26th July Mary Temple Grandin

An academic and animal behaviourist from the United States. She is highly regarded for her advocacy of humane treatment for livestock intended for slaughter, as well as her comprehensive research in animal behaviour, with over 60 scientific papers published. Grandin also serves as a consultant to the livestock industry, offering valuable advice on animal behaviour. In addition to her contributions in the field of animal sciences, Grandin is a spokesperson for autism.

She holds a faculty position in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University, specialising in Animal Sciences. Grandin’s remarkable achievements have been recognised on a global scale, as she was included in the “Heroes” category of the Time 100 list in 2010. 

Her life story has been portrayed in the award-winning biographical film Temple Grandin. Known for her unwavering support for autism rights and the neurodiversity movement, Grandin continues to be an influential figure in her field.

24th July – Aaron Rose Philip, 

Born 2001, and is an Antiguan-American model. Notably, in 2018, Aaron made history by becoming the first black, transgender, and physically disabled model to be represented by a major modelling agency. Since then, Aaron has participated in numerous significant high fashion photo shoots and campaigns.

At age of 14 , she published her memoir titled “This Kid Can Fly: It’s About Ability (Not Disability),” which chronicles her personal experiences growing up with cerebral palsy. Collaborating with Tanya Bolden, Aaron co-wrote the memoir, and it was published by HarperCollins.

She has graced the cover of Paper magazine’s “Pride” issue, and in a notable interview, she engaged with supermodel Naomi Campbell. Additionally, Aaron appeared on the cover of S moda for El Pais’ September issue and INDIE’s Spring/Summer 21 cover. Her portfolio includes editorials shot for distinguished publications like American Vogue, British Vogue, and Vogue Italia. Aaron has also been featured in campaigns for renowned brands such as Dove, Sephora, Outdoor Voices, and Nike. Notably, she starred in the music video for Miley Cyrus’ song “Mother’s Daughter,”

Aaron exclusively debuted in Moschino’s spring/summer 2022 runway show at New York Fashion Week, becoming the first wheelchair-user model to walk in a runway show for a major luxury fashion brand.

22nd July Wanda Diaz Merced,

A blind astronomer, is known for sonifying large data sets. She works at the European Gravitational Observatory Cascina and advocates for equality in astronomy. She was recognised by the BBC as one of the 7 most trailblazing women in science. Díaz-Merced pursues a career in science, losing her sight in her twenties she found new ways to study stellar radiation using sound. She studied physics at the University of Puerto Rico and earned a doctorate in computer science from the University of Glasgow. She has collaborated with various institutions and is a member of the International Astronomical Union. Díaz-Merced won Google’s European Scholarship for Students with Disabilities in 2011 and was awarded an Estrella Luike trophy in 2017.

20th July Ade Adepitan, 

Adedoyin Olayiwola Adepitan, known as Ade Adepitan MBE, is a Nigerian-born British TV presenter and wheelchair basketball player. He has a career spanning over 20 years, hosting travel documentaries and sports programs for BBC.  A prominent disability advocate and one of the first physically disabled television presenters in the UK. He contracted polio as an infant, resulting in using a wheelchair. 

Adepitan was part of the British wheelchair basketball team at the 2004 Summer Paralympics, winning a bronze medal. He is involved in various charities promoting access to sports for disabled individuals. He has also acted in shows like Casualty and Desperados. In recent years, he has hosted travel documentaries, including Africa with Ade Adepitan and Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline. 

In 2021, he was selected to present open-access meetings for a scientific group reporting on global environmental changes.

18th July Dr Victor Pineda,

Pineda, an American urban planner and scholar, has made noteworthy contributions in the field of inclusive and accessible smart cities. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA-Type II).  Pineda’s expertise have allowed him to establish himself as a globally recognised human rights expert. He has been appointed twice by the president for his exceptional abilities and currently leads the Inclusive Cities Lab at the prestigious Institute for Urban and Regional Development, UC Berkeley.

Early in his professional journey, Pineda attained the distinction of becoming the youngest government delegate involved in the creation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This monumental achievement propelled him to launch the World Enabled Global Initiative, a disability affiliate program that leverages the influence of prominent disabled persons’ organisations and intergovernmental agencies to bring about meaningful change. Additionally, he established the Pineda Foundation, a voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignities of young individuals with disabilities.

16th July John Nash, 

John Forbes Nash Jr,  an American mathematician, was given the prestigious 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics in recognition of his groundbreaking advancements in the field of game theory. 

