Adjusting to Hanging Out at Home

March 16, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

We’re in tricky times at the moment, and we’re being told to stay home if we can. I, along with many other disabled people – have experience of this. So I thought I’d use this post to share my tips. As some of you may know, I at times have to stay at home due […]

My Current Top 3 Face Wash Products

February 24, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

If you don’t know already, as well as talking about disability – I like to dabble in a bit of lifestyle stuff too. I’ve talked about skincare in the past such as removing make up depending on energy levels and past favourite products. Today I thought I’d talk about my fave face washes. Obviously, I […]

“I never know when to [offer to] help disabled people”

February 17, 2020.Reading time 8 minutes.

Put ya seatbelts on, because it’s the biggy. The one I always get asked in my talks and workshops *promo alert – I do this kind of thing in real life too if you’d like a session, here is more info*. I hear things like “I never want to be rude” or “I ask everyone […]

“You can’t say anything anymore!”

February 3, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

Gem Turner in wheelchair, orange cardigan and black t shirt

In the rise of people such as Piers M*rgan and Katie H*pkins, this phrase is said a lot. But I’m just going to get to my point. I don’t understand it. If I say something to someone that’s not ok, or could be said better I am #mortified and I think about it for days. […]

Empowering Disabled People to be More Independent

January 16, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

Yesterday I had a social worker round to check about my care package etc, and it got me thinking about independence and how important it is for people to see it from the disabled person’s point of view. The meeting went great by the way (yay). Part of why I’m so independent myself is because […]

2020 – Let’s get the wheels in motion

January 10, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Image of Gem Turner sat in front of garage door

Happy New Year everyone. 20 bloomin’ 20 ey. The point of the title is that sometimes, when I don’t blog for a while – I feel a bit weird about pressing publish again. Especially the fact that it’s a new year too just adds to it. So I’m just getting on with it and trying […]

Managing your hair when you’re in a wheelchair

December 2, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

My hair is something that I’m really precious about. When my hair feels good – I feel good. But when you have shorter arms and have lower energy sometimes, it’s not always easy to maintain. Recently I cut my hair quite short (woah) which was a decision that I made to make it easier to […]

“I like your hair, did your mum do it for you?”

October 31, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Ok, let me take you back to 10 years ago… 2009. The year I left high school, the year mum let me box dye my hair nearly black and I was probably texting from my velvet covered Nokia flip phone asking my friends “wuu2?”. I wasn’t as shy as I used to be at this […]

UberAccess showed me how travelling should be | AD

October 19, 2019.Reading time 8 minutes.

Hello, can I order a taxi please? Phone Operator: Yes of course love, do you want it now? Me: Yes please, I’m in a wheelchair so can I have an accessible one..? Phone Operator: “We don’t do those, I’m afraid” “You’ll have to book at least 24 hrs in advance, and even then you’re pushing […]

Staring: My Honest Experience and Advice

October 10, 2019.Reading time 8 minutes.

For World Mental Health Day, I’ve decided to tackle a topic that affects me pretty much every day and has a massive impact on my mental health. On a good day, I make an effort with my appearance, I zone it out, I smile or I choose to ignore it. On a bad day, I […]