 | | Kath's image in the calendar |
If anyone asked you to bare all for the whole world to see the chances are you'd probably say no. But, twelve brave, and some would say slightly mad, members of Paul's Place social club have done the deed. The charity decided that it needed to raise funds to help build its new centre and what better way then producing the world's first disabled naked calendar. The idea came about when Kath Aldom the founder of Paul's Place was thinking of ways of not only making money for the new premises but also how to show that disabled people are as proud of their bodies as anyone else. The dozen, who live with a range of disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy to blindness, are tired of being ignored and now desperately needs to raise cash to help build their own facility. Many members of the group are wheelchair users or live with profound physical constraints, yet they have taken the brave step to show off their bodies to the rest of the world. Kath Aldom, founder of Paul's Place said: "We believe this is a world first and it's never been done before - so we think this calendar is long overdue! "After Calendar Girls everyone got their kit-off to try and raise money - except disabled people. Why shouldn't they show off their bodies? "I'm proud that the friends in our group have had the courage to do this, despite them knowing that some members of the public may react badly to seeing them naked. I think we're all beautiful. | ""I'm proud that the friends in our group have had the courage to do this, despite them knowing that some members of the public may react badly to see" | | Kath Aldom founder of Paul's Place |
"It was the disabled members of the group who came up with the idea themselves. Initially staff were a bit shocked - but then we all thought 'What the Hell - if able bodied people can do it - why not?!'" Danielle Lloyd, 40, a librarian and wheelchair user with spina bifida who appears on the cover of the calendar said: "I believe society is uncomfortable with the idea that disabled people have sex, are sexually aware, or even proud of their bodies. It's far easier for most people not to think about that and I don't blame them. "But if we are to be included as part of society then people need to accept this and deal with it. "I make no apologies for getting naked or pushing disabled nudity into peoples faces - I believe it's the only way society can fully accept us and move on." Pip Wynn-Griffiths, 43, who was severely injured in a road traffic accident as a teenager and appears in August on the calendar said: "I took my clothes off because I wanted to tell the world. Just because I'm disabled doesn't mean I don't have a great mind or something worthwhile to say. "Disabled people know their own minds and have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies - I think mine is beautiful. "All you're seeing is my outer shell - mine may be different from yours - but I happen to think it's pretty good!" "If people think the calendar is offensive they should get a life! They don't have to buy it if they don't like it - but I'm sure many people will buy it - the photographs are stunning!' Sean Francis, 22, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy who appears nude in September said: "I don't see what the big deal is really - I'm always getting my clothes off! "Because of my condition - carers have to dress and undress me. I'm completely comfortable with being naked - I have no choice!" If you'd like to buy one of the calendars then you can call the CSV Actiondesk for deatils on 0845 900 7 95 5 or use the weblinks below.
Find out more about the Paul's Place campaign with the following links.
Paul's Place >
SHP Solutions >
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