Voices of Disability

VOICES OF
DISABILITY
our message to you

S I A N
Hi my name is Sian and as my t-shirt says “this is me “ I have a
condition called mitochondrial disease. At the moment it’s being
highlighted in a story line in Coronation Street. I was born with it,
it’s a degenerative thing. In the last few years, I have also started
having fits, which always has me rushed into resus at the local
general hospital. I HATE the epilepsy side of things but refuse to
let it define who I am. I love musicals and go whenever I can.
Lockdown has got in the way this year but they are so far
postponed… phew !
"this is me!"
I live with my mum and I have a fantastic westie called Percy. I
have two fantastic carers who are now part of our family. I belong
to different groups ranging from keeping fit and exercise to music
and drama at zone club Bradford on Avon. I have a great bunch of
friends, we are always out and about meeting up or enjoying BBQs.
I also love a game of bingo Because of my fabulous mum,
carers, and friends I don’t see myself as being disabled as long as
I’m in bed by ten pm

J O R D A N N E
My name is Jordanne.
I love to take my son Jackson on
outings to the farm or zoo.
I would say, your disability is part
of who you are so embrace and
accept it but remember it doesn’t
define you.
M A R C
My name is Marc and I love to watch
and play sports, in particular Arsenal!
I would say that you can either dwell
on your disability and think about what
you can’t do or accept that that’s the
way things are and think about all the
amazing things you can achieve.

S A M
Hi. I'm Sam.
I am 21 years old and am a student of Computer Science alongside
being a Musician and Game Streamer. I spend a lot of my time in the
digital world with friends from across the globe. Some days my disability
is blindingly obvious, when I have to use a wheelchair for example.
However, I do not always need it so some days my disability is hidden.
Even though I am not able to do everything I want I am still happy and
content with life and that's the biggest thing I want to break the myth of. Just
because I am disabled and have to do things differently doesn't mean my
life is 'worse' or 'bad. My life is just different. I am still the same bubbly
character always up for a chat and I love my life, even if some people think
the opposite because of the adjustments I have to make to my daily life.

D A N A
Hi everyone!
My name is Dana. I love to play wheelchair tennis, play with my new
puppy Riley, bake and see my friends. I also love escape rooms!!
One thing I’d really like to let people know about disability is that it’s
just another facet of a person, not their entire being.
"a whole new
world of sports,
friends and
opportunities"
Although having a disability makes some things inaccessible, it
actually allows us to access a whole new world of sports, friends,
and opportunities.
To the naked eye, a disability may seem like a negative, but it’s
actually been one of the positive things in my life. All it takes is a little
change in perspective to see the beauty in it

P A T
" A B L E T O D O B E T T E R
T H I N G S "
Hey, my name is Pat.
I have a spinal cord injury (c3 & c4)
which affects all 4 limbs. I use a
wheelchair indoors and a mobility
scooter to get about outdoors. I love all
sports, especially motorsport which has
always been a part of my life, and
sailing. I’ve been sailing at Whitefriars
Sailing Club for a few years.
I love the freedom and control it gives me out on the
water. It gives me that independence sensation I felt before my
injury. I had no knowledge prior and I’m so glad I’ve taken the
opportunity to try it. I also enjoy graphic design & blogging.
Even though I may not be able to physically do what I did
before, I’m able to do better things I’d never of done if I didn’t
have this disability. I’m a far more focused, knowledgeable and
better person than I was. There are no limits in life, only the
limits we place in our minds.

J O N A H
" I L O V E P L A Y I N G B O C C I A "
Hi, my name is Jonah
I love playing Boccia, which is
bowls for the disabled
people.
I’m just as normal as any
able-body person, just I’m in
the wheelchair. I like to be
talked to like a normal
person, not like a baby, and I
like to be seen with my
wheelchair because my
wheelchair is my legs.

J A C K
Hi, my name is Jack, a young man with a positive outlook on life. I would
say that I am very kind-hearted, with a determined attitude.
I have cerebral palsy. I feel that this has made me into the person I am
today. While some people may see it as a disadvantage, I see it as an
advantage, in meeting great people and having opportunities along the
way.
I enjoy being around people, watching all sports mainly, watching football
if that is my local team or Arsenal. I enjoy going out with family and
friends to eat and have a meal. When the
weather allows, I enjoy going to the seaside.
I enjoy meditation.
I have a job in a college working with students
with additional needs preparing the student
for adulthood.
"we all have
something to offer
this world"
While I do not let my disability stop me from living my life. I want people to
understand that with a disability, this can add additional challenges. My
biggest challenge I face is I expend more physical energy which, then
impacts other areas of my life. Even though I manage always be kind and
compassionate to people because they are doing their best, everyone's
best is all different. We all have something to offer this world. We are
amazing. There should be more support for people who are disabled to feel
comfortable with their disability. Starting conversations in society about
disability, to develop a greater understanding and a more inclusive world.