Beginning his pioneering work in the 1950s, Nash revolutionised the study of mathematics by delving into the intricacies of rivalries between competitors with varying interests. His extensive research on game theory culminated in the formulation of the Nash equilibrium, an optimal outcome attainable by all participants in a finite game. Despite its inherent limitations, the Nash equilibrium has found wide application among business strategists.
Nash embarked on his academic journey at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, initially pursuing a course in chemical engineering before ultimately shifting his focus to chemistry and mathematics.

He successfully obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics in 1948, remarkable achievements in their own right, before proceeding to complete his doctorate at Princeton University at the young age of 22. Subsequently, he was appointed to the faculty at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and devoted his research efforts to the field of partial differential equations.  Nash’s ongoing battles with mental illness led to his resignation from MIT in the late 1950s. 

Nash was later treated in Hospital for exhibiting symptoms of paranoia, persecutory delusions, hallucinations, and a gradual withdrawal from social interaction. Following thorough evaluation, medical professionals diagnosed him with schizophrenia. In 1961, Mr. Nash was then admitted to the New Jersey State Hospital located in Trenton. Throughout the subsequent nine years, he underwent periodic stays at psychiatric hospitals.   

John Nash life story was depicted in the Hollywood film a beautiful mind,  which I remember going to see when I was an assistant occupational therapist in a mental health hospital.  
However the Film falsely claimed that Nash’s recovery was down to medication and the care he received in hospital.   In fact he stopped using medication in the 1970’s as this article in the Guardian at the time of his death explains,  its an example of the medical model health care wanting to control the narrative as to how a person might live the life they want to,  

14th July – Virginia Woolf

A British novelist known for works such as To the Lighthouse and Orlando, From the age of 13, Woolf had symptoms that today would be diagnosed as bipolar disorder she experienced manic, depression and psychosis episode, ending in her taking her own at age 59.

Her diaries and letters showcase her sharp wit and also provide insight into the richness of her relationships and her ability to appreciate the simple pleasures of everyday life. Woolf’s writing outlines her complex relationship with her long term mental health condition. Demonstrating that her engagement in writing was therapeutic for Woolf. She wrestled with the notion of whether her illness was an insurmountable obstacle or indeed a necessary condition for her art.

One poignant entry in Woolf’s diary reads, “The only way I keep afloat is by working.” For her, writing was an absolute necessity, but it was also a way to confront her innermost thoughts and emotions. At times, Woolf believed that only by sinking into the depths of her depression and psychosis could she arrive at the truth. It’s a chilling metaphor that appropriately captures the way Woolf would end her life – by succumbing herself in water.

12th July – Claude Monet

Claude Monet, a distinguished French painter acclaimed for spearheading the artistic movement known as Impressionism. This movement ardently focuses on capturing the transitory interplay of light and color in one’s surroundings. As Monet entered his sixties, he commenced experiencing alterations in his visual perception, particularly pertaining to his discernment of colour. He persisted in his artistic pursuits despite these challenges. When he reached the age of 72, he received a diagnosis of nuclear cataracts affecting both of his eyes. Among Monet’s most celebrated masterpieces are notable works such as “Poppies” and “Woman With a Parasol.

10th July – Dr. Maya Angelou

Known for her captivating poetry and literary works. Many are unaware that she also experienced selective mutism, a condition that emerged from a trauma in her childhood. Meaning she did not speak for five years, during this time she developed a deep love for language and the power of listening during this silent period.

Dr. Angelou blossomed into one of the most influential black women in history. Her talents spanned various art forms, including dancing, acting, singing, and writing.

Born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, adopting the name Maya Angelou in 1952 to align with her career in calypso singing.

Throughout her career, Dr. Angelou explored the complexities of the human condition through her works. Students often described her classes as profound lessons in what it means to be human. She taught a range of humanities courses, including “World Poetry in Dramatic Performance,” “Race, Politics and Literature,” “African Culture and Impact on U.S.,” “Race in the Southern Experience,” and “Shakespeare and the Human Condition.” 

One of Dr. Angelou’s guiding principles was the recognition of our shared humanity. She often quoted the Latin saying, “I am a human being. Nothing human can be alien to me,” borrowed from the African playwright Terentius Afer. This philosophy stemmed from Terentius’ experience as a Roman slave in the 2nd century BC, who later emerged as an influential writer.

By embracing this belief, Dr. Angelou encouraged a deeper understanding and empathy among her students and audiences alike. This has always struck me in something the profession needs to understand more, exploring the connection with occupation the impact trauma and being human.

8th July– Robin Cavendish

Robin Francis Cavendish, at the age of 28, contracted polio, which resulted in paralysis from the neck down, necessitating him to rely entirely on a machine that assisted with his breathing. This condition was commonly referred to as “responauts”. During the late 1950s, individuals with similar conditions were typically expected to spend the remainder of their lives in a hospital setting. Despite the advice of professionals, after a year, Cavendish made the decision to leave the hospital and surpassed the life expectancy predicted by experts.
During the 1960s, Cavendish sought out and documented the circumstances of all the “responauts” in Britain, as there had not yet been any record of the number of people who used “iron lungs” for assistance.

