John R. McFarlane is an Actor with Polio and a Polio Advocate. John and Keith talk about Polio Advocacy, traveling the world, and John's personal experience living with Polio. They talk about the importance of living life and embracing the "Polio family."

BEGIN: Thought I would just share a bit about myself. As you may have seen or know, I enjoyed an extensive commercial career but for the past 40 years or so I have concentrated on the disability sector. I had polio when I was 18 months old and use a wheelchair full time. So, I am interested both in access, legislation as well as advocacy – both promoting and empowering people through getting them to use it themselves. Although I am physically disabled, I work across all types of disability - physical, visual, sensory, intellectual, behavioral as well as genetic. I am looking to find examples of best practice and incorporate these, where possible, into my work as well as exchanging information. Currently the projects I am working on, one is the Rotary International’s World Disability Advocacy Group that is a worldwide project and has both a strong membership base and influence amongst others working on similar structures, we work closely with the 1.4 million Rotarians and their Clubs around the globe. If you would like to get regular news, newsletter and notice of the open form meeting send an email to the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocates at rotarywda@gmail.com. I am also working on the Post-Polio Syndrome Advocacy Group that is a worldwide project and has both a strong membership base and influence amongst others working on similar structures, that also work closely with Rotary Clubs around the globe. It has a FB page under Post-Polio Syndrome Advocacy Group where you can learn more and even see a talk I did. If you would like to get regular news, newsletter and notice of the open form meeting send an email to ppsadvocacy@gmail.com. The whole point of these two projects is to educate people about the effects of old polio and to teach them how to advocate for themselves or to engage with advocacy services so that they live with dignity, independence, and the knowledge of how to reach out when help is needed. Lastly, I am working with the TouchPad Pro Foundation as the Chair of their Board of Directors in bringing to market an innovative product for blind people to learn Braille. Have a look at the Braille Doodle at www.touchpadprofoundation.org. There are also plans to further take the concept into an iPad type of device that will allow tactile feedback in a three dimensional manner. I look forward to staying in contact with you and sharing experiences to our, and others, mutual benefit. END

Disability Empowerment Now is produced by Pascal Albright

Season 4 is dedicated to Christina Trivigno, Disability Advocate and Friend.

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