Interview with Ian Thomas

 

Born 26 December 1949

 

Educated Dame Hannah Rogers School, Ivybridge

 

St Theresa’s. Marazion in Cornwall. Effects of a fall. For 20 years IT worked in workshop for Remploy before he was made redundant. Boarding for 3 months at a time at Dame Hannah Rogers School, Ivybridge, Devon from age 6 to 18. Teachers Mr Bond and Mr Eames.  Being a prefect.

Working for Remploy near Camborne on the industrial estate in Wilson Way. Remploy moved out of engineering - bending machines went to Holmans and press machines went to a Remploy workshop in Hull. Machinist on a cross-stitch sewing machine. Became an inspector. Penzance Remploy. Incapacity Benefit. IT capsized in a canoe race near Penzance and got viral pneumonia for 8 months. Carriage driving. British Driving Society. Cornwall County Council forum on transport. Disabled Access Officer. Riding for the Disabled. Lord Nelson ship.

Carriage driving road test. Churchtown activity centre. Working for Remploy. Made redundant after viral pneumonia. Cheshire Homes. Sure representative Stan Odenshaw. Access to paths on the Marazion Marsh bird reserve. Making a sensory garden.

Moving out of parents’ home. Housing options. Cheshire Homes. Criminal records checks for volunteers. Isolation. Wheelchairs. Disability Discrimination Act. Steering committee of disabled people’s forum at Longrock.