User:True Crip/Ian Stanton

Ian Stanton (1950 - 1998) was a UK-based folk musician, singer-songwriter and poet. He was born and brought up in Oldham. Lancashire, England. A disability rights activist in the 1980s and 1990s, he was a founder member and the newsletter editor of Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. He released three albums: Shrinking Man and Freewheeling on cassette, and Rollin' Thunder on CD. He performed widely at disability rights and Disability Arts events.

Biography
Born 28 October 1950 at The Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham, Lancashire, England to parents Bessie and John.

Educated at Chadderton Grammar School from where he was expelled for unauthorised absence.

Stanton acquired his impairment as an adult through illness, Having both legs amputated led to his using a wheelchair full time.

After a brief illness, Stanton died on 28 November 1998 with his wife Audrey, stepson Brett and friend Martin at his side.

Music
Self-taught, Stanton played guitar from an early age. He went on to write songs. His first album, on cassette was The Incredible Shrinkin’ Man. It was recorded in Glossop, and paid for by his mother.

Information Officer and Editor of GMCODP's newsletter 'Coalition'

Many of his songs were written from an autobiographical perspective and drew attention to a range of disability issues, including attitudinal prejudice and the inaccessibility of public transport and the built environment.

Not all Stanton's songs were about disability.

Stanton wrote poetry, for example Pushing 40. Many of his poems became songs, for example The Glee Club

Member of The Tragic But Brave Roadshow which gave many performances between

Key disability related songs include Remember Douglas Bader, Chip on Your Shoulder, and Tragic But Brave. He also wrote songs not about disability, for example In the Meantime, and Bloody Funny Way.

Discography
Shrinkin' Man - cassette tape - 1989- Stream records

Freewheelin' - cassette tape - 1992 - Stream Records

Rollin' Thunder - CD - 1995 - Stream records

Political /disability rights activism
Ian Stanton was a prominent figure in the Disability Arts and disability rights movement. He combined his music and activism, saying:

An exponent of the social model of disability, Stanton argued that he was disabled by society and the barriers he encountered, not by his medical condition.

Founder member of Manchester Coalition of Disabled People.

Tony Baldwinson's report, Buses for All (Europe): A Case Study of a Campaign for Access by Law to Buses by Disabled People in the European Union, 1995-2001 is dedicated to Ian Stanton and others including Cathy Avison with whom Stanton co-wrote his song Message From Telethon.