Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Bella Parkhouse is a typical teenager. She spends her time juggling college, a part-time job and seeing friends. But she's also among the 10% of people who live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) under the age of 18. Bella tells us how she navigates treatments and medication as well as managing her social life and chronic fatigue. She's also had to confront a few bullies along the way but remains determined not to let MS dictate her life... especially when, she admits, she experiences FOMO - a Fear Of Missing Out. Bella's mum, Sarah, also gives a few top tips for parents on how to support your child with a chronic illness. Presented by Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey. A full transcript will appear here soon.Listen to Ouch regularly on BBC Sounds or tell your smart speaker: "Ask the BBC for Ouch".

When Damon's guide dog DeeBee visits the vet for a check-up there is some unexpected news.He is weighed and found to be 5kg overweight - that's slightly more than your average cat.Damon must get DeeBee back to a healthy weight or risk having him temporarily taken away while he is slimmed down.So what can you do when your guide dog gets out of shape?Find out in the latest edition of Ouch - the irreverent disability talk podcast from BBC News.With Damon Rose, Niamh Hughes and Beth Rose.Listen to Ouch regularly on BBC Sounds or tell your smart speaker: "Ask the BBC for Ouch".

Comedian Joe Wells talks about the one time in his life that making eye contact with another human being wasn't uncomfortable. Recently diagnosed as autistic, he also explains why he has to block out men's voices by playing loud music in his headphones.Also on the podcast: Sarah Collins tells the story of the OCD moment where she strongly believes she's swallowed an entire packet of paracetamol. And Tom Leeds on how an accident obliterated all of his childhood memories until hearing an '80s song brought some of them back. To hear our podcast regularly, tell your smart speaker: "Ask the BBC for Ouch" or find it on your BBC Sounds app.Produced by Ed Morrish and the Ouch team.

When we put three disabled comedians together round a picnic table we hadn’t banked on hearing one of the best disability love stories we’ve ever heard. We're a hard-bitten cynical bunch at Ouch sometimes but this was a beautiful moment from Spring Day about her relationship with BBC Three's one and only Jerk, Tim Renkow. The story packs even more of a punch when you find out about her history and how much fun they’ve been having as a couple ever since. Features the "catholic cure for stammering", body positivity and more in the podcast that does disability differently - almost like it's normal. With Jon Long and Aidan Greene. Presented by Kate Monaghan and Simon Minty, Produced by Emma Tracey and recorded at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019.

Life can be a bit different if you're disabled or have a mental health difficulty, but sometimes it is just be plain hilarious. Andy Duffy, Sajeela Kershi and Janine Hammond take to the stage at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to tell true stories on the theme of Lost and Found. From Andy's missing wheelchair battery which almost sparked the evacuation of a London museum, to Sajeela's recent hearing loss which meant she mistook a rude, insulting man, for someone paying her a compliment. Reece Finnegan, who's blind, wakes up hungover and without any of his possessions in his boss' house, and must somehow find his way out. Then there's Janine Hammond who lost her nipples, twice. First to cancer, then to showbiz. This is the first episode of BBC Ouch: Storytelling Live 2019, hosted by comedian Chris McCausland. Subscribe to Ouch on BBC Sounds. Like us, rate us and leave a nice review - this helps others find our programmes. Email ouch@bbc.co.uk Tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook.

Everyone in the theatre company Elektric Apple has a learning disability.Using important themes from life, like mental health, sexuality and loneliness, they tell stories in their own words.We sat down with actors Carl and John and their director Andrew Sinclair to talk about what they love most about performing and the message they want to spread with their productions.Presented by Niamh HughesRecorded at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - @bbcouch

If you are disabled and believe that a product to solve your problem doesn’t exist yet, listen up. A network of volunteer engineers are on-hand to help. When Sarah Stones realised leaning heavily on her left arm was taking its toll but couldn’t find a device to help, she reached out to Remap, a charity that makes bespoke solutions for disabled people. Engineer Akshaya Ahuja made her an armband with a pressure-sensitive alarm that would make her straighten up. About to go to market is an accessible toy kitchen which is suitable both for kids who use wheelchairs, and those who stand. Designer Bex French works for Demand, a similar charity to Remap which creates cool stuff for disabled people. We put Bex and Akshaya on the spot with challenges from listeners, the presenters, and blind geek extraordinaire Robin Christopherson. Will Kate get a new skin to stop her joints from moving out of place? Why was Simon admiring Sarah’s seat? And what’s all the hype about buckwheat pillows? Presented by Kate Monaghan and Simon Minty. Produced by Emma Tracey.Subscribe now to BBC Ouch in BBC Sounds or ask for us on your smart speaker by saying "play Ouch disability talk from the BBC"

Living your best life when death is closer than you'd like it to be - that's what we're talking about on this month's long podcast. It's a very upbeat show about tricky disability stuff. Doctors told Lucy Watts she wouldn't make it to the age of 18 - she's now 25 and has survived sepsis 14 times. Her assistance dog Molly licks her hand three hours before any symptoms appear which gives Lucy time to get life-saving treatment. Her story about living while dying, growing up fast and realising that she's worthy of a sex life comes with warmth, energy and belly laughs. BBC Tech correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis after people noticed his hand shaking on live TV. Since then, the Government have recruited him to their Disability Confident campaign, he has been part of a study and tech innovations designed for people with the condition are being pushed his way. Psychotherapist Mel Halacre, who specialises in disabled people and their mental health, also lends her expertise Presented by Kate Monaghan and Simon Minty. Produced by Emma Tracey.

An A&E consultant, a psychiatrist, and two junior doctors swap notes on being disabled in the medical profession.Emergency medicine consultant, Dr Cieran McKiernan, speaks on the perils of self-diagnosis. He lost his leg after failing to treat a blister which became a 5cm-sq hole in his foot.Trainee GP, Dr Hannah Barham-Brown's wheelchair means she's regularly mistaken for a patient, while Dr Emily Burns spotted one patient's 'diagnosis' of Query Malingering - a euphemism for faking it - was actually Ehlers Danlos syndrome, a rare condition she has herself.Dr Caroline Walker says she hasn't got to go far to find doctors who, like her, have mental health difficulties.The foursome chat about the ups and down of the medical profession, the ambition to embrace diversity and how working less than full-time hours could be beneficial to all junior doctors.Produced by Emma Tracey

In a week where a tweet about a London pub went viral after a member of staff told a customer “we don’t serve disabled people”, meet the Mathies. Ben Mathie loves live music but venue options are limited because he’s only 12-years-old and uses a wheelchair and venues are often inaccessible. He was a regular at gigs in the local pub, The Harrow Inn Freehouse in Boughton, Nottinghamshire, before plans were made to shut it down. Then, in an unexpected move to save Ben's favourite venue, his mum and dad gave up their farm shop and took over the pub.Ben now has the important role of Events Manager and books all the live acts at the pub to ensure it’s as inclusive and welcoming as possible.Presented by Emma Tracey.Subscribe now to BBC Ouch in BBC Sounds or ask for us on your smart speaker by saying "play Ouch disability talk from the BBC".