
Thalidomide victim Gary Skyner to go on hunger strike
Ricky Hatton supports Thalidomide victim's hunger strike
by Angela Johnson. Published Thu 01 Oct 2009 15:17, Last updated: 2009-10-01

Former World light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton MBE has given his full support to Liverpool comedian Gary Skyner's hunger strike.
Victim of the drug Thalidomide Gary Skyner, 49, and his mother Frances, 72, are protesting at the government's refusal to pay compensation to the users of the anti-morning sickness drug.
The pair have been on hunger strike for nine days, refusing all food except vitamin tablets and drinking only water and coffee until the government capitulates.
Skyner, who has no thumbs, wrists, elbows or radius bones in either arm, was the second person born in the UK with horrific side effects of the drug prescribed to combat morning sickness in the 50's and early 60's.
Ricky Hatton is supporting his friend Gary Skyner, yet is concerned for Gary’s health - he has a history of heart problems.
In addition to this, his 72-year-old mother is on daily medication which is required to be taken with food.
Ricky is urging Health Minister Andy Burnham MP to intervene and meet with both Gary Skyner and his committee to find a satisfactory resolution to this 50 year battle.
A spokesman for Ricky Hatton said: "Ricky and his supporters would like to wish Gary and his mother their best wishes during their protest and would like to be kept informed of developments."
Graduating from BCUC
Applied Social Sciences and Humanities keynote speaker, Gary Skyner, with graduating students (left to right) Philip Myers, Lucinda Stratford, Lucien Day and John Miles
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North east catches a tiger by the tail
The CIPFA North East (Northern Division) Students' Society was launched on Thursday March 31 at Tiger Tiger in Newcastle. An enjoyable day was had by all, with more than 30 local students attending.
The speakers included CIPFA's education and training director Ken Gill, who talked about training and the possible consolidation; John Gough from the Department for Work and Pensions, who engaged the audience with a debate on pensions provision; and Gary Skyner (comedian, motivational speaker and thalidomide victim), who gave an inspiring presentation on achieving goals.
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Newman Day
Our annual celebration of Newman Day took place on the 22nd November this year.
Students we re off timetable for the day as several dozen speakers, artists, dancers, musicians, community groups and cultural leaders visited the college to celebrate our distinctiveness, and to entertain, educate, challenge and inspire our students. It was a hugely enjoyable, but thought provoking day. There were lunch-time concerts, many and varied performances, food from around the world, fund raising events, and the college echoed to the sound of laughter.
Newman’s Head of RE was delighted with the impact that the event made. “It was a marvellous day for the college,” said Anne Russell, “and if anything it even surpassed last year’s celebration.
There were too many inspirational visitors to single out any particular favourites, but Black Umfolosi a dance and vocal group from Zimbabwe brought the house down with their effervescence and the life in their performances, and Gary Skyner a comedian from Liverpool led three excellent sessions on disability and equality to packed audiences.”
“I know that both want to return next year. The feedback from all our students was brilliant. It was a very special day.”
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Gary Skyner
Lawyer, pilot, FA Class 1 Coach, Welder, Stand-up Comedian and Father! - 2nd child in the UK to be born damaged by thalidomide (drug administered to expectant mother's during 1960s)
- Life expectancy - zero
- Represents encouragement and loves challenging the audience to learn to think differently, live life with passion and courage and achieve the impossible!
- Delivers powerful message
- Lets the audience have fun but leave with a new way of thinking
- Merseyside Comedian of the Year for 3 years running
- Star of award winning documentary 'Thalidomide - Life at 40'

Gary Skyner married at 25, has a 16-year-old daughter and makes a living as a stand-up comedian - often cracking gags about disability and his shorter arms. As well as much characteristic Scouse banter, we see Gary having a go at learning how to fly a plane.
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This blog was set up in August 2006 with the intention of providing me an opportunity to look behind the scenes of football and explore the changes brought in to the national game, with specific reference back to the changing situation at Wycombe Wanderers.
I was listening to a very inspiring talk given by Gary Skyner earlier this week. Gary was one of the thalidomide victims of the 1960s and has fought ceaselessly to prove what can be achieved if you only put your mind to it. In any case, Gary is a big football fan (he is from Liverpool).
During his talk Gary referred to the story of Bill Shankley putting up a sign saying "This is Anfield" above the player's tunnel at Anfield.

