The Last Leg - Disability Lures

Introduction

I am not disabled though I have a lot of health issues. A few of my friends suffer from physical disabilities such as Multiple Sclerosis, needing aid to walk, blindness and more. Many more suffer from mental illnesses including Bipolar, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Dyslexia, Agoraphobia, Autism, BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ) and many more and I always try to be there for them and to offer my support in any way that I can. Although this is not specifically about any of these I will list some helpful contact links at the end of this article.

The title of this story is my clumsy play on words referring to dyslexia.

This article though is on the incredible positivity that the Channel 4 program “The Last Leg” generates for the complete spectrum of people who have a diagnosed or undiagnosed disability.

This is the webpage for The Las Leg.

The Last Leg Is Ten Years Old

The theme music is Public Enemy's "Harder Than You Think", which became the show's permanent theme after initially serving as the title music for the whole of Channel 4's 2012 Summer Paralympics coverage

It is described by the main presenter Adam Hills as "Three guys with four legs talking about the week" because Hills was born without a right foot and Alex Brooker had his right leg amputated when he was a baby.

The original series, broadcast during the 2012 Paralympics, was a look back at each day's events during the competition, as well as a look at the news that week.

Following on from the Paralympics, the series became weekly and looks at political and other events in the news that week, as well as covering Paralympic matters. The show features guest interviews with Paralympians and celebrities.

Adam Hills.

He is Australian and hosts the show. He was born without one of his feet and wears a prosthetic leg. He has had a successful career in comedy and television both in Australia and in the UK before hosting The Last Leg.

The presenters’ comradery has led to Adam making a number of bets with his co-stars – many of which he has lost.

They have resulted in him having the Union Jack painted on his prosthetic leg, having his hair dyed the colours of the Union Jack, and having him grow his beard until we officially left the EU – as you can probably guess, it got pretty long!

Alex Brooker

He came to fame through the show itself.

He had his leg amputated as a baby after he was born with it twisted and now wears a prosthetic leg. He also has upper limb deformities.

He has gone on to co-present The Jump and made the brilliant documentary Disability and Me about his life, which you can still find on BBC iPlayer.

He’s well known on the show for taking on difficult and ridiculous challenges – he has taken on a round of Paralympic games, put himself in harm's way in a knife-throwing stunt and was the first disabled person to take on the Luge.

Josh Widdicombe

Josh, who was the token non-disabled person, as he called himself, recently quipped that he has a disability because he has severe hay fever.

Up until then, his other disability was having been born ginger!. He also apparently suffers from Pectus excavatum, a structural deformity of the anterior thoracic wall in which the sternum and rib cage are shaped abnormally. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest.

The Last Leg’s Positive Effect

The camaraderie and positivity generated by these three make you see everyone as human beings. Adam, Alex and Josh have to deal with their disabilities but you are taken in by their intelligent love and wit.

They are funny and tackle very big issues while maintaining a positive view on life and always trying to stand up for others and help those who have difficulty helping themselves.

They demonstrate what you can do with the right support and encouragement.

If you have not seen The Last Leg get yourself to the site or follow them on Youtube and your eyes will be well and truly opened.

Some Links That May Help

Disability Rights

Scope Advice

BiPolar Help

Autism Help

The Samaritans

Mind - Mental Health Help