to be listed as my friend.
Q: Do you have a favourite gadget?
I’ve got loads of gadgets, but I would have to say that it is my split-hook prosthesis, because without it I wouldn't be able to do much. I have to mention my electric garage opener and tin-opener as well though!
If you would like to take part in the Baywatch Campaign survey into parking abuse, then you can download the forms from their website. Mobilise offers plenty of useful information and help for anyone looking to improve their personal mobility.
Email us if you would like to take part in the byte sized interview.
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