As Shankly himself said:
"It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against."Liverpool is synonymous with Anfield. Players and supporters understand it. One of the highlights of the Anfield tour is the opportunity to touch the sign, just like one of the players coming on to the pitch.
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Motivational Speech from Medical Disaster Survivor
28 March 2006
Comedian and Lawyer Gary Skyner visited The Oldham College today to deliver his funny yet motivation presentation to a packed Grange Arts theatre.
Gary has succeeded against all odd, after being a victim of the thalidomide tragedy, a drug administered to his mother during pregnancy. The harmful drug left him with impaired physical development and was not expected by the doctors at the time to live much longer than birth.
His incredible story formed part of his presentation in which he told of how he conquered his disability and pushed through many extraordinary barriers on the way.
Now in his 40's Gary has crammed more than most into his life, not only overcoming obstacles in his physical abilities, but becoming an award-winning comedian, Gary is a welder and a respected lawyer. He holds an advanced driving qualification and pilot’s licence.
He inspired staff and students to not settle for second best, but strive on to achieve and exceed all their goals.
His liverpudlian sense of humour and experience on comedy circuits made for a lively yet thought provoking afternoon of entertainment.
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Gary Spoke at our Spring Bash 2005
As the second child in the UK to be born damaged by the deadly thalidomide drug, which was administered to expectant mothers in the 1960’s, Gary’s life was destined to be difficult and challenging, as the drug impaired his physical development. Expected not to live, let alone to achieve much, Gary is living proof that there is nothing you cannot achieve if you believe you can.
With his comedic flair, Gary will show you how to conquer fears, benefit from failures, change attitudes, your own and others; learn to change limitations into opportunities, obstacles into challenges, and master your full capabilities.
He represents encouragement in the face of defeat and will challenge us to learn to think differently, to live life with courage and passion, and achieve what we think is impossible.
I’ve been told to “Expect the unexpected”, as he delivers key information in the most humorous way. “Let him entertain you, touch your heart and get your brain working in new directions”
Press releases
12 Oct 2004
Comic Praises Children's Project
A well-known comedian has praised the work that South Tyneside Council is doing to boost the educational achievements of looked after children.
Thalidomide victim Gary Skyner, whose comic talent has earned him considerable fame, was guest motivational speaker at a presentation ceremony held at Temple Park Leisure Centre.
During the event, around 50 children who are in the Council's care were presented with a certificate of personal or educational achievement.
The ceremony was organised by The Project for Looked After Children's Education (The PLACE), which intends to drive up their educational attainment.
Gary, 44, from Liverpool said: "This is a fantastic project which is keeping kids on the right track. It's plain to see that it's working because I was talking to youngsters who have high school attendance levels and are taking part in training courses."
Gary also offered the youngsters hope that success can be achieved in the face of prejudice.
"These kids might not think they have got a lot in common with a 19-stone man with short arms," he said. "But the truth is, we've got an awful lot in common. People look at me and say I can't do this and can't do that. In a similar way, some people form ideas about these youngsters because of their family background. They pre-judge us before they even know us.
"I told the youngsters they can achieve great things if they work hard and work towards something they really want rather than something that is expected of them. If I had done what people expected me to do, I'd have spent my life answering the telephone for a living. But I'm now doing something I love."
The PLACE brings together a multi-disciplinary team, which oversees the educational development of looked after children. The team consists of a teacher, social worker, education welfare officer, residential staff, learning mentors, curriculum support workers and a local authority manager.
And it is proving to be a big success, as there has been a year on year increase since 2001 in the percentage of young people passing at least one GCSE.
Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member Social Care and Health, said: "The PLACE plays a valuable part in fulfilling our corporate role and responsibility as a parent of looked after children. Ceremonies such as the one held at Temple Park are important because they recognise the efforts and achievements of these youngsters, and encourage further improvement.
"The certificates we gave out were very specific to the individual whether it be for personal or educational achievements. Some were for consistent school attendance or good exam results, whilst others were for being helpful at home. Those who could not attend the event received certificates through the post."
As well as Gary's performance, an earlier event featuring a magician and a disco was held for younger children.
Eileen Dunn, Acting Head of Children's Services added: "This is about celebrating the marvellous achievements of the children and young people in our care. They should be commended for the efforts they have made at school, or at home and it is only right that they be congratulated for everything that they have accomplished."
The event was held a result of joint working between the Social Care and Health, Lifelong Learning and Leisure and Corporate Development directorates.
Facts About Gary Skyner.
2Nd Born Thalidomide Victim In Great Britain 5Th November 1959. Thalidomide Was A Drug Prescribed For Pregnant Women To Avoid Morning Sickness Back In The 1950’S & 60’S But As You Can See It Had Devastating Effects On The Unborn Child.
Attended Alder Hey Childrens Hospital In West Derby, Liverpool Since The Day He Was Born Up Until His 14Th Birthday Having 14 Major Operations On His Hands, Shoulders, Fingers, Wrist’S & Elbows. Brought Up In (Toxteth), A Notoriously Tough Area Of Liverpool Infamous For The Riots Back In 1981 & An Area Of High Unemployment.
Attended Tiber Street Infants & County Primary School Tiber Street Was A Main Stream School – Not A Special School For The Disabled. Gary Played Football At Schoolboy Level For Tiber Street And Held His Place In The Team Amongst All The Other Players Who Were Able Bodied. Gary Took All Subjects Including Physical Education. He Was Also Disaplined The Same As All The Other Pupils – Including The Cain, The Only Difference Was, That When Gary Received The Cain Which Thankfully Was Not Often He Got It On His Backside Not On The Hand – This Was The Only Dispensation Shown To Him Whilst At School.
At Higher Education Levels Gary Attended Arundel Comprehensive School – Again In Toxteth- Again An (Ordinary School). Upon Leaving School Gary Was Told The Only Job He Could Do Would Be Clerical – Or – Answering The Telephone. He Was Employed On A Y.O.P. Youth Oppertunitties Programme As A Swithchboard Operator Ironically At Alder Hey Hospital – The Place He Had Virtually Spent 14 Years Of His Life Having Operations To Correct His Deformities He Has Defied All Expectations – Medics Said He Would Die At Or, Before 30 Years Of Age.
They Said He Would Not Marry Or Have Children. Gary Has Two Beautiful Daughters Hollie & Jessica
