How murderball film changed view of disabled sport
Murderball, which followed the United States wheelchair rugby team during their 2004 Paralympic campaign, gathered a string of glowing critical reviews from the movie critics. The film centres on the USA and Canadian teams, following their fierce rivalry from the 2002 World Championships to Athens two years later. It gives an insight into the ferocity of the sport in which wheelchairs often collide at high speed. The Academy Awards Committee nominated the film for its prize as the best documentary of 2006. Empire Magazine said it ‘strips away the layers of delicacy with which the able-bodied treat the disabled’ to reveal ‘the spirit and joie de vivre of those to whom disability is their making, not breaking. When Murderball came out, everyone in a wheelchair saw the movie and wanted to play the sport, but you have to have limitations in all four limbs. Murderball really changed how people thought about people in wheelchairs. People now look at those in wheelchairs and see them for what they can do rather than what they can't do'.
Pray: that the abilities that wheelchair users will have may not be restricted by the perceptions of those more able. (Dt.8:18b)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19484847
Study links teen cannabis use with lower IQ
Teenagers who regularly use cannabis could be permanently impairing their mental development and lowering their IQ, according to a major new study. Researchers found that heavy users who started regularly using the drug before the age of 18 suffered an average eight-point decline in IQ between adolescence and adulthood. Users were also found to have more problems with their attention span and memory than non-users. Dr Madeline Meier, who led the study, said the message was clear that the drug ‘is not harmless, particularly for adolescents’. She added: ‘Somebody who loses eight IQ points as an adolescent may be disadvantaged compared to their same-age peers for years to come.’ The study was based on more than 1,000 people in New Zealand. The study revealed: ‘Persistent cannabis use was associated with neuropsychological decline broadly across domains of functioning, even after controlling for years of education. Informants also reported noticing more cognitive problems for persistent cannabis users.
Pray: that the authorities would seriously note the results of this study and take action to reverse these statistics.
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/study-links-teen-cannabis-use-with-lower-iq/
Four Christians accusing employers of discrimination
Christians who lost employment tribunals for discrimination in the workplace took their fight to the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday. Their stories centre around whether religious principles have a place in the modern British workplace. When civil partnerships were legalised in 2004, Marriage registrar Miss Lillian Ladele refused to conduct them saying it was against her religious beliefs. Relationship councillor Mr McFarlane was sacked by Relate after objecting to giving sex therapy guidance to same-sex couples. Ms Eweida went home from a job with British Airways after she refused to conceal her silver cross necklace which breached uniform policy. Former nurse Mrs Chaplin was also asked not to display her cross necklace by the NHS Trust because the necklace breached health and safety guidelines. Mrs Chaplin had worn the cross necklace on the wards for 30 years.
Pray: that the judgement of the European Court will be led by the Holy Spirit and not by man. (Pr.1:5)
Four Christians accusing employers of discrimination
Christians who lost employment tribunals for discrimination in the workplace took their fight to the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday. Their stories centre around whether religious principles have a place in the modern British workplace. When civil partnerships were legalised in 2004, Marriage registrar Miss Lillian Ladele refused to conduct them saying it was against her religious beliefs. Relationship councillor Mr McFarlane was sacked by Relate after objecting to giving sex therapy guidance to same-sex couples. Ms Eweida went home from a job with British Airways after she refused to conceal her silver cross necklace which breached uniform policy. Former nurse Mrs Chaplin was also asked not to display her cross necklace by the NHS Trust because the necklace breached health and safety guidelines. Mrs Chaplin had worn the cross necklace on the wards for 30 years.
Pray: that the judgement of the European Court will be led by the Holy Spirit and not by man. (Pr.1:5)
