Latest news with #Stephenson
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
From isolation to empowerment: Mark's journey to freedom through inclusive sports
When Mark Stephenson learned his mind and body were failing him, his life as a devoted father and active community member was forever changed. He received a diagnosis of Young Onset Lewy Body Dementia (YOLBD), following an earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. His long career as a firefighter came to an abrupt end, and hobbies he once cherished, such as riding motorbikes, became suddenly out of reach. 'That's what the doctor told me — unfortunately, you won't be able to do your job anymore, and you can't drive home,' recalls Stephenson. 'In an instant, my life, which was once filled with activity and purpose, became very small.' When a person is diagnosed with both Young Onset Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease, often symptoms are overlapping, complicating their management. Experts suggest this combination diagnoses may result in a quicker deterioration of cognitive and motor functions. Patients face a range of symptoms including physical stiffness, tremors, memory loss and hallucinations. Stephenson found himself in the grips of despair, feeling directionless and isolated. 'I made endless phone calls to charities and local organisations hoping to volunteer or find recreational activities, but I was turned away every time,' he explained. 'Each rejection felt harder to cope with than the initial diagnosis. 'It was disheartening, causing me to retreat further into myself.' Everything changed when he stumbled upon a social media post from Sporting Wheelies, an organisation focused on promoting inclusive sports for individuals with disabilities. Encouraged by his wife, he decided to give wheelchair basketball a try, despite his fears of being rejected again. 'The first time I sat in that sports wheelchair, I felt a rush of freedom — the kind I hadn't felt in years. 'I called it my 'motorbike feeling. 'It was a game changer,' he shares, his eyes lighting up with excitement. 'Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a diverse group of people, all unified by a shared love for sport. 'Once in the chair, no one noticed it; we were simply a group of individuals playing basketball together.' Stephenson's journey reveals a broader issue: while over 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability — approximately 5.5 million people — opportunities to engage in sports are still limited. According to Dane Cross, Chief Operating Officer of Sporting Wheelies, only 25 per cent of people with disabilities currently participate in sports, despite 75 per cent expressing a strong desire to get involved. 'The reality is there aren't enough accessible sports programs, particularly in regional areas,' Cross states. 'Many clubs lack the resources and knowledge to be truly inclusive, making it difficult for individuals to engage fully in sports activities.' Barriers extend beyond physical access; ingrained societal attitudes and stereotypes also play a role. 'Many people with disabilities aren't seen as athletes,' Cross points out. 'Changing community perceptions is crucial for fostering an inclusive sporting environment.' Organisations like Sport4All are also working towards dismantling these barriers, providing training and support to community sports clubs to ensure they can accommodate individuals with varying abilities. National Manager of Sport4All, Carl Partridge, emphasises understanding the spectrum of disabilities is essential for creating inclusive environments. 'Disability isn't always visible,' he said. 'Financial constraints and preconceived notions can unintentionally exclude many individuals from participating in sports.' Stephenson's involvement in sports has not just provided an opportunity for physical activity, it has also delivered a renewed sense of purpose and connection. 'Through sport, I discovered a supportive community,' he added, reflecting on his experiences with Sporting Wheelies. 'I found friends and purpose again, which has been invaluable for my mental health.' Today, he actively participates in wheelchair basketball, cricket, and AFL, reclaiming his joy, confidence, and meaningful connections. As the financial year ends, Sporting Wheelies urges Australians to donate before June 30. Every contribution is 100 per cent tax-deductible. 'Every gift helps! With the right support, we can bring inclusive sport to communities, but we can't do it alone,' said Cross. '$500 trains a Disability Sport Officer. $1000 helps bring a new sport to a remote town.'
