Philip Anderson, working for change. Empowered Living.
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ABOUT ME

About Me

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About Philip Anderson

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Informal pose of Philip Anderson in the grounds of Keele Hall, outside the main entrance

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About Me

Hello there! I'm pleased you've dropped by my About Me page on my website. I'm delighted to have you here, and I'm excited to share a bit about myself with you. Let me start by sharing three palpable moments with you:

One:

I'll always cherish the memory of my first article published in the Weekend Times in 1999. It was special for two reasons: First, It was the 17th of April, my son's first birthday, and second, It enabled a wheelchair user to participate in the London Marathon. Swasie Turner had faced discrimination solely because of his wheelchair. Just imagine the incredible feeling of seeing him crossing the finish line. This photograph shows him beaming with pride, as he completes the race in 7 hours, 4 minutes, and 59 seconds.

Beaming with pride, Swasie Turner in his wheelchair propels himself to the finish line of the London Marathon.

Two:

When I was just ten years old, I had quite an adventurous experience. I actually survived a 20ft fall from a tree! Can you imagine the mix of fear and relief coursing through me during that unexpected descent before I hit the deck and everything went black. It was a wild experience, and it's something I'll never forget. I still have my own tangible memories of that tree even now four decades on. It was tall and resolute like a majestic arboreal giant, its branches, wide-spread and reaching out with what I imagined to be with an air of grandeur, extending like benevolent arms and creating a mesmerizing spectacle of intricate interplay, each limb bearing the weight of countless stories, whispered secrets, and the ancient wisdom of seasons past; my perilous encounter, just another secret among many secrets silently witnessed, yet never spoken.

A large tree with light shining through the twisting branches.

Three:

Another moment etched in my memory is the birth of my son. At exactly 10 pm on April 17, 1998, he came into this world, filling my heart with indescribable joy. I can still recall the overwhelming emotions I experienced as I held him in my arms for the first time wrapped in a tiny blanket, delighting in feeling his warm pulsating fragile, form against mine; his first rhythmic breaths pure music to my ears. Beside encapsulating that precious moment, this personal image taken when he was just one month old with me holding him in my arms, also captured the beginning of a beautiful journey as a father.

Personal Image of Philip Anderson holding his baby son in his arms.

Celebrating Our Similarities & Differences


You know what's really fascinating? We actually have a lot in common if you think about it. As Rush beautifully put it in their song 'Alien Shore', "we are slaves to one chromosome... just variations on a theme." Despite our diverse backgrounds, we share numerous connections at our core. We all breathe the same air, belong to the human race, and have those basic needs for food, shelter, and survival. And let's not forget our emotional similarities. We shed tears when we're sad and burst into laughter when we're happy. Plus, who doesn't appreciate the warmth of love?


Now, speaking of differences, one thing that sets me apart—maybe more uniquely for some—is that I was born with bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia. It's a condition I've had since birth that has left me almost completely blind. But hey, being visually impaired doesn't mean I lack intelligence; although, I suppose that's up for debate!

Embracing the Challenges

Throughout my life, I've had the chance to explore various fields, from adult education to retail, finance, business, and even radio and print journalism. There hasn't been a challenge I've considered unrealistic. You see, my character has been shaped by a tapestry of life experiences, and I've embraced every step of the journey.


My years as a journalist have given me a unique insight into reading between the lines, leading to a deeper understanding and more profound results compared to some of my sighted colleagues.


With my wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of disability, I've created various programmes, ranging from dyslexia support to addressing sensory impairments like hearing loss and blindness.

Now, I personally view blindness not as a disability, but rather as another challenge that can be overcome with determination. Problems only have power if we allow them to hold us back. It's all about accepting the circumstances and striving to create positive change despite the difficulties. A colleague once told me, "It's not blindness that disables me, but attitude." And we all know that attitudes can be altered.


That's why I consider the "DIS" in "Disability" to be one of the greatest negatives of all time. It directs attention to the problem rather than focusing on the individual and their abilities. By removing the "DIS" from "Disability," we immediately shift the focus from negative to positive and highlight the person's capabilities.