With the assistance of his friend Teddy Hall, an esteemed professor at Oxford, Cavendish developed a wheelchair that incorporated a built-in respirator, enabling him to leave his family’s residence. This wheelchair, created in 1962, served as a model for future designs, as Cavendish was determined to make mobility accessible to others.
Cavendish secured funding for the first twelve chairs from the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust, and eventually convinced the Department of Health at that time to provide funding for a series of chairs, manufactured by Teddy Hall’s company, Littlemore Scientific Engineering.
Cavendish actively participated in testing and promoting various equipment that significantly improved the lives of numerous individuals living with disabilities. This includes the Possum, which was developed by scientists in conjunction with Cavendish at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The Possum was designed to electronically control the immediate surrounding environment for individuals with severe disabilities. 

By solely using his head, Cavendish was able to activate the Possum’s coordinating box, allowing him to carry out occupations like making phone calls, adjusting the television, or regulating the central heating.

Many of the people I have shared so far, show such determination to live the life they want to and to do the occupations, they want, need and or required to do, often when the world tells them they can’t or should not. Something to think about.

6th July – Rick Allen

Born in Dronfield, Derbyshire 1963, Rick joined Def Leppard when he was just 15 years old, Affectionately known to fans as Thunder God, Allen has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the greatest drummers of all time.

He has spent the majority of his career performing with remarkable musical skill and passion, all with one handed following a severe car accident in Sheffield, resulting in the loss of his left arm.

The band supported Allen in his journey of relearning his craft. Rick taught himself how to play the drums once again. The band, returned to the stage  two years later and continued their musical journey with renewed determination and resilience. Allen’s contributions have played an instrumental role in the band’s commercial success, with hit releases such as “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” “Hysteria,” and “Love Bites.” 

Showing that your can engage in any occupation, if you have the will to do so.

4th July – Dorothy Hodgkin

Dorothy Mary Crowfoot Hodgkin was a highly esteemed British chemist who made significant contributions in the field of X-ray crystallography. Her groundbreaking work in determining the structure of biomolecules paved the way for advancements in structural biology.

One of Hodgkin’s notable achievements was confirming the structure of penicillin, a discovery that had been previously hypothesised by Edward Abraham and Ernst Boris Chain. Additionally, she played a crucial role in mapping the structure of vitamin B12, an accomplishment that earned her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964, making her the third woman to receive this prestigious honour. After 35 years of dedicated research, Hodgkin also elucidated the structure of insulin in 1969.

In 1934, Dorothy began to experience hand pain that caused swelling and deformity. Following an infection after giving birth to her first child, a doctor diagnosed her with chronic rheumatoid arthritis. In an effort to manage a severe rheumatoid arthritis attack resulting from the infection, Dorothy sought treatment at a clinic in Buxton, which included thermal baths and gold treatments. 

After completing the treatment, she returned to the laboratory but faced challenges using the main switch on the x-ray equipment due to the condition of her hands. To address this, she ingeniously adapted this occupation by created a lever of her own to operate the switch. Over time, her condition worsened, resulting in debilitating deformities and chronic pain in her hands and feet. In her final years, Dorothy relied on a wheelchair for mobility but maintained active involvement in her scientific career.

2nd July – Henri Matisse

was an artist known primarily for his accomplishments in painting, although he also excelled as a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor.  Matisse played a pivotal role in defining the groundbreaking developments in the visual arts during the early years of the twentieth century. His contributions to the fields of painting and sculpture were particularly notable.

In the later years of his career, Matisse encountered ill health that, meant a reduction in his physical strength spending lots of time in bed and needed the use of a wheelchair, he adapted his artistic approach and continued to create a series of works known as gouaches découpées. This technique involved cutting or tearing painted paper into various shapes, which were then arranged and affixed to a surface under the guidance of Matisse himself. Notably, some of these works, such as “The Snail,” boasted considerable dimensions.

The exploration of this technique, which Matisse also delved into in his picture book “Jazz” (published in 1947) and other artistic endeavours, presented him with new possibilities. He described this technique as allowing him to “draw in the colour,” simplifying the process for him. Rather than outlining the shape and then filling it with colour, he directly incorporated the colour into the creation, with one aspect influencing the other.

Overall, Henri Matisse’s significant contributions to the arts and his innovative approach, particularly through the use of gouaches découpées, have solidified his legacy as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, but his ability to adapt to physical changes in his body and still engage in the meaningful occupation of creating art is lesser known.