Hypebeast
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Frank Stephenson and Tavarish Reveal One-Off McLaren P1 "EVO" Project
Summary Frank Stephenson, the original designer of theMcLaren P1, is teaming up with YouTuberFreddy 'Tavarish' Hernandezto create the McLaren P1 'EVO' — a one-off reinterpretation of the iconic hybrid hypercar. The project centers around Tavarish's personal P1, which was severely damaged during Hurricane Ian in 2022. Rather than restore it to stock, the pair is aiming to build the fastest P1 ever made, with the process fullydocumentedon YouTube for fans to follow. The P1 EVO marks Stephenson's return to automotive design after a hiatus since 2018, and the redesign amplifies the car's aggressive aesthetic. The revised body features a larger front lip, newly added front fender vents, reworked doors and a striking dorsal fin that extends from the hood to a dramatic rear shark fin. The car also features a roof scoop and futuristic aero-discs on its wheels. This bespoke build blends Stephenson's original design language with contemporary motorsport influences and ambitious performance goals. The final vehicle is expected to debut later in 2025 and stands as both a resurrection story and an evolution of one of the most iconic hypercars of the last decade.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch Lance Stephenson React to Stunning Kevin Durant Rockets Trade
Watch Lance Stephenson React to Stunning Kevin Durant Rockets Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Longtime NBA standout guard Lance Stephenson is now plying his trade in Ice Cube's BIG3 3-on-3 league with the Miami 305. Advertisement The 6-foot-6 swingman out of the University of Cincinnati enjoyed a 10-year (non-consecutive) NBA career. Stephenson, now 34, spent parts of seven seasons with the Indiana Pacers and otherwise hopping around between the Charlotte Hornets, L.A. Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks between 2010-22, interrupted by a stint abroad with the CBA's Liaoning Flying Leopards and a run with the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. The shooting guard/swingman carved out a niche on several talented Indiana squads, alongside All-Stars Paul George and Roy Hibbert, plus former two-time All-Star All-Star David West and talented point guard George Hill. At their best, those Pacers pushed the LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh-era Miami Heat in three hotly contested East playoff series between 2012-14, including a pair of hotly contested Eastern Conference Finals clashes in 2013 and '14. Across 554 career regular season contests, Stephenson averaged 8.6 points on .445/.314/.694 shooting splits, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists a night. Advertisement Despite his litany of pro accomplishments, Stephenson was just like any of us on Sunday when the Houston Rockets (briefly) stole the spotlight from his own ex-team, the Pacers, on the cusp of their ill-fated Game 7 NBA Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Video has surfaced of Stephenson conferring NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, and being told that Houston had traded a fairly light package to acquire 14-time All-Star Kevin Durant. Understandably, Stephenson is stunned to hear the news. As, indeed, were we all. Houston managed to hold on to most of its best young assets — including forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, All-Star center Alperen Sengun, swingman Amen Thompson, and even guard Cam Whitmore and last year's lottery pick Reed Sheppard — in the deal, only offloading inconsistent guard Jalen Green, small forward Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this week's 2025 NBA Draft, and five future second rounders in the deal. Advertisement Now, one of the NBA's best scorers will be joining a Houston team that won 53 games last year, adding a veteran bucket-getter to guide a group of high-upside young athletes. Related: Lance Stephenson Makes Major Career Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Irish Examiner
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Social Democrats ask EU anti-fraud watchdog to probe failure to inspect Shannon flights
The Social Democrats have called on the EU's anti-fraud watchdog to investigate the failure to inspect flights at Shannon Airport. In a letter to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), Gary Gannon TD said Ireland's refusal to inspect private or military aircraft landing at Shannon may be "systematically undermining" EU customs and Vat obligations. The director general at OLAF was told the lack of inspection opens the door to potential abuse by private operators trying to avoid Vat by routing through Ireland. Mr Gannon wrote: This is not a theoretical concern. It may also have significant implications for the integrity of the EU Vat system and the fair functioning of the internal market. Senator Patricia Stephenson, who also wrote to OLAF, highlighted concerns that flights into Shannon may be "facilitating Israel's genocidal war in Gaza". "There is credible evidence that military contractors and private aircraft carrying dual-use goods — goods that can be used in weapons systems — are moving through Irish airspace and Irish territory en route to Israel," said Ms Stephenson. Both Ms Stephenson and Mr Gannon have also written to the Attorney General seeking legal clarity on the Government's positions for non-inspection of flights. Raising the matter in the Dáil, Mr Gannon said: "The moral failure speaks for itself, but we are potentially in breach of EU Vat enforcement rules, which raises serious questions." Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government fulfils its legal obligations when it comes to the inspection of flights. "In respect of aviation, there are international conventions that the Government and all governments have to adhere to regarding inspections or state flights, for example, as opposed to commercial flights. "The Government is adhering to and observing those obligations," said Mr Martin.
Black America Web
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Black America Web
Dwight Howard & Lance Stephenson Start Big3 Brawl That Nearly Spills Over Into The Crowd
The NBA Finals will be over within the next week, and the Big3 has once again proved why it should fill the basketball-shaped hole in your heart this summer. Its season kicked off this weekend in violent fashion thanks to an altercation between Lance Stephenson and Dwight Howard, where the Miami 305 beat the Los Angeles Riot, 50-44. It began as they were standing under the basket, and Stephenson appeared to shove his elbow into Howard's chest. Howard responded by grabbing him by the back of the head and attempting to swing him around. Eventually, the tussle spills over into the media area, and wires are pulled as they continue to grab at each other, just inches away from the fans. Team staff, teammates from both sides, and security personnel attempted to intervene but also wound up getting caught up in the chaos, ending up on the court themselves. The Ice Cube-led league is certainly more physical than the NBA, but fighting is a bridge too far, so both Howard and Stephenson were ejected. Prior to the ejection, Stephenson was also bugging Jordan Crawford, so Crawford shoved his finger up his nose. Stephenson immediately threw a punch at his face but was held back. Stephenson and Howard are both three years removed from their last NBA game and were nearly teammates in Los Angeles in 2019. Howard, an eight-time all-star and NBA champion, has gained a new on-court enemy, fresh off squashing his age-old beef with fellow big man Shaq, who agreed to be by his side when he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame. For Stephenson, he's always been an annoyance on the court, once amusing LeBron James by blowing in his ear. But most recently, he got out-trolled by Michael Beasley before getting blown out in a game of one-on-one. See social media's response to the Stephenson-Howard brawl below. Dwight Howard & Lance Stephenson Start Big3 Brawl That Nearly Spills Over Into The Crowd was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