Defending the Cause

Equality is something I strongly believe in, and I wholeheartedly support campaigns aimed at eradicating Disability Hate Crime. This cause is particularly important to me because I have personally experienced the terrible persecution associated with it in the past. It took an article in my local newspaper and persistence on my part before the authorities took my situation seriously and provided me with the justice I deserved.

My Epitaph


Now, if you're wondering about my epitaph, there's a quote by Mark Twain that I find amusing and thought-provoking. He said:


"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it."


It resonates with me because it reflects the intriguing nature of our existence. It serves as a fitting epitaph, encapsulating my curious spirit and my knack for seeing the world from different angles.

Connect and Discover

Click here to learn more about my life and achievements.


Finally, click any of these links to listen to my previous broadcasts or my bi-monthly motivational podcast, "Against The Odds," where I celebrate incredible heroes who have triumphed over adversity and achieved remarkable things - and now "Talking Point" - my latest controversial podcast which sparks debate and challenges the status quo.

Listen to Against The Odds Podcast Listen to Talkingpoint Podcast

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Skills profile

Management; supportive and mentoring; braille translation & training, general business aspects, commercial awareness.


Teaching disability awareness, as well as Braille, to educators in special and mainstream education


Radio & media specifics

  • Sound editing – Gold Wave & Sound Forge
  • Creating and manipulating basic and complex sound files;
  • Research and analysis;
  • Interviewing – one on one plus board cessions; 
  • Cue sheets;
  • News packages;
  • Documentaries and Features;
  • Creating and presenting editorial content;
  • Cover a wide-range of broadcasting styles from news, magazine, arts and culture.

Work History

Jun 2014 – Jul 2014

Radio Presenter – Cre8 Radio Staffordshire University

Working closely with disabled students as guide and mentor

Responsibilities included; Disability Project facilitator and researcher, but soon went onto host my own show, Music of My Years, profiling local personalities.


Nov 2013 Jul 2014

Radio presenter – Stafford FM 

Establishment of a community interface show interviewing a broad range of guests from local social interest to political debate.


May 2013 – Jul 2013

Radio presenter Cre8 Radio Stafford University 

Working closely with disabled students as guide and mentor.


April 2011 – Jan 2013

Radio presenter 6 Towns Radio (voluntary)

Establishment of a community interface show interviewing a broad range of guests from local social interest to political debate).


I presented two shows:

Soapbox – a fortnightly interactive and controversial debate show in which personalities from local government, commerce and elsewhere were posed questions by the listener.


The Community Voice – a weekly topical magazine programme covering everything from current affairs, politics, through to education and the arts, with emphasis on disability, regeneration and community champions.


Sept 2010 – Feb 2012

Radio presenter The Global Voice (voluntary)


Apr 1999 – Jul 2008

Managing Director, Braille Transcription UK Ltd 


Supplied Braille, large print and audio material for a variety of clients, including many blue chip companies such as Orange, Center Parcs and Dexcel Pharmaceuticals.

2007, winners of Staffordshire Business, ‘Let’s Do Enterprise’


May 2001 – May 2001 – Freelance Reporter/researcher BBC Radio 4 In-Touch 

Oct 2000 – Oct 2000 – Freelance Reporter/researcher BBC Radio 4 In-Touch 

April 1999 – Jul 1999 – Freelance writer The Weekend Times 

Apr 1990 – Apr 1991 – office supplies merchant 

Aug 1989 – April 1991 – private tutor 

Apr 1988 – Jul 1988 – junior clerk National West Minster Bank PLC Bennet’s Hill Birmingham 


Education

2-1 in Psychology & Sociology - Open University 

Distinction in Speech and Drama with LAMDA

Creative writing module – Keele University

Interests

Playing the piano, listening to music, (progressive rock, classical, jazz and contemporary sensual dance), reading (psychological thrillers & horror), cooking, learning.

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