D A V I D
" D O N ' T J U D G E "
My name is David. I love to play sport and work on
my car. One thing about disabilities is that you can’t
always judge a book by its cover.
I do all my work on my car and most people think
disabled people can’t do anything for themselves. So
next time you see a disabled person, don’t judge
with your eyes.

K G
My name is Kgothatso Montjane,
I love reading and listening to
music.
The one thing I wish people
would understand is that
disability doesn’t define the
abilities one has.
R I C H A R D
My name is Richard.
I love to play wheelchair tennis and go
hand cycling.
Life with a disability is not easy but you
can overcome obstacles and achieve
great things if you want to and you try
hard enough.

L O U I S E
Hello, My name is Louise I love doing anything which relates to
music. I play the piano which is my favourite hobby and going
to gigs and seeing musicals never fails to make me smile. I also
love competing (I play wheelchair tennis) as it makes me feel
like I’m breaking down external perceptions of disability as well
as keeping fit and healthy doing something I love.
"It's your
choice how
you decide to
live your life"
The one message I would love for people to understand about
disability is that it does not automatically mean I’m at a
disadvantage and that it has a negative impact on my life/or
others. It’s your choice how you decide to live you life and take on
any challenges, and I chose to embrace every day as it comes and
not allow my disability to define me.

R U T H
My name is Ruth.
I love to write and I run my own
blog ‘the.rolling.twenties.’ I love to
read and be creative. At the
moment I am working on making
things for my home, including a
drawing of a butterfly.
I also love to exercise which includes
yoga, rowing and walks in the
countryside.
I have one degree already but I am
loving studying for my second one.
The other main loves in my life is my
family, my partner and our boys
and my friends.
"powerful
and
positive"
The things I want people to know is disabilities don’t hold you back.
I have walked many miles, travelled around the globe and seen
many sights.
I see my disability as an ability. It pushes me to overcome things,
such as struggling to walk. Disabilities don’t hold us back, they
make us stronger, more powerful and positive. I am proud of who I
am.

M A R Y
Hi, my name is Mary and I love climbing! If I could, I
would spend all my time at the climbing wall. I also like
watching other sports like wheelchair rugby.
I have EDS which affects all sorts of things, from my
joints to my stomach. Some days it may be obvious that
I have a disability, like when I am using my wheelchair or
crutches. But at other times, like when I am halfway up a
wall, it is less obvious.
I want people to understand that just because you may
not be able to see someone’s disability, it does not make
it any less real. I want people to understand that
sometimes a disability can look different each day, and
rather than judging each other for it, we should all just
be a little bit kinder and more considerate to each other.
P A T
Hello, I'm Pat and my passion is horses. I've
been around them all my life, both before
and after my accident in the 1950's. I still do
horse carriage driving - it gives me
wonderful views and takes me close to
nature.
As a disabled person I would say "work on
what you can do. Don't think too much
about what you can't, and take every
opportunity that comes your way"

C H R I S
" N O T A L L
D I S A B I L I T I E S
A R E V I S I B L E "
Hi, I’m Chris. I love going to see west end shows with
my girlfriend, seeing my friends and gardening.
Not all disabilities are visible (I’m visually impaired
which you can’t physically see) I want people to
understand the variety of disabilities that are out
there and not judge people based on what first meets
the eye.

ABBIE
“Disability....
what
disability?”
Hey, my name is Abbie, I live with my husband Tom and daughters Summer and
Jorgie. I have Cerebral Palsy which affects all 4 limbs and my speech.
One of my passions in life is Water skiing. I have been doing this for over 10
years and ski as part of British Disabled Waterski & Wakeboard Association. I
absolutely love doing this as it’s something I ‘can do’ without relying on family to
help me, it gives me some independence away from them.
My disability doesn’t stop me from doing anything. Of course, it can be an
inconvenience, but I love how I’m always being surprised at what I can achieve if
I put my mind to it and if I want it bad enough. I believe I am more determined
(stubborn) because of it and it has certainly made me more driven. Most of all, it
isn’t my life, it isn’t the centre of my universe. You learn to live and work with it
and not against it.
Of course, I have my off/down days, but I allow myself to have these and then I
give myself a good talking to and get on with it. Disability……. what disability?

M A T T
" M Y J O B I S I M P O R T A N T T O
M E . I L O V E I T ! "
Hi I’m Matt. I love to spend time with my family. I love going to
football and gigs. My subculture is important to me, spending
time with my mates.
My job is important to me, I love it!
Having cerebral palsy hasn’t stopped me living my life to the full.
I live in my own bungalow with my wife and son, I have a paid job.
I live like any non-disabled person does. I have a good network of
a support worker and friends and family. My disability doesn’t
define who I am.

VOICES OF
DISABILITY
our message to you