Don’t feel sorry for me – I don’t want to look like everyone else

December 3, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

When I meet people, especially people older than me, even at a glance, they feel sorry for me. I can tell. I get the sympathetic look, bow of the head or worst still – a pat on the head. People think I’m sad, I’ve got a hard life and it must be so difficult being […]

Don’t forget to breathe | Angie Stewart

November 25, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

This is a guest blog written by Angie Stewart as one of her 40 challenges in 50 weeks raising money for the Brittle Bone Society… There are definitely worse places in the world than floating across the Mediterranean on the top deck of a cruise ship, writing my first blog! The cruise is a gift […]

Do you want to come to my party? | Access and socialising

November 19, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

Ever since I was little my parents have always made sure I was surrounded by friends. Our house would be the place to hang out, have turkey dinosaurs and smiley faces and just generally have a great time. Access wasn’t really something I was thinking about. Even outside of the house – a lot of […]

To the families I meet with disabled children

October 25, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Sometimes I forget how privileged I am to be who I am. Some people will be surprised to read this but this is why… I have a disabled community I know who I look to if and when I need. I am ambitious and I am ultimately proud of being disabled. It’s taken years to […]

Top tips for networking when you’re a wheelchair user

October 5, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

I don’t know if you know this, I LOVE chatting to people. But, I know that networking can be awkward and sometimes I can have moments where I’m cringing and I don’t feel confident enough to be at the said event. When I say networking, that might sound a bit ooh la la. But I […]

“Are you sure..?”

September 11, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The other day I went to the shop in between my lunch. I had to do a quick turn around get some cash and get back to the office. I really fancied a bottle of coke. It was on a shelf I couldn’t quite reach (As you know I’m not one to shy away from […]

Good to see you again! | #whatmakesme

September 2, 2018.Reading time 6 minutes.

Every now and then when I go to a new place or city, I will be welcomed with that knowing look. Many people say “ah welcome back!” or “Good to see you again!”. It will baffle me and I will think, “where do they know me from?”. But after years of this I realise that […]

Why I’ve stopped filling in the silence

August 28, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

gem to the side smiling with bag on the back

I’ve said it before, I love small talk. But sometimes I can go too far. When I meet people I give it 100%, whoever it is from someone who’s opening a door for me or a person at the till. I will try to make them laugh, come out with sarcastic jokes and get to […]

Happy Birthday Dad

August 17, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

To be read in the tune of “when I’m 64” Dads getting older loosing his hair Don’t tell him there’ll be a row Let’s pretend he’s muscly and still looks young Birthday greetings hope you have fun Last week he was out till 11 o clock Then clung to the fridge Can’t drink like you […]

“Mum, shall a tell ’em am disabled?” | Disability and Employment

August 12, 2018.Reading time 8 minutes.

Recently I wrote a blog about jobs and careers for the Brittle Bone Society which you can read here. In a nut shell it’s me talking about the fact that I didn’t really see myself having a job, not because I couldn’t do it – but that the world wasn’t set up for me to. […]