Rosaleen's Profile
Rosaleen, Female, 49, Cardiff; Wales.
- Disability: Wheelchair User
- Require a carer/interpreter: Yes
- Height: 120cm - 3' 11"
- Eye Colour: Blue
- Hair Colour: Black
- Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
- Occupation: Trainer; Writer; Presenter
About Me
About me:-
information I could not add to the details section -- as well as being a wheelchair user I am 'limbless'. Further, although I do not drive, I have my own car and people to drive me.
Now about me:-
I am a disabled woman. My impairment is four limbed phocomelia (foreshortened arms and legs -- basically two fingers budding from each shoulder and short legs above the average knee) caused by the drug Thalidomide.
Mobility is enjoyed by way of an electric wheelchair.
I am also a Wife and Mother!
I am the proprietor of the 'RMS Disability Issues Consultancy', a training, consultancy & journalism services business.
I presented two radio programmes for BBC Radio Wales. Thalidomide -- 50 years on. These were aired consecutively on Sunday the 29th of June and Sunday the 6th of July 08.
I was a guest presenter for BBC 2W during the 2008 Royal Welsh Show.
On the writing front, I have contributed to several books, I have written numerous articles, published my own autobiography ['Four Fingers and Thirteen Toes' by Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds] and I'm working on a couple of writing projects at the moment.
I am a school governor.
I am a member of the 'Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People -- Access Group'.
I am a member of many disability related organisations.
My interests and hobbies are:-
Spending time with my family and friends; socialising -- in particular eating out, going to the theatre and live concerts; photography and painting; reading (when I get time); surfing the Internet and e-mailing; and voluntary work -- acting as an advocate for disabled people, either through being a school governor or my involvement in disability related groups.
In 1998 I was a finalist in the prestigious Welsh Woman of the Year Awards, in the category of Woman in the Community.
TV/Film, Theatre or Modelling Experience
TV/film, theatre or modelling experience:-
At school and college I was involved in the drama groups and participated in numerous productions and plays. Again at school I was a member of the school choir and in 1975 I was selected to take part in 'a choir of 100 children's voices' to perform Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Albert Hall.
1993 to 1995, I was a presenter -- Broadcasting a disability issues programme on Red Dragon Touch AM (independent radio).
I have taken part in a number of television documentaries; some on the subject of Thalidomide. Others on disability issues in general -- I worked with BBC 2W on their Define Normal series and with ITV 1 (Wales) on the “My Way” series, as a participant.
In 2003, ITV1 (Wales) commissioned a series of programmes entitled One in Six. The programmes featured a number of disabled people from all walks of Welsh Life. My contribution was to the programme looking at work and education. It charted my experiences of early education, schooling, University and ultimately following current career, work and businesses. This programme was entered in the Celtic Film Festival 2004. The entry was rewarded with first prize in the Education category.
A regular contributor/participant on various BBC radio Wales programmes and BBC news bulletins.
Following the 50th Anniversary of Thalidomide being introduced in the United Kingdom, I was engaged by Telesgop Media (who were commissioned by BBC Radio Wales) to present a two-part radio series on the impact of Thalidomide - 50 years on.
In July I was invited by Telesgop Media (who were this time commissioned by BBC 2W) to be a guest presenter for the BBC during the 2008 Royal Welsh Show – as a first time visitor to what is one of Europe’s premier agricultural and country shows.
Special Skills or What makes you Extra Ordinary?
Special skills or what makes you extra ordinary:-
I have an outgoing bubbly personality. I have excellent speaking skills and experience. I am a quick learner. I enjoy a challenge and competition. However, I will always lend a sympathetic ear, am perceptive to other people's feelings and a very caring person.
I am comfortable with my image -- although I don't have any arms or legs and I use an electric wheelchair for mobility. Even in this day and age I am aware that people still stare, this does not bother me, as far as I'm concerned they are learning and being educated whilst watching how and why I do things in a certain way.
I am a well known character in Wales and would like the opportunity to spread that little bit of happiness that I bring to people, to a wider audience
I am unique!