I am a Founder and Director of Access Your Life.
I was diagnosed with several disabilities at the age of 19. At that time, I had a passion for teaching dance, but since then, I have developed a love for sharing my experiences.
I hope that by doing so, others living with disabilities can learn to make the most of each day with the help of the right equipment, whether that involves resting in bed or planning a trip to Disneyland!
I used to be a fiercely independent dancer who was passionate about helping others and living a busy lifestyle. However, the night before my final exams to qualify as a dance teacher, I was rushed to hospital, unaware that my quality of life was about to decline rapidly overnight.
It took two years to receive the correct diagnosis. Since then, my life has been filled with hospital visits, mobility aids, medication and pain. I rely heavily on the NHS and local support services to keep me stable, which is no easy feat and often feels like fighting a fire with no water. During this time, I have encountered doctors who did not believe me, who accused my mum of fabricating my symptoms and who deemed me too complex for the complex or chronic services in my area.
Having been disbelieved for over a decade still makes me extremely anxious about attending hospital appointments, being admitted to a ward, or using community services. I naively thought that having a diagnosis would help, but it has actually made certain situations more complicated.
I am fortunate to have the support of an incredible GP, who has helped me understand that the care I have received at home, in the community, and in hospital has not always been satisfactory. They have also encouraged me to source my own equipment to help me stay safe, comfortable and independent at home, as the NHS often does not always provide clinically suitable equipment.
The same goes for wheelchairs. My local NHS Wheelchair Service provided me with an Invacare Action 3, which was extremely uncomfortable and far too big. It had transit wheels and remained broken for ten months. I hated using it so much that I eventually stopped leaving the house altogether. However, after much persuasion from my partner Felix, I finally agreed to order a bespoke wheelchair, on the condition that it was pink.
To my surprise, buying my first bespoke wheelchair was like buying a car. I also didn’t know which features would suit me best, so I wasted a lot of time and money.
Fortunately, I now have the perfect bespoke wheelchair for my needs, which is the Ki Mobility Ethos with an Axiom Postural Lateral Backrest, Axiom SPF Seat Cushion, and a SMOOV One Power Assist.
The mobility equipment industry is ever-changing and dominated by ableist sales pitches, which makes it very difficult for users to navigate. That’s why my partner Felix and I set up Access Your Life.
